Have You Heard Anything About This Couple??

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 15:53

Whilst chatting with some of my regular customers in my Boutique today, I explained something which happened at The Green Palace on Saturday night.



I was told that there is a couple going around restaurants, especially on Saturday nights, making a scene and trying to get a free meal.



I wondered if anyone else has heard or experienced anything of the same with this couple and who they are.



Incidently, they didn't get away with it at Green Palace..

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 16:25

What did happen at the Green Palace last Saturday night? Maybe its the place to avoid if looking for a free meal

ismet

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 16:28

sounds like gossip.........

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:00

Msg 3,



Cyprus 44.....never!



wyn

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:04

A couple wandered in during the day and asked to have a look at the menu. They chose a table and booked for 8pm. They didn't turn up until about 9.15ish. They then decided that they didn't want to sit at that particular table as there was a breeze, which was no problem. We moved them to another table. The waiter took there order and they were given there drinks immediately. I know this as I was behind the bar and have a good view of what goes on.



A little after being served their food the gentleman came over to the bar and shouted at me because his wife's steak had black pepper on it. The lady was also shouting from the table! I went over straight away and was still being shouted at even though i was standing right next to her.



She told me that the asked for mushroom sauce on the side and that I had given her her food with pepper on her steak.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:07

Surely they could have offered to wash the dishes and be done with it?

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:08

I'd have knocked their teeth out so they wouldn't ask for steak again

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:10

She did have mushroom sauce on her steak and yes the steak was seasoned with salt and pepper before grilling. I apologised for this and told her we would cook another one for her staright away. She continued to shout that she had an allergy to pepper and that she did not want her steak washed and put back on her plate!



I apologised again (even though anyone with an allergy makes it known straight away, especially when eating out) and offered her another glass of wine with our compliments, whilst a fresh steak was being cooked for her.



After telling my chef to cook a fresh dish without seasoning it I went back to the bar.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:10

Then they will ask for it to be liquidised and surely it will lead to a complaint about how watery it is?

nicka


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:12

It has took you you two and a half days to come on 44 and tell us about it ?



You dont say if they were right to complain if the order was sent out wrong. What exactly are you wanting to do by posting this on here?



Just curios thats all.............

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:13

About 10 mins later. The lady (?) was really giving her husband a mouthful. I was watching from where I was standing. He almost licked his plate clean. Got up from the table. Came over to the bar and started shouting all over again.



Telling me that I did not deliver his wife's food and that they will not being paying.



At this point I lost all compassion as you can imagine

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:17

At this point my partner came out of the kitchen holding the plate of food.



I told them that we accepted that the first dish was our fault but they would be paying for the rest. They refused and said they were leaving and telling everyone about us.



When told that the police were going to be called the gentleman soon calmed down and paid. And apologised for his wife.

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:20

nicka - I wasn't going to talk about it at all on here because I don't bitch about anything on here. I did say that we took responsibility for the first dish and apologised and offered a free glass of wine.



The only thing I'm trying to acheive is, as pointed out in the title of the post and message 1.... Has anybody else heard of a couple travelling around restaurants doing this???

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:22

Nicka,

It was me who asked for the details. In the circumstances the restaurant should have called the police. Obviously this couple has got used to getting away with a free meal too often. So what happened at the end, did they pay?

ismet

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:35

Yes they did pay in the end. I think they were just trying there luck.



Since other people have started to mention that there is a couple doing this, I was just curious to know if its true and does anyone else know about it

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:37

YFRED - well said

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:37

i would have told them they would need the steaks for their black eyes, they would have said what black eyes ? ..then let them have it..whallop right on their noses.

nicka


Joined: 06/11/2008
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:43

Elko Bey,

No problem at all, its just that there are a lot of couples go out on a saturday night for a meal, and it seemed a little unfair to generalise . Maybe a description would have helped. Giving the free meal and a complimentary drink was great,well done.

If it was that much of a problem, taking a registration number and contacting the other local restaurants may have been wise.



Lets hope they have learnt their lesson that people arent just going to give meals away if shouted at.



P.S. I dont like seasoning on my food either and prefer to add my own if needed (smiles) dont know how to add a smiley.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:45

What for Jock, surely the TRNC police can do that sort of activity by themselves without the need of any employers.

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 17:55

just doing your bit for the local constabulary.....

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:01

I would not say they were that local, I gather specials were brought in for the job.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:25

Is this the same couple who were conning the Hotels a few years back!? Small blonde haired lady, husband small with a moustache!? Cannot remember their names, but we have sighted them on a number of occasions in and around the Girne area. They conned The Ship and The Grove et al!!!

