**San Antonio Restaurant Owner Addresses Employee Mistreatment Allegations After Michelin Recognition**

Just days after Little Em's Oyster Bar in San Antonio received a nod from the Michelin Guide in its inaugural Texas edition, the restaurant has come under scrutiny due to allegations of employee mistreatment. Houston Carpenter, the owner of the Southtown oyster bar, has been accused on social media of harassment and causing high employee turnover.

The controversy began when an Instagram user, looozee, encouraged individuals to share their experiences if they had been "personally victimized, harassed, or bullied" by Carpenter. The account has since shared numerous comments from people who claimed that they had been mistreated by the restaurateur.

In response to these allegations, Carpenter issued a statement on Instagram. He expressed regret for his actions and acknowledged his role in the "distasteful situations" mentioned by the commenters. Carpenter apologized to his family, friends, employees, and the wider community, committing to learning from these experiences and striving to be a better leader.

"As a small business owner, I've worked hard to build an incredible team," Carpenter stated. "In the process, I had to learn a great deal about how to be a compassionate and trusted leader. Ask anyone who works with me now."

He attributed the team turnover to the rapid growth and challenges of building a successful restaurant. Carpenter emphasized that constructing a respectful and committed workplace has always been his goal, and he praised his current team for their dedication and hard work.

In closing, Carpenter reassured his team and the public, stating, "I'm incredibly proud of our work and appreciate your support. Together we are doing remarkable work and we look forward to serving more folks great food here in San Antonio."

Little Em's Oyster Bar, located on the 1000 block of South Alamo St., is known for its upscale cuisine, including dishes like steak tartare and chef's mussels. The recent recognition by the Michelin Guide has underscored its culinary achievements, despite the current controversies facing its owner.