House v Slow Food, LLC 2026 NY Slip Op 30103(U) January 12, 2026 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 159450/2018 Judge: Arlene P. Bluth Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. ARLENE P. BLUTH PART 14 Justice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 159450/2018 ERIN-LOUISE HOUSE, RASHMI PANDEY, MOTION DATE 12/22/2025 Plaintiffs, MOTION SEQ. NO. 010 011 -v- SLOW FOOD, LLC,JOHN MANOS, VASILY THEODORIDIS DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 010) 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 231, 232, 235 were read on this motion to/for MODIFY ORDER/JUDGMENT .
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 011) 227, 228, 229, 233, 234, 236 were read on this motion to/for ALTERNATE SERVICE .
Defendant Manon’s motion (MS010) to reargue/renew the portion of the Court’s decision
conditioning the vacatur of his default on posting a bond is denied and plaintiff’s cross-motion to
reinstate the default is granted. Plaintiff’s motion (MS011) for the approval of an ex parte order
is granted.
Background
This action concerns plaintiffs’ work for defendants and their claims that defendants
violated the New York Labor Law by inter alia failing to pay proper wages and failing to pay for
overtime work. The judge previously assigned to this matter referred the issue of damages to a
special referee (after defendants’ attorney had withdrawn as counsel and defendants defaulted)
and the referee awarded damages to plaintiffs in a decision from September 2021 (NYSCEF 159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 1 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
1 of 6 [* 1] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
Doc. No. 146). Eventually, plaintiffs obtained a judgment against Slow Food, LLC and John
Manos (the case settled with defendant Theodoridis) in September 2023 (NYSCEF Doc. No.
173).
MS010
Defendant Manos then moved to vacate his default and the judge previously assigned to
the matter (who has since retired) granted that motion, conditioned on defendant Manos filing an
undertaking for the judgments entered against him (NYSCEF Doc. No. 212).
In motion sequence 010, defendant Manos wants to remove the requirement that he post
an undertaking. As an initial matter, the Court denies the motion because it did not properly
differentiate between a motion to reargue and renew as required by CPLR 2221[f]). Manos
simply lumped these two together. To the extent the motion is one to reargue the now-retired
prior judge’s decision, the motion is denied.
Assuming that it is a motion to renew, Manos contends that he has been unable to secure
an undertaking in his affirmation (NYSCEF Doc. No. 220). He claims this is because he is a
resident of Australia and that he does not have the funds to post a bond for the full amount.
These purported justifications are not a basis to modify the prior order. Defendant Manos did
not attach any proof of these conversations with the potential bond/surety companies despite
suggesting he emailed them. Plus, he did not submit any proof to substantiate his claim that he
lacks the sufficient funds.
The fact is that the prior judge was entitled to condition the vacatur on the posting of a
bond pursuant to CPLR 5015 as long as the “circumstances which justified the additional
security” are reasonable (see Czub v Russell, 177 AD2d 831, 831, 576 NYS2d 445 [3d Dept
1991]). Here, the prior judge required the undertaking on the ground that defendant Manos did
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 2 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
2 of 6 [* 2] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
not keep his former counsel apprised of his whereabouts and this Court declines to modify that
decision.
Therefore, because Manos has not posted the required bond, the Court grants plaintiffs’
motion to reinstate the default judgment.
MS011
This is an ex parte order in which plaintiffs seek to serve a sheriff’s notice with property
execution and lienor notification letter on Mr. Manos and defendant Slow Food. Defendant
Manos claims that he has not had ties with Slow Food since 2019 and that he should not be
treated as one and the same for purposes of a default judgment.
Plaintiffs point out that the sheriff is required under CPLR 5232 to serve a copy of the
execution on the garnishee. And they stress that Manos has repeatedly emphasized that he is an
Australian national living in Australia and his only connection to the United States is that his
attorneys are in New York state.
Based on this record, the Court approves the proposed order attached to the motion. The
fact is that the judgment was entered against Slow Food LLC and Manos jointly and severally
(NYSCEF Doc. No. 173). So there is good reason to permit the sheriff to serve in the way
proposed by plaintiffs.
Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED that defendant Manos’ motion (MS010) to reargue/renew is denied; and it is
further
ORDERED that plaintiff’s cross-motion to reinstate the default judgment is granted; and
it is further
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 3 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
3 of 6 [* 3] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
ORDERED that Court approves plaintiff’s proposed ex parte order (MS011) as attached.
