Turn That Cellphone Off While Eating And Save Money

CYPRESS, Texas (AP) — The owner of two Houston-area restaurants has offered a holiday discount to patrons who give up their cellphones and other electronics while dining.   

KPRC-TV (http://bit.ly/1zeJTwY ) reports the 20 percent discount was so successful Monday that Gerry Sarmiento (sar-mee-EN'-toh) planned a similar offer Tuesday evening.

Sarmiento operates the Italian restaurant Mezzanotte (mezz-uh-NOH'-tay) and the Latin American eatery Piqueo (puh-KAY'-oh) in Cypress.

Sarmiento says it's Christmas and too many families don't talk to each other. He says the discount is an incentive for people to have real quality time with their families.

Cellphones, iPads and other electronics were secured in drawers at the restaurants as patrons ate. All members of a dining party had to give up their phones and other devices to get the discount.

The electronics were later returned.