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Pay What You Can At London Restaurant

Where: 171 Farringdon Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1R 3AL
February 4, 2009 at 11:38 AM | by egw | 4 Comments

Economic downturn got you eating unholy amounts of ramen? A London restaurant is inviting patrons to pay what they see fit -- and banking on the fact that some will charge for services rendered.

The Little Bay Restaurant in Islington got three stars from Time Out London and commenter Antonya on London-Eating described her dinner as "cracking bistrot-style food for a great price," so why are they giving it away for free? Owner Peter Ilic told the Islington Gazette, "It just seemed the right thing to do with everyone under the cosh and feeling pretty miserable." That goodwill doesn't include drinks, but it does include foie gras, moules and steak, with more selection than a normal prix fixe menu. Sounds more delicious than yesterday's free breakfast at Denny's on this side of the pond.

If you're not still snowbound, why not mush over to Little Bay and check out how the Radiohead model works for food? It's a much better deal than Restaurant Week, but there's got to be a catch... hmm...

Related Stories:
· You Decide What To Pay, [Owner] Peter Tells Restaurant Diners [Islington Gazette]
· Too Obvious? Free breakfast at Denny's proves to be a people magnet [San Jose Mercury-News]
· The Restaurant Week That Never Ends [Jaunted]

[Photo of banana cream profiteroles from Little Bay: coconino]

4 Comments

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  1. MattyC

    Jaunted Member

    Speaking as an Englishman...

    I think this is a great ploy. We Brits have more or less got over our fear of sex and fresh coffee, but we're still petrified at the thought of being placed in an 'awkward' situation. And giving a waiter 10 pounds for a meal worth three times that much could certainly generate some awkwardness.

    The thing about the Radiohead 'offer' is that you could stiff those whey-faced overrated indie shoegazers, and NO ONE would know you'd done it.

    February 4, 2009 at 4:03 PM
    #Permalink

  1. amandak

    Jaunted Member

    Smart move ...

    we've got a place similar to that down here (in Australia) and I think what Matt says is spot on - most people end up giving more than it's worth to avoid the awkward factor - most of us are, after all, descended from the British. Great marketing idea of looking generous but actually making more - maybe!
    February 4, 2009 at 4:52 PM
    #Permalink

  1. juliab

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    agreed

    my mate went last night. he said the food wasn't great but he still stumped up ฃ15. when he looked at the menu afterwards, he realised he'd paid more than he would have done in the first place. i'd love to see what happens when people really do leave nothing though..
    February 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM
    Parent #Permalink

  1. MattyC

    Jaunted Member

    Are you volunteering, Julia?

    Go on. We dare you.

    I bet A A Gill would do it...

    February 4, 2009 at 8:01 PM
    Parent #Permalink

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