The owner of a restaurant where a man left his date with a $100 bill after pretending to go to an ATM has shared details about the heartless act.
Christian Avant, who owns Milky Lane, a burger bar at Bondi Beach in Sydney, said he was tempted to post the man’s photo after hearing about what happened.
Mr Avant praised his staff for taking care of the distraught woman, who was left in tears after her date did a runner and even blocked her phone number.
The owner of a restaurant where a man left his date with a $100 bill after pretending to go to an ATM has shared details about the heartless act (pictured is Milky Lane owner Christian Avant and his girlfriend Molly Cunningham)
The woman was made to front a huge bill after the man pretended to go to the ATM but never came back (pictured is a meal from Milky Lane)
Christian Avant, who owns Milky Lane, a burger bar at Bondi Beach in Sydney, said he was tempted to post the man’s photo after hearing about what happened
The Sydney woman had travelled for an hour on public transport to get to Bondi for the date, Mr Avant said, and was devastated when her date disappeared.
Staff at the burger joint noticed early on the date wasn’t going smoothly, Mr Avant told The Edge.
‘A young couple turned up, first date, pretty obvious … it wasn’t going overly well,’ he said.
The restaurant owner said staff tried to break the ice, even giving them a free cocktail to try and improve the mood between the pair.
The owner (pictured) of a restaurant where a man left his date with a $100 bill after pretending to go to an ATM has hit back at the heartless diner
Staff at the burger joint noticed early on the date wasn’t going smoothly, Mr Avant said (pictured is a customer at Milky Lane)
‘There was no vibe, no energy or connection, but even still it’s just polite to pay your way and go separate ways and say “Thanks for the date”,’ Mr Avant said.
Despite wanting to name and shame the man who did the runner, Mr Avant said he did not want to be responsible if he gets attacked and bullied.
Mr Avant broke down the ‘unfortunate situation’ in a post on Facebook, calling the man ‘a piece of s***’.
‘He went outside to get cash, never came back and blocked her number,’ he wrote.
‘Our amazing staff took control and consoled the girl, one member who had clocked off had a few shots with her.
A devastated young woman was abandoned at the end of a first date in Sydney at burger cafe Milky Lane (pictured is a Milky Lane burger)
‘We comped their whole bill and gave a $150 voucher for her to return with someone better.
‘Then when our host finished, she took her for a few drinks in Bondi.
‘We’ve never been more proud of the whole team.’
Mr Avant told The Edge staff went as far as to offer the 29-year-old woman shots of tequila to cheer her up.
‘She was so upset, the poor thing, that was the least we could do to try and save her in this situation,’ he said.
The restaurant hopes that devastated woman puts her voucher to good use and brings ‘a real man’ with her next time.