Latest news with #OlivierVincent
News18
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Believe It Or Not, This French Restaurant Has A ₹1,500 Fine For No-Show
Last Updated: The French restaurant introduced the policy after repeated frustrations with no-shows and unexpected extra guests. A French chef's strict new policy is sparking debate online. At his intimate 20-seat restaurant, L'îlot in Amboise, chef and owner Olivier Vincent has introduced a fine for guests who arrive with more or fewer people than listed in their original reservation. The move comes after repeated frustrations over no-shows and surprise additions. In a Facebook post, he announced that customers who fail to inform the restaurant about changes in party size will be charged €15 (nearly Rs 1,500) per missing or extra person. The caption read, 'Without warning obviously….." 'After about ten emails with one person, she told us there would be eight, then nine, and finally, they arrived at seven without warning, without apology," he told the outlet. He explained that a simple heads-up could prevent chaos in a small restaurant that relies on every seat being filled. 'Everyone has their phone on them, 24/7, in their pocket. If we are able to reserve, we are able to call to say if we will be less, or more, or that we are not coming," Vincent said. 'If we are here, it is to work. It is not to have tables, not to have customers," he added. But not everyone agreed with the rule. Some people said it was unfair to diners who might have to cancel at the last minute because of emergencies or unexpected situations. One user wrote, 'And if you have a problem in the kitchen and the service is too long you refund €15 too." Another said, 'Getting left outside the restaurant (it's happened to me before)… Well, I might as well go somewhere else then. It seems pretty counterproductive to me." 'Even if abuses exist, you are going a bit far. Imagine an on-call doctor who can't join their family for dinner, or someone who has a family emergency," someone else added. There were many who supported the move. 'I think it's completely normal, people just have to give enough notice, it's a lack of good manners, that's what reservations are for. You have guests, you count 8 people, two don't come without warning, you've done the shopping and the cooking accordingly," a person wrote. They added, 'Personally, the next time I don't invite them. This is his livelihood; he loses two places, so I completely understand his approach." According to Vincent, the problem occurs almost every week, causing a significant disruption for a small restaurant operating with just 20 seats. L'îlot, which enjoys a 4.7-star rating on Google, is known for its 'inventive gourmet plates" served in a relaxed setting with an open kitchen.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- NDTV
French Restaurant Fines Diners Rs 1,500 For Dining Mistakes, Sparks Outrage
A small restaurant in Amboise, France, has stirred controversy after its owner announced a new policy to fine customers for arriving with a different number of guests than stated in their reservation. Olivier Vincent, chef and manager of L'ilot, a 20-seat eatery, introduced the 15 Euro (approximately Rs 1500) charge per missing or extra person to tackle what he calls a "weekly" issue. Frustrated by frequent no-shows or unexpected additions to booked tables, Vincent said the move is meant to make customers more responsible and respectful of restaurant operations. In a Facebook post, he informed patrons that the new rule would be enforced moving forward. In a statement (translated from French) on Facebook about the new rule, Olivier explained, "The L'Ilot restaurant announces a change. From now on, if you do not come to the number of guests for whom you have booked, 15 euros will be charged per person. Missing or in addition. Thank you for understanding." The caption of the post simply states, "Without warning, obviously.....". Olivier told the Daily Mail that the charge could easily be avoided by people calling the restaurant to let them know about the change in numbers before arriving, especially as most have "their phones on them 24/7". Hundreds of people commented on the social media post to share their thoughts on the fine, with some claiming the restaurant is 'right' to do this, but others suggesting the charge is 'problematic' as it doesn't account for emergencies. Aurelie Civrais said, "I understand the background of the message, but the form may not be the right one. Emergencies exist. You are not going to give yourself great publicity. Even if the abuse exists, you go a little too hard. Imagine an emergency doctor who can't join his family for a meal or someone who has a family emergency."
