PROVIDENCE (WPRI) — The Federal Hill eatery where a stabbing happened earlier this month will remain closed until at least next week, 12 News has learned. Saje Kitchen will have to wait until the Providence Board of Licenses meets to discuss whether the restaurant can open back up next Thursday, according to the R.I. Department of Business Regulation (DBR). The Board of Licenses first ordered the temporary closure of the Atwells Avenue restaurant back on Nov. 9. The decision stemmed from a fight that broke out inside the restaurant the night prior that ended with a stabbing outside. Court documents reveal that the restaurant's manager, 42-year-old Andre Samuel, escalated the situation by following security outside and "engaging with the knife-wielding patron." Samuel was banned from the restaurant by the Board of Licenses back in November 2023 after a series of after-hour bottle service violations, according to court documents. Saje Kitchen's liquor license was revoked in May after two additional after-hours violations were uncovered and it was learned that Samuel had been on the premises at least two times since that agreement was reached. The DBR granted the restaurant a conditional stay order shortly after, so long as it closed at midnight and Samuel was not allowed on the property. Court documents note that the stabbing happened before a settlement could be agreed upon regarding the May violations. The DBR's conditional stay order has been vacated as a result of the stabbing, and the DBR will not consider issuing another until the upcoming Board of Licenses meeting. Saje Kitchen's owner, who court documents reveal is married to Samuel, argued that it was unconstitutional to ban him from the restaurant, and that he was only there as a patron on the night in question. But the Board of Licenses begged to differ. "The city argued Samuel was on the premises in violation of the stay order, and he went outside during the security event which is not an action of a patron," the court documents explained. "[Saje Kitchen] has shown that it cannot follow rules and failed to comply with the stay order so there are no further conditions that can be imposed to ensure compliance." The court documents also noted that the stay order "made no distinction of whether Samuel was a patron or a manager or staff ... He was not to be on the premises." "Not only was there a disorderly violation by [the restaurant], but the very person who was banned from the premises by the stay order was on the premises that night and escalated the situation," the court documents continued. Court documents revealed that, on top of the stay order violation, Saje Kitchen hosted a comedy show fundraiser the night of stabbing despite being located within a no entertainment zone. Samuel was taken into custody nearly a week after the stabbing and charged with disorderly conduct, per court records. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge and his next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW