London restaurant says 'pay what you want'

**dirtydog** · 05-02-2009, 05:47 AM

London restaurant says 'pay what you want'

A LONDON restaurant is asking customers to pay only what they want for meals in a bid to beat the credit crunch.

The Little Bay restaurant in central London will present diners with absolutely nothing when they ask for the cheque during February, leaving it up to them to decide what the meal was worth.

"Anything between a penny and 50 pounds ($111) will make me happy, it's entirely up to the customer to decide," restaurateur owner Peter Ilic said.

"It just seemed the right thing to do with everyone under the cash and feeling pretty miserable," he said.

Mr Ilic, a long-standing player in the London restaurant business, is well-known for his value gourmet food, but now he's gone one step further and effectively cut prices to zero.

"Customers have already paid 20 per cent more than the original price," he said, confident that he will more than cover his expenses for the month. "People want to be polite and would be embarrassed not to pay enough."

Not only is the deal pretty attractive for those who might decide to pay nothing, the food is pretty tempting too.

Starters include crab tartelette, foie gras terrine and goat cheese souffle, while main courses range from duck breast to steamed butterfish and filet steak.

The only thing customers definitely have to pay for are their drinks. But for those really suffering in the credit crisis, the tap water is served free.

London restaurant says 'pay what you want' | Weird True Freaky | News.com.au

**kingwilly** · 05-02-2009, 06:15 AM

advertising gimmick

**sunsetter** · 05-02-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

advertising gimmick

naa, shouldnt have thought so

**good2bhappy** · 05-02-2009, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

the tap water is served free.

That is refreshing

**Loy Toy** · 05-02-2009, 05:33 PM

I think it was Radiohead who offered their new album for download and at a price their fans thought justified to pay.

Apparently, and I have not seen the sales figures as yet, it was a success and maybe this move by the Retaurants owners will also end up good for them.

I hope so!

**Jesus Jones** · 05-02-2009, 05:39 PM

Clever guy. So he's realised that customers will pay more as they will be to embaressed to pay less. Gimmick as said already.

Who's doing who the favour?

**buriramboy** · 05-02-2009, 05:39 PM

If i was in London, i'd have no shame in gorging myself on fine food, drinking tap water and paying fok all.

**Nawty** · 05-02-2009, 05:43 PM

He better not let word get out on the backpacking circuit or the holidaying tefler !!!

**Begbie** · 05-02-2009, 05:45 PM

I reckon he's in for a hiding. This story was carried by the BBc and every freeloader in London will have read it. They'll be queuing round the block.

**NickA** · 06-02-2009, 12:13 AM

I assume they will turn away tramps and scruffy people.... wouldn't want to help out people who need it too much

**Texpat** · 06-02-2009, 12:20 AM

Really, really bad move.

He'll get killed. Cheap bastards don't wanna pay when they have to. You think they'll pay if they don't have to?

**Loy Toy** · 06-02-2009, 12:28 AM

I think most fair minded people would pay a fair price for a fair product.

If I went there and really enjoyed the food and service I would pay a fair price.

As a matter of fact I don't mind paying a good tip and if the evening works out well. I don't have to do it of course but will offer it anyway and for a job well done.

Of course you will get the free loaders and god knows how they are going to legally deny them access!

**jizzybloke** · 06-02-2009, 12:32 AM

I have been to a couple of these places and they were great value anyway, very good food too!

Welcome to Little Bay Restaurants

check out the prices they're cheap anyway, the Croydon one i have been to loads of times and once to Battersea

**dirtydog** · 06-02-2009, 01:14 AM

Damn, it is cheap.

**jizzybloke** · 06-02-2009, 01:26 AM

bloody good too, where's bkkandrew gone

**The Fresh Prince** · 06-02-2009, 01:35 AM

I'm with Loy Toy, I'd pay a fair price. It's a ballsy move but I'd like to think that people still have decent values and would pay a fair price also.

**NickA** · 06-02-2009, 02:47 AM

I'd pay slightly less than the true price, otherwise the deal is meaningless and a waste of time

**keda** · 10-02-2009, 10:50 PM

Nothing new about the concept...from 20 to 8 years ago I used to frequent Just Around the Corner, 446 (?) Finchley Road, a friendly gaff where the menu has no prices and customers pay what they think the meal is worth. We used to pay a square £20 per head, and according to the owner about 10 years ago, most customers paid £15-30, with the occasional ten or less, but must be doing well overall seeing as he's opened others at Finchley Central and Primrose Hill.

**keda** · 10-02-2009, 10:54 PM

Seems the concept is being practised over here too, with some girls charging up to you.

**The Gentleman Scamp** · 10-02-2009, 11:21 PM

I thought it was a good idea until I saw the restaurant is in Croydon.

**kingwilly** · 10-02-2009, 11:25 PM

they'd panic if they saw u walk in...

**Thetyim** · 10-02-2009, 11:29 PM

**mobs00** · 11-02-2009, 12:26 AM

I wonder if this will work in the bar business?

**Redrum** · 11-02-2009, 02:54 AM

Bet he's charging £4 for a pint of lager.

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