Cooking concept with vegetables and copy space in the middle on wooden background
A Sebastopol restaurateur accused of many sexual harassment allegations wants back in the kitchen of his restaurant. When the restaurant, Piala, was initially given its permits to operate, Sebastopol officials attached several terms to the deal, including not allowing co-owner Lowell Sheldon to work or drink there. However, an application with the city’s planning commission is asking this be waived so the other co-founder, Jeff Berlin, can take a vacation while Sheldon fills in. Sebastopol staff have recommended it be approved but with several conditions: no Piala employees, including owners, will be allowed to drink on duty, that there be check-ins with the city every six months, and that a human resources firm continues to monitor employees’ experience. Sheldon tells the Press Democrat that he is fine with those terms. Sheldon is currently set to open a restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa, where Third Street Aleworks used to be.