Sapphire House Antwerp
19-5-2022
Opening – Sapphire House Antwerp, the long awaited Marriott hotel in Antwerp, opened its doors this week. The five star hotel is the first hotel in the world that is completely plant-based. This five star hotel is located on the 16th century site of the Antwerp Stock Exchange and was carefully renovated with the idea to protecting international cultural heritage. Sapphire House Antwerp has 139 rooms, all unique and with their own character, a plant-based bistro PLANTn, a lively cocktail bar, and a gym. It promises to be a unique hotel experience for every guest…exactly like nothing else.
Royal Spelt starts first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory
17-5-2022
Royal Spelt has opened the first 100% organic bitterballen and kroketten factory in Nieuwegein in the Netherlands in mid-May 2022. Owners Fabienne Muller and Michael Kapoen started this factory to have full control over the production. The reason for this was the control over of the entire production process. Royal Spelt draws stock from fresh vegetables and herbs instead of stock grains or powder. In its own factory, Royal Spelt can take all the time needed for the cooking process of the spelt ragout (salpicon) and the recipe remains a (family) secret.
Lowlander introduces the first-ever alcohol-free craft beer on tap
17-5-2022
Botanical brewer Lowlander presents the very first alcohol-free craft beer on tap. Alcohol-free beer is an integral part of the Dutch market and already accounts for one in twenty of all beers consumed. Lowlander is proud to increase consumption choice with this innovation, by making two of their best-selling non-alcoholic botanically brewed beers available on tap: the 0.00% Wit and the 0.3% I.P.A..
All the food festival inspiration you need
17-5-2022
The sun is shining and the Netherlands is enjoying the outdoors! There are plenty of festivals where we can go again! We love to visit a food festival, don’t you? We’ve seen some nice small scale festivals like last weekend FestiValk and the ‘Shit hot Fest’ in April, below a list of small, fun and tasty food festivals in the Netherlands and some nice international concepts, maybe inspiration for the Dutch hospitality industry and festival organizers! We found among others the Fête du Champagne et Vins, an oyster festival, a tapas festival, Singelpark dinner and an espresso martini festival..
You can organize a small scale festival within your own company or companies or build a ‘festival’ with fellow hospitality entrepreneurs, what’s stopping you as long as there are no festivals happening in your area? In this article some inspiration!
Trends we spotted | Week 19
13-5-2022
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
With this week links to articles about amongst others the small blocks of Parmigiano Reggiano at the McDonald’s in Italy! Might be inspiration for the McDonald’s in the Netherlands, we have great cheeses as well!
Karen’s Diner is coming to the Netherlands, this chain from Australia serves ‘great burgers with very rude service’. We had to explain to our older colleagues what a ‘Karen’ is, do you know it? And Domino’s Pizza Germany launched the Nutri-Score on products and an A-Pizza ‘Fitness Fan’.
The legendary cruise ship Queen Elizabeth 2 becomes an Accor branded hotel: MGallery Hotel Collection. After renovation it will be permanently located in Port Rashid, Dubai.
Lowering the temperature on a terrace: aerMist. We have already experienced a similar system in San Francisco and the Far East, but perhaps also useful in the north of Europe with the rising temperatures?
The Belgian brewery ‘Scheldebrouwerij’ has created a new, fresh look for their special beers. And the Fletcher hotels introduced their own private label in skincare products: BLUE Collection by Fletcher.
TRIBE Amsterdam City is a design hotel for adventurous travellers
12-5-2022
The newest addition to TRIBE is located in Gare du Nord, a new area in Amsterdam North, and right by the North metro station. The TRIBE Amsterdam City is located next to the Mercure Amsterdam North Station hotel. The modern and arty interior should particularly attract travellers looking for Amsterdam’s cultural underground scene.
Mercure Amsterdam North Station opened at Gare du Nord
12-5-2022
Opening – Mercure has opened a new stylish four-star hotel next to metro station Noord in Amsterdam. The North/South line takes guests to the city centre within 5 minutes, making Mercure Amsterdam North Station the perfect base for visitors to our capital. This new Mercure hotel has 110 modern rooms, equipped with all the comforts you would expect, such as free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds and a flat-screen TV. Guests also have access to an all-day social hub and a coffee bar that transforms into a cocktail bar in the evening, serving low-alcohol cocktails developed in collaboration with top French bartender Matthias Giroud. They can also take advantage of the fully equipped 24/7 gym.
