Life & Style

Nadia Jamil allegedly refused service at Italian restaurant in UK

Apparently, the menus were snatched and they were asked to leave

Entertainment Desk August 23, 2017

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Due to the growing shift towards Islamophobia in the west, discriminatory incidents have become 'ordinary.' Racist comments and even acid attacks seem to have become very common due to which others may seem to think that further racism is acceptable.

Don Pascuale, an Italian restaurant based in Cambridge, United Kingdom has been accused of racism after allegedly refusing to serve famous Pakistani actress and philanthropist Nadia Jamil and her father.

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Jamil truly believes that racism was the sole reason she was refused service and therefore, took to Twitter to share her appalling experience.

1st racist encounter in England. #DonPascual Italian restaurant in Main Market Square refused 2 serve Aba & me & asked us 2 leave!His beard!
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

Shortly thereafter, the restaurant staff responded by stating that they "welcome all," denying the allegations made by Jamil.

Don't believe all you read on Twitter. We did not refuse service @NJLahori. We welcome all
— Pasquale Benedetto (@PasckyBenedetto) August 21, 2017

She went on to tweet that they refused to give her and her father the menus. The waiter reiterated that he would not serve them and when questioned, he suggested that they go in and self-serve calling them "annoying people." More fuel was added to the fire when the staff supposedly snatched the menu and verbally insulted them.

You refused to give us a menu :( then you refused to serve us. Finally u snatched the menus out of our hands and told us to leave screamed.
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

Don Pasquale denies this:

We didn't refuse to serve them and no remark made. She accused us of only serving white people.
— Pasquale Benedetto (@PasckyBenedetto) August 21, 2017

The restaurant confirmed that the staff had not been given any instructions from the management to deny anyone entry or service based on their race. They continued to reject any claims of racism.

Persistent, Jamil replied:

You were taking orders from everyone outside but asked me to go give my own.Didnt give a menu.Snatched it out of our hands.Told us 2 leave!! https://t.co/NyTtDTFNVh
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

According to the actor, the situation was aggravated further due to her father's health:

My father is a 73 cancer patient w diabetes. Have some shame and some dignity. You are really low. No wonder your restaurant is so empty :(! https://t.co/rnmDRBbI59
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

The restaurant completely rejected any accusations and further tweeted that they have never discriminated on the basis of religious prejudice and racial profiling.

There are two sides to every story. pic.twitter.com/RV5to4iYOc
— Pasquale Benedetto (@PasckyBenedetto) August 21, 2017

The restaurant then released a complete version of how the incident unravelled:

This is a TRUE depiction of the event from earlier today pic.twitter.com/lYcFEM4fhS
— Pasquale Benedetto (@PasckyBenedetto) August 21, 2017

They claimed that Jamil was not immediately served due to the lack of available staff. They further provided that due to her being so impatient, she was indeed given the menus and asked to order inside when she was ready. Self-service was suggested to Jamil to aid speedy service.

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According to the restaurant, it was at this point that the actor took offence and alleged that she was refused service on the basis of appearance as all the 'white' people were being given all the attention. Her father threatened the staff with a bottle due to which they were asked to leave as they were causing discomfort within the restaurant.

Nevertheless, Jamil continued to stand by her version of events and refused the occurrence of any of the aforementioned events.

She moved on to providing her own statement of the events that occurred in full:

What really happened today at @thedonpasquale where my 73 year old cancer patient father was humiliated & disrespected pic.twitter.com/iCBNzQXOv3
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

2/ what really happened during one of the most aggressive experiences I've had in England ever. pic.twitter.com/GBbOREfSrP
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

3/ continuation of the details of what happened today. Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/wRGPtXb1u5
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017

Whilst the father and daughter were seated outside, they were apparently approached by an aggressive waiter who told them that they should go inside and order when they are ready.

After that a waitress came to take their order but the same man stopped her, then confirmed they can go inside and order for themselves. Jamil asked whether she was being refused service due to the colour of her skin. Upon questioning, the menus were snatched and they were asked to leave. The waitress then proceeded to propel Jamil out. She admitted that her father had to calm her down as she was outraged by the circumstances.

The restaurant tenaciously denied all allegations and confirmed that they have never discriminated in their forty years of trade. The accusations were highly unfair.

Many people, including journalists and politicians were appalled by the story and even expressed their reservations regarding the authenticity of the story:

Where? In London? JJ hardly has a beard!
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 21, 2017

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.

COMMENTS (24)

stevenson | 7 years ago | Reply @C M Naim: The police wouldn't waste time on her complaint which is just she says, he says. My guess is that she made a big issue of nothing but why does she need to go to an Italian restaurant in UK where they serve alcohol and mix meat ( with pork) if she pretends that her bearded father is so religious? She should only eat in halal places if she wants our sympathy for saying her bearded Muslim looking father was discriminated against for his faith. She looks typically South Asian but I don't think South Asians are discriminated against since a lot of the servers and cooks in the UK are South Asians.

C M Naim | 7 years ago | Reply She should have first gone to the local police. Instead she chose to show herself as a victim to people back home, while living a life totally different and more luxurious than 95% of her compatriots.

