After it was announced that chef Eiji Ichimura had left his new restaurant on Leonard Street for health reasons, and that he’d be returning, I heard otherwise—that he was out for good. The New York Post found the court papers detailing the disagreement between Ichimura and his business partner, Idan Elkon (shown above in happier times).

The Michelin-starred chef abandoned his eponymous Leonard Street eatery in May because of “stress” caused by “significant staff turnover,” according to the legal claim. When Ichimura, 63, walked away after just five months, Elkon publicly pinned the blame on the chef’s health. But in reality, Ichimura “no longer wishe[d] to work with Mr. Elkon,” according to Manhattan Supreme Court documents filed last week. […] Ichimura has repeatedly asked Elkon to remove his well-known name from the business to no avail, Ichimura alleged.

Elkon has been bringing in other chefs—and dropping the price from $300 to $200—but it remains to be seen how long that will last.