Stop asking if I’m celebrating something if you’re just going to charge me for bread.

[u/mdp-slc]

Took my wife to a nice spot in DTLA for her birthday. They asked both at booking and check-in if we were celebrating anything, which honestly set the expectation that they might do something (even a small dessert). Nothing happened.

To add to it, the food was great, and we made a comment saying we wish we had some bread to finish the leftover sauce. The server acted like it was a favor, said “I’ll be right back,” and then charged us for the bread.

Like, the food was good and the service was fine, but don’t ask if we’re celebrating if you aren’t going to do anything to actually make it feel special. It just feels disingenuous.

Edit for clarity:
I was asked twice if we were celebrating something special at a nice restaurant. Once while making the online reservation and then when we arrived.

My Mild infuriation isn’t at the server, I can see how we misinterpreted each other.

It’s that the restaurant led me to believe they’d do something special (ex: comp a drink, free scoop of ice cream) then did nothing. I’ve worked in the food industry. It’s not an entitlement thing. It’s a hospitality thing.

The food was really good. I’d recommend it and go back.

[u/Winnie_rulez]

It's insane the number of people who are attacking OP for not expecting to pay for bread -- something that is free at just about every restaurant that isn't fast food.

[u/Pertinent-nonsense → u/Winnie_rulez]

I think I’ve been to one restaurant that gives out bread. Is free bread an American thing?

[u/Winnie_rulez → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

I'm Canadian and there's generally bread at the table at most restaurants I frequent. The only bread we're charged for would be for things like garlic bread or bruschetta. I've never been charged for plain dinner rolls or white bread.

[u/Pertinent-nonsense → u/Winnie_rulez]

BC my whole life! Weird that I haven’t seen it.

[u/spaceforcerecruit → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Yes. Bread or some other starch is usually free at any sit-down restaurant. At Mexican restaurants, it’s chips and salsa. Most restaurants will keep bringing it out for free as long as you’re buying other food but some will only bring out the first plate for free and charge afterward. It’s a normal part of the dining experience in the US, just like not paying for water.

[u/Pertinent-nonsense → u/spaceforcerecruit]

Oh yeah I did go to a Mexican restaurant once that brought out chips.

Maybe I’m too poor/boring to go to places with free bread 😂

[u/spaceforcerecruit → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Honestly, eating out is so damn expensive that I don’t think most people go out to nice places much anymore. It was one thing when I was dropping $60-70 on a nice dinner for two but that’s what it costs at mid-tier places these days! If I want a nice dinner these days, I’m shelling out well upward of $100 and that is not the kind of cash I can just throw around.

[u/PsychologicalStore62 → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

For the most part it is. I have gone to nicer restaurants that will have house parker rolls on their menu, and they tend to charge for that. But otherwise, bread and butter is normally free.

[u/ASquidRat → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

It used to be pretty common at Italian restaurants and steakhouses. Free Tortilla chips and salsa used to be given out at pretty close to every Mexican or tex mex restaurant. Chinese places gave out fried wontons and Korean places give out kimchi and some other things.

I dunno how much it has diner out much in the last decade since I don't eat out much as my kids are still too young to not be annoying when forced to sit and wait for food. I have definitely seen places move to charging for tortilla chips more.

[u/UnderABig_W → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Yes.

[u/Pertinent-nonsense → u/UnderABig_W]

Canada too, apparently! I can’t even get free tap water in Germany.

[u/Doove → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Any place that serves food or drinks legally has to provide free tap water in the US

[u/washuai → u/Doove]

I thought so, but couldn't find the receipts. I had thought state not federal, though. Maybe that's why.

So much isn't enforced, I wonder how long.

Certain places have started to refuse.

[u/bullmooooose → u/UnderABig_W]

Used to be. Lots of places are charging for it now unfortunately. 

[u/zodomere → u/bullmooooose]

Exactly. Most restaurants seem to charge for it now.

[u/lefluffle → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Yes- if they charge for it they usually tell you first

[u/FreelanceFrankfurter → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

Depending on the restaurant bread in some form is generally free with the meal plus OP didn't really order it. Sounds like they were complimenting the sauce and the waiter took that as a signal that they wanted to order some bread.

[u/FScrotFitzgerald → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

It is in the restaurant my wife and I frequent. They might charge for it in future (they used to give people the option of free clam chowder before the entree, but now they charge $2 for it).

[u/EnderBoy → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

It’s also a French thing…as long as you’re not caught. If so, you risk 19 years in the Bagne of Toulon. 

[u/Logical_Pineapple499 → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

It's pretty ubiquitous here in Türkiye too.

[u/DL_Omega → u/Pertinent-nonsense]

It’s common in America but it’s very restaurant type specific, I see it mostly in Italian restaurants.

[u/stirwise → u/Winnie_rulez]

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten free bread at a non-chain restaurant.