Won't offer tap water??
Jul 18, 2013 | 9:36 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred
Posts: 3,617
When my family lived in Taiwan in the late 60's, we didn't use the tap water without boiling, but living in Heidelberg in the mid 70's we used it freely without any concern or problem. I never even heard it suggested that the water was not safe.
Jul 19, 2013 | 1:32 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 3,081
In England and Wales any licensed premises have to offer free tap water.
Jul 19, 2013 | 11:30 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX / PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,037
Klsch is cheaper than water in nearly every restaurant in Cologne!
Jul 20, 2013 | 6:46 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,213
...and what part of Germany was that? In the summer of 1982, I spent 6 weeks in a small town outside of Freiburg, 1 week in Augsburg, a week in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and a few days in Mnchen. Not only did we brush our teeth with tap water; we drank the water too.
Jul 20, 2013 | 12:57 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 738
Probably a big difference between East and West Germany prior to the unification.
Jul 20, 2013 | 1:01 pm
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,571
The trend here (in California) is to serve filtered tap, which sometimes tastes better than regular tap water but is much more environmentally friendly than bottled. The machines for filtering are not cheap, and many restaurants are adding a couple of dollars as a water service charge to cover the cost, though many are also just providing the water for free. The machines can also add carbonation to the water, and that is also sometimes provided for free. I think it's a great trend.
Aug 14, 2013 | 5:40 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
water shortage could be the problem
In NYC (and I'm sure elsewhere), particularly in the summer, the reservoirs can be low, so restaurants do NOT routinely supply tap water with meals unless requested.
[NYC water is "safe", in some tastings it has gotten high marks. Right now, summer of 2013, the reservoirs are at normal levels, so this is not an issue.]
[NYC water is "safe", in some tastings it has gotten high marks. Right now, summer of 2013, the reservoirs are at normal levels, so this is not an issue.]
Aug 19, 2013 | 2:05 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 400
Waiter: "Ohne gas oder mit gas?"
Me (first time in Germany): "Pardon?"
Waiter: "You want bubbles?"
Me: "Um, no"
Aug 19, 2013 | 2:10 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt something
Posts: 34,506
I ordered tap water in Copenhagen a few years back. And that's what I got. I was shocked to get charged a few Euros or so, for it. Buried deep in the menu, was a line that detailed the cost.
Aug 23, 2013 | 8:07 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 400
I don't disagree with you, but I think that's more of an American sentiment. Definitely not true in Western Europe. Probably true for Eastern Europe and Asia. Just my experience and opinion.
Aug 23, 2013 | 9:16 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,784
Tap water is an unusual in SE Asia, but most restaurants -- even relatively nice ones -- will generally have basic bottled drinking water, and at least at local ones, it'll often be very cheap even if the rest of the menu is spendy by local standards.
Aug 24, 2013 | 1:49 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
The trend here (in California) is to serve filtered tap, which sometimes tastes better than regular tap water but is much more environmentally friendly than bottled. The machines for filtering are not cheap, and many restaurants are adding a couple of dollars as a water service charge to cover the cost, though many are also just providing the water for free. The machines can also add carbonation to the water, and that is also sometimes provided for free. I think it's a great trend.
In Canada, there is a growing trend for filtered tap water. One of the top fine dining restaurants in Canada, whom I'm a landlord, used Q water brand filtered type water (not sure if reverse osmosis is involved). It was delicious, and I usually can't tell filtered water from tap water. The filtered water served was $2 pp, but the total cost collected was donated to charitable causes.
Aug 24, 2013 | 3:32 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,784
The couple of restaurants I've been to that do it just call it out as complimentary. One of my favorites (house of prime rib) asks you if you want complimentary still or sparkling water (you can ask for both, but they don't offer), and brings it in a glass carafe (or two) to the table. It's only if you look closely at the carafe that you see it's branded filtered stuff (and house-carbonated, if sparkling) and not bottled water.
Aug 24, 2013 | 4:38 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,716
I love the fact that in Edinburgh, diners have basically trained restaurants that we will drink tap water in preference to bottled. If we want bottled, we will ask for it. Otherwise, we're good with tap, thank you - which generally tastes good here. Even our recent excursion to one of the best known Michelins, they had a jug of tap water ready to go for those that wanted and offered it without a quibble.
It's just petty on the part of a restaurant to refuse to serve tap water unless they have a good reason (poor quality water), and I'm pretty sure if I encountered an attitude like that, they would get less spend from me, not more. So much for the concept of 'service'.
It's just petty on the part of a restaurant to refuse to serve tap water unless they have a good reason (poor quality water), and I'm pretty sure if I encountered an attitude like that, they would get less spend from me, not more. So much for the concept of 'service'.
So far, I've never encountered a problem with asking for tap water except at the Conrad Rangali. We'd been there 5 or 6 days, happily drinking filtered water. The staff changed and we asked for filtered water and the waiter said they could serve only bottled. We insisted on filtered and got it. I just don't see paying an arm and a leg for bottled water when good, drinkable water is available. (I also hate paying for bread in Italian restaurants when I don't eat bread.)