Staff of life going AWOL?
Colleague Mary Jane Park asked a good question the other day: Had I noticed now that a lot of restaurants will remove the bread basket after appetizers have been served? She cited recent experiences at The Palm and Ocean Prime as evidence. I mulled it over for a bit and, indeed, I have begun to see that trend. You're chatting, you're nibbling your salad and--whoosh--the bread has been whisked to an undisclosed location.
Makes sense. Restaurants are hurting and here's this product they give away for free, day in and day out. Instead, give them a little at the outset, when customers are crazy-hungry (and apt to be crabby), but then let 'em fill up on the stuff they pay for. Maybe more desserts get sold this way. Anyone else seeing this?
(Photo from Forno Bravo)
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
I was at Bonefish recently and was told by a server that they don't bring bread out anymore unless it's specifically asked for.
Posted by: Gregg | February 20, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Besides seeing one well known (and not cheap) restaurant saying that they'll only bring out bread if it's requested, I've seen several others say when asked for bread that "It's in the oven being baked fresh." Then it takes a while for it to come out.
Posted by: Mister G | February 20, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Went to Malios Prime last night with two other couples. The service was very poor and the food wasn't much better. When a member of our party asked for bread and butter the server chuckled an didn't come back. Then there was no waiter then two waiters then one waiter. We ordered wine and after 20 min. we were informed it was out of stock. Then we ordered another bottle of different wine and it arrived 45 mins. later.
We had a tasteless appetizer and a terrible caesar salad. We asked for our steaks to be devoid of any seasonings and they came out loaded with salt, pepper and msg. The seafood dishes ordered were filled with lots of pasta and very little seafood.
To top it off we were charged a 20% tip. The restaurant is overly expensive and needs major problem repair. I would't return nor would I reccommend it.
Posted by: Dr. David Camp | February 22, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Dr. David, you should post your review on the FL Chowhound board
Posted by: Erica | February 23, 2009 at 07:58 AM
That is soooo correct about Malios..the worst chow for the dough in the Bay area. Their food wasnt great at the old location but at least you weren't paying a fortune for it...and the service was better.
Posted by: Coach Bill | February 23, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Extreme rendition so that the bread can be shot in the face by Dick Cheney in his "undisclosed location?" Or was this change first noticed after Biden was sworn in? Next Republican battle cry "Keep your bread for yourself!"
...
I've gotta believe that bread is such a small cost that it is more of a more-room-for-dessert angle. What they'll have a tough time telling is what portion of their business they lost due to the bread change. Both effects must be soooo small, that it's gotta be better for the restaraunteurs to focus on the important things. Make the food good and the customers happy.
Posted by: Ed C. | February 23, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I went to Texas Cattle Company last Friday and forgot all about the bread on the table. It actually wound up in the to go box...
Posted by: Guido Longfellow | February 23, 2009 at 04:50 PM