Gypsea upcharge and....sorry tipping!

In our experience, at even long time restaurants, you can have a very different tip request expérience, at the same restaurant, if you are an unrecognized American, if you are there with an islander, and if you are an islander.
 
I did expect to see the lobster before but it arrived cooked without a viewing! And this was off the main menu. It was priced per grams and we asked for the smallest one. Unfortunately no longer travel with my scale.🤣🤣🤣The main menu also has a fish at MP which when asked was 280 euros. The sucker board killed us once at shellona so we didn't even look at that. This was more about how everything was an up sale and then the heavy tip pressure. I wasn't expecting a bargain priced meal!!
 
We were off of our plan today and did a last minute lunch at Gypsea. Going in I knew we would spend a bit but we have enjoyed our long lunches here before. No way to say it other than the waiter was very pushy with each item even as we placed our order. He tried to push us on the 70 euro tacos that we repeatedly said we were not interested. We had cocktails and requested a small lobster to share. My beautiful sommelier (wife) has selected a bottle of wine from the list but when ordering the waiter insisted we get a different bottle. We repeatedly asked for the wine list to finally see it was at least double from the bottle we wanted. The giant lobster came to the table and I knew we had been taken advantage of. Then the l' addition where the waiter explained that even though it's says service included that it is not. I politely said I prefer to leave some cash. He relayed that they are required to say that it is included on the the bill but it's not true and would I like to add it to the bill. I disagreed. He pushed more. Again, I'll leave some extra. But another push back from the waiter. I'd had enough. I informed him that I know the rules and it's illegal to ask. Push back. At this point I was a little short and said you guys got closed down last year for breaking rules and I know that the gendarme have have pushed back on this process of pushing for tips. Not until I added I didn't get off the tour boat did he back off. Yes I'm venting a bit but I should add that I waited tables and understand that side of everything and I am always generous. I've just never experienced this here and wanted to warn others. We did cancel our reservation later in the week. The great news is we have lobster for the rest of the trip in the villa's fridge!! Just not a good experience in any way in our opinion. So many great options here. Btw we are having a blast and love this island. I hate to see this happen. I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and suggestions on how to handle. I think if my French was a bit better we would have had a different experience. Great cocktails good wine and ok lobster. Just not a good experience.
Just horrible to read, so sorry this happened. No one should have to endure this type of treatment. We avoided Gypsea for a few years because of this type of news, but after some good personal reviews decided to try it out. We dined twice recently and thankfully didn't receive this treatment. I believe it should be reported, to the GM and definitely the tourism board.
 
We call the specials board at places like that The Sucker Board. Especially at Shellona! Crab pasta for 800€, anyone?
Speaking of which:
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On our recent visit we had 3 requests for tips....two from servers and one from a person I believed to be the owner of the restaurant. Using Nancy Reagan's playbook...In a very direct manor I "just say 'no'." ....and that has been the end of the conversation.....
 
Yes the pushy tip was on top of the bill. We did not get the tacos. The point was no matter what we ordered he pushed a higher price suggestion. And on a different front we did Shelloa today and had a great experience. We already knew what we wanted octopus, fish carpaccio and le poulet. NO tip pressure and great service.
 

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We call the specials board at places like that The Sucker Board. Especially at Shellona! Crab pasta for 800€, anyone?
One restaurant "board" that I would exclude from the Sucker Board category is the one used at Eddy's. It usually has one special main course and a special starter. The prices are in-line with menu pricing, and the items not only are "special" because they change nightly, but they're also exceptionally good.
 
One restaurant "board" that I would exclude from the Sucker Board category is the one used at Eddy's. It usually has one special main course and a special starter. The prices are in-line with menu pricing, and the items not only are "special" because they change nightly, but they're also exceptionally good.
Yes, of course! When I talk about the Sucker Board, I'm talking about the St-Tropez-style-beach-club-vibe type places.
 
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