An Italian restaurant located on the famous Lake Como has introduced a EUR 15 charge for people at tables with a nice view of the lake.
The Il Gatto Nero restaurant once reportedly boasted film star George Clooney as a regular guest whenever he came to Italy.
But, local media says, it has now turned into a tourist trap aiming to rip off foreign visitors under its new management.
Despite offering average service to customers, it now reportedly costs EUR 45 for three guests even before eating if they are seated at one of the tables with a view of the lake.
Guests often choose its open terrace from where they can see the lake unaware that they have to pay an additional fee of EUR 15 for the privilege.
A cheaper option is to be seated in the second and third rows under beach umbrellas where it costs a reported EUR 8 per person as the view is not so clear.
And as the Il Gatto Nero only takes reservations, guests only find out about the surcharge once they have already been seated and looked at the printed menu.
Local media have also compared its meal prices to those of Michelin-star-rated restaurants in Italy’s major cities, with appetizers reportedly starting at EUR 24 and main courses EUR 34 and up.
However, local media says the Il Gatto Nero is far from a luxury restaurant in regards to service or food and described its latest move as “tacky”.
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Story By: Simona Kitanovska, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Newsflash
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