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:35

Was it Wyn and Jock with Jock dressed as a woman.Pretty tight those Scots,



Paul.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:39

Surely you must mean Kilt, no?

tomsteel


Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 482

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:48

Ref msg 24, that out of kilter - lol!

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:50

aye laugh...let me tell ye...he who laughs last and aw that .....

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:55

Sorry mate,i couldnt hold it back any longer,



Paul.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 18:59

Coco, did the man have a ponytail?

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 19:04

At this point in time, I feel I need to plead the 5th ammendment.



Bloody Scottish, and Yorkshiremen. Any excuse to avoid, paying a round!



wynge

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 19:07

Nicka ,



The couple were British around late 40s early 50s maybe. The man was slim medium build tanned skin. The woman was average height slim reddish shoulder length hair.



Haven't seen them at the restaurant before and we most definitely do not want them back again.



Yes most people do go out on a Saturday night for a meal and we have lots of regular customers that were there on this occasion.



If we had to, we would have called the police and I hope that any other restaurant owners will do the same not let these people get away with it.



I hope they have learnt a lesson.



I think they were hoping to be confronted with someone that didn't have strong enough English and would rather just be rid of them.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 19:20

The last time Wyn put his hand in his pocket he brought a guinea,



Paul.

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 19:28

I did see a couple act in a similar way in Silver Rocks one night, the staff were great but the woman did try to get the waiter into trouble with his boss, I just queitly went up to the boss on my way out and praised the waiter. To be honest they were so insignificant I doubt I would ever recognise them again.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 19:33

I dont condone the way the couple is reported to have reacted but why was the steak seasoned and why was the sauce not served separately? If I ordered a plain grilled steak with a separate item, and got one seasoned and covered with sauce Iwould have assumed that either the resteraunt concerned was inefficient and had no concern for its customers choices or they were trying t disguise poor quality meat!



And too many resteraunts these days react by a shrug of the shoulders and a free glass of wine. If one is served with the wrong thing, even if it is replaced it is disappointing to say the least if one has to sit and wait for ones food while ones companion(s) eat and then have them wait while one eats solitary because the resteraunt did not get the order right.



I hope I wouldnt have shouted and probaby would nt have refrused to pay, but I wouldnt have left a tip, or returned or recommended the estabishment!

Hoylemiller



Joined: 03/09/2010
Posts: 240

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 20:10

Wynyardman, they are definately not from Yorkshire because:

They would've ordered either fish n chips with mushy peas, black pudding with gravy, or a growler (pork pie)and pint of John Smiths.

or if they were feeling flush a Barnsley chop.



The manager should have said to them ''i have two words for you, and the second one's off'' ... then called his kitchen staff to wave them goodbye.

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 20:15

wow. Wish i had been there with camera and notebook. next time it happens, give me a ring and I will be there. Good story! A|nd if in the paper it just might put them off pulling the same trick anywhere else.

So, let's all do our bit and be socially minded and stop this game befopre others get upset.



So, ring me. Have camera, will travel!

natalie


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 21:52

Well said Marion, Green Palace is a great place and very popular. Shame people on here belittle whats posted on here by a great restaurant with a genuine concern, typical.

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 22:18

hoylemiller,



Those two layabouts would,nt be allowed in Harry Ramsdens. not to mention



Billy Fortunes Kippers. Pork scratchins mabe, just maybe. Enjoy your meses!



wyn

natalie


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 22:21

Wynyardman, thought better of you than this last stupid comment. Sad

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
05/10/2011 23:05

If the people "Booked " for the evening, when they were in during the day , surely they left a name for the table to booked under ? ( Message 5 !)



Gerry

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 00:02

For goodness sake, have any of you women ever bought a piece of steak that turned out tough after you coooked it?

I'll be the first one to put my hands up to ruining steaks, over the past thirty years, I've probably dished up two blimin' good steaks.........

hey ho, so he takes me out to dinner to have a decent one..............

These two are obviously scammers, otherwise why make so much public fuss.

The problem is, we live here, not holiday makers, these restuarants have to, need to make a living, so the prices will go up accordingly, at the end of the day, it is us that have to make up their loss.

Bet that one takes the smile off the jokers faces.

One job I would hate is being a restuaranter. Bless them,

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 00:18

Coklebay,post 22.I remember those two,they conned me out of a cup of tea and a lift.The wife told me hubby could not get a job as a pilot instructor in the flying club.They also conned Victoria Homes.

