Pejman Zamani, the owner of Zamani's Mediterranean restaurant in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has drawn local controversy by posting CCTV footage of diners who subsequently left negative online reviews. Zamani, who has operated the restaurant for 36 years, stated that anonymous online criticism can be significantly damaging to his business.
The recent incident was triggered by a Google review from an anonymous user who described a family's first visit as "a very disappointing and expensive evening." The reviewer cited unmet expectations regarding food and suggested the restaurant's interior needed updating.
In response, Zamani reviewed his restaurant's CCTV footage and shared a screenshot on a local Facebook community page. He claims the image shows the diner giving a "thumbs up" sign to a staff member. Zamani posted, "You damage mine, unfairly, I will expose you."
The deleted Facebook post, according to reports, also mentioned that the reviewer had asked for their child's pizza to be boxed to take home and had thanked the staff. Zamani stated he had exchanged messages with the reviewer, who allegedly asked him not to harass her and to keep her identity private, which he suggested was the reason for the anonymous review.
The original Google review detailed that while the restaurant's courtyard offered a "lovely first impression," the main courses were "disappointing." Specific criticisms included chips lacking flavor, chicken in a salty sauce, a dry meat dish, and a heavy pizza base. The reviewer also noted inattentive service and a "tired" interior, concluding that the food and service did not justify the cost.
Zamani's actions sparked debate on the community forum, with some residents expressing shock and calling his behavior unprofessional. One contributor stated they would no longer visit the restaurant after seeing the post.
This is not the first time Zamani has publicly responded to negative feedback. In June, he addressed a review from a diner named Martina B, who described the restaurant as "tatty and unloved" and criticized the limited Italian dishes and lack of ambiance. At that time, Zamani did not share CCTV images but instead posted a timeline of the diner's visit to counter her claims. He explained that some pasta dishes and pizzas had been on the menu for over 20 years and apologized for a noise disturbance from an adjacent business.
Zamani, who is also a local councilor, has expressed frustration with negative reviews, questioning why people feel the need to upset local businesses. He suggested that dissatisfied customers should simply choose not to return.
Despite these incidents, Zamani's restaurant generally holds positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.6 stars on Tripadvisor and Google. An AI summary of Tripadvisor reviews notes a "relaxed and inviting atmosphere," praised dishes like pizzas and homemade pastas, and excellent value, though some guests found the decor dated and service occasionally rushed.
Zamani later stated he had removed the controversial post because it was upsetting his wife. He described his connection to the restaurant as a "lifestyle and a duty" and said that while the posts were deleted, they were "not forgotten."