Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development
Picture for Vegetable Alchemy
The game is afoot. The fire is lit. The hunt is on. The stakes are raised. Quite simply—the veg-centric movement is rolling along like thunder, and with each creative, craveable dish starring vegetables added to menus, consumer expectations go up.
Picture for Refining Flavor
Savvy menu developers know that making subtle but surprising recipe tweaks can result in stand-out signatures, gently guiding patrons along for a new and memorable flavor experience
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In the breakfast and brunch category, today’s dining consumer seems to be particularly receptive to global flavors, along with an openness to an almost-cheeky approach to both flavors and forms.
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Chicken moves into stardom when chefs show it some love, developing recipes that are delicious and trend-forward. Here are three dishes that stand out—each bringing a different approach to a very familiar protein.
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Three desserts that offer a unique experience while delivering comforting familiarity that seals the deal.
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Chefs are featuring pasta in unexpected, flavor-forward ways—and their guests are loving it.
Picture for 3 Clever Flavor Moves
Popular flavor systems can be re-tooled in ways that capture interest and deliver the promise of their original builds. Here are three great examples of creative play around road-tested flavor systems.
Picture for Mole Makes Moves
Chefs are discovering mole's potential, leveraging its earthy, rich blend of nuts, warm spices, chiles and more
Picture for 7 Cocktail Stand-Outs
Innovation in the cocktail space continues to thrill the thirsty and the adventurous, wowing with intriguing flavor combinations and head-turning presentations
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Ousia offers its Donut Pikilia: Housemade sampler of Halva Mousse with hazelnut chocolate, Mastiha Yogurt Mousse with pistachio glaze, and Spiced Apple
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Chefs continue to showcase creative burger development, leveraging the huge opportunity in one of America’s favorite dishes. We bring you three burger builds that demonstrate innovation.
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Innovating with wings showcases the constant need to update, tweak and improve—even on proven classics
Picture for 8 On-Trend Ideas For Eggs
The egg has ratcheted up its culinary pedigree in recent years. No longer just a morning food, it's now an entrée, a showstopper, a pizza topper, and a starring global ingredient.
Picture for Best of Dessert Trends
We profile four desserts all of which convey the constant tinkering with desserts that results in a “best” flavor build
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Egg Shop offers its Pepper Boy: Egg scramble, maple-cured pepper bacon, Gruyère, caramelized onion aïoli, bell peppers, panini roll
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Altabira City Tavern offers a Ribeye with poblano potato purée, melted leeks, wilted arugula, sautéed oyster mushrooms, roasted cipollini demi-glace
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Roofers Union offers a Chicken BBQ Pizza: Shredded chicken and barbecue sauce topped with pickled ramp bulbs and ramp purée
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The General Public offers Shakshuka with crushed tomato, cayenne, toasted cumin, smoked paprika, soft poached eggs and buttered baguette
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The Regency Bar & Grill offers a Diavolo Pizza with activated-charcoal crust, spicy pepperoni and ’nduja
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Taste Bar offers its Matcha Picchu: Matcha-infused pisco, Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum, allspice dram, coconut simple syrup, lemon
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Better Half offers its Silk Handkerchief Pasta: Hand-rolled pasta, garlic-porcini cream, wild mushrooms, tomato marmalade, Cotija, snow pea shoots
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Burlock Coast offers a Challah Brioche French Toast Sandwich: Challah with rum milk, rum cream, rum butter, fruit jam and pecans
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Reserve Wine & Food offers its Chocolate Mondae: Dark-chocolate ganache, milk-chocolate malt foam, Averna amaro semifreddo, cherry, cocoa nibs
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Idaho Potato Commission offers Idaho Potato and French Onion Soup: Baked russet potato, fontina, Asiago croutons, caramelized onions, bison stock, scallion, sour cream
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Coolinary Café offers Rabbit Sausage & Noodles with Spanish onion, olives, shiitake, oyster and trumpet mushrooms, jalapeño, broccolini and kale
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Buffalo Theory offers Sinigang Fried Chicken with vinegar, fish sauce and tamarind
Picture for These Wings Fly
Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen offers Thai Sticky Wings topped with peanuts, green onion and crispy spring-roll wrappers
Picture for That’s Amaro
Dianoia’s Eatery offers its Hot Buttered Amaro Cocktail: Amaro, vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, shaved nutmeg; served warm
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Nico Osteria offers a Lobster Spaghetti Pasta infused with lobster roe, blanched lobster meat, lobster miso sauce, guanciale and spring onion
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Farm Spirit offers Tetsukabuto Squash with wild stinging-nettle purée, hazelnut “yogurt,” wild cress
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Quiznos offers a Lobster & Seafood Scampi Bake: Garlic-baked lobster and seafood, mozzarella, mushrooms and onions, tomatoes, aïoli, served on artisan bread
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Viewhouse offers a Wasabi & Sweet Garlic Chicken Salad: Mixed greens, scallion, celery, carrots, Granny Smith apples, wasabi-aïoli dressing, chicken in chile-soy sauce
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Compass Group North America offers a BBQ Carrot Tostada: Crispy corn tostada topped with avocado, barbecue carrots, pineapple-zucchini salsa, garnished with scallions, carrot greens and cilantro
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Okeechobee Steakhouse offers a Cowboy Ribeye: slow roasted and served with housemade au jus
Picture for Fried Chicken’s New Look
Bessou offers Chicken Karaage: Japanese-style fried chicken with Moroccan spices, potato salad, shiso tzatziki
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Publican Anker offers Fried Shrimp with pepper jelly, pickled shallot, chive cream cheese, chow-chow, fresh mint, cilantro
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True Aussie Beef & Lamb offers Madras Curry Lamb Sliders with yogurt-mint-lime sauce, cucumbers and arugula
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Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile offers Braised Short Rib with candied pork belly and Mission fig reduction
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Southfork offers a Mushroom Dashi: Oyster and shiitake mushrooms, smoked tofu, shoyu and miso butter
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Michael Jordan’s Steak House offers Charred Sea Scallops glazed with white miso paste, yuzu juice, gochujang
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Farmer Boys offers a Southwest Chicken Salad with grilled chicken breast, roasted corn, black beans, avocado, tortilla strips, iceberg and green leaf lettuce, chile-ranch dressing
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Curry Up Now offers a Tikka Masala Burrito: Chicken or paneer tikka masala, rice, chana and onions wrapped in a tortilla
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Potatoes USA offers Campfire Potatoes: Fingerling potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, duck fat, dark soy sauce, applewood smoked sea salt, cane sugar
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Riviera 31 offers a Fighter Weapon School aka top gun: Bulleit bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon juice, passionfruit juice
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Naiyara offers Steak and Eggs Sushi: Seared Wagyu Beef Over Rice and Kimchi, Topped With Quail Egg and Ponzu
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Culver’s offers a Pretzel Haus Burger: Beef, Bacon, Wisconsin Cheddar, Cheddar-Cheese Sauce, Pickled Onions, Mustard Bistro Sauce, Served On A Pretzel Bun
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Bruegger’s Bagels offers its Sweet Heat Turkey Sandwich: Marbled rye with Sriracha-honey cream cheese, roasted turkey, cheddar cheese, bell peppers, Sriracha
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Público offers Baked Oysters with corn custard and smoked trout roe
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100 Sails Restaurant & Bar offers Korean Fried Cauliflower: Tempura-fried cauliflower with spicy soy glaze, topped with Kewpie mayonnaise, chile threads, sesame seeds, microgreens
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National Peanut Board offers a Bittersweet Chocolate Bread Pudding served with whipped cream, peanut-butter mousse and Scotch bonnet peanut brittle
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Brunos Italian Kitchen offers a Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bream with roasted seasonal vegetables and fingerling potatoes, green olive-lemon salsa
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Redbrick Pizza Kitchen Cafe offers its Pizza-Zzalada: Baked multigrain crust with chia, flax seeds, açai berry and sprouted red-grain flour, topped with salad
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Dusek’s Board & Beer offers Chicken-Fried Rabbit with Hoppin’ John risotto, charred okra, chicory greens, pancetta and brown-butter Tabasco
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Pinstripes offers Gnocchi & Ahi Tuna: Seared ricotta gnocchi in garlic butter and Parmesan, with fresh tuna and Calabrese vinaigrette