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
French Restaurant Sparks Debate with New Reservation Policy Charging for Missing or Extra Guests
A French restaurant posted about a new policy that will charge customers for every person added or missing from a reservation The fee, which is over $17, came after years of incorrect reservations, according to the restaurant's chef The Facebook post about the policy sparked outrage from some users who thought it wasn't lenient to emergencies and support from others who agreed that customers should "take responsibility" The internet is getting heated about one restaurant's reservation policy. Restaurant L'îlot, an intimate, 20-seat French spot in Amboise, France, took to Facebook to share an updated rule for customers with reservations. 'From now on, if you do not show up for the number of guests you reserved, you will be charged €15 per missing or additional person,' the digital flyer, signed off by the restaurant's chef Olivier Vincent, read in French. The notice was also taped to the restaurant's window. The fee, which is over $17, came after years of incorrect reservations, Vincent told local outlet France Bleu. 'Everyone has their phone on them, 24/7, in their pocket, on their nose. If we are able to reserve, we are able to call to say if we will be less, or more, or that we are not coming,' he told the outlet in French. Among the more than 300 comments, many Facebook users thought the restaurant was not understanding of outlying circumstances. 'Emergencies exist,' one person wrote. Others took to the comments to warn the restaurant that the policy is not 'great publicity.' Meanwhile, others backed the restaurant. 'For a small establishment, every table matters,' one person explained. Others stressed that customers should update a restaurant about a change in a reservation, as it is merely the polite thing to do. 'Everyone should take responsibility,' one person wrote and another wrote, 'It's called respect.' The restaurant did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request to comment. A restaurant in Georgia got the internet talking for its $50 surcharge 'for adults unable to parent.' Back in 2023, Lyndsey Landmann and her loved ones visited Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Georgia. According to Today, Lyndsey, her husband, Kyle, and their two kids, were joined by four other families, adding up to 11 children at the table. At the end of their meal, the group was charged a $50 fee on their check for their children being 'too loud." There are several notes at the bottom of the Blue Ridge, Georgia restaurant's food menu regarding etiquette and payment. There are more traditional suggestions like 'be respectful to staff' but the one that caught Lyndsey's eye read: 'Adult surcharge: For adults unable to parent $$$' But when she saw the eatery's 'adult surcharge' warning on the menu, she thought that it was "a joke," she told the outlet. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Restaurant charges $17 fee for customers who commit this common dining practice: ‘Going a bit far'
People are expressing 'reservations' about this new policy. A French restaurateur has been ripped online after announcing a new fine on dining parties whose number of members didn't match their original booking. Olivier Vincent, chef and manager at L'îlot in Amboise, had reportedly become fed up with parties that either exceeded or fell short of the number of patrons they had reserved for, local media reported. The problem — which reportedly occurred on a 'weekly' basis, per the boss — was particularly damaging as his venue only has 20 seats. Vincent post, which has garnered 27,000 views in the first 24 hours, that diners who fail to arrive with the number of guests specified on their reservation 'will be charged 15 euros ($17.27) per missing or additional person.' 'Thank you for your understanding,' the Frenchman wrote. 'We're here because we need to make people responsible.' L'îlot currently boasts a respectable 4.7 stars on Google, where it's described as serving 'inventive gourmet plates prepared in a down-to-earth restaurant with an open kitchen.' According to Vincent, the incorrect booking issue had been ongoing since COVID, but things came to a head last Sunday when one customer exchanged multiple messages trying to change the booking. 'After about ten emails with one person, she told us there would be eight, then nine, and finally, they arrived at seven without warning, without apology,' he recalled. Vincent said there's no excuse for this mistake in a day and age where 'everyone has their phone on them, 24/7, in their pocket.' 'If we are able to reserve, we are able to call to say if we will be less, or more, or that we are not coming,' he declared. 'If we are here, it is to work. It is not to have tables, not to have customers,' Vincent vented. 'We organize ourselves so that everything is serene. We have staff. We work with fresh products. We do not pay employees and suppliers with Monopoly tickets. My restaurant is a business.' However, the policy received mixed reviews with some critics claiming that it was unfair to diners who had to cancel last-minute due to unforeseen circumstances. 'A bit of a limiting business practice if there are only one or two people missing from a large table,' said one. 'Emergencies exist. You're not going to get great publicity for yourself.' They added, 'Even if abuses exist, you are going a bit far. Imagine an on-call doctor who can't join their family for dinner, or someone who has a family emergency.' 'A last-minute unforeseen event,' said another. 'Getting left outside the restaurant (it's happened to me before)… Well, I might as well go somewhere else then. It seems pretty counterproductive to me.' However, many were on board with the issue, which they felt was the perfect antidote to an epidemic of inconsiderate diners. 'I think it's completely normal, people just have to give enough notice, it's a lack of good manners, that's what reservations are for,' said one defender. 'You have guests, you count 8 people, two don't come without warning, you've done the shopping and the cooking accordingly.' They added, 'Personally, the next time I don't invite them. This is his livelihood, he loses two places, so I completely understand his approach.' Meanwhile, a fellow restaurateur claimed that 'this kind of situation has unfortunately become commonplace.' 'Between phantom reservations, last-minute cancellations, and customers arriving very late hoping to be served anyway, it's become a real headache,' they wrote. 'For a small establishment, every table counts. Service isn't just about dishes coming out, it's about meticulous organization, a kitchen team, precise timing—and when things go off the rails because of careless behavior, the loss of revenue is very real.'
