Restaurant News
Casual Restaurants Treat Veterans to Free Meal
For all the forgettable Veterans Day sales, there's a trio of free-meal deals for military veterans that speak not just to the heart but the stomach.
For all the forgettable Veterans Day sales, there's a trio of free-meal deals for military veterans that speak not just to the heart but the stomach.
Wendy's Outperforms Corporate Sibling Arby's
Wendy's is holding its own in a challenging market, but Arby's continues to face difficulties, according to financial results released Thursday by Atlanta-based Wendy's/Arby's Group.
Wendy's is holding its own in a challenging market, but Arby's continues to face difficulties, according to financial results released Thursday by Atlanta-based Wendy's/Arby's Group.
Rumor: Robuchon on His Way to Opening in San Francisco
Scoop hears that superstar French chef Joel Robuchon may be headed to San Francisco. Sources say the chef, who holds more Michelin stars than any other, is talking to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel 222 Sansome St. about opening a restaurant. Once dubbed the "Chef of the 20th Century" by the Gault Millau guide, Robuchon opened his L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris and Las Vegas in 2003. Since then, he's opened in New York, Hong Kong and London, among other cities.
Scoop hears that superstar French chef Joel Robuchon may be headed to San Francisco. Sources say the chef, who holds more Michelin stars than any other, is talking to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel 222 Sansome St. about opening a restaurant. Once dubbed the "Chef of the 20th Century" by the Gault Millau guide, Robuchon opened his L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris and Las Vegas in 2003. Since then, he's opened in New York, Hong Kong and London, among other cities.
Web, Cellphone Users Not Isolated from Reality
It's easy -- and tempting -- to believe that cellphones and the Internet are making Americans more isolated as they filter out those around them and focus on lighted screens, distant Facebook friends and LOL conversations.
It's easy -- and tempting -- to believe that cellphones and the Internet are making Americans more isolated as they filter out those around them and focus on lighted screens, distant Facebook friends and LOL conversations.
Burgers Eaten, Lessons Learned
In six months of chronicling hamburgers in Chicago, I've stuffed nearly 60 different ones down my gullet. My cholesterol stayed low, but psychic damage was done. Today, I can't look at a cheeseburger without reaching for the wide end of an open bucket. One day I'll learn to love them again. For now, I'm abstaining from burger coverage until at least 2010, when I complete my carrot stick-flax seed detox program. (If you need an interim fix, all our past shows are at cheeseburgershow.com.) Still, important lessons were learned. Digging through my reporter's notebook, I found some pearls of cheeseburger wisdom.
In six months of chronicling hamburgers in Chicago, I've stuffed nearly 60 different ones down my gullet. My cholesterol stayed low, but psychic damage was done. Today, I can't look at a cheeseburger without reaching for the wide end of an open bucket. One day I'll learn to love them again. For now, I'm abstaining from burger coverage until at least 2010, when I complete my carrot stick-flax seed detox program. (If you need an interim fix, all our past shows are at cheeseburgershow.com.) Still, important lessons were learned. Digging through my reporter's notebook, I found some pearls of cheeseburger wisdom.
Uncertainty: Crop, Food Prices Highlight Inconsistency
Milk at $2 a gallon, gasoline at $3 and gold selling at how much per ounce? These are turbulent times in the commodity markets, as a weak dollar and uncertain demand have sent some of the global economy's basic building blocks soaring -- or sinking, as the case may be. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve once again left interest rates at practically zero and issued a soothing statement that belies the stormy conditions. Its policymakers are counting on idle workers, unused plant capacity and surplus materials to keep inflation in check overall.
Milk at $2 a gallon, gasoline at $3 and gold selling at how much per ounce? These are turbulent times in the commodity markets, as a weak dollar and uncertain demand have sent some of the global economy's basic building blocks soaring -- or sinking, as the case may be. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve once again left interest rates at practically zero and issued a soothing statement that belies the stormy conditions. Its policymakers are counting on idle workers, unused plant capacity and surplus materials to keep inflation in check overall.
