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Arturo Boada inside his Arturo Boada Cuisine.: Craig H. Hartley photo
Bill Sadler, owner of Arturo’s Uptown Italiano, sent word today saying the suit pitting the restaurant and its former chef Arturo Boada has been settled.
Boada abruptly left Arturo's Uptown Italian in March of 2011. He returned to the kitchen in May 2011 with Arturo Boada Cuisine.
In a news release, Sadler says:
“From the beginning I felt that Boada suing us didn’t make sense. The amount we settled for was what I originally would have paid him for his shares plus the real estate, so what was the point? I did learn that lawsuits are an expensive way to settle a dispute, but once the suit was filed our restaurant had no choice but to defend itself. Anyway, I’m glad it’s over and am very happy with the outcome. I wish Mr. Boada well in his future endeavors. Now the staff and I can continue making Arturo’s Uptown Italiano even better. Our new chef has put a fantastic team together, so look for great things to come out of our kitchen.”
Here’s the rest of the press release:
After leaving Arturo’s Uptown Italiano in March, 2011, Boada filed suit against his former employer, demanding that they stop using the name “Arturo’s.” In a Federal Court hearing Boada requested a Preliminary Injunction on that point, but the presiding Magistrate Judge denied that request and this ruling was affirmed by the District Judge. In April of 2012, by agreement of both parties, the issue of naming rights was dismissed from the case. Arturo’s Uptown Italiano can keep the name that it spent six years establishing.
Naming rights dealt with, there were some other issues still subject to a full trial. As that trial date neared, all parties agreed to a settlement resulting in both sides dismissing their claims against the other. Sadler paid a cash sum for Boada’s share of Arturo’s Uptown Italiano and Boada’s share of a separate real estate venture they owned together. Sadler now owns 100% of Arturo’s Uptown Italiano and the real estate venture. Sadler was ably represented by the legal firm of Plummer and Farmer and the Buche Law Firm.
.....went to Arturo's new joint, although in a crappy spot the food was very good and service as well. A tad on the very noisy side but food alone it is worth going for. This shows you a talented chef can do a stand alone concept and make it work. Young bucks, take note of that.
Crappy spot? The food and service are worth it. So, it's not in the Heights. Who cares? The neighborhood is busting at the seams and people from West Houston go there. BTW....I can walk there and I like my neighborhood. Great food, great service & a little loud. Sounds like fun to me!
I agree...... this is a great location..... many very good places to dine in the area...
Sadler sure sounds like a like class act or should I say a bitter mean spirited person
It is always better to lock hands than to lock horns!
I have been to both locations. I was unimpressed with Arturo Boada Cuisine. The food was WAY overpriced, it was loud and service was unpleasant. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the food, service and ambiance at Arturo's Uptown. I had dinner there years ago and was thoroughly impressed with all the positive changes.
To set the record straight: I have worked for both Bill Sadler and Arturo and like them both. I was working there when the big blow-up happened between them and I have to come down on the side of Bill. I know that almost all of the other employees working there agree with me. Bill is not mean spirited or bitter nor is Arturo. It's too bad old friends had to end this way and I wish they would shake hands and realize one bad scene should not end a long standing friendship.