A seafood restaurant said it is addressing a viral complaint from a diner who accused the establishment of causing food poisoning after allegedly experiencing diarrhea and stomach flu symptoms.
The Pearl Room on Monday, May 25, released a statement after Ralph, a diner who ate at its Poblacion branch on the night of May 23, recounted experiencing severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea a few hours after eating there.
Ralph wrote that he suffered “food poisoning” after dining at the restaurant, which is known for serving oysters.
He and his companions ordered grilled and raw oysters, as well as a baked scallop.
Ralph said he vomited that night and was rushed to a hospital emergency room the following day after experiencing “severe and worsening symptoms.”
He said he was diagnosed with diarrhea and gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, of presumed infectious origin.
Ralph said he informed the restaurant of his condition and asked reimbursement for his medical expenses, which he claimed reached P15,000, saying he had to use his savings to “save” his life.
The restaurant, in response, said it had already escalated his concern to its operations manager and top management, adding that he should remain in contact with the operations manager, “who is actively handling the matter.”
Ralph, however, said that the operations manager blamed him for not eating a salad before consuming the oysters.
In the end, the restaurant reimbursed their bill and offered them a complimentary dining experience.
The Pearl Room, meanwhile, said its management “is handling the case,” adding that the response of its store manager “may not be what he needed to hear.”
“Our manager stated that he should’ve eaten a meal prior to consuming raw oysters, especially since his last meal was breakfast and he dined with us at 6:30 p.m.,” the restaurant’s statement read.
“Eating raw oysters on an empty stomach will definitely cause irritation. He was also the only person of their group (they were three) who had upset stomach and no other complaint was received at that time,” it added.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention earlier advised against consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, citing that it can increase risk of foodborne illness.
Meanwhile, the restaurant assured the public that it is compliant of all the safety requirements in its operations.
“If there is [an] untoward incident that happened. These are beyond the intention of the management, considering that the matter is still for further verification,” the Pearl Room said.
It also appealed to the public “for fairness and understanding” as it continues to review the matter “based on facts and available information.”
“We are a struggling business establishment and would like to continue providing tenure to our employees. We ask for kindness and understanding,” it said.
“Social media is a powerful tool that can be used positively and negatively. We wish to remind everyone that there is always two sides to a story. Rest assured that we are not pushing this aside and is being acted upon with urgency,” the restaurant added.
“Our commitment remains the same: to serve every guest with care, uphold the highest standards we can, and address concerns with transparency and respect. Thank you for your trust, understanding, and continued support,” it concluded.
The Pearl Room is a seafood dining establishment offering oysters in several preparations and Asian-inspired seafood dishes. It also serves tropical cocktails.
