Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot have been denied service at a fine dining restaurant in Melbourne after walking in the door in their tennis gear.
The incident has drawn international attention, with many applauding the restaurant – Mr Miyagi – for not bending the rules of their establishment for a Hollywood A-Lister.
It’s been reported that the 58-year-old actor and his 31-year-old partner arrived at the ”casual but fancy” Japanese fusion restaurant in designer clothes.
Despite this, staff were still quick to deny the couple entry.
”He (Russell) went there wearing a brand-new Ralph Lauren polo having just played a game of tennis and was turned away,” Crowe’s manager Grant Vandenberg told the Daily Mail Australia.
Russell has been romantically linked to Britney since November 2020.
(IMAGE: Getty)Online, the restaurant makes it clear that a dress code is strictly enforced and that ”work gear, activewear, singlets, and things (flip flops)” are forbidden.
Despite the backlash from the Russell Crowe camp, the management of Mr Miyagi has doubled down on their decision to kick out the Oscar award winning actor, telling The Herald Sun that ”no one” is above their rules.
”We treat everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who you are or if you are Russell Crowe. We’ve got a dress code that we push across every level,” owner Kristian Klein said.
”We are consistent with it, and I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable,” Klein continued.
”But I know personally if I’m in my thongs (flip-flops) and my boardies (shorts), I’m not going to try and go to a nice restaurant, because I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately.”
Mr Miyagi took to their Instagram to show they harboured no hard feelings for Russell.
(IMAGE: Instagram)Adding salt to the wound, Klein revealed that the staff member did not know who the Gladiator actor was in what he described as a ”very unfortunate situation for everyone.”
The 4.3 star restaurant then took to its Instagram to poke some fun at the situation, updating its dress code policy with a new tongue in cheek post.
”Dress smart casual, unless you’re Russell Crowe, then wear whatevs,” the signs read.
Mr Miyagi then addressed Crowe directly in an effort to clear any animosity in the air for good.
”Dear Russell, during your last visit it seems we got off on the wrong foot. After much reflection on what occurred, we have made a permanent change to our dress code,” the caption read.
”We would love to see you again in the future, you’re always welcome at Mr Miyagi.”
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