Sarma Melngailis, co-owner of the now-defunct Pure Food and Wine restaurant, has shared her journey from culinary stardom to personal downfall in her memoir, “The Girl With The Duck Tattoo.” Once a celebrated figure in Manhattan’s vegan scene and frequented by celebrities like Alec Baldwin and Gisele Bündchen, Melngailis was deeply affected by her relationship with Anthony Strangis, her former husband. Following her arrest in 2016, which was prominently featured in the Netflix docuseries “Bad Vegan,” Melngailis details her experiences, reflecting on the psychological manipulation she endured and how it led to her business’s demise.
Her love for ducks, symbolized by a tattoo, resonates throughout her narrative, starting from the original duck portraits that adorned her restaurant. Melngailis initially thrived in the culinary world after leaving a finance career, launching Pure Food and Wine in 2004. However, her once-celebrated restaurant took a downturn as personal troubles escalated. She claims that Strangis’ influence contributed to her poor business decisions, leading her to make substantial financial missteps, including failed payrolls and excessive spending on luxuries, ultimately resulting in her being dubbed the “vegan Bernie Madoff.”
Melngailis recounts the way Strangis entered her life through Baldwin, initially capturing her attention online before they met in person. She acknowledges that the emotional connection quickly turned into manipulation as Strangis took the managerial role at Pure Food and Wine. Employees noted significant changes in Melngailis’ work ethic and demeanor, perceiving Strangis as controlling and intimidating. Despite clear warning signs, she admits to overlooking them, allowing his influence to spiral out of control as her commitment to her beloved restaurant weakened.
Their life together became tumultuous, marked by financial troubles and an attempt to escape the mounting legal pressures, which led to their 2016 arrest after ordering pizza. Melngailis reflects on her incarceration, which lasted four months, revealing the challenges of adjusting to prison life and the painful aftermath of public perception. Throughout her narrative, she grapples with the stigma of being labeled a criminal, stemming from the portrayal in “Bad Vegan” and the negative backlash that followed.
In her memoir, she discusses the disparity between her and Strangis’ legal consequences and the broader impact of their actions. While she served time for tax fraud and conspiracy, Strangis received a lesser sentence. Melngailis expresses frustration over the financial exploitation she feels from the Netflix documentary, which profited significantly while she struggled to repay debts to employees and investors, stemming from the fallout of her business collapse.
Currently, Melngailis seeks to reclaim her narrative and the legacy of Pure Food and Wine. Although initial plans for a restaurant revival fell through due to miscommunication with potential partners, she remains hopeful for the future. Melngailis believes that the restaurant holds a special place in the hearts of many and deserves to be revived in a manner that reflects the passion and energy it once embodied, signaling her desire for redemption and a fresh start in both her personal and professional life.
