South Bay Restaurant Admits Fraudulently Serving 'Imposter' Fish

SOUTH BAY, CA - A restaurant in Morgan Hill has settled a case where it was caught selling and serving customers a cheap cut of fish while claiming that it was a more expensive one.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said it has reached a settlement in a case against AS Restaurant Consulting Group LLC, DBA Odeum Restaurant, and owner Salvatore Calisi.

Odeum, a Mediterranean infusion restaurant, advertised petrale sole on their menu but instead served their customers tilapia between October 2014 and March 2016.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Deng said the District Attorney's office received a complaint in early 2016 claiming the restaurant was serving the imposter fish and conducted a consumer investigation.

Deng said California health and safety codes strictly prohibit restaurants from misbranding or falsely advertising the food they serve.

Petrale sole is a type of flounder and a more expensive cut of fish than tilapia.

Prosecutors said the restaurant must pay $120,000 in civil penalties and restitution along with injunctive provisions prohibiting the restaurant from serving falsely advertised food.

Odeum is offering $30 gift certificates to all individuals who ordered petrale sole during the period in question. Consumers can find the claim forms at the restaurant, located at 17500 Depot St. #180, Morgan Hill.

The District Attorney's Office said that any leftover restitution money will go to the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Consumer Protection Division for training, education and enforcement.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock