Have to pay to make a booking at Green Peppercorn

Today I phoned to make a booking for 25 people at Green Peppercorn in Morningside Sandton. The manager had stated to me that they require a R1000 deposit to make a booking at if your party is larger than 10 people. I believe that this is absolutely ridiculous for a normal restaurant to ask for a deposit to make a booking at their restaurant. I have never ever been asked for a deposit, even from many other restaurants that are of a much higher standard than Green Peppercorn. Quite frankly if this is the case, I would rather take my money somewhere else. I will never go to this restaurant and I will persuade other people who I know to never ever go to their restaurant. <br>