NYC restaurateur Keith McNally names ‘incredibly rude’ music icon who made waitress cry

New York Post - Apr 17th, 2025

Famed New York City restaurateur Keith McNally has accused music icon Patti Smith of being 'incredibly rude' to wait staff at One Fifth restaurant in the 1970s, as detailed in his forthcoming book, 'Regret Almost Everything.' McNally, who managed the restaurant, recalls that Smith, often accompanied by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and his ex Sam Wagstaff, was difficult to serve, once reducing a waitress to tears over a forgotten bread order. The allegations have sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users corroborating McNally's claims while others defend Smith, citing her growth and current demeanor.

The controversy arises as McNally has previously criticized celebrity behavior, notably banning James Corden from his restaurant Balthazar for similar reasons, though Corden later apologized. This pattern of calling out high-profile figures highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity culture and public civility. As McNally's book, set to release on May 6, delves into more such anecdotes, it underscores the complexities of fame and personal conduct, inviting reflections on past behaviors versus current reputations.

Patti Smith James Corden Robert Mapplethorpe Keith Mc Nally One Fifth Restaurant Celebrity Behavior New York City Dining

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story presents an intriguing account of past events involving Keith McNally and Patti Smith, focusing on allegations of rudeness in a restaurant setting. While the article is clear and engaging, it relies heavily on McNally's subjective claims without sufficient corroboration from other sources. The inclusion of social media reactions adds a layer of public opinion but lacks depth and verification. The story's balance is somewhat skewed towards McNally's perspective, with limited exploration of Smith's viewpoint or broader context. Despite its readability and potential for engagement, the article's impact and relevance to public interest are limited by its historical focus and lack of direct evidence. Overall, the story offers an interesting narrative but falls short in providing a comprehensive and balanced examination of the claims.

Accuracy

The story primarily relies on Keith McNally's claims about Patti Smith's behavior in the 1970s, which are difficult to verify independently. McNally's allegations are based on his personal experiences as a manager at One Fifth restaurant, which adds a layer of subjectivity. The article also mentions reactions from social media users, which are anecdotal and not substantiated by independent verification. While the story accurately quotes McNally's statements and includes reactions from the public, the lack of direct evidence or corroboration from other sources, such as Smith's representatives or other eyewitness accounts, limits the factual accuracy and verifiability of the claims. The absence of a response from Patti Smith's representatives further leaves the claims unchallenged, which affects the overall accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a somewhat unbalanced perspective by focusing primarily on McNally's allegations against Patti Smith. While it includes some social media reactions that both corroborate and contradict McNally's claims, the story does not delve deeply into Smith's perspective or provide a comprehensive view of her behavior over time. The inclusion of McNally's past criticisms of other celebrities, such as James Corden, adds context but may also suggest a pattern that could influence readers' perceptions. However, the article does not explore potential reasons for Smith's alleged behavior or provide insights from neutral parties, which could have offered a more balanced view.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly communicates the main claims and reactions. It uses straightforward language and maintains a neutral tone, making it accessible to a general audience. The logical flow of the narrative, from McNally's claims to public reactions, helps readers understand the sequence of events and the differing opinions. While the clarity of the article is strong, the inclusion of more background information about the historical context of the events could have further enhanced reader comprehension.

Source quality

The primary source of the story is Keith McNally, a credible figure in the NYC restaurant scene, who provides firsthand accounts of his experiences. His reputation and previous public statements lend some credibility to his claims. However, the reliance on social media comments as secondary sources raises questions about reliability, as these are subjective and not verified. The story lacks input from other credible sources, such as restaurant staff from that era or Smith's representatives, which could have strengthened the reporting. The absence of additional authoritative sources limits the overall credibility of the article.

Transparency

The article is relatively transparent in presenting Keith McNally's claims and his motivations, given the context of his upcoming book. It clearly attributes statements to McNally and outlines the public reactions to his allegations. However, it does not provide much context about the specific incidents or the broader environment in which these events allegedly occurred. The article could have benefited from more detailed explanations of why certain perspectives were included or omitted, which would have enhanced transparency. Overall, while the basis for the claims is clear, the lack of context and additional perspectives affects the article's transparency.