Mob-Themed NJ Restaurant Owner Speaks Out After Filing For Bankruptcy

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — The Collingswood community received a direct message from the owner of "The Kitchen Consigliere" on Wednesday after the mob-themed restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 2.

"We fell behind on certain obligations, including taxes owed to the State of New Jersey, and I take full responsibility for that," said owner and chef Angelo Lutz.

According to court filings, the eatery at 700 Haddon Ave. owes more than $386,000 to a group of 46 creditors.

This includes the state government, with a listed $102,000 in missed tax payments.

Lutz said the business is working through a payment plan and that the Chapter 11 designation is about a fresh start to "deal responsibly with what is owed and keep moving forward.

The restaurant is staying open and staffed, management said, as ownership works through the legal hurdles.

"For me, this restaurant has always been more than the food," Lutz added, "...It's about the people who work here and the customers we love to serve...Thank you all for your calls, messages, and notes."

He concluded by saying that bringing family and friends to eat like usual, and to "let us keep doing what we love" is the support that matters just as much.

Lutz has ties to the Philadelphia mob family led by Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino and served nine years in federal jail for racketeering, gambling, and extortion prior to opening his mob-themed restaurant in 2010 to pursue his love of food and cooking for others.

"The Kitchen Consigliere"serves traditional Italian dishes and is open every evening at 700 Haddon Ave.

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