I was once dining out at an Italian restaurant which I had been to many times before. I was just eating my garlic bread when I heard what sounded like water dripping. I ignored it and carried on eating when I saw water dripping from a crack in the ceiling. Okay no big deal, I’m sure every restaurant sprouts the occasional leak. But this little leak quickly turned into a waterfall. The dripping escalated into water pouring from the ceiling. The pressure continues to build until it rivals that of a bathroom shower. All the while I’m sitting there meters away with a rapidly growing pool of water filling the dining room.
I didn’t know what to do; I was the only customer as it was the quiet time of the day and the server was up in the kitchen so I was alone. Fearing what could happen if the leak hit an electrical cable or the roof came falling in, I quickly fled up the stairs with the pool of water spreading further into the restaurant. I poked my head into the kitchen where all the staff were working as if nothing was wrong. The server who took my order suddenly notices me and asked if something is wrong. “You do realise your restaurant is flooding don’t you?” I ask him. I explain the situation to the horrified staff who run downstairs.
The leak had thankfully stopped but the floor was soaked with a fair few inches of water. My heart went out to the waiting staff who began mopping up the great mess. Apparently the leak was due to the chefs doing some tinkering with the pipes. A lesson to all restaurant personnel – always leave plumbing work within the capable hands of trained and qualified professionals if you do not want your dining room turned into the set of Titanic!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
did you get a free meal out of this?
Why would the meal be free? I am wondering what on earth took so long for him/her to even mention it!
Cat M is right. The person who noticed the leak should've spoken up sooner and did not deserve a free meal since they didn't mention the leak as soon as they noticed it. It would've been one thing if the leak was outside the building but since this was inside….How lazy, stupid, and lousy of them to not mention it sooner and then claim that their heart went out to the staff for having to clean up the mess. I agree though that if the staff were trying to take care of building problems themselves when they obviously aren't able to do so well….they shouldn't be taking care of things themselves and should leave building stuff and repairs to the pros.
Maybe the poster is shy and was raised not to go into places they don't belong (like the kitchen of a restaurant or behind a counter at a store) that doesn't make them lazy, stupid, and lousy.
Don't know where this was but in England a diner can ask to inspect the kitchen at any time. It's the law.