An aggressive diner bombarded an award-winning restaurant owner with threatening WhatsApp messages after being forced to wait five minutes for his table.
The man admitted his food was cooked to perfection and enjoyed the service at top Welsh eatery the Gateshouse Steakhouse.
But the short wait to be seated before hand lead to a barrage of abusive messages, the Daily Post reports.
The Eat Out To Help Out scheme meant busy staff were rushed off their feet - and there was a small delay getting the couple seated.
The unnamed owner also explained over the messages that new safety measures had to be carried out to the letter following the pandemic.
But he was told he would be given a "slap" - and that he was "not f*****g happy" that he and his wife had to wait in line when they had already booked.
He then threatening to "ruin" the business by "writing a s*** review" online.
The top steakhouse owner apologised to the angry customer several times before giving up and plastering the exchange all over social media.
The owner's explanation did not appease the furious diner who goes on to say that he thinks it was a "p*** take" and that they were "paying [his] staff's wages".
The unnamed customer then went on to demand a free meal or his money back for the wait.
He later goes on to tell the owner to "f*** off" several times - despite the business boss apologising times for the inconvenience - and calls him a number of abusive names including an "arrogant b*****d" before threatening to slap him during the foul-mouthed rants.
He also compares the restaurant - which won the Welsh Hospitality Awards in 2018 - to a Wetherspoons.
The embarrassing exchange between the two was posted on The Gatehouse Steakhouse's Facebook page.
In the post the owner said: "Eat Out Help Out has been fantastic for the hospitality industry and especially for us.
"It's helped us claw back so much lost revenue and there has been a real buzz about Dolgellau.
"I hope all of the other businesses have enjoyed it as much as we have.
"Whilst we have done everything to maximise business and make customers happy, there is always one absolute spanner (WhatsApp message in photos).
"Before you read this just think back to March 23 when no matter how much money or influence you had, you couldn't dine out for months.
"Thanks to everybody - tourists and our amazing locals who have been amazing, patient and enjoyed what we offer."
The post has been shared more than 20,000 times.