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Hassan | 7 years ago | Reply Just few weeks ago I came to London with my family on holidays and to meet my relatives. Its almost a month here and have been to the North side too. but never ever encountered any such incident by person of any other ethnicity. Wonder why our celebrities (self-professed) expect that foreigners would also treat you alike and do all fake TC and praises. Are they expecting same fan following abroad too, where no one really care who they are and what they are famous for. Why cant we behave where ever we go. If you have a genuine case, better file a complaint with police and other relevant authorities rather than raising hue and cry at social media for few seconds fame. They have better things to do rather than kick out stiff necks from their property for which they have all the right.

burgerman | 7 years ago | Reply I'd say racism will usually follow a specific pattern that isn't blunt or obvious.

Newton | 7 years ago | Reply What about when you a lot discriminated l against Christina back home she has no right to complain

sterry | 7 years ago | Reply @Ali S: I don't know how many rich burger Pakistanis live overseas but I hate it when the Pakistani laborer, or cab driver in UK or North America gets a taste of his own medicine abroad and abuse from the white man but then turns around and acts like a big shot with his own people at home !

Trollslayer | 7 years ago | Reply @ unbelievable She looks very South Asian and ordinary and how come they didn't patronize a halal IndoPak restaurant. Something smells fishy.

Shuaib | 7 years ago | Reply I do not believe her story, sorry, but I have lived in London for a year and believe me it is the least racist place on earth. Ofcourse there are racists but they are minimal.

Usman | 7 years ago | Reply I believe she has misinterpreted, or is making this story up...the restaurant's version of events sounds far more plausible.

MJ | 7 years ago | Reply I have experienced refusal of service only once in my lifetime ... that was of all places in Boston. I tend to agree a little bit with Nadia's story. It may not be the policy of the restaurant but one ticked off employee can create such a situation. In my case everybody behind me at the entrance was being seated by the staff. I waited in line for 15 minutes, at the front, and they kept on seating other guests that were standing behind me ... to cut a long story short, I was told the same thing ... if I want service, go to the self serve area. By the way it happened way before 9/11 (back in 1999).

unbelievable | 7 years ago | Reply Based on her picture she would be considered Caucasian by most of the World - common for people to confuse religious bigotry with racism. If I get lousy service I just leave - better to vote with your feet than waste you time arguing with waiter.

optimist | 7 years ago | Reply She may be right... but it is definitely not restaurant policy but small mindedness of the staff. . I have a worse experience that too in a book shop in an area where South Asians are 73%. I never that this could happen in that area. An old lady working at the bookshop shouted at me. She blamed that I had come into book shop with no intention of buying and she said tauntingly: go on.. browse sir... it is absolutely free. . I was wearing a suit and only fault could be colour of my skin (clean shaven with glasses). I could see no reason for that attitude. Either she is mad or racist. But she seemed clever enough to say these things when no one was around and two other customers went out.

Shakil | 7 years ago | Reply There may be more to it, there may be a little racism too. One thing to be noted, waiters here in UK dont take abusive or aggressive behavior like they do in Pakistan. on paper it looks the restaurant did treat them differently when everyone else sitting outside was able to order but they were asked to go inside and order instead at the counter.

Necromacner | 7 years ago | Reply I wonder if the restaurant was Halal. If not than probably it was sign from the divine not to indulge in sinful activities.

Acorn Guts | 7 years ago | Reply Can't run a business here in UK if you openly discriminate like that. I find Nadia's account of things highly unlikely. The restaurant has contacted their solicitors, hope this all ends amicably.

Ali S | 7 years ago | Reply Having lived in UAE and Canada for most of my life, i have noticed that Rich burger Pakistanis are often appalled at not being treated like VIPs abroad. A restaurant that serves halal has no reason to refuse anyone over Islamophobia.

Tyggar | 7 years ago | Reply Typical, first provoke and then play the victim

confused | 7 years ago | Reply Maybe Nadia was overly stressed because of her ailing father. I think she needs to be pacified by this Restaurant with a simple SORRY.

Jamal | 7 years ago | Reply The attention seeker drama queen. If she was indeed faced racist attitude, she can complain to the authorities and relevant support groups - readily available in the UK.

Hasan | 7 years ago | Reply All of us, including celebrity Nadia Jamil need to learn (how to behave) when we step out of our home. I suppose our parents, brothers sisters and relatives may tolerate our obnoxious behavior but no body else will. Certainly not people from another civilized developed country. Pl get over your inferiority complex and stop your tantrums. We are grown ups not children!

BrainBro | 7 years ago | Reply Something tells me that Nadia is the drama queen here. That photo that she herself shared on twitter shows a black woman sitting outside, so clearly, they were serving the colored.

rao amjad ali | 7 years ago | Reply You should seriously consider moving to Canada, a bit cold but its authentic multiculturalism and outstanding race relations will keep you warm.

HSK | 7 years ago | Reply It's such a shameless act to drag your ill and old father by sensationalizing his beard and illness to establish fifteen minutes of fame. Being an actress for a decade she should have known that if she didn't filmed the event, no one can believe her. Most likely due to here wannabe global celebrity she lost her sense of decency and was asked to leave instead of disturbing other customer's dinning experience. And yes, every restaurant has the right to do so in order to prevail sanity. Bottom line is that, nobody can ascertain the guilty party.

bkt | 7 years ago | Reply This is probably the result of the bombings in Spain. The Latins are likely to stick together and be hostile so Nadia Jamil could have been a little aware of the international situation so close to the UK where a child from the UK had been killed.

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