A reader e-mailed this morning to tell us about a South Minneapolis bistro (I won't say which one. . . .because this is a common practice) where she and a friend enjoyed their entrées but were completely put off after being charged separately for the bread -- a couple paltry, obviously store-bought slices of baguette served with two foil packs of butter.
"Our meal, with wine but no desserts, came to more than $60 for two," she wrote. "I can understand a restaurant trying to save money by not automatically setting out a bread basket. But once you've ordered -- at that price -- shouldn't bread be part of the deal?"
As one of those people who rarely eats bread, I'm sometimes surprised by the number of restaurants that still do set down a bulging basket at the outset of every meal. My husband might take a slice or two, but we'll typically send back half a loaf to be discarded (I hope!) in the kitchen.
Personally, I agree with our reader: the best solution is for patrons who want bread to request it, so entire baskets don't go to waste; but at a certain price point -- say, $20 a head -- it really should come gratis. Manna from. . . .well, you get the idea.
Dissenters?
I would guess Maudes where you also have to buy a pot of coffee as opposed to a cup w/a refill.
I had lunch there and it was fine, the burger was not worth 10.+, (the add ons will kill you) portions are samll for the price you pay. But hey, they have liquor!
I agree that there's no reason not to name names here. If it's a part of the dining experience - for good or bad- it seems part of the reviewer/blogger's responsibility to inform and attribute, not simply toss off as a curiousity.
I don't understand why you won't tell us the name of the place that charged for bread. Don't you want to prepare us so that we know that we will pay for bread if we choose to eat there? I would be curious why you won't just say the name of the place.
If you don't want to provide free bread, don't provide any bread. California Pizza Kitchen asks if you want bread, and then they bring out one piece for each person at the table. You can always ask for more. I like that.
Charging for bread is tacky.