The worst dining experience ever!
By Globe Trotter, 05/25/09
May 24, 2009.
It was the 35th birthday of one of my friends (his wife and I attend the same church), and so, upon my suggestion, we went to a restaurant called Mare Nostrum in Providencia. They serve Peruvian cuisine. I had been there once previously, a little more than a year ago, and remembered that the food was quite good.
The service was a bit cold, but nothing to complain about until the bill arrived. We were taken aback to find that they had overcharged us $85 mil (for two starters “entradas”). After calling attention to the gross error, the waiter simply replied, “We told you that it would be more because you have 9 people.” We asked to see the menu again. After pointing out that each starter was priced at $10,800 CLP, (we had two), that we would pay what was indicated on the menu. We then asked to speak to the manager several times, but were refused. They simply were not going to see reason.
After having paid the bill, including the menu listed price of the two appetizers that cost $10,800CLP each (we had decided as a group not to succumb to this scam of the exorbitantly priced appetizers with a total cost of $85,000CLP - which is roughly equivalent to $150 US Dollars), we proceeded towards the door to exit the restaurant. We found our way physically barred by 3 of the waiters and one man whom we later came to find out represented the owner of the restaurant. Two of the ladies in our party said “Excuse me,” as they attempted to leave. The man representing the owner pushed them. Luckily they weren’t seriously harmed. However, they were extremely upset and their husbands were very angry. At that point, I proceeded to exit the restaurant, at which point the same man who had pushed the other ladies shoved me backwards in order to keep me from leaving. Obviously very upset for many reasons (not the least of which was the physical harm that this man was perpetrating against women), I told him that he had no right to touch me and that I was leaving. In the end, seven of our party of nine got out of the restaurant while two were still being held inside (including my friend whose birthday it was, and is wife). At that point, we called the carabineros.
Finally, with the assistance of the carabineros, the ordeal ended (some 3 hours later). After listening to the explanation given by one of the police officers that if I wanted to press charges against the man who assaulted us, he would take him to jail, however, I would have to go through several procedures (1. Go to a clinica for a complete physical, 2. Accompany them to the police station to fill out paperwork which I was told would take 3 to 4 hours, 3. Attend a hearing in court, 4. Not be able to leave the country while the legal proceeding was underway). Therefore, I decided not to press charges.
I am obviously, and rightly so, extremely upset. Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and I am telling you all so that it won’t happen to you either. I had heard that in certain restaurants, they would attempt to scam people (especially tourists). However, we are not tourists. I was with 3 Chileans, and their spouses, and a British couple who have lived in Santiago going on ten years now. None of them had ever experienced anything like this before. I hope that you never have to go through this type of situation either. That is why I am writing so that you will know not to go to Mare Nostrum (Peruvian restaurant) located on calle Concepcion in Providencia.
