A Michelin-star restaurant has issued a response to a complaint after would-be diners were slapped with a €250 (£215) for cancelling their meal at 30 minutes' notice - when their child needed to be taken to hospital in an emergency.
The owner of Bastion, located in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, said they wished to clarify the matter after it was accused of taking the sum from the customer's card, CorkBeo reports.
Addressing the complaint directly in writing, co-owner Helen McDonald explained that the acclaimed establishment "did not charge you for nothing", adding "we charged you sir because you gave us 30 minutes' notice for a cancellation for two people and your table sat there empty all night with all the food that was prepared for you and your wife put in the bin".
The Irish eatery only has 12 tables and can seat a maximum of 36 customers at full capacity, and as such the award-winning spot is normally booked up for long periods well in advance.
According to its website, the restaurant's tasting menus are priced at €130 (£113) per person.
Helen went on to add that the restaurant made attempts to see if the customer could find someone else to take their place.
She continued: "I phoned you back and asked if you had any family or friends who might like to avail of the booking to avoid having to charge the cancellation fee and it would help us fill our 12 guests we do per evening and contribute to the atmosphere.
"You said no that there was no one that could take it at such short notice however you felt we should be able to fill your booking at short notice but you couldn't.
"You then offered me your voucher details to take payment for the cancellation charge. We did indeed redeem your voucher towards the cancellation fee as you requested, so you can understand why I was surprised to see this review.
"You phoned with the voucher details and then abuse us when we use them.
"I understand you had a family emergency to deal with on the night however we apply one rule for all guests. We don't pick and choose who we charge the cancellation fee to as I don't think that is fair."
