A social media food influencer dubbed the 'dine-and-dash diva' has been jailed in Brooklyn after allegedly running up substantial bills at multiple high-end restaurants and refusing to pay.
The extravagant dining habits of a serial bill-dodger
Pei Chung, 34, developed a reputation among New York City's restaurant scene for ordering lavish meals and then attempting to leave without settling her bill. According to police reports, the Instagram influencer has been arrested multiple times for the same offence, with establishments banning her from at least seven venues.
Her alleged dine-and-dash spree included at least six incidents at Williamsburg restaurants alone, including two visits to Michelin-starred brasserie Francie. During one October meal, Chung reportedly ordered $15 foie gras, $32 carpaccio, $28 bucatini, $52 lamb, and $19 hot chocolate mousse before walking out without paying.
From fine dining to handbag bribes
The influencer's methods became increasingly brazen as her spree continued. At the famous Peter Luger steakhouse, she ordered nearly $150 worth of steak, sides and dessert for herself, documenting the experience on Instagram with photos and glowing reviews.
Employees found her behaviour suspicious when she remained at the restaurant for hours. When presented with the bill, Chung allegedly claimed she couldn't pay and offered items from her handbag - including kitchen scissors - as compensation.
Restaurant staff told NBC News they found the situation particularly unusual given Chung's appearance, noting she wore Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermes clothing and accessories.
The final meal and legal consequences
Chung's alleged run came to an end on Friday when she visited Mole restaurant in Brooklyn for what would have been her third unpaid meal. The owner, having become wise to her pattern, contacted authorities.
Police say she ordered $149 worth of food before refusing payment. Chung was arraigned on a theft of services charge on Saturday and is currently jailed on Rikers Island with $4,500 cash bail set for both the current charge and previous warrants for failing to appear in court on earlier dine-and-dash allegations.
The owner of Mole commented to the New York Post about Chung's online following, noting: 'It's only in New York City where someone like this becomes a folk hero.'
A Peter Luger manager expressed relief at her arrest, stating: 'I'm glad there's some sort of recognition being brought to the matter. She was getting away with it - way too often. And it's just not right.'
According to reports, Chung faces additional personal troubles, including potential eviction from her $3,350 per-month Williamsburg apartment owned by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer.
The case highlights the growing tension between restaurants' reliance on social media influencers for promotion and the potential for exploitation. A 2021 MGH report found that 36% of TikTok users visited restaurants they saw in videos, while 55% were motivated solely by how appetising the food appeared.
Chung had reportedly brought her own lighting equipment and camera to document her restaurant experiences, according to the New York Post, suggesting a calculated approach to building her online food influencer persona while allegedly avoiding payment for the meals that formed her content.
