Stunned diners at one of Australia’s fanciest restaurants have left their stomachs and wallets full after a ‘random act of kindness’, leaving at least one patron uneasy about the gesture.
A good samaritan footed the bill for every diner at the swanky Japanese eatery Nobu at Crown Sydney on Monday.
Among the surprised diners was television and radio presenter Sami Lukis, who initially appreciated the gesture but, like many Aussies, is now pondering whether the thousands of dollars forked out could have been better spent on those who really needed it rather than diners at the expensive restaurant.
Sami Lukis admitted feeling uneasy after scoring a free feed at Nobu Sydney on Monday night
Lukis was still in shock on Tuesday as she recalled the ‘surreal night’ and admitted the experience made her feel uneasy.
‘The waiter called it ‘a random act of kindness’. The incredibly generous stranger probably won’t see this … but … thank you,’ she tweeted.
Lukis later shared more details in an article for Nine Honey .
‘I certainly don’t want to sound ungrateful for my ridiculously lavish free meal, but as we left the restaurant, I couldn’t help feeling this particular art of generosity seemed weirdly out of place in such an expensive restaurant,’ she wrote.
‘It’s probably safe to assume most people who choose to dine at Nobu are not doing it tough, so I wondered if those thousands of dollars could have been better spent elsewhere?
‘That said, you never know what’s going on in someone’s life and it’s not my place to judge how someone chooses to spend their money. Maybe that guy had already donated to a charity or a homeless shelter, or spread joy elsewhere that day.’
A mystery person paid for fellow diners meals at swanky restaurant Nobu at Crown Sydney Pictured are previous diners at the restaurant
TV and radio host Sami Lukis thanked the mystery diner who paid for her meal
Lukis said she quizzed the Good Samaritan who claimed he’d paid for everyone’s meal but he was tight-lipped about his reasons.
Fellow diners have also expressed their gratitude.
‘I was there with my partner and cousin to celebrate my cousin’s 21st birthday. Nearly fell off my chair when the waitress said. So kind,’ a man wrote.
But everyday Aussies struggling with the soaring costs of living were outraged to learn what happened.
‘Exactly what overpaid rich people needed. A bill the size of a family of four’s weekly grocery amount to be covered in a restaurant which is generally only occupied by people who have money to waste on such luxurious things,’ one man fumed.
Another added: ‘Whoever that person was, although a kind gesture, next time give that money to people who are actually doing it tough. Not those eating at Nobu who likely can comfortably afford to pay their own bill.
A third wrote: ‘So a rich person pays for rich peoples dinner. Why not go down and pay for everyone at maccas or the local fish and chip shop. Giving money to people who actually need it not pompous entitled rich people eating $275 wagyu beef.’
Not all diners who ate there on Monday night scored a free feed.
‘Was at Nobu from 6:30pm till about 9pm last night .. no one shouted our bill. We paid it in full,’ one wrote.
Reservations are booked well in advance at Japanese restaurant Nobu (pictured)
Crown Sydney has also spoken out about the what happened.
‘It’s always nice to hear stories like these where someone carries out a random act of kindness,’ a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
We’re certain the guests who were enjoying their dining experience must have been delighted by this extraordinary act of generosity.’
Internationally renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened the restaurant at Barangaroo when the $2.4billion Crown Sydney opened its doors in December 2020.
The restaurant is almost always a full-house seven days a week where reservations booked well in advance.
Nobu describes itself as a modern fusion dining destination, ‘where Japanese sophistication is reimagined with a passionate Peruvian influence’.
World famous signature dishes on the menu include Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño.
Menu items start from $6 for Nigiri and Sashami to $98 for Lobster Wasabi Pepper.
A seven course meal starts from $180 while the Japanese Wagyu A5 will set you back $275.
Sami Lukis (pictured) is pondering whether the thousands of dollars forked out by the mystery diner could have been better spent elsewhere
