The Munich-based Ruby Group continues its growth and brings their Lean Luxury philosophy to Italy. In a historic building in the heart of Florence, Ruby, together with GB Holding Group, is realizing a Ruby Hotel with 118 rooms and a Ruby Workspace with a total surface area of approximately 300 m². The images accompanying this article are from Ruby Hotel Louise in Frankfurt. The rooms are the same at all Ruby Hotels, only they can differ in details regarding decoration. Ruby does the design for all her hotels herself, every hotel has the Ruby ‘signature’ but the theme differs, often in line with the history of the building or the location.
Ruby Hotels currently has 12 hotels in Düsseldorf (3), Vienna (3), Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Zurich and London. Founder and CEO Michael Struck is breaking new ground in the hotel industry with his Lean Luxury philosophy. Through a lean organizational structure and with a concentration on the essentials, Ruby hotels know how to create a contemporary, affordable form of luxury for modern, cost- and style-conscious customers. The group was founded in 2013 and, in addition to the 12 hotels, has nineteen more hotels under construction and/or in the planning stages. With the Ruby Asia joint venture, founded in 2018, Ruby is expanding into Asia. In addition, Ruby offers Ruby Workspaces in Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf: perfectly equipped workplaces in a creative environment with access to an inspiring office community.
Thai’s Streetfood restaurant Pitaya, the restaurant chain specialized in Thai cuisine, opened its first restaurant in Antwerp, next to Operaplein in the newly renovated Antwerp Tower. After three successful openings in Brussels and Wallonia, it is now Flanders’ turn. And they will open in the Netherlands as well in the coming years.
Inspired by the Thai capital, the first Pitaya restaurant opened in 2010 in Bordeaux, France. The Antwerp restaurant is number 122 on their list! Most of the restaurants are located in France. Alpha Seed, the investment company that manages Pitaya’s license for the Benelux, is planning further openings in Liège and Charleroi this year. Pitaya now manages 5 restaurants in Belgium. The goal is to reach 70 in the Benelux in 7 years: 30 restaurants in Belgium, 35 in the Netherlands and 5 in Luxembourg.
On American inspiration websites you can’t miss Halloween. Halloween is major in the US and slowly but surely more and more people in the Netherlands are celebrating it too! In our Dutch village it will be celebrated as well. The organization normally responsible for our King’s Day celebration will this year also organize a Halloween spooky tour along ‘haunted houses’ where the children get hot chocolate and can pick up ‘creepy’ candy. Such a fun night! How can you celebrate Halloween as a hospitality provider? Would you profit from a celebration and would your Dutch or European guests enjoy it? The last point is of course clear; it is fun and it always makes sense to positively surprise your guests, even if it is with a freshly baked ‘ghost’ cookie or a mini pumpkin of marzipan. To get in this spooky atmosphere before the actual holiday (31st of October), we have listed 13 bits of Halloween inspiration for you! ^Marjolein
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 NANKA that makes patties from Jack Fruit in combination with mushrooms, chicken and beef to help meat-eaters to reduces their meat intake in Malaysia. And in Germany Essity and McDonald’s are recycling the paper cups into toilet paper.
The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop from New York is growing fast through franchising, they’re opening 5 new locations in Florida. And the Singapore-born, Instagram-famous Paradise Group debuted in California last September with their Rainbow Soup Dumplings!
The Dutch cider producers and importers of CiderCider will open ‘the Ciderbar’ in Rotterdam Hofbogen by the end of December. And in Groningen the first RavioliBar in the Netherlands opened. They make fresh ravioli daily!
The Cheesecake Factory has been sharing a slew of their incredible recipes for readers to make in their own kitchens since the COVID-19 crisis. Inspirational! And the Dutch Vegan Junk Food Bar will open in Germany this fall.
