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Keith McNally Sued; Huckabee Serves Clam Chowder in New Hampshire

According to a new class-action suit being brought against Keith McNally, servers at Pastis and Balthazar were forced to foot the bill for customers who walked out on their checks, in addition to being denied minimum wage. [NYP]

Frank Bruni, like many other critics, believes a restaurant’s chicken dishes speak volumes about its overall quality. [Diner’s Journal/NYT]

E-mails sent by Starbucks Corp. managers reveal their efforts to prevent unionizing among their employees, although labor experts say the activity is not illegal. [WSJ]

In the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary, only John Edwards and Mike Huckabee had food to offer at their rallies: Edwards’s people handed out shortbread cookies, while Huckabee’s rally featured clam chowder. [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]

Not everyone is looking forward to the opening of Alain Ducasse’s Adour, seeing as it doesn’t seem to jive with the casual dining that dominates the city. [Serious Eats]
Related: L’Obsession [NYM]

Donatella Arpaia hates the smell of lamb and is sick of the small-plate trend. [Restaurant Girl]
Related: Restaurateur Donatella Arpaia Binges on Oysters and Snacks on Hot Pockets

On January 16, Whole Foods will donate 5 percent of the day’s net sales from Union Square and Chelsea stores to Covenant House New York. [Grub Street]

Pity Tony Bourdain: When he wakes up in hotels, he often doesn’t know where he is, and his wife doesn’t approve of his Italian cooking. [A.V. Club]

Writers for an online newsletter have been sneaking their way into soon-to-open restaurants by posing as party planners so they can get images of the place before anyone else. [The Feed/TONY]

Keith McNally Sued; Huckabee Serves Clam Chowder in New Hampshire