A Los Angeles restaurant is offering customers a deal if they agree to look at their fellow diners instead of at their phone screens.
Eva Restaurant in the Fairfax District is offering a 5 percent discount to customers who will check their cell phones with restaurant staff.
"We want people to be in the moment, not only with the food, but with each other," owner Mark Gold told NBC4. "That's really the whole basis behind it."
Servers make the offer to diners when they introduce themselves, then phones are checked and collected in a basket at the hostess station.
Gold says nearly half take advantage of the discount, and many express gratitude at the opportunity to let go of their devices for a while.
On Wednesday night, diners had varying opinions, but many said they loved the idea.
"I saw it on the menu, and I think it's great," said diner Malhar Pagay.
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"Although, I got to admit, I'm guilty," he added, pulling his own phone out of his pocket. "I saw it after I sat down."
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