Gassata or Naturale?

I'm returning to the La Sosta Enoteca/Bottled Water Tab Padding issue. I saw a friend yesterday. This friend and her husband are Italian. I told them about La Sosta Enoteca in Hermosa Beach and about my previous article. I mentioned the bottled water issue and how they really seem to push it, so don't be afraid to just say "No!".
My friend surprised me. She said that in Italy they only serve bottled water at restaurants so the custom is to ask which you prefer, sparkling or flat?
Whoa, it's a cultural thing. I will no longer say a disparaging word about the staff at La Sosta with regards to their bottled water obsession.
Perhaps the issue may now rest?

Sparkling or Flat Revisited at La Sosta

We dined at LaSosta Enoteca for a second time this past week. The experience was even better this time. We shared one of the special starters - a platter of hot polenta, sauteed porcini mushrooms in a light wine sauce and chunks of sweet gorgonzola. We loved the way the blue cheese melted into the polenta. B had the rabbit loin which was described as stuffed with pancetta but in actuality the lovely rich and saucy chopped stuffing was made of the kidney, liver, etc. from the rabbit. It was tender and utterly perfect.
I had the sliced filet served over arugula with perfectly cooked chopped swiss chard and a pile of strips of roasted red and yellow peppers. The beef was tender enough to eat using only a fork. It's well seasoned, lean and of obvious quality.
We ordered a wonderfully well balanced Barolo to go with it all and were not disappointed.
They treated us to a profiterole dessert for our anniversary celebration, which was very sweet.
But what about the water you ask?
Two different servers offered us "Flat or Sparkling?" and in both cases we made a point of clearly picking "Tap.", which wasn't even offered. So, I must revisit my earlier discussion of other reviews which claimed that tabs were padded with expensive bottled water charges. I have to agree that a certain amount of pushing of the bottled is going on here. I don't like it.

Sparkling, Flat or Tap?

The reviews of La Sosta Enoteca which mentioned tab padding with expensive bottled water has been on my mind as of late. How can you criticize an establishment for giving you what you asked for? NEVER has a restaurant given me bottled water without my approval. It's important for all consumers to be aware of the inevitable question which is the title of this piece and to provide an answer that will make your experience as you wish. If you want to know how much the water costs, ask. Never be intimidated (by a waiter no less!) into ordering something you don't want.
The bottled water at a restaurant issue died a tragic death for me when I caught Penn and Teller's BULLSH**! show on the subject. It was hilarious and worth searching for. In the show they not only replaced the water in each of the fancy bottles with tap from a hose in the back of the restaurant, they also created a fancy water tasting menu and had many takers trying to discern the differences between them. The mind is a powerful thing and I guess if you are paying $10 to compare the taste and clarity of five different waters... well your brain just loves to be creative especially when under pressure from a snotty waiter hovering above your table at a fine dining establishment.
So, now I only order bottled water (flat, no bubbles for me please) when I'm in a foreign country whose water supply I do not trust OR if I try the tap water offered and find it nasty tasting.
If you don't want it, just say "No, thank you". It's as simple as that.