In addition to a wide range of pizzas, Domino’s Pizza offers more and more dishes suitable for lunch or as a snack. With this, the chain focuses on the popularity of the lunch moment and the growing demand for lunch delivery. After the introduction of the warmly welcomed Crunchy Chicken, the Domino’s Cal’z sandwich is now also available at all Domino’s Pizza locations in Belgium.
In this article we have written about another calzone variation from the US: ”The Crazy Calzone” from Little Caesars.
Yesterday, Thursday 14th of October, Ingmar Voerman and Jos Zonneveld launched their new brand Voerman Vieux in Amsterdam. We had the pleasure of tasting their new product, on the rocks for connoisseurs and delicious in cocktails! In this article we share two recipes. Check out our highlight on Instagram of the real Dutch launch in Amsterdam.
Beverage journalist Ingmar Voerman and co-owner Jos Zonneveld are revitalising the ancient Dutch Vieux with their Voerman Vieux and are introducing this beverage to a whole new generation. They have created an artisanal vieux with a full, round taste.
The Goût de(/Good) France culinary event is back, for its 6th edition! From October 14 to 22, 2021, chefs from around the world will be serving dinners “à la française” as an ode to French cuisine. In previous editions, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Provence took center stage, but this time the cultural and culinary heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region is on the menu, with a sustainable sauce.
Goût de France is an initiative of the well-known French chef Alain Ducasse and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is initiated by Explore France and the 2 Michelin star chef Christophe Hay from the Vendôme is their ambassador this year. Interesting to read about his initiatives to put freshwater fish from the Loire back on the menu and his permaculture vegetable garden.
Opening – The organic breakfast and lunchbar CIRCUS in Antwerp will add a new culinary act to their place starting the 21st of October. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they dim the lights in their business to focus the spotlight on natural wines. Managers Inge Dreezen and Lien De Naeyer couldn’t find a wine bar in Antwerp with the focus on natural wines. That is why, in line with their organic menu, they decided to take a new and logical step towards an expansion to a natural wine bar during the evening. A step that fits perfectly within their organic path. CIRCUS wine bar is open from October 21.
The international coffee platform TYPICA launched in the Netherlands this week. This revolutionary online initiative paves the way for (small-scale) coffee producers and family businesses to distribute high- quality green coffee beans in a sustainable way. Coffee roasters can import green coffee beans from just one jute bag (60 kg). They also have access to exclusive information about the coffee producer and the coffee plantation, they stimulate the production of (small-scale) coffee producers and the coffee roaster can choose from more than 1000 unique specialty coffees. The platform is based on a well-functioning business model that improves the sustainability of high-quality coffee and leaves more turnover for the (small-scale) coffee producer. The platform currently consists of more than 2000 coffee roasters and coffee producers from twelve countries who trade directly with each other.
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu 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 amongst others, links to articles about the expansion of Paris based restaurant Cala, they use robotica to create fresh pasta dishes. And supermarket Jumbo in the Netherlands designates 200 cash registers for ‘checkout chats’ or as they call them ‘kletskassa’s’.
In their stories Starbucks re-announced their global ‘Starbucks Greener Stores’ commitment and McDonald’s announced that they will accelerate climate actions to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Promising is the affiliation with organizations as the United Nations (McDonald’s) and the SCS Global Services and World Wildlife Fund by Starbucks.
Accor & Ennismore announced a joint venture in which both chains contribute their added value. The joint venture will make Ennismore the largest and fastest growing lifestyle hospitality company.
A great initiative by 3 French companies: the Citroën Skate. Citroën created 3 new service pods with Accor and JCDecaux: Sofitel En Voyage, Pullman Power Fitness and JCDecaux City Provider.
Grey Poupon, the mustard brand created a limited edition La Moutarde Vin. A viognier wine infused with mustard seeds, would you like to try it?
Although certainly no longer a new trend, it remains interesting that we regularly see collaborations between hotels and hotel chains and running organizations and apps. And sometimes the technical adjustment in the app is inspiring. We can imagine that a voice-activated running app works!
