Pei Chung, a self-proclaimed foodie infamous for allegedly scamming upscale restaurants in Brooklyn, has been released on bail after her latest dining escapade. The 34-year-old’s most recent arrest occurred at Chinaloa, a Latin-Asian fusion restaurant in Williamsburg, where she reportedly dined and failed to pay the $149 bill. A judge ordered her bail set at $4,500 in cash.
Chung has gained notoriety in recent weeks, posting her extravagant meals on social media while racking up a string of theft-of-services charges, a Class A misdemeanor similar to fare evasion. Police records indicate she has been arrested over half a dozen times in the past month for similar incidents at various high-end restaurants.
The owner of Chinaloa, Alex Arias, recognized Chung as soon as she entered, identifying her from her designer clothing and accessories. Sensing trouble, he asked her for a credit card to confirm her identity. Upon seeing her name on the card, he refused to serve her, prompting Chung to laugh and insist she would eat anyway. Arias ultimately called the police when she attempted to leave without paying.
Surveillance footage captured Chung leaving the restaurant, after which Arias made sure other establishments were aware of her behavior by shouting, “She’s a scammer!”
Chung’s antics have not been limited to Chinaloa. In October, she visited the famed Peter Luger steakhouse, where she indulged in nearly $150 worth of food, only to claim she could not pay her bill. Reports also emerged of her trying to barter with personal items to cover her meal, drawing comparisons to notorious con artist Anna Delvey.
Interestingly, one restaurant owner, Mimmo Cappiello of Baccia & Abracci, recognized Chung but chose to serve her. Although he initially offered her a meal, he refused her request for a steak to-go when she admitted she had no money for the check. Cappiello expressed uncertainty about how he would handle any future interactions with her, humorously stating he might feed her again if necessary, but hoped not to attract a long line of customers to satisfy.
As regulatory proceedings continue, folks in the local restaurant scene remain frustrated, concerned that such deceptive practices could harm small businesses. Chung has yet to respond to requests for comment, and her legal representation is a public defender as she navigates her ongoing court challenges.