Mythical Trip Advisor restaurant leads patrons up a blind alley
A mysterious restaurant which garnered rave reviews on Trip Advisor has left salivating diners flummoxed by its non-existence.
Reviewers had logged in to sing the praises of Oscar’s, a Brigadoon like floating eaterie, championing its ‘mind blowing’ fare and exotic surroundings, said to be fashioned from the hull of a ‘phantom class’ fishing trawler.
Other fishy claims included enthusiastic waiters who happily donned diving gear to catch live fish from the restaurants own aquarium.
One happy customer enthused: “I am fortunate enough to live in Catalunya, home to some of the best restaurants in the world. I have dined at both elBulli and El Celler de Can Roca.
“Is Oscar’s as good? No not quite - but as has been mentioned already, there is an unbelievable quality about it.”
Sadly, readers who fell for this tale hook line and sinker were faced with a tricky proposition in locating the establishment, which directed people to a dingy alleyway in Brixham, Devon, lined with rubbish bins.
Amused locals reported seeing disappointed patrons arriving by taxi at the down at heel lane, only to go home hungry, before the entry was finally removed by Trip Advisor.
A disgruntled local businessman later owned up to the con as part of efforts to expose flaws in the Trip Advisor site, after a friend's hotel found itself on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism – suspected to have originated from a business rival.