Resto lets you decide the bill

A GASTRONOMIC restaurant in Vannes is giving its customers the chance to pay what they think their meal is worth.

Owner and chef at Restaurant L’Eden Vincent Thomas says the scheme – which has been running all this month – has “worked well and people have been coming” and he is planning on extending it next month.

“I’m very surprised to say there’s not been a single person who’s abused it. They’re all being fair – it’s been very positive ,” he said.

He added: “I offer two starters, main courses and desserts, and people can choose what they like – two or three courses – and then I give them a paper to note down the price they estimate for what they’ve had, which I then make into a bill.

Prices paid have varied between €15 for two courses and €18 for three at the lower end and up to €40 for three at the most, with people tending to pay more in the evening.

“At lunchtime it’s generally workers, whereas in the evening, the clients are more relaxed, they’re more out to have a good time,” he said.

The Restaurant L’Eden, which opened in 2007, came up with its ‘Menu anti-crise’ idea to boost its business, which was struggling financially.

Mr Vincent said he does not plan to continue long-term but will be thinking of other promotions he can do. “I think that today, you have to do things like this, to inject new life into your business,” he said.

Photo: Restaurant Eden