RSS
Home
$980 for lunch! Avoid getting ripped off when you travel.
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
On a trip to Rome, Two Japanese tourists decided to have lunch, but got a lot more than they had bargained for.
The couple made a mistake and neglected to look at the menu, instead they decided to ask the waiter for some suggestions. After they finished, they were shocked to see that the bill came out to $980 American dollars (roughly 700 Euros). The bill also included a $160 (155 Euro) tip that the couple said they did not agree to pay, as well as a $140 bottle of Sauvignon.
Ristorante Passetto is a fairly well known restaurant in Rome, located near the famous Piazza Navona. The restaurant's website describes the eatery as 'in the magic of Rennaissance Rome.' It also boasts to have had some famous clientele from Queen Elizabeth, Salvador Dalì, and Elizabeth Taylor.
The couple reported the incident to authorities a few days after the meal, which seems like a rather long time to wait, especially with a bill that has pasta dishes for $280. The restaurant is notorious for overcharging unsuspecting tourists. A few days after the couple made the complaint; health officials paid a visit to the restaurant, and shut it down for hygiene reasons.
Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno was not happy about the circumstance stating, "as far as I'm concerned, this restaurant should never reopen again and operating licenses should be revoked for things of this nature."
To avoid situations like this while you are traveling, it is always a good idea to ask to look at the menu before you order. There is always the compulsion to ask the waiter for suggestions, especially since as a tourist you may not be familiar with the local cuisine, however the unfamiliarity can put you at risk to be ripped off. Tourists are an easy target because they do not know everything about the places they visit and are often not as discerning as they are back in the comfort of their own neighborhood.
For more info: ABC News: Hefty Restaurant Bill Shocks Tourists In Italy.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
