Ahh the famous Philippe's in Midtown. The food is so good, the atmosphere is just right and the smell, well, the smell of the restaurant is really potent according to a few employees!

Celebrities flock to this restaurant daily and apparently they get special treatment in a room in a basement where they're able to smoke marijuana. Four employees are suing Philippes because they say they were forced to serve celebrities in this smoke filled room exposing them to the fumes. The employees didn't name the celebrities who they saw smoking marijuana but did say Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj have both eaten in the basement.

Here is what TMZ reported:

According to a new lawsuit filed by 4 employees, the guys who run the joint frequently give permission to some of their famous clients to smoke herb in a private basement dining area.

The employees don't name the celebrity pot-smokers -- but do note that rappers Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj have dined in the basement.

In the suit, the employees claim they were forced to serve the stoner clientele ... "which exposed them to smoke from a harmful and illegal substance."

One employee claims he was fired after complaining to management about not being able to breathe while working in the basement and smelling like pot when he returned home from his shift to his wife and son.

The other employees claim their shifts were significantly reduced in retaliation after they joined another lawsuit against the restaurant in which they claim they were unfairly tipped out and denied overtime.

All 4 employees are seeking unspecified damages.

An attorney for Philippe tells us ... "The restaurant adamantly denies any allegations that pot smoking or any other smoking is permitted in the restaurant."

But the food is so good though lol