Fewer restaurant patrons [1], more recession dining specials [2]: If you've dined out at all in the past year, it's been impossible not to notice the impact that the economy's [3] had on the restaurant industry. The latest development? Establishments have begun charging patrons for bread [4].

Restaurants such as Momofuku Ssäm Bar [5] in Manhattan, Fog City Diner [6] in San Francisco, and Spring Hill [7] in Seattle are pairing artisan bread with specialty olive oil or butter and charging anywhere from $3 to $8 for bread as an appetizer.

I'm not surprised by this gutsy restaurant move; it makes sense.

The bitter reality is that many restaurants are on the verge of financial collapse, and this strategy may be one way to stay afloat. It's also an effective way to cut down on wasted food. Do you agree with my argument? Would you mind paying to have bread at your meal?

Source [8]