Yes, you are reading the headline correctly. Apparently there is more than one Japonais in New York. No, there aren’t two locations, but two different owners evidently own restaurants names Japonais. Ray Tuccillo opened Japonais Restaurant & Lounge in 2008 in Westbury, Long Island - allegedly prior to the opening of the large Japonais fusion chain of restaurants that exist in Chicago, Las Vegas, and of course NYC.

In a lawsuit filled a few weeks ago, Tuccillo feels that since he had the name first in New York, he should not only be able to keep the name, but also force the other restaurants to change theirs, as well as pay him damages. What’s a good lawsuit without money damages right?

If Tuccillo does get his way, the large chain will be searching for a new name in the very, very near future. Do we hear “Japanais” coming soon? [CityFile]