Mike Isabella In Trouble (Again) for Alleged Unpaid Rent

Mike Isabella’s first restaurant, Graffiato, is the latest of the embattled restaurateur’s troubles: the restaurant is under fire from its landlord, reports Washingtonian. Douglas Development is suing for more than $28,000 in alleged unpaid rent and other fees. The company has listed the location at 707 6th Street NW as for lease, and even sent out an email blast this morning to promote said listing.

Isabella is decidedly not having a great year. In May the restaurateur settled the lawsuit against his restaurant group which alleged that Isabella and and other company leaders sexually harassed Chloe Caras, a former employee. Last month, Isabella announced he was selling his Richmond branch of Graffiato to “focus on things closer to home.”

Isabella’s flagship rent troubles also aren’t his first — last month the news broke that the landlord of his now-defunct Mosaic District restaurant Requin Brasserie says Isabella hasn’t paid a dime in rent since 2015.

Isabella’s email reply to Washingtonian’s request for comment? “Don’t know what your [sic] talking about.”

*Landlord Sues Mike Isabella’s DC Graffiato for Unpaid Rent [Washingtonian]

*All Previous Mike Isabella Coverage [EDC]