The owner of a Mediterranean restaurant in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, has drawn criticism for posting CCTV footage of diners he claims enjoyed their meals before leaving negative online reviews. Pejman Zamani, who has operated his eponymous eatery for 36 years, stated he was angered by anonymous reviews that he believes unfairly damage his business.
The catalyst for Zamani's response was a Google review from a user named 'Anonymous' that described a family's visit as a "very disappointing and expensive evening." The reviewer noted that the food "didn't live up to expectations" and suggested the restaurant's interior "could do with a refresh."
Outraged by the review, Zamani, 65, reportedly identified the diner from CCTV footage and shared a screenshot on a local community Facebook page. The image, according to Zamani, showed the diner's dining companion giving a "thumbs up" sign to a staff member. He wrote in the post, which has since been deleted, that the reviewer and her husband had finished their food, taken leftover pizza home, and thanked his staff, with the husband giving a "two thumbs up."
The original Google review, which remains online, detailed disappointment with main courses, describing chips as having "very little flavour," chicken in a "salty Diane sauce," and a dry herb-rubbed dish. The reviewer also found the pizza disappointing and noted that the service felt inattentive, with no one checking on their meals. The interior was described as "tired." The reviewer gave the restaurant two stars out of five.
Zamani's public post ignited local debate, with some residents expressing shock at his actions. One commenter stated they would not visit the restaurant again after seeing the post. Another described Zamani as having a reputation on social media for "tantrums" that are "unprofessional and unnecessary."
This incident follows a similar situation in June when Zamani responded to another negative review. In that instance, a diner named Martina B had given three stars, citing a "tatty and unloved" appearance, lack of ambience, and a rushed meal, though she praised her pasta dish. Zamani did not share CCTV footage then but posted a timeline of the diner's visit, addressing specific points from her review. He argued that pasta and pizza dishes had remained unchanged for years and apologized for noise from a neighboring establishment.
Zamani, who also serves as a local councillor, has previously expressed frustration with negative reviews, questioning why people feel the need to "upset a local business and its staff" and suggesting that those who dislike the experience should simply not return.
Despite these controversies, Zamani's restaurant holds an overall rating of 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor and Google, with hundreds of positive reviews. A summary of TripAdvisor reviews notes a relaxed atmosphere, popular live music, and delicious, well-portioned food, though some find the decor slightly dated. Service is often praised for friendliness, with occasional mentions of rushed interactions.
Zamani stated he had taken down his most recent post because it was "affecting" his wife, Kate, who prefers a peaceful life. He explained that he takes such criticisms "very personal," viewing the restaurant as a "lifestyle and a duty." He thanked loyal customers, acknowledging his own temperamental nature compared to his wife's more laid-back approach. He concluded that while the posts were deleted, the sentiments were "not forgotten."
