Did We Just Dream We Handed The Dream Our Credit Card?
The other week we stalked the pool scene at the Dream Downtown and even put our toes in the sand of the rooftop pool's "urban beach." But before we did all that, we actually had a late breakfast downstairs in the Marble Lane restaurant off the lobby. (Breakfast is served until 11am and non-guests are allowed.)
So we slid into the Ferrari leather-lined booths and noshed on some amazing Challah French Toast (below) while scoping out the scene--namely the cluster of light bulb fixtures and the large windows in the back of the lobby out which we could see people coming and going on the stairway to the rooftop.
There was only one other table of diners and so the service was as friendly as could be. When we finished our meal we handed over our credit card like usual. Pretty standard. The waiter came back and asked us to sign the slip and just as we were about to add a tip, we noticed there was no tip line. So we inquired, "Is gratuity included?" And he told us no.
Instead, we were signing an agreement to the bill charges of one french toast, two eggs (our dining partner's meal), a coffee and a tea. Wait, what?
Our waiter explained that some people will call their credit card company and dispute the charges, saying that they were never at the restaurant or they never ordered all of that stuff. After signing that slip, then our credit card would be charged for real.
When we asked if this was a common practice, he said this was the first time he's ever seen it in his nine months as a waiter in NYC.
We were stumped but lest we seem like country mice in the big city, we asked a New York nightlife insider if this was common and they told us:
No, unless it's a large format dining situation like a whole pig roast for 30 or a private party. But a regular dinner? No, that's odd.
Indeed. But we guess that Marble Lane is not taking any chances with any broke models, hedge-funders or actresses (Lohan!) charging up a storm and then trying to wiggle their way out of paying the bill. Jeez, why can't people just dine and ditch like in the old days?
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