sticking with the water theme

Dining out in Amsterdam is always a mixed bag.  Sometimes it is brilliant, the food is inspiring, the service surprising!  Often times it falls flat.  However, every single time you go out to eat here (breakfast, lunch or dinner) you are guaranteed to hit one obstacle.  Every.  Single.  Time.  The issue of ordering water.

It sounds simple enough, right?  Kind of a basic request.  Well, there is nothing simple or basic about it.  In fact many an argument have transpired all due to ordering water.  For starters, tap water (aka "water uit de kraan") is frowned upon by all wait staff.  That isn't to say that they don't drink it - the water here is perfectly fine - it is only that they don't serve it.  Instead, when you order a glass of water they correct you and ask if you would like either Spa Blauw (still) or Spa Rood (sparkling).  These are the only options, and the company Spa has the market.  Oh, and a small bottle of either will set you back close to 3 euros a pop!

So, usually the routine is that you then correct them and re-order your tap water.  This rarely works, but when it does you applaud yourself and look smug to the rest of your fellow diners that most likely didn't opt for the second try attack.  However, chances are you are instead told that the restaurant has a no tap water policy, and you are again instructed to choose from... you guessed it, Spa.  I have been with friends who have challenged the legality of this doctrine (and then I go hungry, because who is really going to risk eating their food after upsetting the establishment like this?)  The best I have seen is a half full glass of tap water after this argument, so really, there is no winning this one.

With beer and wine typically priced the same as good ole' Spa, it is no wonder why I often wake up with a headache here.