A woman with a taste for high-end fashion is at the center of allegations that she repeatedly conned elite New York City eateries to score complimentary meals.
Thirty-four-year-old Pei Chung, who flaunts her opulent lifestyle to 13,000 followers on Instagram, often shares snapshots of the extravagant dining experiences she enjoys at various upscale establishments throughout the city.
However, the Brooklyn resident and would-be influencer is accused of frequenting Michelin-starred venues, amassing significant food tabs, and then declining to settle the bill. Instead, she allegedly offers to post favorable reviews on social media as a substitute for payment.
In one notable incident, Chung reportedly proposed engaging in sexual favors with a waiter at the renowned steakhouse Peter Luger to clear her dues.
Since late October, Chung has faced arrest five times due to this alleged scam, with her targets including not only Peter Luger but also Williamsburg’s Francie and Meadowsweet.
“She enters these well-known restaurants dressed impeccably, runs up enormous food bills, cons them, and then portrays herself on Instagram as if the restaurant had hired her,” an insider revealed to The New York Post.
‘All her cards were declined.’
And after racking up a $188 bill on $15 foie gras, $32 carpaccio, $52 lamb and $28 bucatini at Francie on October 22, Chung attempted to offer a blog post in lieu of payment.
Pei Chung, 34, has boasted of her luxury lifestyle to her 13,000 Instagram followers, sharing pictures of lavish meals she has enjoyed at a swathe of restaurants across the city
Despite the allegations, she shares photos of the meals on her social media accounts
Co-owner John Winterman told the publication Chung acted as though she was hired by the restaurant to promote their food and refused to pay.
He told her that such an agreement would have had to be organized well in advance and that she must pay for her meal.
Chung’s cards all declined, he claimed, and she said she was waiting for her family to send her money. She ultimately left without settling her bill, police allege.
According to Winterman, Chung attempted to return to the restaurant on several occasions following the incident, but was turned away due to her outstanding bill.
On Friday, November 7, she returned and ordered food totalling $83. When the time came to settle her bill, she once again refused to pay, police allege.
Staff called police and she was arrested at the restaurant, in front of confused diners.
‘They looked at her and said, ”Oh yeah. That’s her. We know her”,” Winterman said. ‘I had a full bar, people standing around having drinks.’
Earlier in October, Chung allegedly racked up a $97 bill at Lavender Lake and left without paying, and later ordered $146 worth of food and drinks at Peter Luger, where she refused to pay.
Chung has been arrested five times since late October for the fraudulent scheme
The Brooklyn-based aspiring influencer allegedly visits Michelin-star restaurants, racks up huge food bills and then refuses to pay, offering positive posts on social media in exchange for wiping the bill
Peter Luger (pictured) was one of the restaurants she allegedly targeted
A manager at Peter Luger said around the time she was due to pay, Chung vanished for 45 minutes. She was found hiding in the restroom.
Speaking to a waiter, Chung allegedly said ‘is there anything else I can do for you because I don’t want to pay this check.’ The waiter interpreted her comments as offering sexual favors for payment.
Chung has been charged with theft of services.
Despite the saga, Chung has been shamelessly posting about her luxury dining experiences on social media.
Her profile is littered with photos of designer goods, like Prada shoes, Hermes scarves and Louis Vuitton bags.
In her review of Francie, she wrote: ‘The one-star Michelin restaurant combines architectural precision with soulful hospitality. Warm lighting, brass fixtures, and oak textures create an ambiance that feels both timeless.
‘Dinner here unfolds like a design study: layered, intentional, and deeply personal.’
And of Peter Luger, she wrote: ‘Peter Luger Steak House hums with quiet assurance, a Michelin-awarded institution recognized yearly for its enduring excellence.’
Daily Mail has approached Chung for comment.
