“The article implied the man was a regular at this restaurant when he came to NYC. Dont you think the staff would have recognized that fact and allowed him to get the money? I dont think this man was intending to stiff the restaurant on the bill. Of course he should have brought his wallet but this was a huge overreaction by this restaurant I believe.”
And maybe the article’s working hard to create that impression, telling us the offender is “clean-cut”.
I noticed that too. Most people reading the article don't realize that this is not really a neighborhood restaurant.
It's a steakhouse that caters to a business crowd - I've probably been there 50 or so times, just because it's a "default" option for client dinners, and I doubt the staff would recognize me.
The place is generally packed, turnover is high, and most parties are 6 or more. Not a place where you linger wistfully with a bottle of wine and chat with the waiters - it's a fast-paced joint.
But that point is neutralized earlier, as they also said he was a lawyer.