1/12/2026 $SIG$ DATE ARLENE P. BLUTH, J.S.C. CHECK ONE: X CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
□ GRANTED DENIED GRANTED IN PART X OTHER
APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
□ CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT REFERENCE
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 4 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
4 of 6 [* 4] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
At an IAS Part ___, 14 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of New York, at the courthouse thereof located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007, on the ___12 day of ________________ January 2025 6
PRESENT: HON _______________________ Arlene P. Bluth J.S.C.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK ---------------------------------------------------------------X ERIN-LOUISE HOUSE and RASHMI PANDEY Index No. 159450/2018
Plaintiff EX-PARTE ORDER
-against-
SLOW FOOD LLC d/b/a MARKET LANE NYC, JOHN MANOS and VASILI THEODORIDIS
Defendants ---------------------------------------------------------------X
Plaintiffs Erin-Louise House and Rashmi Pandey, having duly moved for an Ex-Parte order
pursuant to CPLR §§ 311-a(b) and 5232 directing the manner in which a Sheriff’s Notice with
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
House v Slow Food, LLC 2026 NY Slip Op 30103(U) January 12, 2026 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 159450/2018 Judge: Arlene P. Bluth Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. ARLENE P. BLUTH PART 14 Justice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 159450/2018 ERIN-LOUISE HOUSE, RASHMI PANDEY, MOTION DATE 12/22/2025 Plaintiffs, MOTION SEQ. NO. 010 011 -v- SLOW FOOD, LLC,JOHN MANOS, VASILY THEODORIDIS DECISION + ORDER ON MOTION Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 010) 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 231, 232, 235 were read on this motion to/for MODIFY ORDER/JUDGMENT .
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 011) 227, 228, 229, 233, 234, 236 were read on this motion to/for ALTERNATE SERVICE .
Defendant Manon’s motion (MS010) to reargue/renew the portion of the Court’s decision
conditioning the vacatur of his default on posting a bond is denied and plaintiff’s cross-motion to
reinstate the default is granted. Plaintiff’s motion (MS011) for the approval of an ex parte order
is granted.
Background
This action concerns plaintiffs’ work for defendants and their claims that defendants
violated the New York Labor Law by inter alia failing to pay proper wages and failing to pay for
overtime work. The judge previously assigned to this matter referred the issue of damages to a
special referee (after defendants’ attorney had withdrawn as counsel and defendants defaulted)
and the referee awarded damages to plaintiffs in a decision from September 2021 (NYSCEF 159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 1 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
1 of 6 [* 1] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
Doc. No. 146). Eventually, plaintiffs obtained a judgment against Slow Food, LLC and John
Manos (the case settled with defendant Theodoridis) in September 2023 (NYSCEF Doc. No.
173).
MS010
Defendant Manos then moved to vacate his default and the judge previously assigned to
the matter (who has since retired) granted that motion, conditioned on defendant Manos filing an
undertaking for the judgments entered against him (NYSCEF Doc. No. 212).
In motion sequence 010, defendant Manos wants to remove the requirement that he post
an undertaking. As an initial matter, the Court denies the motion because it did not properly
differentiate between a motion to reargue and renew as required by CPLR 2221[f]). Manos
simply lumped these two together. To the extent the motion is one to reargue the now-retired
prior judge’s decision, the motion is denied.
Assuming that it is a motion to renew, Manos contends that he has been unable to secure
an undertaking in his affirmation (NYSCEF Doc. No. 220). He claims this is because he is a
resident of Australia and that he does not have the funds to post a bond for the full amount.
These purported justifications are not a basis to modify the prior order. Defendant Manos did
not attach any proof of these conversations with the potential bond/surety companies despite
suggesting he emailed them. Plus, he did not submit any proof to substantiate his claim that he
lacks the sufficient funds.
The fact is that the prior judge was entitled to condition the vacatur on the posting of a
bond pursuant to CPLR 5015 as long as the “circumstances which justified the additional
security” are reasonable (see Czub v Russell, 177 AD2d 831, 831, 576 NYS2d 445 [3d Dept
1991]). Here, the prior judge required the undertaking on the ground that defendant Manos did
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 2 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
2 of 6 [* 2] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
not keep his former counsel apprised of his whereabouts and this Court declines to modify that
decision.
Therefore, because Manos has not posted the required bond, the Court grants plaintiffs’
motion to reinstate the default judgment.
MS011
This is an ex parte order in which plaintiffs seek to serve a sheriff’s notice with property
execution and lienor notification letter on Mr. Manos and defendant Slow Food. Defendant
Manos claims that he has not had ties with Slow Food since 2019 and that he should not be
treated as one and the same for purposes of a default judgment.