Popeyes Franchisee Seeks Chapter 11
By Carolyn Shapiro The Virginian-Pilot NORFOLK The companies that own multiple Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants in Hampton Roads have filed for bankruptcy - three days after their primary lenders sued them for defaulting on $5.07 million in loans.
By Carolyn Shapiro The Virginian-Pilot NORFOLK The companies that own multiple Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants in Hampton Roads have filed for bankruptcy - three days after their primary lenders sued them for defaulting on $5.07 million in loans.
Nuts Get an Image Boost in Restaurants
There's a nut war going on, and it's more than the usual squirrel battle to gather the most food before winter sets in. Growers of almonds, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts are clamoring to communicate the big health benefits in each bite. Nuts as a category have emerged as one of the health heroes in the food world. Not too long ago nuts suffered from an image problem because of their high calorie content.
There's a nut war going on, and it's more than the usual squirrel battle to gather the most food before winter sets in. Growers of almonds, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts are clamoring to communicate the big health benefits in each bite. Nuts as a category have emerged as one of the health heroes in the food world. Not too long ago nuts suffered from an image problem because of their high calorie content.
With Rents Down, Local Dining Chains Pounce
Taco Mac, an Atlanta-based chain of sports bars, began eyeing more than a year ago the site of Frankie's Sports Grill, part of the financially troubled Jocks & Jills chain. This week, Taco Mac opened its newest outlet in the Sandy Springs Prado development where Frankie's once stood. It saw a chance to grab an attractive spot that filled a geographic gap in its own chain, said Bob Campbell, president of Tappan Street Restaurant Group, the parent company of Taco Mac. "Frankie's, in its heyday, was the premiere sports bar in town," Campbell said. "We knew it was a good opportunity to try to revive that location and make it a top-quality sports bar again."
Taco Mac, an Atlanta-based chain of sports bars, began eyeing more than a year ago the site of Frankie's Sports Grill, part of the financially troubled Jocks & Jills chain. This week, Taco Mac opened its newest outlet in the Sandy Springs Prado development where Frankie's once stood. It saw a chance to grab an attractive spot that filled a geographic gap in its own chain, said Bob Campbell, president of Tappan Street Restaurant Group, the parent company of Taco Mac. "Frankie's, in its heyday, was the premiere sports bar in town," Campbell said. "We knew it was a good opportunity to try to revive that location and make it a top-quality sports bar again."
Local Papa John's Honors Firefighters with Free Pizza
In recognition of the brave firefighters who serve our communities, on Nov. 10 Papa John's throughout the country will offer free pizzas to Firehouses - just like in the newest Papa John's commercials airing nationwide. Papa John's restaurants will honor local fire heroes by delivering the new Six Meats pizzas and the Six Cheese pizzas to firefighters in participating locations.
In recognition of the brave firefighters who serve our communities, on Nov. 10 Papa John's throughout the country will offer free pizzas to Firehouses - just like in the newest Papa John's commercials airing nationwide. Papa John's restaurants will honor local fire heroes by delivering the new Six Meats pizzas and the Six Cheese pizzas to firefighters in participating locations.
McDonald's Japan to Serve 7 New Coffee Drinks
McDonald's Co. (Japan) said Tuesday that it will launch seven espresso-based drinks under the McCafe brand and start serving some of them on November 21.
McDonald's Co. (Japan) said Tuesday that it will launch seven espresso-based drinks under the McCafe brand and start serving some of them on November 21.
New Cookbooks Herald Return to the Family Table
WE ALL KNOW the theory: that families who dine together have kids with better grades and healthier outlooks. But we also know the guilty reality. Getting those overbooked kids and overextended parents to the dinner table takes the scheduling skills of an airport control tower these days and you can forget what's on the plate. That's where we're going wrong, says Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart's food guru and author of the new "Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys." If the aromas emerging from the kitchen smell amazing, there's no power on Earth that will keep a hungry teen away. Quinn is in good company. Hers is one of three recent cookbooks urging a return to the family dinner table and more important offering tips on how to achieve that Rockwellian vision without going nuts.