NEO KVL hotel by Tasigo | Located in the building of the old KVL leather factory in Oisterwijk
10-5-2022
Opening – The charming village of Oisterwijk in the Dutch region Brabant has a new four-star hotel: the NEO KVL hotel by Tasigo. The design hotel has 68 modern furnished rooms, a restaurant, spa, meeting rooms, 2 hotel bars including the Sky rooftop bar and an impressive atrium. The hotel is located within walking distance of the center of Oisterwijk and 500 meters from the Oisterwijk train station. It also has access to a private parking lot.
IJsvogel is the first real brewer’s grain ice cream in the Netherlands
9-5-2022
IJsvogel (Kingfisher bird) is a new and unique vegan waste-free ice cream. This collab from ice cream makers IJsbaart and beer brewery Bird Brewery uses brewer’s grain, a residual product from the brewing process. Then, through a unique process, the brewer’s grain is turned into milk. This forms the basis for the ice cream mix. The basis is finally flavored with a Russian Imperial Stout beer, chocolate and coconut. The brewer’s grain ice cream will be launched on May 13, 14 and 15 during Festivalk at House of Bird in the Diemerbos near Amsterdam.
UMI by Imperial Heritage Caviar | Caviar inspired by Asian influences
6-5-2022
Imperial Heritage Caviar, the premium caviar house in Belgium and favorite of many celebrity chefs, launches their newest addition: UMI. Elisabeth Colman, new generation of the Colman family, owners of Imperial Heritage Caviar, was stimulated by the Asian influences in our modern cuisine during the company’s constant search for innovative flavours. They developed a brand new caviar with a surprisingly different pearl. The new caviar is called UMI by Imperial Heritage Caviar (‘Umi’= ‘sea’ in Japanese) and will be available exclusively in a selection of fine dining restaurants. UMI will also have two ambassadors: restaurant Cuchara** and restaurant DIM Dining.
Trends we spotted | Week 18
6-5-2022
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
With this week links to articles about amongst others ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars’, sponsored by Perrier has been won by cocktailbar Coa. And the premium quick-service restaurant known for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings and signature sauces, Zaxby’s® celebrates Mother’s Day with Zax Family Packs and a family portrait! Inspiration for Father’s Day?
‘Apaches de Paris’ is a bar clandestine, immersive in Paris in which you can infiltrate gangs. Located in the Musée Grévin. This original 1.5-hour adventure with two period drinks is open till June 30.
Un Dimanche au Cinéma – the French title for the open-air cinema on the Champs-Élysées on May 22, Organized in partnership between TCM Cinéma, Häagen-Dazs and the City of Paris. Hilton boosts eco-conscious travel across properties in Asia Pacific to reach their ‘Travel with Purpose’ 2030 goals.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the introduction of the ‘Caption by Hyatt’ brand with the opening of the Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis in Tennessee summer 2022. And Denmark becomes the first country to introduce a climate label for food.
In a claimed world-first, Japanese innovators have created chopsticks which artificially create the taste of salt. And Dominique Ansel, the creator of the cronut, is celebrating the hybrid croissant-donut’s nine-year anniversary with a 60-piece NFT collection.
Wittenberg by Cove | Second location in the Netherlands of the next generation serviced apartment brand Cove
5-5-2022
Opening – The recently launched serviced apartment brand Cove announces a second location in continental Europe with the transformation of the Amsterdam serviced apartments Wittenberg to Wittenberg by Cove. This follows the launch of Cove – Centrum, a location with 121 studio apartments that opened in March 2022 in the heart of The Hague.
An overnight stay with Airbnb in the iconic Moulin Rouge windmill
5-5-2022
The Moulin Rouge is unveiling a secluded room inside the iconic red windmill that has been sumptuously designed to transport guests back in time to the late 19th century. Few are aware of the space inside the windmill, which has never been open for public access and is now bookable for an overnight stay on Airbnb. The windmill interior has been transformed into a Belle Époque inspired boudoir, reminiscent of the cabaret era. Guests will experience a peek behind the velvet curtains of the fabled landmark, including backstage access to the theatre, a traditional French three-course meal, the best seats during the Moulin Rouge’s acclaimed show Féerie and an overnight stay inside the iconic windmill, all for just €1 a night.
Guests can request to book the three individual one-night stays on June 13, 20 and 27 beginning Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 PM CEST at airbnb.com/moulinrouge. More details about this spectacular deal in the article.