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 00:37

BizziLizzi.. The whole point is that the customer in question DID NOT ask for sauce to be served separately. She was just making an excuse.



Did I also mention that the steak in question was half eaten by this time????



Most restaurants season steak unless otherwise requested. She was nevertheless sincerely apologised to, offered a glass of wine, and another one was put on the BBQ within minutes.



All without a shrug of shoulders.



We value our customers too much to make such stupid mistakes as to upset them purposefuly.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 01:08

cocobutik



Maybe I misunderstood - I though she asked for sauce "on the side" and she would have had at least to have tried the steak to find it was seasoned.



Seasoning is a bit of a problem these days - so many allergies and people who are dont take salt for medical reasons - some food of course really loses savour without - but I would expect somethng like a decent quality steak to be served au natural unless otherwise advertised or requested. At least this has taught me to check in advance in future - not that I eat steak often!



Without being there it is not really fair to judge either way. However I do get tired of eating establishment that assume you like the same condiments seasonings as everyone else and include them without asking. And a free glass (or even bottle) of wine seems to be the stock answer to any complaint at a resteraunt - not really a consolation if you dont drink and even less so if you are a responsible designated driver

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 01:18

btw did the mushroom sauce include pepper? I usually use low salt in sauces but do include pepper without thinking - but then I dont charge for my meals - just as well!



It just occurs to me that if I had a serious food allergy or wa seriously worried about salt levels, I migh well order something simple like steak just to avoid having to ask a lot of questions about contents of say, a casserole, in a busy resteraunt.







Anyway I hope you dont have a repetition of this unfortunate happening and many satisfied customers

mikey53


Joined: 21/08/2011
Posts: 91

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 01:41

Scammers, scammers, scammers, and they have shot their bolt, hopefully for the last time !!! I hope they see all of these posts and crawl back under their Rock for Good, and realize that they are OUTED <<<<<< Bye, bye !!!!

carian


Joined: 13/03/2009
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 10:13

Bizzilizzi, I should imagine every decent chef/cook seasons their food when cooking it. You only have to watch Masterchef on BBC to see how much emphasis is put on seasoning.

Simhar


Joined: 18/05/2009
Posts: 227

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 10:41

I am a Chef and I would not dream of serving anything without seasoning unless asked to. It is as natural to reach for the salt and pepper pot for a chef as it is to reach for the comb and scissors if you are a hairdresser.

gelin70


Joined: 17/06/2008
Posts: 66

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 12:21

The same thing was done to my sister-in-law when she owned a restaurant here, the husband had complained about the food and said that he wasn't paying for it although he had ate the lot. My sister-in-laws english was not that good and as luck would have it we were there that night, so my husband went over and said if it was that bad you wouldn't have eaten it and you can pay for it in full. They were also trying it on. This couple still live here and it wouldn't surprise me that they were still at it. They sound very similar to what you have described Coco although did the man have fair shoulder length hair that is usually hidden under a hat?

rocking


Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 421

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 14:33

All the Cocobutik has written is correct, my husband was there at the time. This couple were an absolute nightmare.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 17:03

I have been a Swallow on Cyprus 44 for some years but have never posted. Some of the comments have had me belly laughing at the antics of the members real or imagined. Elko your advice I have always read and consider to be very informative worth listening to, yet you surprise me making the comments you have, especially from a legal viewpoint. Marion get a life, I do not think the Editor of your paper based on one complaint would enjoy being approached in respect of a Libellous statement, they may have actually been correct in the complaint made. I want nothing on my steak other than steak. From one comment in a Boutique these people have been put on the Cross, shame on you. Other than the owners of the Restaurant and a couple of people who were there, who is to say anything other than they did not consider they had good service. Green Palace I do not wish to suggest anything other than there are two sides to a story. I look forward to visiting your establishment in the near future.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 17:13

Message 50, yes Marion could have got a good story if she had been there. Name and shame I say, there are some ex-pats who need to be exposed, outed etc., some of their scams and behaviours have become outrageous.

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 17:15

almost as outrageous as some of the t/c scams BUT not as expensive for the victims IMHO

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 17:16

Surely there are no scams in Cyprus

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 17:50

The words "kangaroo" and "court" do spring to mind!



I though British cuisine was more sophisticated these days than just spinkle salt and pepper (or worse )on everything,



Ah well there is always a silver lining - perhaps it is a good thing I can afford to eat out often - and this thread has certainly warned me to check the contents of what I am eating when I do.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 18:20

Cocklebay, when in your lifetime should you be named and shamed on the basis of one incident. More than one yes. But just one. Are you that perfect. MMMmmm perhaps the pond for you just to ensure you tell the truth.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 18:20

Sorry MMMMMmmmmm not meant to slight you.