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Temple Bar offers Heritage Pork with Lacinato kale, roasted sweet potatoes with miso and black barbecue sauce
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Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar offers Cajundillas: Chipotle tortillas with chicken, boudin sausage, andouille sausage, spicy chipotle ranch, Monterey Jack cheese
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The Immigrant Restaurant offers Duck Wings with celery leaves in vinaigrette and blue-cheese potato chips
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Ted’s Montana Grill offers its Avalon Burger with Gruyère, blue cheese, bacon-caramelized onions, roasted-garlic aïoli, baby arugula on a toasted brioche
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K Restaurant offers Crispy Brussels Sprouts with bacon lardons, hot-sauce honey, fresh chives
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101 Beer Kitchen offers Green Chili: Roasted pork, puréed tomatillo, roasted poblanos, served over yellow rice with sour cream, charred lime, queso fresco and cilantro
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Midici Neapolitan Pizza offers Burrata With Melon and Prosciutto with toasted Neapolitan bread
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Tacology offers a Soft-Shell Crab Taco with creamy jalapeño sauce
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Little Bird Bistro offers a Tarragon Goat Cheese Gnocchi made with pâte à choux, served with tarragon, Banyuls cream, golden beets, garlic-lemon pistachios, egg-yolk shavings
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Pj’s Coffee Of New Orleans offers The King Cake Protein Velvet Ice: Cold-brew coffee concentrate, fat-free milk, whey-protein concentrate, vanilla, cinnamon
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Pei Wei offers Spicy General Tso’s Chicken: spiced with Sriracha, chile pods, chile paste and red chile flakes, served with carrots, red peppers and scallion
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The Sorghum Checkoff offers Grilled Shrimp Lettuce Cups with a sorghum and grilled-corn salsa and chipotle-lime dressing
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Old Vine Café offers a Rabbit Mole: Braised rabbit in a cashew and pasilla chile-based mole sauce, served with queso fresco and cornbread
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Jason’s Deli offers an Eggstreme Pastrami Melt: Pimento cheese, jalapeño Jack, cheddar, Muenster, roasted piquillo peppers, pastrami, fried egg, telera roll
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Princeton University offers a Kale, Carrot, Sriracha Salad: Shaved tri-color carrots, kale, and Brussels sprouts with Sriracha vinaigrette
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The Whistler offers its Golden Fleece: Kikusui Funaguchi sake, preserved Meyer lemon, honey, soda
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The Venetian and The Palazzo offers an Asparagus and Avocado Soup with roasted pumpkin seeds and lemon whipped cream
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Benny’s Chop House offers a Banana Cream Pie: Banana compound, pastry cream, graham-cracker pie crust, whipped cream, caramel-glazed bananas
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The Lakehouse offers Moroccan Spice Roasted Carrots with rich yogurt, chiles, almonds and mint
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Blaze Pizza offers its Veg Out with roasted seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, red onion, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, red sauce
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The Rez Grill offers King Crab: Grilled Alaskan king crab legs, grainy mustard butter, chimichurri
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Square Meal At Hotel Revival offers a Local Mustard Greens Agnolotti with pot liquor and spicy bread crumbs
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D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches offers its Southwestern Chicken, Rice & Grain Bowl: Grilled chicken and onions, charred corn-black bean-pepper salad, bell peppers, pickled jalapeños and cilantro with chipotle sauce and ranch dressing
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National Pork Board With Pig Bleecker offers a Smoked & Grilled Pork Chop with peach-habanero jam, firecracker onions, greens, beans and pickled turnip
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Planta offers its Young Thai Coconut: with coconut, basil and chia-seed pudding, passionfruit sorbet, coconut chips
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Cotton Patch Cafe offers its Chicken Fried Bacon: Breaded bacon with carnitas spices, served with ranch dressing and pepper gravy
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Slapfish offers its Clobster Grilled Cheese: Maine lobster, Dungeness crab, aged white cheddar, mozzarella, sourdough bread, with Jersey sauce
