That a restaurant earns more money for people who do not come to eat there than for diners who do is an anomaly, but it is exactly what FACUA-Consumers in Action denounced in 2021 that was happening in the restaurant El Invernadero (Calle de Ponzano, 85) and what has earned this Michelin Star a fine of 10,100 euros.
The sanction, imposed by the Directorate General of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Services of the Community of Madrid, has recognized as an abusive practice towards consumers the restaurant’s policy of charging a €100 penalty to those who canceled reservations with less than 24 hours or did not show up.
At the time FACUA denounced this practice, in addition, the amount of the fine imposed by the Michelin restaurant came to “exceed the cost of some of the menus offered -which ranged in 2021 between 99 and 155 euros-“.
Possible future fine for this Michelin Star?
The controversy might not end with this sanction, as the Chamberí restaurant, captained by renowned chef Rodrigo de la Calle continues to apply a cancellation policy and now it is even higher than the one in 2021.
As its website states, “in case of no-show or cancellation within the corresponding deadline , an amount equal to the price of the chosen menu will be charged“. As of today, the prices of their menus range between €158 and €228.
In view of this situation, the association in defense of consumers has once again denounced the restaurant before the same body to “ask it to sanction El Invernadero again for the recidivism in an abusive practice for which it has already been fined”.