# A couple booked a 14-course meal as cover to steal $1.7 million worth of wine **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 8, 2023, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861 "2023-03-08T08:07:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/1 "2023-03-08T08:07:03Z")
> **[A couple booked a 14-course meal as cover to steal $1.7 million worth of wine...](https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine-from-a-michelin-star-restaurant/ar-AA18jjSh?cvid=1ea962ed53044a3fdeaaab511c9aee51&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=8)** > > The couple, sentenced to four years in prison on Monday in Spain, stole 45 wine bottles in 2021 and spent nine months on the run. What im wondering is how long did that meal take? because in another thread there was a larger meal that was made and it only took 3 hours to eat … and I feel if the desk guy followed his instincts it wouldn’t have happened … and they didn’t think there be cameras? and only 4 years … I wondered if they offered a deal for them to rat out who they sold the wine to… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/2 "2023-03-08T08:41:50Z")
Here’s a photo of a tasting menu from the restaurant, which is probably pretty close to what they ordered - sea anenome, prawns, a Bloody Mary, two services of oysters, ceviche, pickled monkfish, Iberico ham, hake, roast pigeon, green tea cake, bacon chocolate ice cream, and assorted sweets, for 155 euros per person. Considering that this place has three Michelin stars, each of those courses is probably no more than 2 or 3 bites served over the course of a few hours. [https://www.larecomendadora.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2021/02/RestauranteAtrioCaceres72.jpg](https://www.larecomendadora.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2021/02/RestauranteAtrioCaceres72.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/3 "2023-03-08T08:59:00Z")
That sounds delicious. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/4 "2023-03-08T10:30:00Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > I feel if the desk guy followed his instincts it wouldn’t have happened By following his instincts, I take it you mean _not leaving his desk to bring her a salad and then leaving again to bring her a dessert_ — but, as far as I can tell, per the link the _other_ half of this is that their plan only makes sense if they could count on the keycard being left unattended, at that desk, both times. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/5 "2023-03-08T12:52:22Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > That sounds delicious. :shiver: Two each their own. I could do the Bloody Mary and the the ham. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/6 "2023-03-08T12:58:34Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > That sounds delicious I’d love to eat that meal. I wonder about pickling monkfish though. It has such a distinct, unique flavor why change it? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/7 "2023-03-08T13:06:01Z")
This will be a movie/cop procedural episode in a week, I bet. Maybe spiced up with a murder. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/9 "2023-03-08T14:20:14Z")
Eh, 4 years is way too much. A 200 year old bottle of fermented grape juice is somehow worth $300K? Only if there are enough decadent suckers walking the planet. Then again, I always root for the thieves in art and jewelry heists. As long as nobody gets hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/10 "2023-03-08T16:22:50Z")
And we shouldn’t worry about crystallized bits of carbon and other minerals just because some people might be willing and able to pay huge amounts of money for them. That painting is horrible and why should I care if someone steals it? Who the hell cares about an original Shakespeare manuscript, when I can get a copy of it on Amazon for a few bucks? The value of everything is always subjective, being worth precisely what someone is willing to pay or trade for it. Not everyone likes what you like (and vice versa). ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/11 "2023-03-08T18:03:15Z")
I don’t give a shit. Fuck 'em. Steal it all. For extra points, play Robin Hood. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/12 "2023-03-08T18:09:44Z")
That meal sounds delicious! I ate a seven course meal that took three hours…and we didn’t even notice how long it took. The time flew by. Is it o.k. if we steal your stuff, @BlankSlate ? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/13 "2023-03-08T18:16:12Z")
I agree. There’s a great line from a cop (Denis Leary) in “The Thomas Crown Affair” (the new one): > But look, the week before I met you, I nailed two crooked real estate agents and a guy who was beating his kids to death. > > So, if some Houdini wants to snatch a couple swirls of paint that are really only important to some very silly rich people I don’t really give a damn. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/14 "2023-03-08T18:16:48Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I wonder about pickling monkfish though. It has such a distinct, unique flavor why change it? If you do it right (and with a really light hand) you could still bring out the flavor of the monkfish. I’d love to try it. This is a pretty great looking tasting menu, and surprisingly inexpensive for a Michelin 3 star. Especially with tax included and without an American-size tip expected (IIRC). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/15 "2023-03-08T18:18:57Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Then again, I always root for the thieves in art and jewelry heists. As long as nobody gets hurt. Anyone that unpricipled would very likely be willing to do many other Very Bad Things, including to you. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/16 "2023-03-08T18:20:31Z")
