Tue Mar 14, 2006 09:38 AM ET
ROME (Reuters) - A 42-year-old gourmet food junkie has skipped out on her restaurant bill so many times that she has been banned from the city of Rome, police said on Monday.
Described as the "mooch artist" by police, the hungry culprit has struck at some of Rome's fanciest restaurants -- ordering expensive wines, three-course meals and then feigning surprise when the check arrives.
"She came in here and racked up a 70 euro ($83.52) lunch bill," griped Giovanni Cappelli at Il Chianti restaurant, which specializes in Tuscan food.
"Then she said her wallet was in her other purse."
Police identified her only as D.N., a resident of the nearby town of Viterbo, and said she had continued to sneak into Rome despite a five-year ban from the city.
