Restaurant praised for ‘classy’ response to brutal Google review

A restaurant manager in Adelaide has been hailed for his “awesome” response after a New Year’s Eve patron left a review hoping "the owner would get cancer".

Oliver Brown, the Managing Director of The Big Easy Group, said he was choosing to “start 2023 with positive energy” unlike the Google reviewer who “decided to leave a hateful review over the weekend.”

Taking to both Instagram and LinkedIn on Tuesday, Mr Brown shared the feedback for his Yiasou George restaurant that’s caused outrage online.

“Our waiter was allergic to fun,” the comment read. “This was advertised as a “party disco vibe” but our laughter and mirth was told that it was “too loud". If zero stars were available, I would give it. Happy new year, and I hope that the owner gets cancer.”

Restaurateur fires back at critic

In circulating the reviewer’s feedback, Mr Brown shared his own reply which has resulted in plenty of praise for the East Terrace restaurateur.

“It’s the owner here,” he wrote in response to the customer’s view, “the one you wished cancer on.”

“At Yiasou George we love seeing our customers have fun, but my staff inform me you had already had a bit too much fun before you arrived, and they politely asked you to respect the other people dining in the restaurant.

“What isn’t very fun is cancer. And it’s not very funny to wish it upon restaurant staff who are doing their jobs.”

Mr Brown then went on to explain where the $499.95 from the reviewer’s meal had gone.

“We’ve donated the full amount of your meal to the Cancer Council,” he said. “We’ve chosen to start 2023 with good vibes and love and support for anyone facing cancer — you can choose to start 2023 whatever way you wish. But it won’t be in one of our venues again.”

Posting the receipt of the donation, he told followers that the “best thing that came out of Alex joining us was this donation.”

“At Yiasou George and The Big Easy Group, we treat everyone with respect and won’t tolerant this type of behaviour. So we’ve invited Alex to never dine with us again. Here’s to a damn good 2023 full off good vibes only!”

Social media praise for Adelaide eatery

Users took to Linkedin to congratulate Mr Brown for “raising the bar in both hospitality and as a human being.”

“Well done on how you handled this low life,” one person wrote. “Who would ever dare to write a review and wish cancer on anyone?”

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“Alex should be ashamed of himself, disgraceful,” another said. “There are just some keyboard warriors who will never be pleased,” someone else added.

“All class Oliver!” another wrote. “A credit to you, your team and your business, brilliant.”

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