The plot in the Tangredi restaurant story thickens like a well-seasoned marinara. T's Tuscan Bar & Grill closed Thursday when the landlord seized the keys to the Hillsboro Village address, alleging that the business did not maintain adequate insurance on the building, according to NashvillePost.com (subscription required).
In an email exchange Friday, owner Michael Tangredi said, "We have been subjected to what our attorney is calling 'illegal re-entry' by our landlord where he changed the locks on the premises without a court order. Our rent at that location is up to date and there were no true defaults on our end. Our attorney is looking into filing suit in this matter."
The closing of T's comes as the Tangredi family business faces lawsuits from American Express and the U.S. Department of Labor for allegedly bilking the credit card company out of $1.1 million and failing to produce documents related to employment and payroll.
Meanwhile, Tangredi says there has been no change at Tangredi's Italian Kitchen on Elliston. Until the new year, Michael T's American Grill on Division is available only for private parties.
Update: As of this morning, a temporary restraining order has been placed on 2000 Belcourt, prohibiting the Tangredis or people acting on their behalf from entering the building.