This time Hilton has entered into an exclusive partnership with the voice-activated running app RunGo. Three tailor-made routes have been created for 7 hotels in the Netherlands with the themes running, sightseeing and mindfulness. For hotel guests, the routes are ideal for discovering the nearest sights and keeping fit. Residents of all the Hilton hotels can also enjoy the routes!
Opening of Claridge's ArtSpace with art from Damien Hirst
As the art world looks to London, Claridge’s, the legendary hotel in the heart of Mayfair, will unveil a newly created Claridge’s ArtSpace today, Tuesday 12th October 2021, the eve of Frieze 2021. Opening its doors for the first time, the space will exhibit a collection of work by artist Damien Hirst entitled ‘Sunshine’, presented by HENI. Claridge’s ArtSpace, which is accessed by an entrance on the newly restored Claridge’s façade on Brooks Mews, engineered by Jim Mackey, has been designed by John Pawson, to be a multi-functional space, set to house a café and art store (opening early 2022) as well as the permanent gallery.
At horecatrends.com or hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends daily. 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 sleep-friendly ice cream from Nightfood for the grab-and-go shops in hotel lobbies, a stay in the ‘Nutmobile’ from MR. PEANUT® and Leonardo DiCaprio investing in a Dutch cultured meat company.
‘Change is Brewing!’ is the new flavor of Ben & Jerry’s in America, it remains interesting to read how they also translate their social background into their flavors. And at the Resort World Las Vegas, the art of aufguss, known all over Europe, makes it’s US debut at Awana Spa.
More and more companies are also introducing ‘healthy alternatives’ in their fast food concepts. Like in China where Yum China does this in their more than 6,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell shops. And Hard Rock International announces its 22nd annual PINKTOBER® campaign.
Another rebranded concept that focuses on staying in a city as if you were living there. YAYS, unlock the neighborhood with locations in Amsterdam, The Hague and Paris. And spotted in America: a limited-edition of Hendrick’s Gin-infused pickled cucumbers from Katz’s Delicatessen.
We are already very familiar with the foodmarket concept in the Netherlands; a covered area filled with small kitchens where culinary highlights can be enjoyed. The people living in the city of Den Bosch (in the south of the Netherlands) will soon be able to welcome their own ‘foodmarket De FAM’ (FAM is slang for family). A colorful journey of discovery of world cuisines in the middle of the historic city center of Den Bosch.
Foodmarket De FAM will open their doors in the first quarter of 2022 and can accommodate 200 guests (seated). They are still looking for innovative concepts! Read more about it and if you have a concept that fits in, you can send an e-mail (info@foodmarktdefam.nl ) until December 1st with your details, a short description of the concept and why you should be there in Den Bosch!
Facilicom Group, one of the largest facility services organizations in the Netherlands, launches their new F&B division today: Food&i. With Food&i, the Facilicom Group is stepping off of the beaten track of the catering market. Food&i offers employers various F&B services such as a restaurant, coffee bar and Foodwall at the office in combination with an app. Through this app, employees receive personal nutritional advice every day to make a conscious and healthy choice at the office.
Food&i is an innovative, healthy and sustainable catering concept that uses technology and personalization to reduce waste. They develop food where, when and how the employee and the employer want it, so that everyone will feel better and more productive. Food&i provides transparency in the food chain and reduces CO2 emissions by working with as many local parties as possible.
With ambitions to double innovation, Taco Bell is sharing exclusive insights into its plan to R.I.N.G. The Bell for winning in the years ahead! The read more
We have been sharing inspiration on our website since 2007, inspiration that we find in the hospitality industry or by online spotting of what our read more
The lobby of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Paris | Has the only Christian Louboutin pop-up nail bar
14-6-2018
Mandarin Oriental, Paris will host the French capital’s one and only Christian Louboutin pop up nail bar from 17 June – 7 July 2018. To make the manicure experience even more memorable, guests can enjoy savoury cocktails inspired by the colours and names of the French designer newest nail polishes.
