Restaurant owner praised for classy response to rude customer's review

2023-01-05

Restaurant owner who was hit with a vile ‘cancer’ insult from a disgruntled customer gets the last laugh as his decision to take the high road pays off

Customer dined at Adelaide restaurant Yiasou George on New Year’s Eve
The wait staff asked him politely to pipe down and not disturb other customers
The man then posted a one-star review saying he hoped ‘the owner gets cancer’
But the owner then served up a brilliant response earning praise from foodies

A restauranteur is being praised for his classy response to a rude customer’s review who said he hoped ‘the owner gets cancer’ after being told to respect other diners.

The disgruntled customer was given a table at popular Adelaide restaurant Yiasou George on New Year’s Eve but the next day left the one-star Google review.

‘Our waiter was allergic to fun. This was advertised as a ‘party disco vibe’ but our laughter was ‘too loud’… If zero stars were available I would give it… I hope the owner gets cancer,’ the reviewer known as Alex said.

But owner Oliver Brown, who runs Yiasou George as part of local hospitality collective The Big Easy Group, turned the tables on the reviewer with a swift reply.

Yiasou George owner Oliver Brown (pictured) took the high road after a bitter customer review

Yiasou George (pictured) is a popular eatery in the Adelaide CBD serving up modern Greek-Australian food in a relaxed atmosphere

‘It’s the owner here – the one you wished cancer on,’ he wrote.

‘At Yiasou George, we love seeing our customers having fun, but my staff inform me you had already had a bit too much fun before you arrived, and they politely asked you to respect the other people dining in the restaurant.’

‘What isn’t very fun is cancer. And it’s not very funny to wish it upon restaurant staff who are doing their jobs. We’ve donated the full amount of your meal to the Cancer Council.’

Mr Brown then shared a receipt for a $499 donation to the Cancer Council – the amount of the man’s bill.

He added that he and has staff have chosen to start the new year with ‘good vibes and love and support for anyone facing cancer’.

The owner donated $499 – the amount of the man’s bill – to the Cancer Council

‘You can choose to start 2023 whatever way you wish. But it won’t be in one of (The Big Easy Group’s) venues again.’

‘Wishing you a happy new year full of respect and personal growth.’

The Big Easy Group runs seven bars and restaurants across Adelaide: Yiasou George, Bowden Brewing, Masa Kitchen, The Stag Public House, NOLA Adelaide, Anchovy Bandit, and Bottega Bandito.

Mr Brown told The Adelaide Advertiser that the staff member who waited the customer’s table did an ‘amazing’ job and added that all diners are emailed a feedback survey but the man instead chose to publicly insult them.

Social media was awash with praise for the way Mr Brown handled the situation and pledges to dine at his establishments more regularly.

Mr Brown (pictured with his wife) runs The Big Easy hospitality collective of seven Adelaide bars and restaurants including Yiasou George

‘Congratulations on raising the bar both in hospitality and as a human being … this post makes me want to dine with your crew even more than I already do,’ one person wrote.

‘All class Oliver! A credit to you, your team and your business, brilliant,’ another wrote.

‘Alex should be ashamed of himself, disgraceful. There are just some keyboard warriors who will never be pleased,’ added a third.

Source: Read Full Article