Gourmet dine & ditcher banned from Rome

Filed in archive News on March 16, 2006

The eternal City as I know it is old yet relaxed. It is both formal and spontaneous. Dining alone or in groups has always been a pleasant experience. The food is always superb. I've never eaten a mediocre meal in Rome. If I had a choice, each time I'm in Europe I'd go to Rome for a week. The food is that good.

Apparently, I am not the only one of that opinion. Someone likes the food so much that she can't keep away from it. The lady does know how to eat well. I couldn't stop laughing when I read this report from Reuters Oddly Enough:

ROME (Reuters) - A 42-year-old gourmet food junkie has skipped out on her restaurant bill so many times that she has been banned from the city of Rome, police said on Monday.

Described as the "mooch artist" by police, the hungry culprit has struck at some of Rome's fanciest restaurants -- ordering expensive wines, three-course meals and then feigning surprise when the check arrives.

"She came in here and racked up a 70 euro ($83.52) lunch bill," griped Giovanni Cappelli at Il Chianti restaurant, which specializes in Tuscan food.

"Then she said her wallet was in her other purse."

Police identified her only as D.N., a resident of the nearby town of Viterbo, and said she had continued to sneak into Rome despite a five-year ban from the city.

Hehehe! I understand, I sometimes get Rome-sick, even just for the food. ;-)