I was sad to hear the news of Tom Lutz’s death earlier this week, an apparent suicide. Tom was one of the good guys, and he cared deeply about the quality of the restaurants he ran.
Perhaps most famously, he was the original owner of Park Plaza Gardens and operated it in its early glory days when it enjoyed a reputation of being one of the finest restaurants in the area (even if we were talking about a slim sample back then).  He also owned and/or operated Villa Nova, Baby Nova, Cheek To Cheek nightclub. In 1999 he reacquired Park Plaza Gardens and started it back on a road to being considered a worthwhile restaurant.
Sympathies to Tom’s family and friends. Those of us who enjoy good restaurants will miss his influence.