Copper Theft Delays Mario Batali Restaurant Opening

Mario Batali fans will have to wait a bit longer for opening of the famed chef’s Westport restaurant Tarry Lodge thanks to a copper thief. The contractor working on the new restaurant at 30 Charles St. said someone vandalized an air conditioning unit on the roof on Sunday night and made off with copper tubes. The thief or thieves “ruined $30,000 of equipment so they could steal a few hundred dollars worth of copper,” said the contractor, who did not want to be identified. The restaurant had been scheduled to open next week but will now be delayed to around July 4, he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com