My husband and I enjoy trying new places to eat since we've moved to Fort Mill, SC from New York. Last Friday, we ventured to Liu Liu's, in Baxter Village— touted as an "Upscale Asian Bistro" in an exclusive area. We were drawn by the atmosphere and by our love of Asian foods. Once seated, we decided to order a nice bottle of Late-Harvest Riesling, to celebrate my recent raise.instead, we were given an inferior bottle of Kabinette— a white blended table wine of much lower quality. When we asked the owner if she planned on charging us the higher price (nearly $30) for a bottle that would cost about $3 from a distributor, she was very rude.insisting that her distributor charged her the exact same price for table wine that she pays for late-harvest imported Riesling, she then proceeded to ask us: "Well, what do you want me to do about this? I shouldn't have even opened this bottle." My husband informed her that this wine is of inferior quality. She began to stammer, and then said: "Well, then you tell me what you'd like to pay for this. You tell me your price." She put us in a VERY uncomfortable situation to just name a price out of thin air (while other customers began to look at us.) Finally, I said: "Ma'am, if what you are telling me is true, and you actually pay your distributor the same for these bottles, then we will pay the higher price. But you should be more informed about your wine as a restaurant owner." Without apologizing, or attempting to provide any type of consolation, she left. We were very unhappy with this, and feeling so ripped-off really ruined our entire dinner. Because of the price of this drastically over-marked table wine, our check arrived at $55 and change. Due to our displeasure, we left a tip that was much smaller than we would normally. We rounded the bill up to $60, took our receipt and left. When I arrived at work on Monday morning, I consulted my banking records. Amazingly, my debit charge from Liu Liu's was $66.23! Not only did they lie to us about wine and commit wine fraud, but they fraudulently charged our debit account and STOLE money which we did not authorize! There is no tipping policy on parties of 2, and I would never under-tip after putting myself through college as a waitress. But, a tip is just that: a courtesy, not a guarantee. I am ASTONISHED that this establishment, with the amount of business they receive and in the place that they are located, would not only lie about their wine, but then punch in whatever number they please on my debit account. It's not the $6.23- I would have gladly tipped more than $11 if we had not been abused. But to be lied to, and then stolen from is completely unacceptable. Anyone going out in Baxter Village to Liu Liu's— be aware! Check your account after you go, just to be sure that they didn't take money that you did not authorize! Save your recipts! This establishment will obviously do anything to shamelessly SCAM an extra couple of bucks from any its customers.
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