So, could I get away with $850 grand if I ate only a 7 course meal? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/17 "2023-03-08T18:34:46Z")
I was disappointed to read the article and find out they only booked the meal to case the joint, and returned after hours to steal the wine. I really wanted to read a story about how they showed up wearing oddly baggy clothes, and left the restaurant with odd bulges under their pants, making clinking sounds as they walked. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/18 "2023-03-08T19:27:25Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > And we shouldn’t worry about crystallized bits of carbon and other minerals just because some people might be willing and able to pay huge amounts of money for them. That painting is horrible and why should I care if someone steals it? Who the hell cares about an original Shakespeare manuscript, when I can get a copy of it on Amazon for a few bucks? > > The value of everything is always subjective, being worth precisely what someone is willing to pay or trade for it. Not everyone likes what you like (and vice versa). One big difference is that a painting on the wall of an art gallery can be enjoyed by millions of people. Assuming that 200 year old bottle of wine is _ever_ opened and consumed (which I doubt), how many people will have the opportunity to enjoy (if that’s the correct term, which I also doubt) a sip? Really it’s just a status symbol, and nothing more. If someone accidentally dropped it on a hard floor and it shattered, it would be no different from the market value of an NFT suddenly going to zero. The only pleasure anyone is ever likely to derive from that bottle is in the fact of ownership, and that’s it. That’s why I’d be pissed at someone stealing a painting from an art gallery, but would applaud the theft of an object like this. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/19 "2023-03-08T19:33:17Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Anyone that unpricipled would very likely be willing to do many other Very Bad Things, including to you. Anyone who can afford to drop six figures on a bottle of wine probably isn’t much of a saint, either. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/20 "2023-03-08T19:59:35Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > One big difference is that a painting on the wall of an art gallery can be enjoyed by millions of people. Assuming that 200 year old bottle of wine is _ever_ opened and consumed (which I doubt), how many people will have the opportunity to enjoy (if that’s the correct term, which I also doubt) a sip? > > Really it’s just a status symbol, and nothing more. If someone accidentally dropped it on a hard floor and it shattered, it would be no different from the market value of an NFT suddenly going to zero. The only pleasure anyone is ever likely to derive from that bottle is in the fact of ownership, and that’s it. That’s why I’d be pissed at someone stealing a painting from an art gallery, but would applaud the theft of an object like this. So what? As far as the painting, is it okay to steal it from a private collector who never shows it, but not okay to steal it from a museum? So what if something is a status symbol? Since when is it okay to take other people’s stuff, assuming that they got it honestly? I don’t care if the wine is drinkable or turned to vinegar. It’s not up to you or me to say that means that stealing it is a greater or lesser crime (or worthy of applause, for fuck’s sake!) We’re not talking intrinsic value here in any case. Maybe it’s a maguffin that’s you think is worth way less than I paid for it, nevertheless it’s my maguffin and I value it to the extent that I was willing and able to pay for it. Anyway, the thieves were clearly only in it for the money not for the status, since they sold it on. That makes it exactly the same as any other theft – wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861/21 "2023-03-08T20:53:06Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > And we shouldn’t worry about crystallized bits of carbon and other minerals just because some people might be willing and able to pay huge amounts of money for them. That painting is horrible and why should I care if someone steals it? Who the hell cares about an original Shakespeare manuscript, when I can get a copy of it on Amazon for a few bucks? I can get behind all of those hypotheticals. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > As far as the painting, is it okay to steal it from a private collector who never shows it, but not okay to steal it from a museum? Yeah, pretty much. Stealing from a museum is a crime against the entire public. Stealing from one rich dude is just a crime against that one rich dude. I mean, I’m not saying it should be _legal_ but if a painting goes from being in the possession of one guy who won’t let me see it, to be in the possession of a different guy who won’t let me see it, well… what do I care? Doesn’t really affect me one way or the other. And possibly, I know enough about that one rich dude who got robbed that I’m happy he’s suffered some sort of a set back. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > It’s not up to you or me to say that means that stealing it is a greater or lesser crime In a country whose system of laws are, at least theoretically, decided by democratic action, I’d say it’s just the opposite. It’s entirely up to us to say which crimes are greater or lesser. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Maybe it’s a maguffin that’s you think is worth way less than I paid for it, nevertheless it’s my maguffin and I value it to the extent that I was willing and able to pay for it. That’s not what “Mcguffin” means. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-booked-a-14-course-meal-as-cover-to-steal-1-7-million-worth-of-wine/980861.md?page=2)