Another example of how to make your lobby more vivid. The Mandarin Oriental ‘s Bar 8 bartenders also created three new cocktails to drink after the 30-minutes Christian Louboutin manicure.
Raffles Europejski Warsaw | 5 Star luxury hotel with a rich history and an impressive art collection
12-6-2018
June 1st 2018 the Raffles Europejski in Warsaw opened. Bringing over 160 years of history and heritage to the culturally rich Raffles Hotels & Resorts brand, this fully restored Polish icon joins Paris (Le Royal Monceau) and Raffles Istanbul as the third European destination where the inimitable Raffles experience can be found. Not only art but also the skill of Polish craftsmanship is represented within the hotel, whether in the lighting, in the carved burl wood headboards, the parquetry floors or the Warsaw skyline etched into the grey marble bathroom walls, rooting Raffles Europejski firmly in Poland. This sense of place is emphasised by the venerated hotel’s location on the historic Royal Route, with views from spacious and elegant guestrooms onto the Old Town, the Presidential Palace and, across the city’s biggest square, to the eternal flame burning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the leafy Saxon Gardens behind. The 106 rooms and suites are classically stylish with blackened oak floors, contemporary Polish art, a corner library and sleek marble-clad bathrooms with Art Deco touches. All Raffles hotels have their own signature in which art is very important, you will enjoy wandering through the hotels open spaces whilst enjoying the art!
Vegetarian sushi | Ahimi, Unami & Sakimi
11-6-2018
We heard about the very popular vegetarian sushi shop, Beyond Sushi with 6 locations in New York City. Here they serve fish-less sushi and they’re pioneer of the plant-based, sushi movement. But we also read an article about Ahimi, Unami & Sakimi of Ocean Hugger Foods. They unveiled an aggressive expansion plan to take plant-based tuna, salmon and eel to the mainstream.
Trends we spotted | Week 23
8-6-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others about American start-up Kabaq that has developed an Augmented Reality software that enables diners to preview their food through Snapchat World Lens. KFC is testing vegetarian chicken and has a branded pool flotation of Colonel Sanders. We wonder whether we will get another president with a hospitality background after 2020 as president of America for the Democratic Party?
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
CONDIVIDERE by Lavazza | New Ferran Adrià concept opens in Turin
8-6-2018
While planning a trip to France and Italy for September I came across restaurant CONDIVIDERE by Lavazza in Turin. I will most certainly try to make a reservation while in Turin but I think more foodies would love to make a detour for this restaurant. CONDIVIDERE will be housed in the new Lavazza headquarters in the heart of Turin, a symbol of a city that wants to be a leader in haute cuisine, as well as the capital of Italian coffee. CONDIVIDERE by Lavazza is commissioned by Lavazza and designed by Ferran Adrià. The interior space has been designed by Dante Ferretti, while the kitchen and the management of the restaurant will be supervised by Federico Zanasi, a young and brilliant Italian chef. According to some news sites the restaurant will open today the 8th of June, we wish the team lots of fun and success!
Truffles from Wales | The famously difficult-to-cultivate delicacy may now be easier to grow outside of its natural habitat
7-6-2018
A British scientist may have unlocked the key to farming expensive truffles, the famously difficult-to-cultivate delicacy may now be easier to grow outside of its natural habitat. The summer truffles or otherwise known as Burgundy truffles (Tuber Aestivum / Uncinatum) and winter truffles (Tuber Melanosporum) otherwise known as Perigord Truffles are grown by the Welsh Truffle Company. We would love to taste these truffles from Wales!
LaundROO | Lounge and vintage clothing swap powered by LG at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
5-6-2018
LG Electronics USA is taking its “Life’s Good” mantra to the four-day 2018 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, on June 7-10, with the first-of-its-kind “LaundROO Lounge and Vintage Clothing Swap, Powered by LG” – an interactive destination for festival goers to refresh their style, as well as their mind and body. Wouldn’t we want a cutting-edge wash’n’fold service, an air-conditioned lounge equipped with mobile phone charging stations, interactive gaming stations, indoor and outdoor hangout spots and a vintage clothing swap station at festivals in Europe? We’re quite certain that all the Dutch and other European festival goers want to experience #lifesGood and #getDIRTY ;-). The initiative of LG USA made us think of the Miele Power Wash at the Lowlands festival back in 2017. Check out the video from that event below the article.
