New Serving Practice or Coincidence?

Speaking of server Jedi Mind Tricks...

Recently while visiting, it was still hot in Louisville and I drink water with my meal in addition to adult beverages and I prefer it cold.

Near the end of my trip It dawned on me that every single dinner service restaurant served water without ice. They of course replaced my water or added ice when I requested it but this was the first time where it seemed obvious that they were intentionally leaving out the ice on a first pour.

Is this now commonplace with a reason or just a coincidence?

[Robin Garr]

Not commonplace. I don't think I've seen that at all. And I would not be shy about asking for a little ice. Or a lot!

A number of places do this, for sure. Doc Crow's and Hillbilly Tea come immediately to mind. Small, juice-sized glass of room-temperature-or-slightly-cooler water on the table when you're seated, and if you choose to stick with water instead of ordering another drink, they'll bring you a carafe to refill your little glass. But no ice and no larger glasses unless you ask for it.

Yes, I've seen this several times recently. Not a fan.

Just spent 4 days in NYC and didn't get a single glass of ice water, all room temp.

Recently dined at Silver Dollar and Mesh. Both no ice, Silver Dollar small glass, room temp.

[Robin Garr]

Just spent 4 days in NYC and didn't get a single glass of ice water, all room temp.

NYC was like that when we lived there in the '90s, and people seemed to prefer it that way. A lot of my friends hated ice in soft drinks even more. Apparently they felt it was taking up space that they had paid to have filled with Coke.

Having suddenly adopted the European practice of serving water without ice? As any of you who have traveled to Europe know I exist treated like it's gold many places in Europe. Hopefully this doesn't become common place here.

Anybody have any idea why restaurants are starting to do this? Is it because they're trying to encourage people to drink more expensive beverages?

I have noticed this, and don't mind it. I'm not a big water drinker with meals.