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Monday, September 28, 2009

Chef Ray Bear: Tabah threatened my life

The backstory to BEAR restaurant

Posted by Tim Bousquet on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Last Monday, I broke the news on The Coast's web site that chef Ray Bear had abruptly left town, leaving the future of BEAR Restaurant in limbo.

Friday, Ray Bear himself left the following comment on that story:

I WORKED MY ASS IF THAT PLACE FOR A YEAR WITH MOST OF THE TIME NO MANAGER, NO BUDGET AND NO ONE IN THE CITY TO REPARE ANY OF THE BREAKDOWNS. I did not have control of money at any time, the "GUY" is a Thug! I left after a death threat was made to me over the phone which I reported to the police! Employers (thats all I was,was an employee) don't call you drunk and scream you are the enemy, then leave messages that they love you. The "guy" is sick?! Anyone who does business with this "guy" be careful not to get burned! me? I am a chef who is passionate about the total guest experience! Impossible under those conditions

In the comment, Bear is clearly referring to David Tabah, the primary owner of BEAR Restaurant, and Bear is alleging that Tabah threatened his, Bear's, life.

As per our web site, policy, I removed the comment until I could verify that it was in fact Ray Bear who made it. I exchanged email with Bear Saturday, and he confirmed that Bear had placed the comment.

This morning, I spoke with constable Brian Palmeter of the Halifax Police Department; department policy prohibits the public release of names on police reports, but Palmeter confirms that someone from the 1200 block of Barrington Street (Bear Restaurant is at 1239 Barrington Street) called the police department on Wednesday, September 16, alleging that his life had been threatened via telephone on Thursday, September 10.

The allegation that a death threat was made is unproven.

Palmeter says that the police investigation has been closed, because "it was settled to the satisfaction of the complainant."

BEAR Restaurant remains the subject of continued rumours. David Tabah has not immediately returned my calls. A woman who answered the phone at the restaurant says there are no plans to close it.

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This ought to be a warning to those of us who enjoy dining out and who want to start their own restaurant: I assumed (bad move on my part, I know) that because the restaurant was named Bear, that Chef Ray Bear would have been the major owner in this project. Judging by his statement, clearly not. I am getting much more picky about where I eat (especially in these days of food safety hysterics and H1N1) and I have a new golden rule: CHEF OWNED ONLY!!!!! *Backers* are in it for the money, NOT for the *total guest experience*. One only need to look at places like Fid, Chives, Fleur de Sel (Lunenburg) and Charlotte Lane (Shelburne) for proof that this is the secret to their success. The person who is responsible, ultimately, for putting that plate of food on the table is also the person paying the phone bill. No conflicts of interest.

Posted by tiikaran on October 28, 2009 at 2:53 AM | Report this comment

Speaking of rumours, there was one posted last week about the financial health of a certain 'Irish' pub. It was also removed. Anybody looking into that one?

Posted by on the scene on September 28, 2009 at 10:45 PM | Report this comment