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 18:22

SIMHAR - I agree with you totally. Exactly as I said, most chefs season food before cooking not after. Also if someone has an allergy to anything, its normally the first thing that is mentioned when ordering . Don't you agree?



BIZZILIZZI - The whole point of this thread was to make other people aware that there is a couple trying this in alot of restaurants.



PINHEAD - This incident in my restaurant was talked about in my boutique.



Green Palace values its customers too much and would not make this sort of comment if it were not accurate. Our only concern was that other dinners were made uncomfortable by the actions and shouting of the couple.

Nothing else.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 18:50

Cocobutik. Has the Green Palace changed hands recently? I thought it was owned by Omer who used to run Cano in the village.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 19:43

Cocobutic, so your Boutique is the place to go to find out what (Truthfully) has been happening here in TRNC. Thought that was the prerogatives of the Courts. Perhaps you could decide on the Antics of my builder, done worse than this. Obviously your Knowledge in respect of misdemeanours in the TRNC carries more weight. Put me to the steak, sorry steak. I wonder what would happen if you changed the restaurant for your Boutique. I at first believed the two places were separate however your posts lead me to believe the Botique and Restaurant are both yours, please enlighten me if this is not correct and I apologise if that is not the case.

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 19:54

Whistler - The Green Palace hasn't changed hands. Omer is still the owner and I am now there also. You sound like an old customer so you know us well.



Pinhead - If you read the first message you will understand what this thread is all about. I don't know what you are trying to achieve by turning this into something else. But I for one will not entertain you.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:02

Message 57. PINHEAD - This incident in my restaurant was talked about in my boutique. ?????

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:04

Message 61 - sorry, but I fail to see what's unusual about an incident in a restaurant being talked about in a boutique?



Am I missing something?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:05

So funny,.... usually the customer comes on here and slates the restaurant this time its the other way round



We ate at green palace last week and very nice it was too.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:08

Well, I suppose "what's sauce for the goose......................"



Sorry.

nicola


Joined: 06/09/2011
Posts: 246

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:14

Pinhead, 'me thinks thou doth protest too much'

milliesmum49


Joined: 22/10/2010
Posts: 36

Message Posted:
06/10/2011 20:26

The green Palace is a lovely place to eat.



As for not wanting dedicated cook's or "chefs" to put seasoning into the food they cook is rather like asking a car



mechanic not to put oil in the engine. If you like bland food, go somewhere that serves that type of food.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 08:20

PinHead, not just one incident!!!!! Were you the person that this thread is all about!!!? Your arguments lead me to believe this!

Jefferson


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 08:43

I know the couple in question and the story I heard was very different. I do know however that they are not freeloaders. I do not know if they follow 44 but I will make them aware of the thread and they may well post.

Meanwhile feel free to keep hanging them!

nicola


Joined: 06/09/2011
Posts: 246

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 08:55

Cocklebay you echo my sentiments in msg 65.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 10:24

Cocklebay, Judge Jury and Executioner, are you now accusing me of being one of the serial restaurant scammers?



Never been to the Green Palace.



You stated in post 57. 'This incident in my restaurant was talked about in my boutique' This suggested that you are the owner of both.



MY meaning that something belongs to or is connected with you when you are the person speaking or writing.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 10:32

Post 57 is not my post!!! Obviously you read what you want to read, and then misquote the facts!!!

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 10:42

I still wonder how a couple can be accused of being Serial Scammers on the basis of one yes one incident which occured at Green Palace. No one has connected them with anywhere else.

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 10:47

If I knew how to edit I would have put the name of the Person who posted 57 before the comment. Not seeing the mistake until it was to late.

cocobutik


Joined: 02/05/2011
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 11:02

Good Morning Pinhead.

My comment that the incident was spoken about in my bouique was in response to your comment..



"From one comment in a Boutique these people have been put on the Cross, shame on you. Other than the owners of the Restaurant and a couple of people who were there, who is to say anything other than they did not consider they had good service"



Of course there are always two sides to a story. You are correct in saying that people should not be accused of being "Serial Scammers", as you put it. I simply asked if anybody else had heard or experienced the same thing.

Writergirl


Joined: 04/10/2011
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 11:35

Think this thread needs a referee!!!!

PinHead


Joined: 06/10/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
07/10/2011 12:56

Writergirl, You up for the job. Got the red card handy. 10 mins in the sin bin.