The owners of a high-end Hamptons steakhouse are facing backlash from two TikTok influencers who accused the eatery of providing them with the “worst $2,000 meal they ever had.” The influencers, who run the review page “The VIP List,” posted a viral video detailing their disappointing dining experience at Mavericks Montauk. They alleged that they waited three hours for appetizers, were served flavorless dishes, and received a $2,000 bill at the end of the meal. However, the restaurant’s rep has disputed these allegations, claiming that the influencers’ friend threatened to give them a bad review if they didn’t receive free food.
The video posted by “The VIP List” features footage of the food served to the TikTok stars, along with narration by Radice. She expressed her disappointment with the food quality and service, describing the experience as “criminal.” The influencers claimed that they were off-duty and weren’t planning on documenting the dining experience, but the long wait time prompted them to share their dissatisfaction with their followers. They criticized the flavorless dishes and the collapse of a seafood tower that allegedly ruined a friend’s dress.
According to Mavericks Montauk, they deducted the cost of the seafood tower from the bill but denied the influencers’ version of events. They claimed that the tower arrived fully intact at the table and that the group was at fault for its collapse. The restaurant also refuted the claim that the party waited three hours for their appetizers, stating that they were in and out within that time frame. They also provided a timeline of the influencers’ visit, indicating that they were seated at 8:22 p.m. and paid at 11:18 p.m.
Despite the restaurant’s response, Radice and Jongens are standing by their account of the dining experience and deny that their friend tried to blackmail the steakhouse for free food. They emphasized the importance of authenticity in their reviews and their commitment to sharing their true experiences with their viewers, whether positive or negative. The influencers described themselves as comedic food critics and highlighted that their delivery and tonality are part of their brand. The dispute between the influencers and Mavericks Montauk highlights the challenges faced by restaurants and content creators in the age of social media reviews.
