‘Pay it forward’ taken to another level at an upscale Lexington restaurant
You’ve probably heard of people “paying it forward” for the person behind them in the drive-thru line, but the phenomenon hit a new level at a Lexington restaurant last Friday.
According to the staff at CRU Food & Wine Bar at the Summit at Fritz Farm, a mass pay it forward evening began with one couple who told their server they’d like to pick up the tab for the table behind them.
That was quite a gesture for a date-night dinner at the upscale wine bar: Entrees range from $24 for pan-roasted chicken piccata to $36 for filet mignon. Throw in a $22 charcuterie board and a $9 molten chocolate lava cake and you could be bumping against $100 with tax and tip, not to mention the wine.
And the couple wanted to do it anonymously and even left before the paid check was presented.
That table repeated the gesture, again anonymously, and on and on through the final table of the night, according to a press release from CRU.
In all, 14 tables — every single one that had been occupied, inside and on the patio — had been part of the chain, according to the restaurant.
“It was amazing to see the surprise and general jubilation of the guests and it was contagious,” said Chip Sweet, CRU general manager. “The staff felt really awed to be witnessing this as well.”
Executive chef Manny Bowling said it was “an honor to be part of something like this.”
Even the head of the chain was stunned. “I’ve never heard of this in my 48 years in hospitality,” said Patrick Columbo, president of CRU, in the release.
Server Dolores Adams said the last table in the chain wanted to keep it going but all the tables were already paid for.
“I have never ever see that in my life and I’ve served for 12 years. It’s the best thing I have ever experienced and it didn’t matter if it was one person or six people, they said ‘Just bring me their check,’” Adams said. “With this pandemic and what’s been happening, this made me love my job and reassured me that there are still good people in this world. I’ll take that with me for the rest of my life.”