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Manzo At Eataly Flatiron offers Arrosto D’Agnello: Roasted lamb shank with rosemary, thyme, potatoes, red onion and artichokes
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Ida Claire offers Nashville Hot Chicken: Fried chicken, grilled brioche, pimento cheese, pickles, onions and sesame seeds
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Salon By Sucré offers a Beet Salad with goat cheese mousse, walnut granola, champagne vinaigrette, bittersweet chocolate
Picture for Unlikely Pairing
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza offers a Crab Pie: Crab sauce with herbs, mozzarella and surimi crabmeat stuffing atop signature pizza dough, topped with fresh parsley
Picture for A Craveable Combo
Chicken Kimbachi offers a Chicken Kimbachi: Kimchi fried rice, gochujang, hibachi chicken, yum yum sauce, sunny-side-up egg, shredded nori
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Db Bistro Moderne offers its Beef Rossini: Filet mignon served over pommes lyonnaise, topped with foie gras, truffles and beef jus
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Snap Kitchen offers its Naked Salmon: Grilled salmon, grass-fed ghee, baby spinach, kale, broccolini, red peppers, shallots
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Nicky’s Coal Fired offers a Roasted Mushroom Sofrito, Egg Yolk & Ricotta Pizza
Picture for The Name’s Bavette
Gianni’s Steakhouse & Seafood offers a Bavette House-cut Limousin beef with roasted garlic and Béarnaise sauce
Picture for Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf
Haywire offers a Grilled Bacon-Laced Meatloaf with a smoked tomato and poblano salsa, served with mashed potatoes and green beans
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Vivere offers an Agnolottini Di Fagiano: Pillow-shaped pheasant-filled pasta, butter, sage, Parmigiano-Reggiano
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Rice & Gold offers a Golden Chicken: Roasted Cornish hen, Persian spices, stuffed shishito peppers, feta-stuffed Medjool dates, white sauce and harissa sauce
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Burtons Grill & Bar offers a Salmon Romesco: Bronzed Gulf of Maine salmon, romesco sauce, herbed jasmine rice, julienne vegetables, citrus-fennel slaw
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Mŏkbar offers a Mŏkbar Classic: Ramen, braised pork, gochujang pork broth, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, bean sprouts, scallion, nori
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Schlotzsky’s offers 'The Original': Smoked ham with Genoa and cotto salami, cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, on Schlotzsky’s sourdough bun
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Wendy’s offers a Southwest Chicken Avocado Salad: Greens, avocados, grilled chicken, tomatoes, bacon, pepper Jack, Southwest ranch dressing
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Red Cow offers a Barcelona Burger with manchego, jamón serrano, piquillo pepper and smoked pepper aïoli
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South offers Chow-Chow with braised beef short ribs, rosemary-roasted potatoes and creamed collard greens
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Patent Pending offers 'The Twain': Tequila, Alpine liqueur, gin, pear, Woodruff syrup, almond, Fuji apple and lemon
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Smack Shack offers a Smack Shack Original: Chilled lobster salad with cucumber and tarragon on griddled milk bread
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USA Rice offers a Super Bowl: Brown rice, red quinoa, miso-tahini dressing, sweet potato, avocado, spiced chickpeas, baby kale, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes
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Beelman’s offers Tachos Tater tots topped with meat alternative, salsa, gochujang crema, cashew cheese, pickled jalapeño, chile-spiked pinto beans and cilantro
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Maison 208 offers Australian Lamb Chops with Okinawa potatoes, Pinot Noir, hazelnut-spice crust
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Red Rabbit offers a San Jorge: Tequila, grapefruit, lemon, Tattersall Grapefruit Crema, St. George Pear Brandy
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Komodo offers a Arroz Con Pato: Peking duck, rice, enoki mushroom, green onion, bell pepper, poached egg, shaved black truffle, served in a hot stone pot
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California Milk Advisory Board with Alta Calidad offers a Pumpkin Blossom Quesadilla: Espuma over tortilla filled with pumpkin blossom, onion, Chihuahua cheese; garnished with ancho- chile activated-charcoal ash
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Portsmith offers a Fried Fish & Waffle with housemade tartar sauce and Dark Matter malt maple syrup
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Alto Bajo offers a Hangar Steak with mole rojo—pasilla and ancho chile, ground nuts and sesame seeds, chocolate
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Coast Guard House offers a Pan-Roasted Rhode Island Striped Bass with local summer succotash, smoked romesco broth and sweet-corn custard
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Gategroup/Delta Air Lines offers a Short Rib and Pickled Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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Tánsuŏ offers a Char Siu Black Cod Black cod marinated with char siu sauce, broiled, then topped with XO sauce
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Urban Plates offers a Chimichurri Grass-Fed Steak Plate served with hot or chilled sides and char-grilled bread
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Urbain 40 offers a Ginger-Teriyaki Char-Crusted Yellowfin Tuna Filet with young carrots, snap peas, lotus root and mushrooms, curry butter emulsion
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Birch’s On The Lake Brewhouse & Supperclub offers a Blood Orange Berliner Weiss
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Geist offers Burrata With Roasted Spaghetti Squash: Housemade burrata, roasted and charred spaghetti squash, grilled rye sourdough
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Avocados From Mexico offers an Avo Reuben with corned beef, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, pumpernickel bread and avocado sauerkraut
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Steadfast offers Halibut with brown-butter solids, artichoke purée, artichoke chips, roasted sunchokes, pickled sunchokes, shaved lemon, preserved lemon, cress
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701 Restaurant offers a Beet Tartare: Roasted, diced and smoked red beets with yellow beet “yolk” and beet chips
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Square Roots Kitchen offers a Comfort Food Bowl: Pulled pork, housemade spicy corn, black beans, cheddar and barbecue sauce over warm quinoa
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The Ruin Daily offers a Buffalo Chicken Melt: Parmesan-crusted sourdough, cheddar-Swiss-fontina blend, Buffalo chicken, celery barigoule, ranch sauce
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Woods Hill Table offers Calendar Mussels with anadama bread and crunchy ham vinaigrette
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Brennan’s Pub offers a Butter Cake with seasonal fruit and vegan honeycomb ice cream
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Minigrow offers a The Chicken Jawn: Fresh three-wheat noodles, whole roasted chicken, sweet-and-sour onions, black truffle, miso corn, chives, Parmesan
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Rare Steak and Seafood offers a Pork Tasting: Pâté, slow-cooked belly, chicharrón and lardo
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Blue Oak BBQ offers The Doobin Lubin: Brisket or pulled pork, spicy green-onion sausage, ginger-sesame coleslaw, pickles, onions, sesame seed bun
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Doghaus offers a Sooo Cali Beef hot dog with wild arugula, avocado, tomato, fried onions, spicy basil aïoli on King’s Hawaiian rolls
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Flying Biscuit Café offers a Chorizo Hash: Roasted potatoes, red and green peppers, onions, cheddar, chicken chorizo, over-medium eggs, tomatillo sauce, fresh cilantro
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Ambar Clarendon and Baba offer a Cinema Manhattan: Cocktail Bourbon infused with caramel popcorn, port-Coca-Cola reduction, cherry bitters, with a side of sweet-and-spicy popcorn
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C&S Chowder House offers a Chargrilled Oysters with garlic butter, Parmesan, lemon, Cajun spices
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Coastal Kitchen offers a S’Mores Pie: Chocolate custard, marshmallow meringue, graham-cracker crust
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Bella Gioia offers a Tumminia made from burnt durum wheat flour, with pesto alla trapanese, featuring cherry tomatoes and almonds
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Sunday In Brooklyn offers a Green Goddess: Tequila blanco, Salers Aperitif, tonic, vanilla bean simple syrup, juice blend of celery, lime and pineapple
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Jsix offers a Korean Rice Balls: Deep-fried balls of rice, gochujang, bulgogi, kimchi, spinach, carrots, sesame seeds
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Pistache French Bistro offers a Grilled Venison Tenderloin coated in toasted juniper berries, orange zest and clove, served over butternut squash, mushrooms, snow peas and pear, topped with red currant jus
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Sixth Street Tavern offers a Vegan Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich: Seitan, Nashville hot spice, vegan brioche, Sixth Street sauce, cider-vinegar slaw
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Matadora offers a Kale Salad with melted provolone, chickpeas, olives, red onion, burnt raisins, crispy pumpkin, pepitas
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Rooh offers a Tuna Bhel: Fresh ahi tuna, avocado, tamarind gel, puffed black rice, green mango, green apple, togarashi