Restraining order against Kramer dismissed

A request for a restraining order against the head of a downtown political group by a restaurant owner was dismissed Friday following an agreement between the two parties that was reached outside of court.

Alessandro Pirozzi, the owner of Cucina Alessa in downtown Huntington Beach, filed a restraining order Feb. 14 against Kim Kramer, the spokesman of the Huntington Beach Downtown Residents Assn., saying Kramer threatened his employees and disturbed his business and customers on and before Super Bowl Sunday.

The court ordered the two to mediation to give them a chance to come to an agreement before the judge ruled on the matter. A tentative agreement was reached March 11, but because Joshua Stein, Kramer’s lawyer, wanted to keep the agreement confidential, the matter was postponed until Friday.

Judge Glenn Mondo of Orange County Superior Court refused to seal the agreement from public access, saying there’s no reason to block it. He gave Kramer and Pirozzi an extension to come to an agreement outside of court, which kept the agreement confidential.

The case was dismissed Friday without prejudice, which means it is treated as if the restraining order was never filed against Kramer, said Derek Tran, Pirozzi’s lawyer.

“Both parties are pleased with the outcome,” he said.

Pirozzi could not be reached Friday.

The conflict began when Kramer found out Pirozzi is looking to extend his alcohol service to customers who dine on the restaurant’s patio.

Pirozzi said Kramer told him he would support his request to the city only if he serves wine in the patio and no other types of alcohol.

When Pirozzi refused, Kramer’s harassment would not stop, Pirozzi said.

“The allegations were untrue, and I am pleased that the case was appropriately dismissed,” Kramer said Friday.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Kramer visited three restaurants in downtown with clip board in hand and inquired about maximum occupancy certificates. He said he did so without causing a scene.

The police department received calls about the incidents, Police Chief Ken Small has said.

Since the agreement is confidential, its terms are unknown. Asked if he’s allowed to visit as a customer, Kramer said he hasn’t been to the restaurant for months and doesn’t plan on going there, not because of the agreement, but because of another incident in May.

According to Kramer, the two had a miscommunication or a disagreement over a bill for food for a fundraiser. Kramer said he never spoke to Pirozzi about it but decided he would no longer dine there.

“We went from being his No. 1 customer to not going there anymore,” Kramer said.