WE ALL KNOW the theory: that families who dine together have kids with better grades and healthier outlooks. But we also know the guilty reality. Getting those overbooked kids and overextended parents to the dinner table takes the scheduling skills of an airport control tower these days and you can forget what's on the plate. That's where we're going wrong, says Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart's food guru and author of the new "Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys." If the aromas emerging from the kitchen smell amazing, there's no power on Earth that will keep a hungry teen away. Quinn is in good company. Hers is one of three recent cookbooks urging a return to the family dinner table and more important offering tips on how to achieve that Rockwellian vision without going nuts.
McMoms Answer Fast-food Critics
Listen to your mother. Or, at least, to someone's mother. That's the rationale behind McDonald's Corp.'s Moms Quality Correspondents program. The embattled fast-food giant has enlisted a squadron of moms - the primary mealtime decision-makers in most households - to witness firsthand the company's commitment to food safety and a sustainable supply chain and then fan out to evangelize among parents concerned about nutrition, quality and value. The McMoms campaign combines a very old form of communication (listening to your friends, family and neighbors) with the very new viral communication of the Internet age (blogs, short video clips, Facebook pages). Last year, Edelman Public Relations did a study that showed most Americans think "a person like me" is the most credible source for company information.
Listen to your mother. Or, at least, to someone's mother. That's the rationale behind McDonald's Corp.'s Moms Quality Correspondents program. The embattled fast-food giant has enlisted a squadron of moms - the primary mealtime decision-makers in most households - to witness firsthand the company's commitment to food safety and a sustainable supply chain and then fan out to evangelize among parents concerned about nutrition, quality and value. The McMoms campaign combines a very old form of communication (listening to your friends, family and neighbors) with the very new viral communication of the Internet age (blogs, short video clips, Facebook pages). Last year, Edelman Public Relations did a study that showed most Americans think "a person like me" is the most credible source for company information.
Chicago: Last Blackhawk Restaurant to Close
The spinning salad bowl is coming to a stop. Permanently. Don Roth's Blackhawk, which is celebrating 40 years in northwest suburban Wheeling, announced Monday that the venerable restaurant will close at the end of the year.
The spinning salad bowl is coming to a stop. Permanently. Don Roth's Blackhawk, which is celebrating 40 years in northwest suburban Wheeling, announced Monday that the venerable restaurant will close at the end of the year.
Del Frisco Steak House Pickets Have Gone H
Pickets are gone from Del Frisco's steak house in Center City as a nearly yearlong feud with subcontractors has all but come to an end. About 17 companies that helped build the restaurant last year had said they were owed $6.1 million from the general contractor, Lorient L.L.C., of Illinois. When Lorient owners apparently vanished shortly after the restaurant's Nov. 28 opening, the contractors dunned Del Frisco's, which argued that it should not have to pay twice for the work. Amid a blizzard of lawsuits, contractors leafleted passersby almost daily at 15th and Chestnut Streets.
Pickets are gone from Del Frisco's steak house in Center City as a nearly yearlong feud with subcontractors has all but come to an end. About 17 companies that helped build the restaurant last year had said they were owed $6.1 million from the general contractor, Lorient L.L.C., of Illinois. When Lorient owners apparently vanished shortly after the restaurant's Nov. 28 opening, the contractors dunned Del Frisco's, which argued that it should not have to pay twice for the work. Amid a blizzard of lawsuits, contractors leafleted passersby almost daily at 15th and Chestnut Streets.
Chef Peggy Ryan Named 2009 Educator of the Year
Kendall College issued the following news release: Peggy Ryan, a culinary instructor in the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, Chicago, received Women Chefs & Restaurateurs' (WCR) 2009 Educator of the Year Award today during the association's national conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. WCR's Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Visa Signature, recognizes excellence in culinary education and honors a woman whose dedication to teaching is making a difference to the culinary community. Ryan was selected among all candidates by a committee of culinary professionals.