Conservatorium hotel Amsterdam | VIP Airport Service
4-6-2018
The Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam is offering VIP Airport Service if you book a minimum length of stay of two nights at one of their Signature Suites, the Concerto Two Bedroom Suite, the I love Amsterdam Suite or the Penthouse Suite. They offer arriving in style: you will be picked up by luxury car right at the foot of the plane which takes you directly to the VIP centre. The service takes care of all practicalities of air travel, while you relax in peace and privacy with your travel companions. In this article some more examples of creating arrival or departure excitement for your guests!
BRAM’S Gourmet Frites | Introduces a ‘Frietje Roti Stoof’
4-6-2018
From June 1, Foodies can go to BRAM’S Gourmet Frites for a very special recipe: a fries with ‘Roti Stoof’. The new stew consists of a generous topping with ingredients such as chicken masala, roti plate, sweet pickle, boiled egg, sambal and seroendeng. The recipe of this ‘stew’ was created in collaboration with the culinary team of Herman den Blijker.
Trends we spotted | Week 22
1-6-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others Virgin Voyages reveals the first look inside its newest ship, Kit-Kat’s airport vending machine rewards travellers with candy and how newcomer Freshii is shaking up the healthy eating scene in the United Kingdom.
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Entomofagia | Mexican Michelin restaurant Punto MX integrates insects in his tasting menu
28-5-2018
Mexican Michelin restaurant Punto MX in Madrid presents its menu Entomofagia and leads the way by being the first restaurant in Europe to integrate insects in various forms into the very DNA of a tasting menu. Dishes are created through research over a 4-year duration while it was prohibited to serve these bugs. How about this dish: Surf’n’turf Guacamole with smoked marlin, 36 month-aged Parmesan, avocado, pomegranate, jalapeños and crispy Chinicuil-worms from the agave plant.
Trends we spotted | Week 21
25-5-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others the most expensive taco in the world, Hilton commits to cutting environmental footprint in half and doubling social impact investment and Sleeping under the stars in a luxury ‘Bird House’ in Africa.
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Restaurant Spyce | Culinary excellence elevated by technology
25-5-2018
Spyce is a Boston-based restaurant, founded by MIT graduates and backed by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. At Spyce, robots produce healthy fast food at affordable prices. At the newly-opened establishment all bowls start at USD 7.50, the prices are lower than at similar restaurants as robots save on human labor expenses and the robots work fast! The robots prepare your meal in 2 minutes and as you can watch in the video underneath the article, they even clean up their own mess! Spice is located at 241 Washington Street in Boston. How about a Latin bowl with roasted chicken, avocado lime crema, braised black beans, brown rice, bell peppers, tomatoes, corn, green chilies, cabbage slaw, cilantro and radish?
The idea behind restaurant Spyce
‘The Spice Boys’ ,four guys studying at MIT in Boston, Michael Farid, Kale Rogers, Luke Schlueter and Brady Knight created the world’s first restaurant featuring a robotic kitchen that cooks complex meals. They created this concept in hopes of solving a problem they found themselves facing, being priced out of wholesome and delicious food. So they, as robotics-obsessed engineers, created a robot that cooks tasty and nutritious meals, serves them, and cleans up after. The robots and process has been created in two years with many burns, bruises, and eating a lot of Brussel sprouts! As they say: “We’re at the intersection of technology and hospitality, making accessible, tasty and nutritious meals.”