A list of special food bikes and food tricycles
2-5-2022
In the Netherlands we cycle a lot and who is not familiar with the bike from which ice cream is sold? Or a coffee bike in a hiking area? But there are many more bicycles from which oysters, cocktails, fries, smoothies, cotton candy, cheese, churros and pizzas are sold. There are a number of professional food bike rental companies, but we also know a number of enthusiastic one-man businesses such as the ‘Oyster bike’ of Jolijn Géboers in Amsterdam and the ‘Cocktail bike’ of Niels den Boogert. With the summer approaching, a list of ‘food bikes’ and ‘food tricycles’! Maybe time for a small-scale food bike / food tricycles festival instead of a food truck festival? And then a joint work-out from the Bakfiets Gym afterwards!
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 17
29-4-2022
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
With this week links to articles about amongst others Château Galoupet in France, they produce exceptional sustainable rosé and Accor, Ennismore and Country Garden’s Funyard will develop more than a thousand JO&JOE hotels in China.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters partnered with Oatly to serve first-annual ‘Earth Day Latte’ and we can imagine the Pearlsuites by Pierpaolo Lazzarini at our Dutch lakes!
A 50-Pin Challenge with Bowling at the Kabukicho’s Shinjuku Copa Bowl, inspiration for other Bowling centers? And in Amsterdam the Anatara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky recently reopened under the Anatara brand!
Spicy McNuggets return at some McDonald’s locations in the USA for a limited time only. What would your guests like to return on your menu? And a special initiative of chef Niko Romito, the ‘Niko Romito method’ it includes 7 techniques of ‘food transformation’, we spotted it in an Instagram post of the World Economic Forum.
The Fazer Xylitol factory has started operations in Lahti, Finland. The new state-of-the-art factory showcases a unique example of circular economy – a patented process transforms upcycled oat hulls into sustainable xylitol.
Last year restaurant Eleven Madison Park (***) switched to an entirely plant-based menu, and now Daniel Humm starts delivering its green ethos to home kitchens: Eleven Madison Home. And in Berlin Domino’s pizza delivers pizza with robots which are using the sidewalks.
OCEANIX Busan | The world’s first prototype floating city at the coast of South Korea
29-4-2022
Recently the United Nations unveiled its prototype for the world’s first floating city, the futuristic Oceanix Busan will be located off the coast of the city of Busan in South Korea. OCEANIX Busan is created by the Danish architect Bjarke Ingels in partnership with the UN and maritime development firm Oceanix. The project aims to provide breakthrough technology for coastal cities facing severe land shortages that are compounded by climatic threats.
In this article a video about this floating city. We are curious what type of sustainable restaurant and hotel concepts we will spot in this city!
3 minutes read
KFC and Mother’s Day | A Kentucky Fried Buckquet from Proflowers®
28-4-2022
This Mother’s Day, KFC and Proflowers are helping you celebrate mom like never before – introducing the Kentucky Fried Buckquet, a DIY floral arrangement that, once assembled, can be part fried chicken, part fresh flowers and altogether amazing.
Only available in the USA but it might be inspiration for local restaurants to collaborate with another entrepreneur to create a great Mother’s Day present? Which mother wouldn’t love to dine out and receive flowers, perfume, chocolate or….?
1 minute read
Stadshaven Brewery opens new terrace in the Rotterdam Merwehaven
28-4-2022
Do you want to enjoy a freshly tapped and ice-cold (special) beer on the largest terrace in Rotterdam’s Merwehaven? Starting May 6, you can do so on the new terrace of Stadshaven Brouwerij. The terrace of these ‘fearless brewers’ was carefully designed and built and is now completely ready to receive guests. On May 6, the official opening of this brand new terrace will take place, with various acts and entertainment. For example, the HW Party crew (Hermes House Band of 2019) will perform, and DJ Bootsy Paul will provide guests with the tastiest funk, disco and soul with his ‘moving sound machine’.
2 minutes read
Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches launches a Crypto Box Meal
26-4-2022
Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches is taking the booming cryptocurrency world by storm, revealing a brand-new Crypto Box meal available only on April 29 at Which Wich locations in the U.S., while supplies last. The Crypto Box Meal includes regular sandwich, cookie, chips and large drink, plus an additional gift, a limited-edition Which Wich-branded CryptoCoin that is worth $10 on April 29 but changes value daily for up to two years based on Bitcoin fluctuations.
Interesting for European chains to create a product and combine it with cryptocurrency? We don’t think we are at the same level of the Americans, of which 14 percent owns some form of cryptocurrency.
