In all my time of eating out at London restaurants, I’ve only been told I couldn’t have tap water once, and the look on my face caused the waiter to issue such a complicated explanation that I’ve managed to erase it completely from my memory. He must roll it out on a constant basis (‘No tap water? Whaaaa?’) and I did feel a bit sorry for him – not like it’s his fault. I had a beer instead.
Stranger still is that I’ve been charged for tap water at London restaurants more than a few times, which to me seems odd and unnecessary. It’s usually included in a cover charge of a pound or two that also includes bread or olives or snacks of some sort – although the last charge I encountered - at Boundary's Rooftop restaurant - offered none of those (cue jaw dropping). But then plenty of times I’ve had free tap water at London restaurants, not to mention free bread, and free olives too – so what gives?
And where does the charge come from? Sure, the jugs you serve it in might cost a pretty penny or two but to be honest a glass at the table is more than fine. As for fancy shmancy water filtration systems – I’ve drank out of a tap for my whole life and I’m still alive and well.
I must admit though that I don’t order tap water at London restaurants all the time – probably about half the times I go out. The reason? I really like sparkling… it’s like a soft drink but without the future tooth decay. And then of course there’s the wine…
But enough about my drink preferences. The big news recently is that London On Tap, an organisation dedicated to – you guessed it – getting everyone to drink tap water at London restaurants, bars, clubs and the like, has commissioned a carafe specifically designed to provide the capital with good ole tap water. The carafe is quite a snazzy looking thing and comes in various colours at a price of £120 for a box of twelve, and £1 from each carafe sold will be donated to the Water Aid charity. Celeb chefs behind the new carafe include Aldo Zilli of Signor Zilli and Zilli Fish, so be on the lookout for the new designs in his restaurants.
Anyway, all this talk is making me thirsty… anyone know where there’s a working water fountain in this city? Maybe that’s something we need to look into…
Tap water is one thing, but what is it with bottled water. Twice today I have been charged more for the water, than the beer, how am I ever going to be able to have a morning without a hangover!
Is it government policy to keep us drunk so we wont notice their hands in the till, or do we stay healthy, but financially poor.
On tap water issue I noticed in the latest review of Boundary, they have no tap water but their water is the same price as the lager. I better stop before I turn into a grumpy old man, too late doh.