This story about Sonja Morgan trying to skip out on a $1,000 restaurant bill isn’t going away anytime soon. Supposedly, she thought she could dine for free in exchange for a promotional post on social media. While this might just be an elaborate marketing scheme to get people to eat at Tucci, it doesn’t matter. We’re invested in this.
Sonja chopped up the mishap to a case of “miscommunication,” claiming she thought she was dining in exchange for a promotional post. However, the restaurant owner isn’t done talking about it. His name is Max Tucci, and he called into Jeff Lewis’ radio show to share his side of the story about his encounter with the Real Housewives of New York star.
Max Tucci had a friendly relationship with Sonja Morgan before restaurant bill drama
During a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live, Sonja’s restaurant experience became a topic of conversation. Joined by Vicki Gunvalson and Shannon Beador, Jeff and his crew could not understand why Sonja assumed she could dine for free.
“She shouldn’t go out for dinner if she can’t afford it,” Vicki said.
Meanwhile, Max was somewhere in New York City listening to Jeff Lewis Live. He called in and used the opportunity to give his side of the story. It’s moments like these why SiriusXM have extended Jeff’s contract. He’s always at the center of something messy.
According to Max, he and Sonja used to be neighbors in New York. He invited her to the restaurant nearly a year ago and offered her a free meal.
Max recalled, “And so when she first came to the restaurant in June, it was very, last year, I was very much neighborly, ‘Come in. It’s on me.’ Literally on me. I pay my servers when there’s, you know, an event like that.”
Reportedly, this marked the only time they ever comped a meal for Sonja. She had only been there one other time, but she reached out to Max on Saturday, May 10, looking for a table at the restaurant. That’s when things got weird.
Sonja told Max she needed a table for three people. She showed up with a group of five, and Max said that she “started a scene” when the reservation didn’t live up to her misguided expectations.
Max explained, “I specifically sent her a text message saying, ‘I am out of town. It’s Mother’s Day. I’m with my mother in Florida, but I will send you something from me.’”
Although Max did say he would “send” Sonja something, he definitely didn’t say that she could rack up a $1,000 bill and dip without paying. Still, Sonja allegedly gave Max an earful on the phone.
The restaurateur said, “So she comes in, creates this scene, calls me at 11:30 and says, ‘I’m a celebrity. I don’t pay. Why did you give me a bill?’”
Sonja eventually paid her bill the following Monday, including a tip to the staff. However, she won’t be allowed to dine at Tucci moving forward. Max is going to make sure of that.
The Real Housewives of New York is streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON MAX TUCCI CALLING INTO A RADIO SHOW TO DRAG SONJA MORGAN? IS HE BLOWING THIS OUT OF PROPORTION?
