Geneva restaurant patron charged with battery after allegedly throwing $351.23 bill into server’s face

GENEVA – An Elgin man was charged with battery after he allegedly threw a receipt into a restaurant server’s face, grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her because he was unhappy with his meal, according to Geneva police reports.

John R. Danowski, 58, of the 900 block of Glenmore Lane, Elgin, was charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident at The Patten House Restaurant and Bar, 124 S. Second St., Geneva, on Feb. 11, police and court records show.

Danowski and his party arrived at The Patten House about 7:30 p.m. and ordered food and alcoholic beverages, according to the police report.

When the food arrived, however, Danowski complained that it was cold; the server offered to have his dinner removed and told him he didn’t have to pay for his meal, the report stated.

No one at Danowski’s table ate their meal, the report stated.

The receipt for the food and alcoholic beverages that Danowski and his party ordered was $351.23, minus the price of Danowski’s meal, the report stated.

When the bill was provided to him, “John then stood up, puffed up his chest and got in [the server’s] face,” according to the police report. “John crumpled the receipt and threw it into [the server’s] face. John continued to be aggressive. He grabbed [the server] by her shoulders, pushing her backward and stated, ‘I’m not paying for anything. Call the police. I’ll wait.’ ”

Danowski told police that his party waited too long, he thought the food was cold, he did not feel he should have to pay for their meal, that he threw the receipt on the ground and walked out past the server, the report stated.

Another diner told police she witnessed Danowski throw the receipt into the server’s face, grab her shoulders and push her backward, and “that John repeatedly advised he wanted the police to be called,” according to the report.

Danowski was to appear at Kane County Branch Court in St. Charles on March 1, court and police records show.

The battery charge is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, if convicted.

Danowski did not have an attorney listed in court records and attempts to reach him for comment by phone were unsuccessful.

A restaurant spokesman said the bill from that night has not yet been paid.