Spyce | The Michelin Star magic from Daniel Boulud
The Spyce boys added some Michelin-Star magic with Chef Daniel Boulud. “When Michael and his three classmates emailed me about a robotic kitchen that could elevate fast food, I was impressed. Not only had they guessed my email address correctly, the videolink to their cutting edge technology was unlike anything I’d seen before. The experience of the robotic kitchen, the food and the vision of the Spyce team far exceeded my expectations. Their passion and innovation needed a strong commitment to ingredients and excellent recipes. So, in addition to becoming an investor, I accepted the position of Culinary Director, and invited Chef Sam Benson, who had worked for me at Café Boulud, to take on the Executive Chef role.”
Sam Benson is the executive chef at restaurant Spyce: “When Chef Daniel Boulud asked me to join four MIT kids and their robotic kitchen, and make food with real flavor, I knew it was a chance to be part of something big. With a multitude of Michelin stars and James Beard accolades for his restaurants and contributions to fine dining, Chef Daniel is considered to be one of the country’s leading culinary authorities. When he talks, you listen. His mentorship paved the way for my experience in the best kitchens in the US and France, it’s been a fun ride. So here we are, and together we make up the Spyce culinary A-Team.”
Check out the video below:
Yotel Boston | Robot YO2D2 newest employee in the hotel
22-5-2018
YOTEL, the affordable luxury hotel brand, announces their new hire in their Boston hotel, YO2D2. The hotel’s guest services robot is remarkably well versed in hospitality and ‘mingling’! The Seaport hotel is known for its of-the-moment technology offerings which include super-fast (and free) WiFi, self-service check-in via mobile app and sleek cabins with SmartBeds™ and Technowalls. With this latest tech enhancement, guests can look forward to receiving amenities from and taking selfies with YOTEL’s newest crew member, YO2D2.
Trends we spotted | Week 20
18-5-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others a special Instagrammable hidden dessert at Long Story Short Café in Melbourne, granola butter as the new spreadable gold and how to make dinner reservations through Instagram.
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Dip it, dip it real good | Slim Chickens launched the world’s first dippable billboard
17-5-2018
Londoners got saucy with delicious new dippable billboard from US fried chicken kings, Slim Chickens, which recently set up home in the capital. UK’s latest fried chicken phenomenon, Slim Chickens, has unveiled the world’s first dippable billboard,in a bid to help Londoners get saucy. Launched at Boxpark Shoreditch, East London on Wednesday, 9th May, the giant interactive billboard contained 12 iconic Slim Chickens sauces, including Garlic Parmesan, Mango Habanero and Sriracha Garlic.
The Audemars Piquet Hotel des Horlogers | Luxurious ski hotel in Switzerland
15-5-2018
Neighboring the Audemars Piguet Museum, the Hotel des Horlogers is seamlessly integrated into the smooth topography of the scenic Vallée de Joux. Five zigzagging room slabs expand into a gently sloping exterior path, leading directly to the museum and local ski trails. Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piquet invited the famed Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to create their luxurious ski hotel. BIG also designed the museum. The hotel will include about 50 hotel rooms.
Starbucks | Paper cup recycling launched in the Netherlands
15-5-2018
Following a similar cup collection and recycling process proving successful in UK Starbucks stores, Starbucks now offers paper cup recycling in 11 of its company-operated stores in Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. Reinforces commitment to advancing Starbucks sustainability commitments in the Netherlands and driving industry-wide awareness and participation of cup recycling. The cup recycling will first trial in 11 company-operated Starbucks stores in the Netherlands, with plans to expand to more Starbucks stores across the country, operated by licensed business partners. In our ‘Trends we spotted in week 18’ we already wrote that Starbucks USA announced a partnership with Closed Loop Partners and its Center for the Circular Economy to develop the ‘NextGen Cup’, a recyclable and compostable cup.
New York’s new Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co. is very creative with cucumber. How about pickle flavoured soft serve? The new, casual spot, Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co. is created by the team behind Jacob’s Pickles, a restaurant in NYC’s Upper West Side neighborhood at Amsterdam Avenue. If you’re in for a special treat and if you’re visiting NYC, you know where to go!