2 minutes read
Gelateria Miuz opened on the Overtoom in Amsterdam
25-4-2022
Opening – Italian owner Carlo Petroni op gelateria Miuz makes his gelato with only the best ingredients, which are also traceable. Gelateria Miuz recently opened and is located at Overtoom 117, right behind the always bustling Vondelpark and Oud-West. Carlo Petroni’s gelateria sells daily made, fresh, artisan gelato. Made with the best ingredients that Carlo personally selects. No prefab, no artificially colored ice cream, but quality gelato you can come home with.
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Trends we spotted | Week 16
22-4-2022
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
With this week links to articles about amongst others a blog by Deliverect about how environmental friendly take-out and delivery options are important for guests’ ordering decisions. And inspiration for sustainable building: the wooden Rocket&Tigeli building will stand 328 feet tall when it is completed in 2026.
Valpas is a Finnish startup that helps dozens of luxury hotels combat bedbugs in an unlikely way. And Space tourism company Space Perspective has revealed the interior design for its lounge-style travel capsule, which will be hauled into the stratosphere by a giant balloon.
Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for its first-ever all-year-round ski resort — a futuristic, luxury super-project ensconced in the mountains of the desert kingdom which will be 33 times the size of New York City. And Emirates Airlines will launch NFT’s and experiences in the Metaverse.
We spotted a Starbucks all-you-can-eat buffet at the Starbucks Reserve Ginza Marronnier-dori store in Japan. And we never heard of the Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza but it makes its long-awaited return in May!
Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Restaurant ShakShuk in Amsterdam made a special dish for Earth Day
22-4-2022
Especially for Earth Day (April 22), ShakShuk, a shakshuka restaurant on the Zuidas in Amsterdam, developed a new dish in collaboration with Beyond Meat: Spicy Beyond Merguez. The spicy sausages in this dish are normally made from animal meat, but ShakShuk replaced them with sustainable, plant-based Beyond Sausage. The new dish will be launched with a special promotion on Earth Day and will remain on the menu for a month.
Spicy Beyond Merguez is being introduced with a special promotion: ShakShuk is offering 100 dishes for free on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. Restaurant-goers can make reservations for this through ShakShuk.
1 minute read
New Flagship Venice Location for Honeybee Burger opens on Earthday
22-4-2022
Today is Earthday and the day that Honeybee Burger Inc. opens its new flagship location at 326 Lincoln Boulevard in Venice, California. A great day to open a plant-based burger chain!
Honeybee plans to announce various special items and launches in celebration of Earth Day, including the QSR debut of the world’s first bio-identical vegan honey from Meli-Bio, about which we recently wrote in our ‘trends we spotted week 14‘ and the Los Angeles debut of Ripple soft-serve, which will be featured in Honeybee’s popular shake program.
Recently we also spotted the vegan Plant Power Fast Food chain in the USA, we wonder when chains like this will find their way into Europe.
3 minutes read
A vegan, Japanese-inspired dining experience | Omakaseed at Plant Bar
21-4-2022
Omakaseed at Plant Bar, a plant-based omakase dining experience set to open in New York City’s NoMad neighborhood on April 30, will bring global flavors and fresh plant-based ingredients to New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The unique dining experience is launched in partnership with SimpleVenue, an experiential agency connecting food and beverage concepts with world class venues, and Vegan Warrior Project, an organization that helps restaurants maximize their kitchen capacity by connecting them to plant-based delivery concepts. The Japanese-inspired service will feature an eight-seat sushi bar with five seatings per night, and an omakase menu curated by the Chef based on seasonal, fresh ingredients.
For those who are looking for Vegan dining experiences in New York: a new concept to put on your to-go-to-wish list.
2 minutes read
Life Fire Cooking’ at restaurant Nela in Valley Amsterdam
21-4-2022
This summer, restaurant Nela will open its doors in Valley, the sustainable and innovative building, on the Zuidas in Amsterdam. In this new hospitality formula of the internationally renowned chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller, they have chosen ‘Life Fire Cooking’. The name Nela means pure and this is exactly what the two chefs want to reflect in all aspects of their restaurant. From pure gastronomy, which involves cooking on an open fire with the very best and honest ingredients, to the design which is made from natural and unprocessed materials in their purest form. And all this is aimed at connecting people, cultures and traditions.
Currently they are still recruiting staff!
reading time: 2 minutes