London Restaurant Stages elaborate ‘Fake Diner’ Scheme to Showcase New Menu
London, UK – Brasserie Constance, a new restaurant in Fulham, London, has been revealed to be employing actors to simulate a busy dining room, prompting questions about modern restaurant marketing tactics. Diners recently discovered the lunchtime crowd was comprised of staff from the building’s marketing teams, meticulously pretending to enjoy a meal for the benefit of prospective customers.
The unusual practice came to light during a recent visit,where reviewers noted the lack of menus,minimal food on tables,and the staged departure of diners muttering “Rhubarb,rhubarb” as they returned to their offices. The revelation raises concerns about clarity in the hospitality industry and the lengths restaurants will go to create a desired atmosphere. Brasserie Constance, located on Level 1 of Fulham Pier, Stevenage Road, SW6, opened with a menu priced from approximately £60 per head, excluding drinks and service.
The restaurant itself offers a menu featuring dishes like claypot chicken with herby barley sauce, carrots in sunflower seeds, Russian salad, and a treacle, date and walnut tart with pouring cream. Despite the quality of the food – described as “delightful and moist” – the staged dining experience has sparked debate about the ethics of creating a false impression of popularity.
Brasserie Constance is open for lunch Tuesday-Sunday, noon-2.30pm (4.30pm Sunday), and for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, 6-9.30pm. The restaurant can be contacted at 020-3002 5221 or visited online at https://brasserieconstance.com/. It remains to be seen weather this unconventional marketing strategy will ultimately benefit or harm the restaurant’s long-term success.
