There is an Italian deli here in Chelsea, Luigi’s, favoured by local celebrities such as Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley. The sign outside proudly announces this is their 45th year of serving customers. To drum up more lunchtime business recently they have been begun advertising and selling “discounted” trays of salads, lasagna and so on. You ask after ordering “how much?” and you find with an £8 box of salad comes a receipt for £9.50 with your card returned very politely, and a “grazie mille” (thanks a thousand) as you depart!
This is not an isolated occurrence, I don’t think I have ever seen a price displayed and a payment match. The place is rarely empty and the food is rarely less than delicious.
Is eating well more important than sleeping well? I have come to conclude that is the case for both Luigi’s proprietors and customers, where value trumps price!