For a long while we have noticed an annoying trend in many restaurants. An increasing number have a no-water policy: They do not serve free water to diners even when requested. Instead, we have to buy their bottled water. Not only is the bottled water overpriced, the bottles are eco-unfriendly as well. We find this [...]
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Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.
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kwww
2 commentsPosted June 24, 2009 at 6:15 pmSeoul Garden also don’t serve water!
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csk
1 commentPosted June 25, 2009 at 5:11 pmpizza de donato
ghim moh & 6th avenue
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Karen
3 commentsPosted June 29, 2009 at 5:54 pmBakerzin does not serve water!
I am so happy you are compiling this list. Not only is it unacceptable for them to force customers to pay extra, but it is also harming the environment!
Bottled water is one of the worst worst worst things we can do to the environment– ESPECIALLY in Singapore where the PUB gaurantees that all water from ANY TAP (even the one garden hoses connect to) is within international standards for potable, drinkable, safe, clean (how many more ways can I put it?!) water!
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Why don’t u number yr list as well? That way, we see at a glance how many n thus how common the practice (if possible put yr total upon the total no. of restaurants in s’pore — or if that’s too massive a job to compile, why not break up the restaurants which don’t supply water into high, mid and low price?) thanks!
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 10:17 pm
- Posted July 6, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Thank you Veron… numbering is helpful… since most are visitors’ contribution, mayb u shld have some disclaimer somewhere to say that u r not responsible for the reliability of the info but that users shld check for themselves. That way, u can avoid wronged restaurants/low priced dining fm coming after u! Yes, u do have a beautifully designed blog… n love all yr travel pieces which make the places come alive!
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Chris
1 commentPosted June 30, 2009 at 7:10 pmMaybe you could provide contact details in your list so we could start to complain? I think these restaurants are clueless.
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pablo
1 commentPosted July 2, 2009 at 9:11 pmFound a restaurant that doesn’t serve tap water, TOTALLY ridiculous we came and spent hundreds of dollars here and they refused to serve tap water and I don’t buy bottled water so we ended up ordering their crappy sugared-up “teas”: Cafe Le Caire at 39 Arab St. Pls add them to the list so ppl know!!
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razhu
1 commentPosted July 8, 2009 at 12:48 amYes seriously, Singaporean restaurants should serve water.
I frequent Japan alot and they even give free flow of Japanese tea/water in most of their eateries. Even food courts and stufff.
Isn’t that such a nice culture. - Posted July 8, 2009 at 11:03 am
Great2 that u take feedback so positively. Yr disclaimer is also well written n complete…
Here’s to more such useable lists! Palms 2gther!
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doublestandard
1 commentPosted July 8, 2009 at 12:54 pmI have a question though; why do we not question restaurants that do not serve tap water overseas? When we travel, especially to Europe, we take it for granted that no tap water is served and that mineral/bottled water is the norm?
Would this be a case of double standards?
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Jeff
9 commentsPosted July 10, 2009 at 12:51 amInteresting News
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25756635-5001021,00.html
Australian town bans bottled water.
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Veshali Visvanaath
1 commentPosted July 10, 2009 at 11:00 amHi There,
I would just like to bring it to your notice that we actually serve water at Muthu’s Curry.We stopped serving water when we moved into our new premise in 2004 because our staff could not cope with the request for water during peak periods. Our regulars showed unhappiness and we immediately tore down the policy.
We realize that our name is on your blog. Please do the needful or please feel free to mail me for any further info.
Cheers
Veshali -
wendy
8 commentsPosted July 11, 2009 at 11:50 pmmy mum’s cuisine paragon.
i was there this evening. apart from the no tap water policy….. there was an Indian lady in the table behind us. looked like she could have been a tourist. one person sitting in a table for 2. ordered a drink. while drinking her drink, the manageress? cheif waitress came over to her and asked her if she would like to order, the indian lady said she only wanted a drink. she was then told by manager in not so many words that she had to shove fast so that other people could have the table, time was about 9pm.. no queue for tables and at least 4 empty big tables empty. - Posted July 12, 2009 at 9:35 am
hrm on another note, would it be ok for u to link the reader feedback to the specific comment post, makes it easier to search…..
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 11:07 pm
- Posted July 13, 2009 at 12:21 am
no i kinda meant of like when a someone says something like XXX restaruant doesn;t sere water, its a comment with a link right, u should add it, easier to search for the specfic reustaruants mentioned XD
on a legal way, its keeps these ignorant ppl from acting blind and pointing @ u? XD
just my two cents, nice list… XD
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B L Oh
1 commentPosted July 12, 2009 at 10:56 amCrystal Jade at B2 Ngee Ann City charges for tap water also. Wonder if it is a common policy across all Crystal Jade outlets…
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Jin
2 commentsPosted July 12, 2009 at 11:36 amGood stuff here!
