High-concept cocktails that take 10 minutes to make took a backseat to simpler cocktails made well this year. Small flourishes helped attract customers, such as the mole bitters that the Omni Hotels & Resorts added to its Old Fashioned cocktails in Texas or the black walnut bitters they added to […]
Read moreIndependent restaurants across the country upgraded their coffee offerings this year as customers became more accustomed to the higher-end brews of specialists such as Portland, Ore.-base Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Oakland, Calif.-based Blue Bottle Coffee. Exhibitors at Coffee Fest in New York City in March reported a marked increase in […]
Read moreLocal craft beer is a well-established trend now, but local distilled spirits have been coming on strong in the past couple of years. The Atlantic magazine reports that the number of small distilleries has jumped from 70 in 2003 to more than 600 today, and the American Craft Spirits Association […]
Read moreRestaurant chains have been experimenting with “hand-crafted” sodas that often have more sophisticated flavors and are slightly less sweet than traditional soft drinks. Starbucks this summer debuted a line of Fizzio sodas carbonated to order, available in three flavors: Spiced Root Beer, Golden Ginger Ale and Lemon Ale. Sonic Drive-In […]
Read morePerhaps bolstered by the popularity of the protein-rich Paleo diet, consumers this year clamored for more meat. Pita Pit scored a home run with its “double meat Wednesdays” promotion. In fact, customers reportedly kept ordering double meat on hump day even after the promotion stopped. Firehouse Subs rolled out a […]
Read moreBánh mì The Vietnamese sandwich, traditionally with roast pork, pâté, marinated and fresh vegetables, and herbs on a baguette crossed further over to mainstream this year as Yum Brands Inc. opened the first location of fast-casual concept Banh Shop, specializing in the sandwich (pictured), in Dallas this fall. Which Wich […]
Read moreMany restaurants found great success this year with mash-ups, taking two crowd-pleasers and merging them into one menu item. Last year’s croissant-doughnut hybrid, the Cronut, at Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City, was imitated this year by the Croisbun at Au Bon Pain, the Croissant Donut first at Jack […]
Read moreSpicy hamburgers It was a year of chiles in general, but especially on hamburgers, for which Sriracha, poblano and habanero were among the fastest growing menu descriptors, according to menu research firm Datassential. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers topped its Big Sky Burger with Sriracha sauce, The Tilted Kilt used grilled […]
Read moreChocoChicken Umami Burger founder Adam Fleischman, whose Los Angeles-based AdVantage Restaurant Partners is developing a number of new concepts, opened ChocoChicken in downtown Los Angeles in June, featuring chocolate-infused fried chicken. The casual-dining restaurant was developed with movie producer Sean Robins and chef Keith Previte, who form ChocoChicken Group along […]
Read moreTy helps Tiffany get a job!After weeks of applying to positions, I found Ty Clifton's posting and heard back from him in less than a day. Ty went above and beyond to make sure I understood exactly what the position and company were about and most importantly, how I could make the best first impression. After providing great insight and advice on interviewing, I felt confident to show off my skills and received an offer! Not only was Ty's professionalism exceptional, but his commitment to making sure I was comfortable with every step of the process was amazing. I cannot thank Ty enough for his help and for placing me with this great company and team! Tiffany Meehan
