If you live in Boston, then you’re plenty aware of restaurateur Nick Varano’s popular Italian restaurants, including Strega Ristorante, Strega Waterfront, and Strega Prime, among others. But you may not be aware of The Varano Group’s latest venture, Strip – or its window decals that dressed the building (located in Park Plaza) this past weekend.
A Facebook post by Charles Draghi was posted on Universal Hub last night depicting the restaurant’s controversial window ad.
Undoubtedly, the ad raised quite a few eyebrows around town. But while part of me hates to draw attention to something so distasteful, it’s hard to ignore the controversy. If the ad’s intention was to simply draw attention, then mission accomplished. But unfortunately, it’s lost any chance of patronage by women who happen to have even an ounce of self-respect.
As you can see, the window decal features a scantily clad woman, on her back, with a raw steak dangling in front of her. Need I say more? As a woman, if I said this ad wasn’t at all appalling and demeaning, I’d be lying.
The word allure is either spelled incorrectly (alure) or intended to be a strange pun referring to the steak (i.e. “a lure”) – as in literally, a hook?
Unsurprisingly, the ad was met with scathing Facebook comments such as “Taste less,” “Bizarre” and “Seriously disturbing.” We can’t disagree.
As many of you know, Strip will be The Varano Group’s latest venture. The soon-to-be Back Bay steakhouse is taking over the space once occupied by Whiskey Park on Arlington street. And despite the risque ad, it won’t be a strip club (as far as we know).
According to the Boston Globe, the restaurant’s ad has been taken down.
UPDATED: According to The Varano Group’s pr team, “The particular image you are referring to, was replaced with a different panel shortly after being put up over the weekend; it was one of several panels installed to cover the windows during the redesign of the space. The image did not meet the standards of the owners of the restaurant; in addition to that, the panel had a typo on it. The intent of the series of images was to be alluring, not offensive.”
