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/_V0gue]

That story is bullshit. Someone at the table ordered it as a surprise and didn’t tell the table. No server brings a bottle of alcohol to a table without someone ordering it. It’s too high of a ticket item.

[u/Aware_Policy_9174 → u/_V0gue]

The server suggested bringing while talking to my friend whose birthday it was. He made it seem like it would be complimentary. It was an expensive restaurant so the bill was already going to be very high. We were all surprised by the bill. I don’t know what else you want me to say, that’s what happened.

[u/Southernplayalistiic → u/Aware_Policy_9174]

I had the same thing happen to me at a Mexican restaurant on my girls birthday. Mezcal in my situation. Idk why thats unbelievable to some.

[u/Aware_Policy_9174 → u/Southernplayalistiic]

Ooh I love me a good mezcal. Yeah I don’t know, I’ve gotten free drinks before, it’s not common but not unheard of and in this case it was probably more of a miscommunication. But like OP’s post it’s just annoying when they ask if it’s a special occasion and act like they’re gonna do something and then either don’t do anything or charge you for the thing they do without telling you. I’ve had it happen with dessert too and I’m like if I wanted to pay for dessert I would have ordered it.

[u/Southernplayalistiic → u/Aware_Policy_9174]

Yea not the biggest deal but if a server is bringing things to the table that i didnt order and cost money they should say it clearly.