Over the last four months, The Knife has worked hard to sift through the latest in big-, bigger- and biggest-ticket restaurants, seeking only those that are worthy of your attentions.
Now, it's time for a moment of reckoning.
From (of all places) Fox News:
"The tangle of fame and fortune can also result in terrible tippers," said Eliza Pharrell, an assistant manager at a high-profile New York restaurant. "For instance, Kirsten Dunst came through and ran up a $233 bill and left without even the smallest gratuity." But the "Spider-Man" star isn’t the only one weaving a web of whining waiters. According to the Web site bitterwaitress.com, where workers spill on the stars who do the Scrooge, Bill Cosby spared only $3 from a $375 meal, Ricki Lake parted with only $8 from $142.50 check (even after having been granted free dessert) and Sean Penn didn't top his $450 wine and dine in New Orleans with a single penny."
Let's leave aside that I am deeply suspicious of this "Eliza Pharrell," who assistant manages "a high-profile New York restaurant." (Someone says things like "The tangle of fame and fortune can also result in terrible tippers"?) But buying a $450 dinner and not leaving a tip is Penn trying to spread the pain of making "All The King's Men." And $3 on a $375 tab is sheer cojones. Did Cosby mean to write "$30" before the pen ran out of ink? (Bitterwaitress.com has a whole database of these mingy misers, but it's down as the site undergoes a revamp. The Knife eagerly anticipates its return.)
Anyway, if you know of someone who deserves to join this ignoble lineup, tell me. Or if you were a server in a former life and you bear the scars of a celebrity diss. Or if you feel the need to confess. The Knife is of a generous heart and can see the way to grant papal dispensation. Probably.





the fact that those are all LIBERAL celebs and the source is FOX news makes me pause ...
Posted by: Big Bomb | March 08, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Jesus, I need to get really famous quick. I tip a minimum of 20% (and most ofter closer to 30%) regardless of service (qualify that a little, if the waiter hasn't dropped food on me I do the 20%, if he/she dumps food on me it's usually only 15%)...
If I was saw Sean Penn eating and knew he didn't leave a tip, I'd grab the check from him and tell him it's obvious he needs the money so keep his $475 and then I'd tip the waiter 50% just because waiting on assholes deserves a bonus.
Posted by: Guillermo | March 09, 2007 at 02:18 PM
As a former Sizzler waitress who came home smelling of fryer grease-infused polyester every night, my standard is 20%. I still remember the table of 14 I served on Easter that did everything but hug me on the way out -- and then stiffed me.
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