Interactive high-tech lamp
5-5-2014
The Epiphany hotel in Palo Alto has a very special chandelier in its lobby. The high-tech lamp is designed by IDEO Digital Shop and consists of hundreds of light bulbs that can all move and illuminate interdependently. The lamp responds to data streams of online media such as social media and information from the internet. When someone posts a message about the hotel on Facebook or Twitter the lamp responds, but the lamp also gives a reflection of the weather. The lamp also response to movements in the hotel, for example when someone walks up the stairs.
2014 FIFA World Cup champagne
5-5-2014
The exclusive champagne served in the VIP-boxes during the FIFA World Cup 2014 is also available in the Netherlands. FIFA worked together with Taittinger to introduce the special World Cup 2014 edition of the popular Brut Réserve Champagne: the Taittinger official champagne of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This limited edition has a label with 3D effects that make it look like footballs are literally shooting from the bottle. In cooperation with distributor Wine4Business the Taittinger official champagne of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is also available in the Netherlands through www.wkchampagne.nl.
Waffogato by Dominique Ansel
2-5-2014
After the Cronut™ and the Milk & Cookie shot, Dominique Ansel introduces his newest creation the Waffogato. The Waffogato is a combination between a waffle and the classic Italian dessert affogato. Affogato is made of vanilla ice-cream topped with a hot shot of espresso, one of his favorite desserts. The chef wanted to create a dessert served during breakfast and came up with the Waffogato: a combination of sweet, salty and bitter. It’s not actually a waffle but Tahitian vanilla ice-cream in the form of a waffle made with bits of Belgium waffle, pearl sugar for the crunch and a little sea salt. The ice cream is topped with hot maple syrup spiked espresso. Tapioca pearls release from the waffle when it melts and give the dish more texture. The Waffogato will be sold in his bakery from Friday, 9 May.
Restaurants with a blend of history
1-5-2014
Thrillist.com gives an overview of 21 restaurants and bars converted from different buildings. Like ‘The Airplane Restaurant’, a restaurant located in a 1953 US Air Force Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker. Or the ‘Crop Bar and Bistro’, a gigantic 1925 bank with marble columns rebuilt into a restaurant with high-end dishes and an open kitchen. The video above is from ‘The Liberty’ in Boston. Previously this building was a gigantic prison, built in 1851. After a massive renovation, the building converted into a hotel with five chic restaurants and bars. Take a look at the complete list here.
Creative terrace by Tinus Teder
30-4-2014
Last November Hudson Bar & Kitchen opened in Rotterdam. The restaurant starts the outdoor season appropriately by opening a special art terrace. Artist Tinus Teder took the look and feel of the restaurant to the terrace and was inspired by contemporary culture, love of life and street culture. His style is characterized by influences from pop art of the 60s.
Favorite night snack worldwide
29-4-2014
Buzzfeed made a video with an overview of the most populair midnight snacks after going out. The Netherlands isn’t mentioned, what is our most populair drunken dish?
Perfect Serve Barshow
28-4-2014
On 12 and 13 May 2014, the first Dutch fair by and for bartenders will be held under the title “The Perfect Serve Barshow”. The Westerliefde and WesterUnie in Amsterdam are the stage for seminars, tastings and competitions with ‘guest experience’ as communal interest. A sneak peek in the program shows that Steve Okhuysen, bartender and owner of Old Fashioned Cocktail & Absinthe Bar in Ghent, Belgium will tell about the mythical Absinthe and Andrew Nicholls will elaborate on the diversity, quality and versatility of rum with the Authentic Caribbean Rum label. See the full program here.
Relax, this can contains a one week vacation
24-4-2014
#Throwback Thursday. We started in August 2007 with horecatrends.com / hospitalitytrends.eu, in July 2009 we posted an item about the Slow Cow drink from Canada. This brand advertised with the slogan: “This can contains a one week vacation”. A drink with soothing ingredients to relax, so the opposite of energy drinks. The drink has been working since 2008 to conquer the world from Quebec, Canada. On their website, they even posted that the drink will be sold in more than 50 countries in 2025! So they do think that the world really needs to relax.
Freedom dinners on 5 May
23-4-2014
On 5 May people in Amsterdam eat together during the “Freedom meals”. In restaurants, parks, homes and on the streets of Amsterdam thousands of citizens share tables. Various organizations and initiatives connect people through food. There are five StreetDinners organized by Bite Me throughout the city, where fifty volunteers cook in ten kitchens and collectively serve it for the visitors of these local events. Next to that, a huge dinner is organized at the IJ (1000 pax) and in several other local dinners are organized in the districts, see this link (Dutch) for an overview.
Why not serve water this way!
22-4-2014
Today, Earth Day is celebrated around the world. This day positive attention is requested for global issues surrounding nature, the environment and climate change. With the main focus on reflection and enjoyment. In the hospitality industry, we are seeing more and more examples of less food miles, organic and local products, but also the processing of ‘forgotten’ vegetables and meat such as rooster, goat and goose. In addition, we have the debate about whether or not to serve tap water (in Europe). Yet we still see that ‘special’ water is served from glaciers from the other side of the world ….. But you can also make “special” water in a simpler and more sustainable way. Last weekend I served my ‘special’ waters at our Easter dinner. Several courses, with each course another water. I just used tap water and added herbs, lemon , rhubarb and beetroot, depending on the taste of the dish. Nice and simple. And just like wine, it’s nice to see if the taste actually blends well with the food. The water with beetroot / lemon and mint tasted great with the starter of smoked eel and the water with rhubarb was very subtle which combined well with dessert. A nice sustainable gesture; the water from the tap and the herbs and vegetables from nearby! And even for those who do not drink alcohol, it’s a party! My suggestion for Earth Day.^Marjolein
