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Why do restaurants serve bread..?

post #1 of 59
2/25/09 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 
It seems like this is expected and never questioned. In certain cases I can see the reason, Central/South Asian cuisine- Unless you're eating rice, that is what the food is eaten with; unlike western cuisine, in these cuisines its used 'to scoop it up', not accompany. Italian cuisine - If you don't have a 'primi' then the meal can lack carbs and not be filling. As far as French/British/American/Spanish/German/Fusion/Haute/whatever cuisine goes, I really cannot understand the concept of bread...
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post #2 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:02pm
I don't follow.

Are you suggesting that bread is somehow not central to European cuisines?

"Give us this day our daily bread" -- that ring a bell?
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post #3 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by auto90403 View Post
I don't follow.

Are you suggesting that bread is somehow not central to European cuisines?

"Give us this day our daily bread" -- that ring a bell?

No, is that from an Anne Rice novel?
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post #4 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by auto90403 View Post
I don't follow. Are you suggesting that bread is somehow not central to European cuisines?
No, I am asking why restaurants serve it. Re-read question...
Quote:
"Give us this day our daily bread" -- that ring a bell?
So what? 1. You use a Christian-centric quote, when in fact most of modern western Europe is atheist with the exception of Italy, which I'm ignoring for this question anyway. 2. When you cook at home, do you serve bread 15 minutes before the first course is ready?
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post #5 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:07pm
It's to give those people who do not order appetizers something to do while they wait for food. Otherwise, they might be up in arms when the food doesn't arrive quickly.
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post #6 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:09pm
I enjoy eating bread with my meal, unless it's pasta, risotto or some starch-based meal. What I dislike a little is when people throw themselves on the bread basket and eat two rolls covered with butter before the appetizers come out. Not sure why it bugs me but I find that both distasteful and opposite to the objective of going to a restaurant to enjoy a good meal (I can get bread and cheap butter anywhere - why fill myself up with that stuff?)
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post #7 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
I enjoy eating bread with my meal, unless it's pasta, risotto or some starch-based meal. What I dislike a little is when people throw themselves on the bread basket and eat two rolls covered with butter before the appetizers come out. Not sure why it bugs me but I find that both distasteful and opposite to the objective of going to a restaurant to enjoy a good meal (I can get bread and cheap butter anywhere - why fill myself up with that stuff?)
Fuck. I agree. Though I like eating bread with seafood pastas, for some reason.
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post #8 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
I enjoy eating bread with my meal, unless it's pasta, risotto or some starch-based meal. What I dislike a little is when people throw themselves on the bread basket and eat two rolls covered with butter before the appetizers come out. Not sure why it bugs me but I find that both distasteful and opposite to the objective of going to a restaurant to enjoy a good meal (I can get bread and cheap butter anywhere - why fill myself up with that stuff?)

What if the restaurant has amazing bread service and great butter? I sometimes eat too much bread cuz it's too damn good...
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post #9 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cchen View Post
What if the restaurant has amazing bread service and great butter? I sometimes eat too much bread cuz it's too damn good...
Good point. E.g. the rolls at Blue Hill @ SB are so delicious that I could eat those in lieu of an appetizer

However, I very rarely encounter bread that's so good that it would make sense to fill up on it. Nothing I hate more than being too full for dessert - that's a real crime.
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post #10 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdl203 View Post
I enjoy eating bread with my meal, unless it's pasta, risotto or some starch-based meal. What I dislike a little is when people throw themselves on the bread basket and eat two rolls covered with butter before the appetizers come out. Not sure why it bugs me but I find that both distasteful and opposite to the objective of going to a restaurant to enjoy a good meal (I can get bread and cheap butter anywhere - why fill myself up with that stuff?)

Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
Fuck. I agree. Though I like eating bread with seafood pastas, for some reason.

I agree for the most part. But I do remember eating at particularly good Italian restaurants where they served fresh baked bread and a nice dipping sauce or olive oil--sometimes you just can't help yourself. Good food is good food, regardless whether it's bread, app, main, or dessert.
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post #11 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
Fuck. I agree. Though I like eating bread with seafood pastas, for some reason.

Barbarian!
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post #12 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:16pm
More perceived value for your money, Americans (and maybe Europeans) expect to have some kind of bread with any meal (toast with breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, etc..), fills you up so you're guaranteed not to leave hungry.
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post #13 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:18pm
Interesting observation. It's something that's just done and not questioned, I guess.

If they stop serving bread would people order more food?

How about stop serving water and make you buy drinks?
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post #14 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lee_44106 View Post
Interesting observation. It's something that's just done and not questioned, I guess. If they stop serving bread would people order more food? How about stop serving water and make you buy drinks?
Here's my rule: if the bread is bad, don't serve it unless asked. I don't want to eat crappy bread at a restaurant. Speaking of which, this chinese/cuban place that I frequent always gives me supermarket french bread, even for takeouts. Now, I understand that bread goes with some of the cuban dishes. But, bread and stir fry gai lan in oyster sauce? Bizzare.
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post #15 of 59
2/25/09 at 4:23pm
It is ludicrous to extend this observation to the French. Bread, cheese, and wine are the culinary trinity.
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