Blue Matcha | Pink Matcha | Red Matcha
14-5-2018
Matcha.blue by Fluxias GmbH sells blue, pink and red matcha. All three the matcha powders are packed in bamboo tubes. The all natural powders can be used to create vibrantly colored beverages or could be used as substitutes for food coloring. The blue matcha is for example the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed natural blue tea know as blue butterfly pea tea. Another product to create colored lattes, like the Mermaid latte and the Golden latte.
Trends we spotted | Week 19
11-5-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others AB InBev develops greener way to put bubbles in your beer, the 10 most instagrammable hotels in the world and Cafe Latte flavored water released in Japan.
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Chill-Can® technology | 7-Eleven tests first ever self-chilling canned beverage
11-5-2018
7‑Eleven, Inc. is rolling two ground-breaking launches into one with the introduction of its proprietary Fizzics Sparkling Cold Brew Coffee in the first self-chilling cans available to the public in the U.S. During the test launch, the groundbreaking Fizzics Sparkling Cold Brew Coffee drinks are available exclusively at select participating 7‑Eleven stores. It reminded us of ‘Hot Booster’ about which we wrote back in 2011, they created a self-warming can for their soups and hot chocolate milk.
The Private Suite at Los Angeles Airport | Four Seasons Luxury starts with your flight
8-5-2018
The Private Suite, the first private terminal in the USA, offers guests of selected Four Seasons hotels and resorts an exclusive opportunity to experience head-of-state style travel through Los Angeles airport (LAX). The Four Seasons resort Bora Bora and their resorts at Hawaii partner with The Private Suite. Last January we wrote about Virgin Holidays ‘Departure Beach’ at Barbados, a lounge on the beach. Here you could check in for your flight, take your last dip in the sea, eat & drink and shower before departure to customs. These kind of initiatives make travelling a lot more relaxed, remains the question if you would pay for the extra service as guest? But it might be inspirational for hotels near airports: what could you do to facilitate the arrival or departure experience for your guests?
Glamping near Mount Fuji | Fujino Kirameki fuji Gotemba
7-5-2018
Leading Japanese hotelier Fujita Kanko Inc. announced the launch of “Fujino,” a new brand for upscale glamping. It opened the first property “Fujino Kirameki Fuji Gotemba” in April, glamping near Mount Fuji, the iconic and highest Japanese mountain and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. A tip for if you’re planning a trip to Japan.
Trends we spotted | Week 18
4-5-2018
At hospitalitytrends.eu we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the smaller trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
This week, amongst others; a Dutchman wins the 10th Bacardi cocktail competition, McDonald’s tests international menu items in the USA and we’re wondering whether the Dutch McKroket will be on their menu! And a look inside the cafe located in Pinterest’s San Francisco headquarters.
Click on the title if you would to read the full article. Enjoy reading!
Café Adem Inn in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is advising their customers to put their phone in a safe when visiting the café. In addition to their menu, silence is served. No loud noises, no wifi, just enjoy a consumption and the silence around you. Adem Inn is a quiet café with room for reflection, although you’ll hear some music in the background and talking is allowed.
Dutch bartender Eric Van Beek was named 2018 Bacardí Legacy winner with his Cariño cocktail. His winning cocktail triumphed in a very exciting finale that was held in the Museo Numismático Nacional in Mexico City for 400 guests. Van Beek’s winning creation, called Cariño, is a shaken cocktail combining Bacardí Reserva Ocho rum with Yellow Chartreuse, Greek yoghurt, vanilla syrup and lemon juice. The recipe of the Cariño:
2 parts BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho | 1/5 part Yellow Chartreuse | 1 1/5 part Greek yogurt 4/5 part of vanilla syrup 2/5 part lime juice | Preparation: shake, serve over a large piece of ice cream | Glass type: Coupette.
