Post by Libby on Feb 5, 2009 16:37:45 GMT
news.sky.com/skynews/Strange-News
A London restaurant is doing away with set bills and asking customers to pay only what they want for their meals.
In an unorthodox attempt to beat the credit crunch, the Little Bay restaurant in central London will present diners with absolutely nothing when they ask for the bill during February.
Instead it will leave it up to them to decide what the meal was worth.
"Anything between a penny and £50 will make me happy, it's entirely up to the customer to decide," said owner Peter Ilic.
"It just seemed the right thing to do with everyone under the cosh and feeling pretty miserable."
The Little Bay is known for its bistro-style Mediterranean cuisine but times have not been easy for London restaurants as the credit crisis bites.
Mr Ilic, who owns four restaurants, said the idea was similar to that used by major bands like Radiohead to sell their CDs. And he reckons it is working!
"Customers have already paid 20% more than the original price," he said, confident that he will more than cover his expenses for the month.
"People want to be polite and would be embarrassed not to pay enough."
Starters include crab tartelette, foie gras terrine and goat cheese souffle, while main courses range from duck breast to steamed butterfish and filet steak.
The only thing customers definitely have to pay for are their drinks.
A London restaurant is doing away with set bills and asking customers to pay only what they want for their meals.
In an unorthodox attempt to beat the credit crunch, the Little Bay restaurant in central London will present diners with absolutely nothing when they ask for the bill during February.
Instead it will leave it up to them to decide what the meal was worth.
"Anything between a penny and £50 will make me happy, it's entirely up to the customer to decide," said owner Peter Ilic.
"It just seemed the right thing to do with everyone under the cosh and feeling pretty miserable."
The Little Bay is known for its bistro-style Mediterranean cuisine but times have not been easy for London restaurants as the credit crisis bites.
Mr Ilic, who owns four restaurants, said the idea was similar to that used by major bands like Radiohead to sell their CDs. And he reckons it is working!
"Customers have already paid 20% more than the original price," he said, confident that he will more than cover his expenses for the month.
"People want to be polite and would be embarrassed not to pay enough."
Starters include crab tartelette, foie gras terrine and goat cheese souffle, while main courses range from duck breast to steamed butterfish and filet steak.
The only thing customers definitely have to pay for are their drinks.