"You don't lose all that booze from 40 years and 9,000 Percocets in just 28 days," spoke the all too frank Neil Stein, owner of three upscale dives downtown, to Philadelphia Weekly in regards to his recent rehabilitation. While he may have been the greatest threat to Stephen Starr's restaurant reign in Philadelphia, life for Stein isn't so peachy these days. In addition to his self-deteriorating drug and alcohol addictions, Stein is currently faced with charges for tax evasion, mail fraud, bankruptcy fraud, unpaid Philadelphia city and liquor taxes and uncompensated employees. Total deficit has reached $7 million, and Stein's got nothing. (Besides Striped Bass, of course.)
Apparently, it was the downfall of Avenue B that drained the life and moolah from Neil's Rittenhouse power block. Taking funds from the successes of Rouge, Bleu and Striped Bass, Stein tried to salvage his ill-fated baby, the last to open and first to close. While he tried to attract Philadelphia's theater crowd, he did not. So, with a show of his own, he closed Avenue B's doors, while allegedly refusing devoted employees benefits and paychecks.
With a tip of the hat and a smile goodbye, we must thank Neil Stein for adding sex appeal and sophistication to Philadelphia's dining nights. As we sip our $9 martinis and enjoy those $15 burgers, basking in the outdoor pleasures of Philadelphia nights, our minds will saunter towards the scandalous sovereignty of Neil Stein. It is likely that the restaurants will be under new ownership in the near future, but we won't forget Neil. Long live the king of drugs, booze, and money -- you are Philly's true Starr.