Plaintiffs point out that the sheriff is required under CPLR 5232 to serve a copy of the
execution on the garnishee. And they stress that Manos has repeatedly emphasized that he is an
Australian national living in Australia and his only connection to the United States is that his
attorneys are in New York state.
Based on this record, the Court approves the proposed order attached to the motion. The
fact is that the judgment was entered against Slow Food LLC and Manos jointly and severally
(NYSCEF Doc. No. 173). So there is good reason to permit the sheriff to serve in the way
proposed by plaintiffs.
Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED that defendant Manos’ motion (MS010) to reargue/renew is denied; and it is
further
ORDERED that plaintiff’s cross-motion to reinstate the default judgment is granted; and
it is further
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 3 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
3 of 6 [* 3] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
ORDERED that Court approves plaintiff’s proposed ex parte order (MS011) as attached.
1/12/2026 $SIG$ DATE ARLENE P. BLUTH, J.S.C. CHECK ONE: X CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
□ GRANTED DENIED GRANTED IN PART X OTHER
APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
□ CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT REFERENCE
159450/2018 HOUSE, ERIN-LOUISE vs. SLOW FOOD LLC Page 4 of 4 Motion No. 010 011
4 of 6 [* 4] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
At an IAS Part ___, 14 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of New York, at the courthouse thereof located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007, on the ___12 day of ________________ January 2025 6
PRESENT: HON _______________________ Arlene P. Bluth J.S.C.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK ---------------------------------------------------------------X ERIN-LOUISE HOUSE and RASHMI PANDEY Index No. 159450/2018
Plaintiff EX-PARTE ORDER
-against-
SLOW FOOD LLC d/b/a MARKET LANE NYC, JOHN MANOS and VASILI THEODORIDIS
Defendants ---------------------------------------------------------------X
Plaintiffs Erin-Louise House and Rashmi Pandey, having duly moved for an Ex-Parte order
pursuant to CPLR §§ 311-a(b) and 5232 directing the manner in which a Sheriff’s Notice with
Property Execution, and a Lienor Notification Letter, regarding the Judgment obtained in the above
captioned action on September 26, 2023 against Defendant SLOW FOOD LLC, can be served
herein upon Garnishee and Co-Defendant JOHN MANOS and the Plaintiffs having submitted the
Affirmation of Lawrence A. Beckenstein, Esq. dated November 24, 2025 with attached exhibits;
and the Plaintiffs having submitted sufficient proof that service of said Sheriff’s Notice with
Property Execution, and a Lienor Notification Letter, upon Garnishee and Co-Defendant JOHN
MANOS, would be impractical within the meaning of CPLR §§ 311-a(b) and 5232
5 of 6 [* 5] FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 01/12/2026 10:36 AM INDEX NO. 159450/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 239 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 01/12/2026
NOW, upon filing and reading of the Affirmation of Lawrence A. Beckenstein, Esq. dated
November 24, 2025, and the Exhibits annexed thereto; and the Court, after due deliberation
thereon, having granted the Motion, it is hereby
ORDERED that service of the Sheriff’s Notice with Property Execution and Lienor
Notification Letter, regarding the Judgment entered in this action on September 26, 2023 against
Defendant SLOW FOOD LLC, shall be made, in accordance with CPLR §§ 311-a(b) and 5232 by
permitting the Westchester County Sheriff to deliver a copy of said Sheriff’s Notice with Property
Execution and Lienor Notification Letter to Garnishee and co-Defendant JOHN MANOS c/o his
attorneys, Kaufman Dolowich LLP at 245 Main Street, Suite 330, White Plains, NY 10601, and
by mailing a copy of said Sheriff’s Notice with Property Execution and Lienor Notification Letter,
by first class mail, in a properly enclosed, post-paid envelope, bearing the legend “personal and
confidential” and not indicating on the outside thereof, by return address or otherwise, that the
communication is from an attorney or concerns an action against Defendant SLOW FOOD LLC,
addressed to Defendant John Manos c/o his attorneys, Kaufman Dolowich LLP at 245 Main Street,
Suite 330, White Plains, NY 10601, such affixing and mailing to be effected within twenty (20)
days of each other; and by filing proof of such service with the Clerk of the Court within twenty
(20) days of either affixing or mailing, whichever is effected later.
ENTER:
_____________________________________ J.S.C.
Entered by the Clerk of the Supreme Court, New York County on _______________ ____, 2025
6 of 6 [* 6]