Despite having a fondness for the cakes at Bakerzin (then Baker’s Inn), I stopped freqenting their outlets when they stopped serving water many years back. Despite what some proprietors may think, there are strong sentiments against such practice.
Veron, perhaps a system to put establishments on and off the list, if time permits?
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm
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Jin
2 commentsPosted July 13, 2009 at 3:40 pmNo, not exactly.
I see there is already an informal system going though – For example, an establishment would be put onto the list if it is verified (e.g. perhaps by a pre-determined number of postings stating so) and taken off only when a representative from the establishment comes forward to clarify.
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My 2 cents
1 commentPosted July 12, 2009 at 11:42 amThis was written in response to the article in The Sunday Times (July 12,2009).
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To: Gracie Vitale, La Forketta, who was quoted “Our patrons are serious diners and come for our food, not to taste water. It’s the customer with a budget who insists on tap water”- How arrogant! Are customers with a budget not serious diners? Are they not welcome to patronise your restaurant? How snobbish.
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To Jeffrey Jumahat, Cafe Le Caire, who was quoted “To be frank, I don’t think customers will just boycott because of water. There’s no urgent need to take action at this point of time”– That is your prerogative, of course. Those who have tried and like the food may not boycott your establishment, but why turn away those who have yet to experience your cafe for a glass of water? Or why refuse your loyal customers the small favour?
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To Jack Chin, Mad Jack’s, who was quoted “People who complain are not educated about business costs because nothing is free”- I may not be as educated as Jack, but common sense suggests that if the success of your business teeters on the cost of a glass of water, it may be a good idea to re-visit your business plan. Consider perhaps selling your food from a pushcart instead of a restaurant.
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To Danny Ang, Alps Cafe, who was quoted as “I might consider raising the price of the food to give everyone free water”- That’s fair. Then you only have to balance your price with the food quality and overall dining experience of your cafe. Although I didn’t realise that your prices were determined specifically on the assumption that you would not be serving water to the customers in the first place.
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Finally, I thought it was natural and in our culture to offer our visitors a drink. Shouldn’t this courtesy be extended to one’s customers? When did the restaurant business become so coldly calculating that simple graciousness is sacrificed for the sake of saving a few cents?….my 2 cents.
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DC
3 commentsPosted July 12, 2009 at 12:10 pmDamn right. I’ve never went to these restaurants but you can be sure I’ll never go there now, even if the food is good. You can find great food elsewhere. I’ve been to many fine dining places which give free water. Pay $12++ for a bottle of mineral water? I would rather spend that on another dessert.
Does it mean because we are not given free water, their prices are actually lower? Nope, I don’t think so.
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 11:14 pm
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Jeff
9 commentsPosted July 14, 2009 at 1:16 amThis is an interesting statement
“Danny Ang, Alps Cafe, who was quoted as “I might consider raising the price of the food to give everyone free water”sounds typically PAP.
want cheap cars, raise erp
want more frequent mrt/buses, raise fares
want more taxis, raise fares
want better medical, raise charges
want better govt, raise minister’s payhow utterly ridiculous.
raise prices to give free water…
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leeks
1 commentPosted July 12, 2009 at 12:07 pm“Bliss Waterfront Dining & Bar (Punggol Park)”
they don’t have any service charge, so maybe you would want to remove them from your list.
* I dont know anyone who owns this bar. i just stay nearby. :)
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I am a retired banker who still enjoys going all over for fine dining with my wife periodically. When i was working i probably will not be bother with your list as most of the time i was earning good money and spending on expense accounts. Now that i have retired, your list is most useful to me and all my fellow retired buddies too. I am circulating it to all my retired colleagues, associates, lawyer friends and i am sure they will find it useful……..as anything that can help us save money is good in such difficult time.
Good work Veron…..you will go far. For someone so young, you have vision and understand what the masses appreciate and want. Dont be scared by all these talks by some joints saying that your act is libelous. Let them come . Reason is there are lawyers out there who appreciate your list. I am sure they will come to your defense if the threat is real.
Come to thing of it. You dont have to talk of boycott. Just network and build up the list and reach the widest audience. Let nature takes its course. Human nature is such regardless of how rich you are. Any suggestion that can help a man to save a dime is always welcome. Tell that to Sam Walton ( founder of Wal Mart ) one of the world richest, and he will drink to that.
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anon
1 commentPosted July 12, 2009 at 1:18 pmgd work
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Veron, how about a blog post about the restaurants that have started serving courtesy tap water again as a result of this list? They deserve the commendation for being proactive in engaging their customers, so why not a promotion stint for them?
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