A small dish served at izakayas when you sit down (often serving as a cover/seat charge); equivalent to 'tsukidashi' or 'oshibori' style appetizer.
この店のお通しは日替わりで、今日は冷やしトマトだった。
This place's otoshi changes daily; today it was chilled tomatoes.
お通しは要らないと伝えたら、代わりに安い料金にしてくれた。
When I told them I didn't want the otoshi, they lowered the charge instead.
初めての店でお通しが出るのは普通のことだ。
It's normal for a new-to-you izakaya to serve an otoshi.