A group of pals who recently enjoyed a meal out together says they received an unwanted surprise when it was time to pay the bill. Not only did their 'outrageous' dinner receipt contain a £41.60 ($75) 'mandatory' service fee, but they were also billed an unexpected £16.60 ($30) charge for three one-litre bottles of still water. This fee came after they'd already spent more than £400 ($720) on their food that evening, chowing down 13 antipasti dishes, six main courses, four side orders, and drinks.
The nine friends had dined out together on Friday, October 28th at Merivale’s Bar Totti’s, an Italian restaurant and bar based in Sydney, Australia. The eatery prides itself on offering a 'menu of simple, delicious food', which includes its popular wood-fired bread plus a wide range of pasta dishes.
Speaking with 7News, one of the dissatisfied diners described the water charge as 'very sneaky', and the group claims the waiter brought them the bottles, without clarifying, before charging them. Another diner stated that, although they'd have been 'more than happy' to leave a tip, the hidden service charge 'ruined' their evening.
They told the publication: "It’s outrageous, it’s basically a mandatory tip. And for what? It was the most basic level of service anyway, The service charge makes no sense."
The restaurant’s website states that groups of eight or more customers will be given a 10 percent service charge, however, the group in question feels this to be an 'excessive' amount and say they don't understand what the fee is for precisely. They also feel staff members weren't doing anything extra for them than they would have done for a slightly smaller party of six or seven.
The second diner continued: "We know restaurants have struggled a lot in the last two years with the pandemic. But being charged an exorbitant amount for service and water with no explanation just doesn’t seem fair on customers."
Merivale’s Bar Totti’s has been contacted for comment.
Have you experienced a nightmare while eating out? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
