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'Rat sat on handbag' in restaurant, diner claims
30/12/2009
Startled diners spotted a rat sitting on top of a woman's handbag in a Belfast restaurant.
Today (December 30th) the Belfast Telegraph reported that owners apologised after customers lodged a public health complaint.
Bastille, a French restaurant in the city, had ranked highly in restaurant critics' reviews since it opened two months ago.
However, the rat was seen running through the restaurant and kitchen, it was reported.
Diner Timothy Kirkpatrick and his wife were among those who caught sight of the rodent.
"The ladies at our table were terrified and put their feet on the chairs - as did most of the other women in the restaurant," he claimed.
"At one stage the rat sat on top of a woman's handbag for a good ten to 20 seconds. I couldn't believe it, I don't think anyone could," Mr Kirkpatrick added.
Environmental health officers inspected the restaurant but found no sign of an infestation.
General manager of Bastille Guillaume Rabillat said staff claimed the rodent was a mouse and that he was 100 per cent confident that it had entered through a door.
The restaurant serves French cuisine such as moules, frogs legs and boeuf Bourgignon.
By Steven Jones 