Starbucks and Closed Loop Partners and its Center for the Circular Economy have announced the NextGen Cup Challenge. This groundbreaking industry consortium will develop recyclable and compostable cup solutions as the first step in the development of a global end-to-end solution that will allow cups around the world to be diverted from landfills and composted or given a second life.
Each year, an estimated 600 billion paper and plastic cups are distributed worldwide. The NextGen Cup Challenge will bring together entrepreneurs, industry, and recyclers to identify and commercialize the next generation of recyclable and/or compostable cups.
A new Chicago flagship restaurant offers meal options from worldwide locations and uses social listening for feedback. Fast food outlet McDonald’s opened a new location that gives diners the chance to experience some of the restaurant’s worldwide specialties without ever having to venture outside the United States. Their recently opened Chicago chain is part of the company’s ongoing initiative to modernize their restaurants and their customer’s dining experience. Among the staples on offer are the McSpicy Chicken Sandwich from Hong Kong, a French mozzarella salad and a barista bar resembling those in the company’s Australian branches. These international items will be available to customers on a rotating basis alongside regular favorites such as the classic chicken nuggets and fries or the Big Mac.
Tribute Portfolio Homes is a new home share offering from Marriott International, launched in partnership with Hostmaker, a London-based homestay property management company. It still 1s a Beta experience; they would love your feedback to make the experience even better. Every property within Tribute Portfolio Homes is vetted and reviewed by hospitality experts. Properties meet rigorous safety, security and design standards before they are accepted as part of Tribute Portfolio Homes. They have partnerships with local property management experts, like Hostmaker, who provide 24/7 support. They also strive to make travel easy and stress-free through offering 24 hour in-person check-in; high speed wi-fi; premium bed linens and fluffy white towels – all expertly laundered; full-sized bath amenities; cooking essentials; and child-friendly items, such as high chairs and travel cribs. Staying with Tribute Portfolio Homes allows guests to earn with Marriott Rewards or SPG.
Ian Schrager’s luxury hotel chain EDITION Hotels, co-owned by Marriot, is cutting down on the most environmentally damaging resource: disposable plastic. In honor of Earth Day on April 22, they’ve pledged to be disposable plastic free — leading the hospitality industry in a plastic free movement. ‘Stay Plastic Free’ is their initiative, aimed to make the luxury chain disposable plastic free by the end of 2019. Sparking a movement among hoteliers worldwide, this campaign is spearheaded by EDITION’s vice president of brand experiences, Ben Pundole.
Susan Kare, the woman behind the Apple Macintosh’s smiling computer icon, has lent her decades-long visual expertise and creative savvy to a new cafe located inside Pinterest’s San Francisco headquarters.
Kare, a UI and graphic designer, has worked for Pinterest since 2015. She also sits on the design team of the newly-opened cafe called “The Point.” Inspirational images in the article of Business Insider.
The founders of East London nightlife institution Dalston Superstore are to open a new karaoke dive bar, The Karaoke Hole, on 24th May. Tucked away on Kingsland High Street in the heart of Dalston, The Karaoke Hole will play host to professional drag queens and brave amateurs alike, stepping into the limelight on the bespoke, disco ball-clad stage complete with strategically-placed wind machines allowing every performer to unleash their inner RuPaul. Karaoke seems to become more popular, we recently wrote about the opening of the Duke of Tokyo, a Japanse karaoke bar in Amsterdam that opened in April this year.
A group of chefs is attempting to set a world record for the highest ever restaurant pop-up – 11,600 feet to be precise, at Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas. The group of four chefs, which includes Indian chef Sanjay Thakur, who has competed in both the Bocuse d’Or and S.Pellegrino Young Chef competitions, will be setting off on an eight day trek from the town of Lukla, Nepal at the end of May, foraging all the way – an they’re looking for 10 intrepid diners to join them!
“The biggest challenge of course will be the altitude, which will affect everything,” says Thakur. “Flavour [perception] will be decreased, so we will be designing a menu of extraordinary dishes accordingly, where spices will have the upper hand.”
