so we decided to try Estadio for the first time last night and walked in at 8:00 w/o reservations. the place was already packed with the young and the beautiful. we enjoyed the very tasty white sangria and a delicious cured meat assortment while we waited the hour or so for a table. our dishes were quite tasty and the place, on the whole, was charming and warm even for the confused hostess stand, spotty service and inconsistent pacing.
so what am i going to remember about the restaurant? the fact that they charge $2 for bread! Is this something that is becoming more prevalent around town? in my experience it is only the case in Indian restaurants and always has been. for me its not about the $2, its about hospitality (or the lack thereof) and leaving with the feeling that this restaurant is just piling on. we spent well over $100 for two people on a handful of small plates and some garden variety Spanish wine. i'm ok with that; at the same time recognizing that their margins are most likely very healthy. I understand that some restaurants waste a ton of bread and that it costs money. i wouldn't have a problem with requiring patrons to request bread specifically to cut down on the waste. but to charge 2 bucks? seems petty and inhospitable.
Is this just another Larry David moment for me or do others feel the same?