 | Adam H.( 20s, Male, London )Hi Lesley Your post is interesting. Are you doing some research on UK restaurants? I think we are definitely seeing a resurgence in ‘British food classics’ on menus with the likes of Mark Hix's new restaurant and Dean Street Townhouse. I also think some restaurants are starting to put more emphasis on using local and seasonal products as much as possible. Adam
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| Permanent link to this post February 2010 |
 | Thanks Adam. I am putting together a thought piece on restaurants, trends and how their emotional/functional roles in people's lives are changing. I have noticed too the resurgence of British food and an interest in where things are sourced and dishes created… St John's – a gastro pub in Archway, London that I visited recently had a blackboard menu dedicated to ingredients sources listing butchers and farms. I think people are trying to balance out consumption with involvement and that they want to feel part of the process – it's no longer just about the end product.
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| Permanent link to this post February 2010 |
Posts: 1 | Dear Lesley, your article should be interesting but I suggest that because you are asking quite afew things, it maybe easier to split the post in several parts.
I love food and eating out, I hope my comments help you. While the recession was here, there were many deals and good offers to grab. It was easier to book but this is now becoming part of the past (even though the recession is not).
It has become increasingly difficult to book a table and many of the better restaurants do not longer have deals and if they do they are not that enticing. Certain places (like Zuma, Nobu, Cipriani, The Woseley… you get the picture) these never really did any deals and they remained packed.
There also seems to be an increase in organic product been cooked in ‘delis’ type of places. Places like Ottolenghi, Baker&Spice for ex, charge a fortune for food that is organic and looks/tastes delicious and that you can eat at home or at the place. i think their success is owed to the fact that they offer innovative food presented in a beautiful way that appeals to people who is used to eat out but cannot/do not want to do so as they prefer to eat at home (and drink their own wine).
Another trend that was fuelled by the recession was the increase of the ‘gourmet burger’ – a few years ago, it was difficult to find any good burger and now there are plenty of chains and all sort of restaurants offering their take on the gourmet burger. (same thing can probably be said about the tapas, grazing menus).
Canteen food is also all the rage… but this may have peaked as many of these canteens have been sold to funds who are not that interested in offering good value for money. And the quality has changed.
And yes, there seem to be more and more restaurants trying to serve locally sourced-food (even though they have nothing to do with Britain, like the mexican place Wahaca).
Hope it helps.
Good luck with your piece!
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| Permanent link to this post February 2010 |
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