Popular Pittsburgh Restaurateur Arrested On Assault, Strangulation Charges

PITTSBURGH, PA — The owner of some of the city's most popular restaurants was arrested last weekend charges in an alleged domestic violence incident.

According to court records, Richard DeShantz, 55, the owner of the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, is facing misdemeanor counts of simple assault and strangulation.

DeShantz is accused of punching a woman in her face, slamming her against the steering wheel and choking her while she was driving DeShantz and his brother home from a Strip District bar early Saturday.

DeShantz also allegedly choked the woman and threw her to the ground outside of his home.

DeShantz was arrested but is out on bail. He faces an Oct. 13 preliminary hearing.

DeShantz's holdings include Meat & Potatoes, Butcher & The Rye, and Sally Ann's, all Downtown; Poulet Bleu and Fish Nor Fowl, both in Lawrenceville; Coop De Ville, Sea Monkey, and Vieux Carre, all in the Strip District; Golden Gai in Bakery Square; and Pre Amp Coffee Studio in Squirrel Hill.