Sound familiar

Ah, per etto pricing. Perfectly normal and not a scam. Someone didn't do their homework.

"...conveniently close to St Mark’s Square." Another price factor, I'm guessing.

Why didn't they just refuse any courses they supposedly didn't order and didn't want?

Consider the source. I consider that Murdoch-owned newspaper to be scurrilous at best.

My thoughts exactly Kathy.

Southam The Mirror is not owned by Murdoch that is another red top one he owns whose name I do not use nor anyone from Liverpool or associated with Liverpool F.C uses due to that papers bile and scummery.

This is an old story. It was previously on this forum.

The reviews of this place on various websites are scathing. I love to wander around trying different restaurants. But before I enter, I also check out their posted menus and then check out reviews on my phone. This place has picture menus outside and a 2 Star review on Trip Advisor as well as photos of receipts for VERY expensive meals. Beware the the Pescato Misto!

I assume they ate what was given to them?

If a waiter says "I'll take care of it", ask how much it will cost.

It does appear to have a terrible reputation. I still don't understand why they just didn't refuse food they hadn't ordered or didn't know the cost of, though.

The article (surrounded by clickbait) does give the art department plenty of space to put in scenic photos of Venice - note that none, not any, of the photos have anything to do with the issue purported to exist in the story.

Nigel

Maybe you remember the story a few years ago about the British tourists in Rome who paid €60 for three Ice cream cones.
Who would pay it. If is was me I would just say no thank you and walk away. If you don't speak up you will be had IMO.

If a restaurant brings you anything you didn't explicitly order and doesn't tell you it's extra charge, it should be considered a gift.

@jayhamps
I don’t specifically remember a posting about tourists paying 60 euro for 3 ice cream cones. However, every time I’ve had gelato in Rome, I had to order and pay. Then I took my receipt to the scoopers and received my cone. It makes me wonder about the veracity of the tale.

Lee

I agree with you but it is seldom the case. “Would you like some bread sir?”
“Don’t mind if i do, thank you”

Bill comes and boom €5 for bread.

Worse still when they just bring without asking and you find you have been stiffed for it.

Rosalyn

I have found a link to it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10039834/British-tourists-complaint-over-54-ice-cream-hits-a-nerve-in-Rome.html

The link to the Telegraph article seems to be broken. Here's what The Daily Mail published:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320406/British-tourists-charged-54-just-FOUR-ice-creams-Rome-caf-reigniting-row-locals-profiteering-holidaymakers.html. The link is to the same URL I've included in the post.

In Germany and Austria it is expected that you pay for the little items such as ketchup, mayo, or mustard in a bread basket. If your order includes "mit Pommes" and all of a sudden this little dish or basket containing squeeze tubes of mustard and ketchup lands on your table, expect those items to be on your bill, (90 cents per item) regardless if the waiter said anything or not, which he is not obligated to. If you used them, you pay, simple as that, regardless out of ignorance (too bad) or knowing the culture cues.