A New York City food influencer known online as the “dine and dash diva” has been arrested again in Brooklyn after allegedly skipping out on bills at multiple high-end restaurants across the city.
34-year-old Pei Chung was taken into custody on a theft of services charge and jailed on Rikers Island after failing to appear in court on previous warrants.
Chung built a following online by posting extravagant meals at Michelin-starred restaurants and well-known New York eateries. According to police and restaurant staff, she also developed a pattern of dining at upscale locations, ordering large meals, and then attempting to leave without paying.
Several establishments confirmed they had banned her after repeated incidents. The Guardian reported that Chung allegedly skipped out on bills at Williamsburg restaurants at least six times. One of the incidents involved Francie, a Michelin-starred brasserie where she dined twice without paying. In another case, she reportedly ordered foie gras, carpaccio, bucatini, lamb, and dessert before attempting to leave.
Arrest followed after third visit to Brooklyn restaurant
The arrest occurred after Chung visited Mole in Brooklyn for the third time. Staff recognized her and contacted authorities when she allegedly ordered $149 worth of food and refused to pay. She was later arraigned and held on a total of $4,500 cash bail tied to multiple dine and dash cases.
Restaurant employees across the city expressed frustration at how frequently the influencer evaded consequences. A manager at Peter Luger told the New York Post that Chung “was getting away with it way too often,” while the owner of Mole said her notoriety had turned her into a “folk hero” in New York despite the repeated incidents.
Chung’s online persona included documenting her meals, bringing portable lighting, and reviewing dishes on Instagram. The Guardian also reported that Chung is facing eviction from her Williamsburg apartment, which is owned by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer.