Kendall College issued the following news release: Peggy Ryan, a culinary instructor in the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, Chicago, received Women Chefs & Restaurateurs' (WCR) 2009 Educator of the Year Award today during the association's national conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. WCR's Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Visa Signature, recognizes excellence in culinary education and honors a woman whose dedication to teaching is making a difference to the culinary community. Ryan was selected among all candidates by a committee of culinary professionals.
Restaurant Discounts on the Web
Sticking to a budget is tough, particularly when the carrots dangling in front of you are discounted luxury spa treatments and restaurant deals. If the temptation seems harder than ever to resist, it's no accident. Bargain sites are rolling out offers so enticing even the most disciplined throw in the towel on occasion. They've targeted the folks already prone to hunt for steals, and have come at them unapologetically. No one's complaining, though. Atlanta is crowded with best-deal Web sites, and there's enough demand for everyone.
Sticking to a budget is tough, particularly when the carrots dangling in front of you are discounted luxury spa treatments and restaurant deals. If the temptation seems harder than ever to resist, it's no accident. Bargain sites are rolling out offers so enticing even the most disciplined throw in the towel on occasion. They've targeted the folks already prone to hunt for steals, and have come at them unapologetically. No one's complaining, though. Atlanta is crowded with best-deal Web sites, and there's enough demand for everyone.
Panera Offers Healthy Meal with Caffine Jolt, Free WiFi
ANNE BRALY: Panera Bread has been a favorite of mine since the chain opened its first area location on Market Street. Though the sweet rolls and muffins are a little over the top for me, the bagels, sandwiches, soups and salads are incredible. For the last couple of years, I've always ordered the Asian chicken salad. I think that will all change now. I tried the new Barbecue Chicken Chop Salad and fell in love. I'd even planned on ordering a half salad, but now I am glad I ordered the whole thing. The mixture of roasted corn salsa with black beans, those crispy little tortilla strips, crisp Romaine lettuce and tender chicken all jumbled together and drizzled with barbecue-ranch dressing is a phenomenal creation.
ANNE BRALY: Panera Bread has been a favorite of mine since the chain opened its first area location on Market Street. Though the sweet rolls and muffins are a little over the top for me, the bagels, sandwiches, soups and salads are incredible. For the last couple of years, I've always ordered the Asian chicken salad. I think that will all change now. I tried the new Barbecue Chicken Chop Salad and fell in love. I'd even planned on ordering a half salad, but now I am glad I ordered the whole thing. The mixture of roasted corn salsa with black beans, those crispy little tortilla strips, crisp Romaine lettuce and tender chicken all jumbled together and drizzled with barbecue-ranch dressing is a phenomenal creation.
Recall: Tainted Beef Linked to Two Deaths
Contaminated fresh ground beef caused a possible E. coli outbreak that killed two people and sent 16 others to hospitals, federal health officials said Monday.
Contaminated fresh ground beef caused a possible E. coli outbreak that killed two people and sent 16 others to hospitals, federal health officials said Monday.
Whataburger Launches "Caring" Initiative During Down Economy
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic quick service chain Whataburger announced today the launch of 'Whataburger Serves,' a sweeping long-term initiative designed to share the Whataburger spirit of selfless service with customers, employees and the community. "It is widely known at Whataburger that my favorite bird is the eagle because in stormy times, when all other birds seek refuge, the eagle soars," said Tom Dobson, Whataburger Restaurants, LP Chairman and CEO. "In these tough economic times, our company is going to soar to extend a helping hand to our customers, community and employees in an effort to restore a little bit of hope."
Next »
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic quick service chain Whataburger announced today the launch of 'Whataburger Serves,' a sweeping long-term initiative designed to share the Whataburger spirit of selfless service with customers, employees and the community. "It is widely known at Whataburger that my favorite bird is the eagle because in stormy times, when all other birds seek refuge, the eagle soars," said Tom Dobson, Whataburger Restaurants, LP Chairman and CEO. "In these tough economic times, our company is going to soar to extend a helping hand to our customers, community and employees in an effort to restore a little bit of hope."
Advertisement
Advertisements
