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Five and Diamond Seized by New York State for Owing $103K in Taxes

 The restaurant was seized by the state's tax department for owing more than $103,000 in taxes. 
Five and Diamond
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HARLEM — State tax collectors shut down Five and Diamond restaurant for nearly a week over a $103,000 tax debt.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finances seized the restaurant on 2072 Fredrick Douglass Blvd. on April 29, according to the state agency.

"Seizing the business is always the last resort. We send letters, make phone calls and conduct filed visits before resulting [in this]," said James Gazzale, spokesman for the state's tax department.

The restaurant reopened Monday and offered guests a complimentary glass of champagne, according to its Facebook page

Lia Sanfilippo, the owner, did not reply to multiple inquiries about the tax debt.

The Five and Diamond opened in Harlem's restaurant row in 2010. It is one of more than a dozen local restaurants participating in next month's Harlem Eat Up Festival. 

The restaurant will serve a $110 dinner special prepared by Marvin Woods, a celebrity chef who has been featured in First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign.