Cupcakes? That's so 2008 ...
If 2008 was the year of fanciful small plates, exotic salts, intricate izakaya menus, and cupcakes moving from kiddie treats to outlandish adult indulgences, 2009 should be a bit simpler.
The economy has collapsed, diners have dissipated, the nation is focused on saving the planet, and the top trends to watch for in restaurants next year are all about green (as in eco-friendly), and green (as in budget-friendly).
Simpler, however, won't mean an easier time for restaurateurs. At the 2009 Trend Think Tank held recently in San Francisco, hospitality experts outlined what will be hot in dining, design, and drinks. Set to a theme of “Surviving and Thriving,” the consensus was that lean times will continue for restaurateurs, who will have to work twice as hard to serve perhaps half as many customers.
- Compiled by Carey Sweet
