MamaSushi Gets Liquor License Back After Paying $7K Fine

INWOOD, NY — A popular Uptown bar is allowed to serve liquor again after paying a $7,000 fine and declining to fight charges it violated coronavirus rules by serving customers in a fully enclosed space.

However, a representative from MamaSushi in Inwood failed to tell members of Upper Manhattan's Community Board 12 about the fine and payment – instead saying Tuesday that the State Liquor Authority "deemed that the suspension was not warranted."

"After numerous conversations between our attorneys and the state liquor authority, it was deemed that the suspension was not warranted — due to the violation was for a fully enclosed structure, and the structure was actually opened at the end in three quarters," the representative told a meeting of the board.

That version was not correct, the SLA said Wednesday. The license was reinstated because the fine was paid.

"The suspension was not 'reversed' — the license was charged with serious violations of the Governor's public health-based Executive Orders, pled 'no contest,' and offered to pay a $7,000 fine," a spokesperson from the State Liquor Authority told Patch. "The SLA Board accepted this plea offer and reinstated their license after payment of the assessed fine, as is standard practice."

MamaSushi did not respond to Patch's multiple requests for comment.

A Timeline of Events

On Feb. 4, investigators from the state's multi-agency task force observed 15 patrons at MamaSushi eating and drinking inside a fully enclosed structure outside the restaurant despite rules against it, according to the State Liquor Authority.

The restaurant was previously warned and charged for serving patrons inside the same enclosed outdoor structure on Jan. 16, according to the State Liquor Authority.

On Feb. 5, the State Liquor Authority board voted unanimously to suspend the establishment's license to "protect the health and safety of the community."

After the suspension was issued, MamaSushi chose a Conditional No Contest plea, which means that the restaurant agrees not to challenge the charges if the State Liquor Authority accepts the offered penalty payment, according to the State Liquor Authority.

On Feb. 10, MamaSushi offered $7,000 to settle the charges, which the State Liquor Authority accepted on the same day, according to the government organization.

MamaSushi was now able to serve alcohol again, while also agreeing to "not serve food or beverages in the structure that led to the 'inside dining' charges unless inside dining in the area becomes permittable or the structure is altered to ensure that two sides are open.

The Community Board Meeting

The Community Board 12 General Meeting stretched nearly five hours Tuesday night and included several opinions on MamaSushi, and whether the restaurant should get its liquor license back. The board cannot issue licenses, but advises the SLA.

Of course, the board at the time didn't know that MamaSushi had already gotten its liquor license reinstated.

At least one board member wasn't happy to hear about the misinformation from the MamaSushi representative.

"They weren't forthcoming with the Community Board in terms of what the problems were," Community Board 12 member Tanya Bonner told Patch. "It really bothers me. The committee can only act upon the information it has before it."

There were multiple comments from the public, board members, and elected officials both praising and lamenting MamaSushi.

In favor of MamaSushi, multiple people commended the popular Inwood restaurant as a major beacon of community in the neighborhood and also lauded its owner Susana Osorio as a constant presence in the area.

Additionally, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez took part in the meeting, firmly putting his support behind MamaSushi.

"I support MamaSushi big time because I believe that it is important to support any local small businesses," Rodriguez said. "You go to Dyckman, you go to that area, and you'll see the owner Susana 24-hours there."

But other speakers said, "MamaSushi has not been a good neighbor" due to noise levels and mentioned its location in the 10034 ZIP code — an area that consistently has had one of the highest COVID-19 rates in Manhattan.

You can watch the four-hour and 53 minute Community Board meeting here.