Restaurant failed to compensate at the time for major wine spillage

[GiantKitten]

7 of us had a family meal out at a very nice local restaurant the weekend before Christmas & one of the waiters tipped a full glass of chilled white wine over DS2. Obv there were apologies, & mopping operations, but that was as far as it went at the time - it was a very busy night.

DS1, who has worked in several restaurants, said he was surprised they didn’t offer eg something off the bill or a complimentary bottle, but we weren’t that bothered & let it go.

DS2, following the Christmas distractions, pretty much forgot about it but suddenly remembered this week & has emailed about it. The general manager (who wasn’t there on the evening we went) is very apologetic & says he wants to “get to the bottom of it” before making any decision.

DS2 thinks a free meal for 3 of us would be fair! - what do you all think would be reasonable?

To be honest if I were the manager I'd think you were cheeky for raising it so long after the event but would probably offer free bottle of house wine next time you dined

Just an apology. It was an accident. No one was hurt.

Now? Nothing.
Should have be sorted the following day at the most.
A glass of red I could understand wanting it cleaned. But white haha not a chance

A free meal for 3 because a waiter accidentally split one glass of white wine over a month ago

I think that’s really cheeky. If clothing is damaged or needs dry cleaning after an incident like this then I think that it’s only fair to expect the restaurant to cover the cost. Anything beyond that is taking the piss.

A free meal for three? I'm guessing he's very young 🤣

A free glass of wine next time you went.

Is DS2 normally like this? Does he have enough to do?

Compensation for a white wine spill? Get a grip!

major wine spillage

So for a full glass of white wine, your DH thinks you are entitled to a free meal for 3 people

I think you need to move on, forget.

It would have been appropriate at the time for them to refill the glass, offer apologies, but I think a month later you are taking the piss expecting anything. Accidents happen.

Eh? A free meal for three people? Yes you are being ridiculouslu cheeky. For white wine I'd say a bottle on the house at the time, for red the same plus any dry cleaning costs. But to contact them a month later is absurd

I think an apology from the waiter and a replacement glass of wine would be reasonable. Why the need to rinse the restaurant for free food, just because a waiter had an accident?

You should have asked for complimentary drinks on the night. It's ridiculous to raise it again so long afterwards.

I'm very surprised there is such an investigation into what was only a spilt drink.

A major wine spillage? I was expecting a little more tbh.

What loss has your son suffered as a result of this? The delay of a month does make it look a bit grabby.

It should have been dealt with at the time, a replacement glass of wine, an apology and if any dry cleaning required at their expense, or maybe in lieu knock a few quid off the bill, ie give whomever suffered a free dessert or something,

But a free meal for three is ludicrous. I'm embarrassed for him.

I think he's taking the piss! A month has gone by now. I wouldn't even of expected a free meal for 1 let alone 3 people. It was an accident, might of been different if it had been red wine or something hot.

Wow! They apologised. It was an accident. It would have been nice if they’d offered a free drink at the time, but a full meal for 3 people? Cheeky in the extreme. An apology should have sufficed.

It was an accident, if your sons worked there and were paid a fairly low hourly wage which was impacted by someone making a complaint you would feel a bit put out, let alone several weeks later.

I think you need to recognise this wasn't intentional and move on.

I think it would be reasonable to accept the time for whinging is long past and raising it now is extremely unreasonable.

Has he explained his reasoning? Most people would think it odd if he had wanted his whole meal comped at the time, but ok, but to want dinner for three people is just odd. Is he skint or something and just trying to wangle a free night out?

If I’d had a glass of wine spilt over me it would have ruined my evening, I would have liked the restaurant to make some kind of gesture. That being said I would have dealt with it at the time not a month later.

er... I'd expect a replacement glass of wine but I think asking for more would be very cheeky! Especially after so long.
Alctually I can't believe you asked at all!

full glass of chilled white wine

Would it have been less of a problem had it not been chilled?

Well, you said yourself, you weren't bothered.
Why start being a chancer so long after the event about something you weren't even fussed about at the time?!

A single glass of wine is hardly a "major wine spillage".

You don't mention any actual damage done, and the person apologised.

Someone should have advised your DS that making a fuss a month later and expecting a free meal for 3 just makes him look arrogant and greedy. It's too late for that now but do him a favour now and advise him to drop the matter.

I would expect nothing apart from the glass of wine to be replaced at the time

I couldn't imagine being bothered by this