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Restaurant introduces new £12 fine for customers making common dining mistake
A restaurant has left people divided after announcing a major change that would impact customers who had pre-booked a table. Chef Olivier Vincent, of Restaurant l'îlot in Amboise, France, revealed that they'd be issuing fines to customers who turned up to eat with a different number of people than stated on the booking. A 15 euro (£12.75) charge per person would be added to the bill for more or less people than the restaurant had been expecting, if no advance warning had been given. The chef claimed they'd been experiencing ongoing issues with the wrong number of people turning up and a breaking point came after a frustrating message exchange with a diner who kept changing the number on the booking and then turned up on the day with an entirely different number of people. In a statement (translated from French) on Facebook about the new rule, Olivier explained: 'The l'îlot restaurant announces a change. From now on, if you do not come to the number of guests for whom you have booked, 15 euros will be charged per person. Missing or in addition. Thank you for understanding.' The caption of the post simply states: 'Without warning obviously…..' Olivier told the Mail that the charge could easily be avoided by people calling the restaurant to let them know about the change in numbers before arriving, especially as most have 'their phones on them 24/7'. Hundreds of people commented on the social media post to share their thoughts on the fine, with some claiming the restaurant is 'right' to do this, but others suggesting the charge is 'problematic' as it doesn't account for emergencies. Aurelie Civrais said: 'I understand the background of the message, but the form may not be the right one. 'Emergencies exist. You are not going to give yourself great publicity. Even if the abuse exists, you go a little hard. Imagine an emergency doctor who can't join his family for a meal, or someone who has a family emergency.' Raphaël Coppeland felt similarly, saying that the way the restaurant had gone about making the change was 'problematic'. He posted: 'Your approach is problematic even if you're right down the drain, especially if unreported absences or last-minute modifications impact your revenue and organisation. 'The announcement seems to blame the customers, which can create a feeling of frustration or injustice. It doesn't take into account the unplanned or the forgetfulness, which can actually happen. 'Some customers may interpret this as a lack of trust or an attempt to 'force' consumption, rather than a necessary management and in the face of such a policy, some customers may prefer to turn to more flexible establishments or perceived as more welcoming.' He urged the business instead to 'think twice' about what they were doing. While Ývøuñ Åy said he was 'cautious' of the restaurant's very 'commercial' decision, commenting: 'Convoys do not always arrive at the same time, and especially, those who deserve to honor their reservation are not solidly responsible for the lack of tact (or even cases of force major) of others.' But Olivier simply responded to criticism, saying: 'We're not happy about getting to this point. It's a fact.' Many people were fully supportive of the new charge, including a fellow restaurateur named Morgan Bonnard. She posted: 'Totally agree with you. This type of situation is sadly becoming prevalent. Between ghost bookings, last minute cancellations, and customers arriving very late hoping to be served anyway, it's become a real puzzle. 'For a small establishment, every table matters. A service isn't just about the dishes that come out, it's about careful organisation, a team in the kitchen, precise timing — and when it derails due to reckless behavior, the lack of profit is very real.' Laurent Roussoulières pointed out: 'When you book a plane ticket, train or something, you get a part refunded but a part remains with the company, it's exactly the same, in fact, it's not that much that you probably don't take that kind of transport. On a table of 4 not honored with an average ticket per person of 35 euros we are on a dry loss of 140 euros for traditional type restaurants. On gastronomic we table more on an average ticket of 60 euros minimum excluding wine and drink is 240 euros of dry losses, 60 euros for 4 it's just common sense in my opinion. 'Being a cook, seeing an empty table all a service while it's booked, it's head-breaking… Because we also place orders based on reservations, especially on small structures.' And Laurence Meunier added: 'I think it's quite normal, people just have to warn early enough, it's a lack of living skills, that's what reservations are for. 'You have guests you count eight people, two don't show up without warning, you've done the groceries and cook accordingly. Personally next time I don't invite them. That's how he earns his bread he loses two places, so I completely understand his approach.' According to Google, Restaurant l'îlot serves 'inventive gourmet plates prepared in a down-to-earth restaurant with an open kitchen'. It's garnered a 4.7 out of five rating, with hundreds of five star reviews for the food. One claimed they served the 'best dinner in France', while another praised the establishment for being 'friendly and welcoming'. Others thought the flavours in the dishes really 'sang' and the meals were 'amazing. This comes after diners in the UK recently shared their upset over rising service charges. While we're using to seeing a 10 or 12.5% charge on our bills, some restaurants have quietly raised this to 15% and it's been claimed by experts that it could go up to as much as 20 or 25% in future, in line with American tipping culture. More Trending A number of popular restaurants have already started adding a 15% charge to bills so it's not difficult to see how this could quickly increase. In London, European restaurant The Wolseley has a discretionary 15% service charge as well as a mandatory £2.50 cover charge. Similarly, Fallow in St James's Market, a popular brunch spot, adds a 15% service charge to bills and a £1 charge to be donated to support the UN Women UK. View More » The story is also the same at Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat restaurants in Mayfair and Bishopsgate, plus Bob Bob Ricard and Bebe Bob in Soho. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Lidl just dropped 'spectacular' new bakery item — and it only costs 79p MORE: I tried the world's best champagne — and it's only £15 MORE: Tesco shoppers say new cake is 'best they've ever had' — but there's one issue Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
