A Brooklyn woman accused of repeatedly dining at expensive New York City restaurants without paying has been arrested seven times since late October.
Shockingly, she continues to walk free and flaunt her alleged exploits on social media.
Pei Chung, 34, faces multiple theft of services charges after allegedly targeting some of the city’s most upscale dining establishments.
Police say she racks up bills in the hundreds of dollars before refusing to pay, often claiming to be a food influencer offering publicity in exchange for complimentary meals.
She was arrested twice over a single weekend in November. Despite these arrests, she posted photos from both incidents the following Monday.
“She dresses so nice. She had fur. Louis Vuitton bag. Nice camera. Everything looks so fine on her,” Joy Panics, manager of Sea Thai, said, describing why Chung’s behavior is so deceptive.
Chung allegedly hit two Williamsburg restaurants in quick succession on Friday and Saturday.
At Italian restaurant Misi on Kent Avenue, police say she ordered $100 worth of food around 5:26 p.m. Friday before refusing payment. The next evening, she allegedly targeted Sea Thai on North Sixth Street around 6:45 p.m., ordering $123 in food and again declining to pay.
Both incidents resulted in arrests. Chung reportedly mocked law enforcement in Instagram captions following her arrests.
“Police officers threw out my takeout cuisine again which I organized them in the bar like a pro,” she wrote. “I don’t mind if they enjoy continuing my takeout cuisine or order more food to share.”
Panics told the New York Post, “She looks normal because she dresses so nice — the way she eats, orders food — the way she took photos.”
The manager recalled that Chung spent approximately three hours at a single table Saturday, repeatedly photographing her dishes of filet strips, shrimp and pasta.
“She left the table and spent 30 minutes in the bathroom. We had to knock, open the door,” Panics said.
Staff attempted to process payment with three or four credit cards Chung provided, but all were declined.
Other customers recognized Chung from previous media coverage and alerted restaurant staff.
When police arrived, Chung allegedly told officers she couldn’t pay “because the government didn’t pay back her tax.”
Restaurants including Michelin-starred Francie, Lavender Lake, Motorino, and the legendary Peter Luger steakhouse have all reported similar incidents involving Chung.
Management at Peter Luger told the Post Chung disappeared into the bathroom for 45 minutes before allegedly offering sexual favors to avoid paying her $146 bill.
“Is there anything else I can do for you because I don’t want to pay this check,” she reportedly asked a staff member.
Despite multiple arrests, Chung continues posting elaborate food photography and detailed reviews of the meals she allegedly never paid for.
In one blog entry about Peter Luger, she wrote: “Each slice reveals a deep rose center under a caramelized crust — a balance of char and tenderness perfected over decades. The fat melts like silk, carrying the essence of oak and iron from the grill.”
