Trade Center Restaurant's Workers Back in Business -- This Time as Owners

Thousands of undocumented workers labor in the city's restaurants and that decision fell like a hammer blow on members such as Jaime Alvarez, who delivered food to the World Trade Center on the day of the terrorist attacks.

"What I wanted is the original promise, a co-op," said Alvarez, who still carries the entrance slip to the World Trade Center from that day's delivery. "They don't tell people the truth -- they can be part of the restaurant, but they must be legal."

Alvarez and others said they joined ROC with the promise that one day the collective would sponsor them for a green card.

Jayaraman insisted that owners need legal working papers and no one can promise a green card.

For now, the two groups of former comrades have gone their own ways. The dissidents hope to open their own catering service. Meanwhile, the workers collective has replaced the dissidents, and its now 50 members include 35 who once worked at Windows on the World.

Together, they decided on a menu, plump with ethnic-flavored dishes that run from $18 to more than $30. A committee worked with an interior designer to construct an art deco decor of fine woods and frosted light fixtures. Selecting a chef required a consensus of the group, which meant sampling their offerings and engaging in lengthy discussions.

But the result is a finely tuned floor staff. A guest's needs draw quick attention from the nearest worker who is also an owner.

A medley of Jamaican hip-hop, dance, Caribbean music filled the dining room of half-moon booths and tables scattered in the dimly lit dining room.

Magdi Labib, now the maitre d' at Colors, escorted his guests to the hip bar area and with a wave of his arm said, "Anywhere you like, you have the power." It appears, after so many years, that they finally do, too.