A week has so many items of interest, newsworthy pieces that somehow skip thru the blog cracks. Each week ends with a larger pile of possibilities. Here’s this week’s Round Up:
–The BPA controversy continues. Remember not that long ago the FDA said plastic containers that still held BPA were OK. The news was a little iffy for many people and they went out and bought BPA-free containers. Stores heard the cry and increased their supply of BPA-free water bottles and assorted sized food containers. They were able to charge a little more, OK, make that a lot more, as they were free of the dreaded, uncertain BPA. Now the FDA has new words on this topic. They are urging greater caution. Here is their most recent statement.
–Chefs who are hired to create a space need to listen to their bosses. They will not survive if they are out on the solo creative limb. See Fabio Trabocchi, one of my favorite chef geniuses, but he did not hear the words spoken and unspoken by the regulars at The Four Seasons New York. He could not man the space and just follow his heart. He had to follow what management wanted; in other words, the same Four Seasons type menu that has been filling the space for years. He was not given a restaurant to make his own as when he created Maestro at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner. He had to conform and give the Four Seasons guests what they expected: Nothing New. He was ousted this week. January is not a good month for him!
–Tom Colicchio of New York restaurant fame but more recently Bravo’s Top Chef has tried to make and remake his restaurants into more affordable destinations. He had started to cook again and not just be a celebrity chef (Tom: Tuesday Dinner was his first attempt). His Craftsteak was always a step ahead of the menu mavens, but the concept seemed too expensive for those just looking for a steak. Now he’s ready to showcase Colicchio & Sons in that space. More of a relaxed, less expensive, fun vibe with a focus on more local purveyors.
–Restaurant Weeks have once again proven popular and convincing as many restaurants decided a single seasonal week is not enough. Business has been too good so in various locations throughout the country, a sizable list of restaurants are turning the one-week promotion into a longer lasting, table-filling affair. Sububran restaurants have banded together and decided they, too, could offer their own week or multi-week promotions. (Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week).
–More Gluten-Free products hit the market. How about Risotto Chips from the folks that sell Bagel Crisps. Smart move into an ever-growing category of G-F free snacks. Arborio rice now has found a home in 3 distinct rice chip flavors: Spicy marinara, Parmesan & roasted garlic, and sea salt, the new darling of the scoopable chip industry.
–Today is the first day of the West Coast version of the Specialty Food Show, the Winter Fancy Food Show in SF. How about a little chocolate water? The Metromint folks have a new drink: ChocolateMint Water (zero calories, just essence of mint and chocolate). Just when you thought you had tried every possible flavored water. More from this show later.
So many stories. SO much news.
Enjoy your Sunday with its Starbucks newspaper insert: All-day oatmeal and hot panini $1 off coupon (good til March 8th).
See what I mean: Hard to stop telling you about the news you need to know!
and replace it with a “Closed” one: Permanently . That is the same story that occurred not that many weeks ago in Washington, DC with Olives, the popular Todd English restaurant just blocks from the White House. Same Scenario: “Renovation” became “Closed”. Name a city, and the story has repetitive qualities. It’s a war of the plates. Those restaurants that were merely hanging on are finding it difficult to grab an additional lifeline.
movie has encouraged a number of special events and promotions. It seems that restaurants are celebrating the movie, the anniversary of her birthday, and just about any Julia Child connection they can make. All of a sudden, everyone wants to be a French chef!
It was just 
Adjust. Listen to your guests. Find a direction.
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I love the promos that have a short time window. As if they know something no one else knows. Like we are just giving you a 2-week boost because we know things will be better in 3! Ha! Doesn’t work like that.
Let’s argue with the calendar: The summer mindset has kicked in. It’s as if everyone turned on his grill at the same time. Wonderful smells waft thru the neighborhoods and the stores are filled with an air of excitement–everyone’s asking what are you doing this weekend?