Restaurant picks up diners’ $5k tab

Guests at a restaurant in Detroit were given a pleasant surprise when its owner unexpectedly offered to pay for all of their meals, totalling US$5,182.

Aaron F. Belen

As if that wasn’t generous enough Aaron F. Belen, the owner of AFB Hospitality Group which includes Royal Oak’s Bistro 82, doubled the tab donating another $5,182 to the Royal Oak Boys & Girls Club, a charity youth organisation.

The unannounced gift was in recognition of the restaurant’s first anniversary, as reported by USA Today.

Belen said it was his way of saying thank you “to the people who’ve been loyal supporters and helped me fulfill our dream of bringing these two concepts to Michigan and Royal Oak.”

The entrepreneur also owns Sabrage, an lounge and nightclub above the restaurant. The restaurant hinted that their anniversary would be marked with a “unique surprise” in a radio interview earlier in the week.

Belen said he chose the Boys & Girls Club to support because it is dedicated to “giving kids a good path to go down” and encourages them to pursue their dreams.

“We are excited Bistro 82 has been so well-received,” Belen said Thursday. “We’re proud to have helped put a spotlight on Royal Oak as a new dining destination in metro Detroit.”