The Bella Ciao restaurant in Port Talbot, Wales, recently faced a disheartening incident when a family of eight reportedly left the establishment without paying their substantial £329 bill. The restaurant, which had just opened its doors to the public, shared their frustration and the details of the incident on social media, describing the situation as devastating to their business.

According to the restaurant’s management, the family indulged in a lavish meal that included expensive T-bone steaks and double desserts, accompanied by fifteen bottles of fizzy drinks. The order amounted to one of the pricier bills of the evening, prompting suspicion among the staff. The restaurant manager, Tyrone Reese, recounted how the family’s behavior seemed off, noting how they were ordering the most expensive items and frequently sending back half-eaten plates.

The incident escalated when an attempt to settle the bill failed. The restaurant reported that the woman tried to pay with a savings account card, which was declined twice. She then informed the staff that she would retrieve another card from her car while her son remained inside. However, neither returned to settle their bill. The son received a phone call shortly after his mother left and then quickly exited the restaurant, effectively completing their escape.

Credit: Facebook/Bella Ciao Swansea

The aftermath of the incident saw Bella Ciao dealing with the financial and emotional impact of the dine-and-dash. The restaurant was unable to contact the family as they had provided a fake phone number at the time of their booking. Left with no other recourse, the restaurant reported the incident to the South Wales Police, hoping for a resolution.

In a surprising turn of events, the story of the unpaid bill went viral, sparking an outpouring of support from the community and nearby businesses. Many shared their own experiences with similar incidents, and as a result, Bella Ciao saw a significant increase in bookings. Manager Tyrone Reese expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by the community, emphasizing that the surge in support helped mitigate the initial negative impact of the dine-and-dash.