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Eater
21 hours ago
- Eater
Acclaimed West African Restaurant Considers Closing After Manager Detained by ICE
An award-winning West African restaurant in Roxbury is on the brink of closing after a visit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend scooped up an essential employee — and a family member of the owner. Restaurant manager Paul Dama of Suya Joint — the brother of chef and owner Cecelia Lizotte — was detained by ICE on Sunday, June 15. The county has no criminal charges on file for Dama because he is being detained by national immigration authorities, according to an officer at the Stafford County Department of Corrections, in Dover, New Hampshire, where he's being held in jail. Lizotte, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 and is a legal citizen, says that her brother joined her in 2019. She told Eater that Dama has applied for asylum and the case is pending. He has not been approved or denied. The family has not been given an explanation for his detention, and is not aware of any official charges against him, according to Lizotte. Dama's family has worked to find him legal representation in the state of New Hampshire, which Lizotte says was difficult because immigration lawyers have many current cases. A hearing is currently set for Thursday, June 26. Dama can call his family daily, and told his sister that he is 'shaking and scared' because he said other detainees have been transferred at night, and he is not sure where they are being taken. The ordeal has forced Lizotte to consider closing the restaurants (possibly temporarily, Lizotte says) to focus on getting Dama back home, but her staff is encouraging her to keep going. 'What am I working for, you know?' she says. But 'the tears just keep coming when I talk about it because, no, I do not want to close.' It's also 'extremely scary' to be running a restaurant right now, Lizotte says. 'Like, could I be the next person?' The West African restaurant has been a mainstay in Roxbury since 2016, nabbing local honors along the way, including a spot on Eater Boston's 38 essential restaurants and a Best of Boston award from Boston Magazine three years in a row. A Providence location opened in early 2025. The Nubian Square restaurant is known for its jollof rice, a one-pot rice dish prepared with a savory pepper sauce; tender beef suya, a spicy beef skewer popular throughout West Africa for which the restaurant is named after; and egusi, a staple stew made with ground pumpkin seeds, spinach, chicken, and fish. The restaurant is currently donating 20 percent of all jollof rice sales directly toward Dama's legal expenses. The restaurant has posted a GoFundMe to raise money for legal fees and to help Dama's family make ends meet while he is detained. The Trump administration has taken an unyielding stance on immigration since coming into power, wreaking havoc on restaurants across the country. Fears of ICE raids have closed markets in Las Vegas, and massive crackdowns have hit restaurants in Washington, DC. CBS News reported earlier this year that local restaurants in East Boston have seen a drop in immigrant customers due to increased concerns about ICE raids. Immigrants of all statuses make up the backbone of the food service industry, and ICE agents are conducting raids on many businesses. Eater has compiled a guide to dealing with them if they come to your restaurant. See More:
Associated Press
22-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Feast & Fettle Acquires Ipsa Provisions Accelerating Expansion into NYC
Fourth acquisition in four years coincides with Lower Manhattan launch and $50M run rate milestone PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Feast & Fettle, the premium meal delivery service redefining family mealtime with a hospitality-first approach, today announced it has acquired New York-based Ipsa Provisions to fast-track its growth in New York City. The deal comes just days before Feast & Fettle launches full-service delivery in Lower Manhattan, extending its reach across Battery Park, Tribeca, and the Financial District. This marks the fourth acquisition in four years - and the second in six months - for Feast & Fettle, reinforcing the company's aggressive expansion strategy. Ipsa's loyal customer base will now transition to Feast & Fettle's vertically integrated model, gaining access to fresh, chef-prepared meals and personalized service with food delivered direct-to-doorstep. 'Feast & Fettle will carry forward Ipsa's customer-first philosophy by serving its community with fresh meals and exceptional service,' said Carlos Ventura, CEO of Feast & Fettle. 'Acquisitions like this demonstrate our ability to scale thoughtfully and create momentum for future growth.' 'We built something really special at Ipsa — with a deep focus on quality, craft, and customer care. I'm proud to see that spirit live on with a team that shares those values,' said Jeroen Spitaels, CEO of Ipsa Provisions. Feast & Fettle's expansion into Lower Manhattan marks the next phase after a successful Brooklyn launch in January - now the brand's third-largest market. The brand's blend of premium, customizable meals and full-service delivery has resonated with urban families seeking better food - without the tradeoffs. Following the acquisition of Ipsa Provisions and expansion into Manhattan, Feast & Fettle is poised to bring its top-rated service to even more families across New York City. 'I spent my early career in the Financial District and intimately understand the fast-paced nature of the city,' Ventura said. 'Our service is built to ease the daily load for busy families - especially moms juggling an endless mental checklist. We're here to simplify mealtime and make space for what matters most.' To learn more about Feast & Fettle, visit and follow Feast & Fettle on social media ( Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ). About Feast & Fettle: Established in 2016, Feast & Fettle is a premium meal service renowned for its quality and local community engagement. Operating from its Rhode Island commercial kitchen, the in-house team delivers fully-prepared, high-quality meals directly to busy households across the Northeast. Recently ranked #6 on The Boston Globe's 2025 list of New England's Fastest-Growing Companies, the company has received multiple accolades - including Best of Boston, Best of Greenwich, and Best of Rhode Island. Contact: Caroline Cordes WOI Communications [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Feast & Fettle
