the power of linkages in our small state
the power of reputation in our small state
the power of the internet
I have taken out the name of the restaurant in question for obvious reasons.
Well I had the weekend from hell - the worst weekend I think I have ever experienced.
On Saturday night we decided to go for drinks down at Grape – this was all good, then we thought ‘ lets go somewhere we haven’t been to for ages, something different and maybe out of town” so we thought of the restaurant @ xxxxxxx. We drove out there and I had this really funny feeling but thought I was being too sensitive! We arrived and the waiter/owner showed us to a small separate dining room ( I had only been in the large one before- so I thought this is a little weird) anyway when he opened the door there was another couple and no one else and only three small tables anyway.
It was such a confined space that I thought we needed to chat to the other couple otherwise it would be weird. We sat there waited for our menus- and felt like we had arrived at faulty towers! I asked about the heating and he said “ its not cold- you’re not cold so I will not put the fire on! I thought oh dear this is a bad sign.
Little did I know what was ahead for us?
We opened the menu and there was a clause stating everyone must switch their mobiles off. So we did. We then had our main course- with him coming in and out of the room not saying anything and slamming the door behind us- I just kept thinking how strange it was- the other couple was laughing and we were too. He then came to get our plates and I said to complement his chef as the meal was really nice he said “ why would I do that- she just gets a big head and there is no point!” then he slammed the door again.
I then wanted to make a call on my mobile – so I asked the other guests if they would mind and they were laughing and saying no that’s fine- tell your friend you’re dining at faulty towers but with a really posh couple from overseas. We all started to laugh then he came into the room, and started yelling at me that “didn’t you read my rules- you cant use your phone in here! So I said fine I’m going outside and he said “too right you are! I thought at this stage thank god I’m tipsy because it’s not annoying me as much as usual.
I went outside then moments later Stuart came out with all our stuff. I said “what’s going on? And he said we have just been thrown out because you used your phone. I couldn’t believe it. Then Stuart had his back to the door he came out, grabbed Stuart against the door and pushed him on the ground. Stuart hit his head and didn’t move for a moment and he had his knee on his chest, preventing him from getting up. I started yelling at him “what are you doing, have you gone mad? Then he said “you were leaving without paying- you weren’t going to pay! I said you threw us out- what did you think we were going to do?
He then yelled at me to get inside and pay. I kept asking him “do you know what you have just done, do you understand? We will be phoning the police you know and he said phone whoever the f***k you want. We then rang the police, who went to talk to him and he was really aggressive and told the police officer you have 2 minutes in my kitchen and then get out!
We spent the rest of the night at the station making statements, forensic photographed Stuart. He is being arrested today and we will be going to court in a few weeks time! I still cant believe what happened. Since then I have emailed the Tourism Industry council, and made a bad restaurant review in the Australian food & wine guide. I really think he is insane and hope to tell everyone I know!
If you or Guy have any ideas how I could possibly let everyone know – let me know!
Maybe GP might want to look at THIS complaint about a local hospitality experience?
15 comments:
This has certainly been doing the rounds. Very scary stuff. I wonder how the other guests reacted to all this?
please can you tell us who this is so that we can avoid this place. Or at least point us to where we can read about it
G.P. wouldn't say anything bad about this place. Too close to home. Even if he did it would be three weeks later after he got round to reading Rita's blog.
Anons - I would dearly LOVE to tell you where it is but look at what the restaurant owner did to someone who merely used their mobile in his restaurant? What would he do to ME who publicly besmirched his restaurants name?
Email me on the Email Rita direct facility (on the right hand side of the homepage of this blogsite) and I am more than happy to tell you.
Oh my GOD... this is outrageous. Surely a situation such as this is going to make some form of headline in our local newspaper.
As outrageous as the situation is, it can't be reported on (front page or not) because it is currently before the courts. Once it is resolved, I'm sure you will be able to read all about it !
I hope for Tasmania's reputation this does not get out. We will all be tarred with the same brush
Er, !,
well..for once i am speechless...
Never!!!!!
OKAY, just for you, HRV (and Rita)!
One of my favourites was a place run by one bloke and a kitchen hand. He was chef, manager etc etc, His mum used to come in to do dishes.
I remember being told by a neighbour he was a bit ``wild''.
Story goes his place was booked by a party of about 20 people. On the night (only) 18 showed.
The organiser apologised for the no-shows but the owner was incandescent with rage.
The meal went ahead but at the end the owner insisted on being paid for 20 of everything, saying he had bought in for that number.
There was a huge row which ended with him chasing some people down the main street in a fit of rage screaming for the extra amount, which they wouldn't cough up.
Not as good as your tale, but another coup for our reputation!
Stuart, the guy in the story, emailed me today, saying the following: "I cannot believe that our Saturday night outing ended in assault, police charges, on the radio and now on a website.
I really cannot believe the rounds that the email has made, I have even been sent it myself and the original one came from my wife!
In answer to the first question, the altercation happened out the back away from the other guests, they heard it all but then couldn't get out of there quick enough as they had had a few wines and were freaked out I think!
No doubt you will hear the rest of the story as it evolves!
Cheers
Stuart"
Thanks Stuart, for updating us, and I'm sure we all wish you well.
Thanks also to those who emailed me as well.
Sir G - your described scenario sounds dreadfully familiar to me, I think I was there!
Rita, check ot Ed Charles's Tomato site as he quotes your post today!
Thanks for the heads-up! Now I'm scared!!
I am glad I looked at your blog. I posted the email as received but included the restaurant name - now removed!
Consider yourself my (free) legal advisor on this matter.
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