Horrifying 'rape room' at top NYC restaurant

Once the scene of exclusive events celebrity sightings, New York fine-dining hotspot The Spotted Pig has become embroiled in scandal after lurid allegations of sexual harassment.

High-profile TV chef Mario Batali is at the centre of the drama, with at least four former employees, all women, alleging he sexual harassed them over a period of at least 20 years.

Employees claimed they were made to endure sexual advances in the restaurant’s celebrity-packed third floor, which was casually nicknamed the "rape room" by staff.

Mario has now stepped down from his post as the helm of his restaurant empire, and has been sacked from his role on US foodie show The Chew.

He released a statement acknowledging the allegations and accepting responsibility for his actions.

"I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family," the disgraced chef said.

The Spotted Pig's executive chef April Bloomfield posted a lengthy mea culpa on her Instagram page in an attempt to apologise for not doing more to combat what she described as "humiliating and degrading" staff treatment.

"I have dedicated my career to creating memorable experiences for staff and guests alike," April wrote.

"I have also dedicated my career to building businesses where women, and all my employees, have felt respected. But I fell short, and I am filled with anger and regret that, in the past, some of my staff were subjected to humiliating and degrading treatment.

"I would never suggest anyone accept unprofessional treatment, and those who know me, know any such reference is insulting. I can say with confidence that I have and will never condoned sexual harassment in the work place.

"In meeting with my partner, I lectured, and I demanded, but now I know that it wasn’t enough. Now I am learning the extent of events, often kept from me, and I know I should have been even more unrelenting. For this – way too late – I am truly sorry."