and they wonder why they cannot get employees come back after the pandemic lockdowns.....
A Los Angeles restaurant has come under scrutiny for charging diners a surcharge to cover health insurance for their staff and asking for a 'water donation.'
Alimento, an eatery in LA's Silver Lake neighborhood, charges an optional four percent service charge on top of normal tax and tip in a bid to pay for their employees' insurance.
According to a receipt posted on Twitter by podcaster Dave Anthony, diners can notify their servers if they want this service charge removed from bills.
It reads: 'A 4% service charge is added to each check so we may offer our staff health insurance. Please notify your server if you would like this removed. Thank you for dining with us!'
Anthony had ordered saffron risotto tots, chili pork ribs, and braised lettuce bruschetta for his meal.
He posted his receipt online, with the caption: 'Lotta bulls**t going on here, including charging for tap water (illegal).'
One furious commenter said: 'Why is it up to the customer to discuss health insurance with the staff? That's all on the boss and should be behind the scenes.'
Another said: 'This makes people resent their server, probably reduces the tip, really petty.'
But others were genuinely confused at how the system would work.
One person said: 'So... If the restaurant has a slow day or u opt out do staff not get health insurance that day?
'They also seem confused about the word "donation" aren't they voluntary?
'They appear to have pulled an amount out of thin air and decided to charge for something that should be free?'
The head chef and owner of Alimento, Zach Pollack, has receive multiple accolades in the culinary industry, and was even featured on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list.
LA restaurant hits diners with 4% charge to cover its staff HEALTH INSURANCE | Daily Mail Online
A Los Angeles restaurant has come under scrutiny for charging diners a surcharge to cover health insurance for their staff and asking for a 'water donation.'
Alimento, an eatery in LA's Silver Lake neighborhood, charges an optional four percent service charge on top of normal tax and tip in a bid to pay for their employees' insurance.
According to a receipt posted on Twitter by podcaster Dave Anthony, diners can notify their servers if they want this service charge removed from bills.
It reads: 'A 4% service charge is added to each check so we may offer our staff health insurance. Please notify your server if you would like this removed. Thank you for dining with us!'
Anthony had ordered saffron risotto tots, chili pork ribs, and braised lettuce bruschetta for his meal.
He posted his receipt online, with the caption: 'Lotta bulls**t going on here, including charging for tap water (illegal).'
One furious commenter said: 'Why is it up to the customer to discuss health insurance with the staff? That's all on the boss and should be behind the scenes.'
Another said: 'This makes people resent their server, probably reduces the tip, really petty.'
But others were genuinely confused at how the system would work.
One person said: 'So... If the restaurant has a slow day or u opt out do staff not get health insurance that day?
'They also seem confused about the word "donation" aren't they voluntary?
'They appear to have pulled an amount out of thin air and decided to charge for something that should be free?'
The head chef and owner of Alimento, Zach Pollack, has receive multiple accolades in the culinary industry, and was even featured on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list.
LA restaurant hits diners with 4% charge to cover its staff HEALTH INSURANCE | Daily Mail Online
