Food & Food Equipment News

Subway Brings 'Fresh Forward' with New Restaurant Design, Customer Experience

Subway® is rolling out a new "Fresh Forward" design that it says will change every aspect of the customer experience. The chain engaged FRCH Design Worldwide to design a distinctive and welcoming space. A bright new color palette, inspired by fresh vegetables, and the new logo serve as a focal point in the new space.

"We've created a modern design that gives our guests choices – from how they order, to how they pick up their food, to how they enjoy their meal," said Trevor Haynes, Vice President of Operations at Subway. "The reactions from our guests, our franchisees and the Sandwich Artists™ has been incredibly positive."

Highlights include:

• Digital: Self-order kiosks in select locations, digital menu boards and, as always, Apple and Samsung Pay options. Guests enjoy a speedy Subway experience with a separate food preparation area and a designated pre-order pick-up location for kiosk, mobile app, delivery, catering and bot for Messenger orders.
• Food: Fresh vegetable display with whole tomatoes, green peppers, onions and cucumbers that are sliced daily, plus new bread and cookie displays on the front of the line. Subway Fresh Forward restaurants also include new menu items, starting with pico de gallo, new sauces, house-made pickles, and made-without-gluten bread.
• Dine-In Experience: Bright and playful décor, curated music, and comfortable seating with USB charging ports and complimentary Wi-Fi create a welcoming environment.

The Subway Fresh Forward design has been brought to life with input from franchisees and customers around the world. There are 12 pilot locations open today in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.: Tamarac, Florida; Orlando, Florida (2); Winter Park, Florida; Chula Vista, California; Knoxville, Tennessee; Palmview, Texas; Hillsboro, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; Beauport, Quebec; Granby, Quebec; and Manchester, U.K. 

Hard Rock Revealed as Winning Bidder of Elvis Presley's Iconic Gold Leaf Piano

Hard Rock has 80,000 reasons to celebrate its world-famous memorabilia collection this week. At the recent Icons & Idols: Rock n' Roll Auction event at Julien's Auctions Beverly Hills, Hard Rock International, known for its memorabilia at locations worldwide, has acquired its 80,000th piece — Elvis Presley's 24-karat gold leaf grand piano. The most important piano to be offered from Elvis Presley's history will join Hard Rock's priceless collection of invaluable memorabilia pieces including handwritten lyrics, clothing and instruments from new and legendary music stars like Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jimi Hendrix and many more. 

"Elvis Presley's iconic gold piano has now become a cornerstone addition to our world-famous collection, and we couldn't be happier to celebrate such a milestone with The King's prized possession," said Hamish Dodds, Chief Executive Officer at Hard Rock International. "Hard Rock has been curating its priceless music memorabilia collection and sharing with guests around the world for more than 43 years, and Elvis' piano is an important piece of music history that we can't wait to share with our guests."

Presley's grand piano was played by the King of Rock and Roll inside a music room at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley originally purchased the piano for his mother in 1955 and installed it in his new home on Audobon Street. The piano was placed into storage after Presley's mother's death, until Priscilla Presley decided to adorn the piano in 24-karat gold-leaf finish as a gift for the couple's first wedding anniversary.  

"Hard Rock has a far-reaching connection to music history and we're always looking to add show-stopping pieces to our collection, such as the King's priceless piano," said Jerry Fraize, Director of Memorabilia for Hard Rock International and winning bidder on the piece. "While we are still deciding where this piece will reside within our properties, the front-runner at the moment would be the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, fitting for one of the most successful casino properties in the world."

Hard Rock Cafe, Hotel, Casino and Live venues across the country host some of the world's most fascinating pieces of memorabilia that celebrate defining moments throughout music history. Some of the most popular and iconic pieces include Jimi Hendrix's Gibson Flying V guitar, John Lennon's handwritten draft of "Imagine" lyrics and The Rolling Stones' Vox Phantom Mark III Guitar.

New Line of Chalkboard Tap Handles from Kegerators.com

The U.S. had over 300 new breweries open their doors in 2012, bringing new brews onto the craft beer scene and adding to the already booming industry. There's no doubt that craft beer is becoming more popular and with that comes more beers in more bars and every keg of beer needs a tap handle.

The beer tap handle has been around since the 1800s. For nearly as long, adults have attempted to decipher what beer lies beneath lavish tap handle designs.

"The beer tap handle is a great marketing tool, but it often results in something closer to confusion than good marketing," says Christian Lavender, founder of Kegerators.com and a craft beer advocate who hails from Austin, TX.

The chalkboard tap handle sits atop the beer faucet and allows the beer patron to easily read the beer's name or type, resulting in a clear message. "The taps are very practical and have a nice appearance. They are reusable and allow the bar to quickly label brews without waiting for a matching handle to arrive. With the ever increasing seasonals and one-off brews being made, this definitely can help a bar label a beer that might not have a dedicated tap handle," Lavender says.

The tap board's magic comes from a dual faced chalkboard erasable surface that allows the bar to write in whatever they've got on tap. Here's how they work:

1) Choose a beer to serve. 
2) Write the name on the tap board with chalk. 
3) Drink. Erase. Repeat.

"This is a great interchangeable tool for bars that have rotating or seasonal beers on tap," says Jeremy McKnight, Manager at Republic National Distributing Company, "and it really saves commercial bars and home brewers a lot of money. Fewer branded tap handles have to be purchased in the end."

Additional information on the Tap Board can be found at the www.TapBoards.com website.

Stillhouse To Open In Atlanta

Andrews Entertainment District is set to add Stillhouse to its impressive hospitality destination at 56 East Andrews Drive in Buckhead on Friday, August 30th. Using all of the moonshines available in Georgia, Stillhouse derives its name from its in-house cocktail program where moonshine is employed as the base ingredient to create classic cocktails. The carefully crafted cocktail menu is complemented by the ultimate burger experience with locally sourced ingredients and inspired toppings. 

Stillhouse offers a modern twist on burgers that sets the standard and goes to the extreme to taste the best. Applying regionally sourced products, baking cheeses onto buns and using house made condiments make the burgers stand out. Craft burgers selections include premium varieties of grass fed beef, mustard and Memphis pork, Coca-Cola teriyaki moonshine marinated chicken, seared turkey, fresh ground duck with house made confit, lump crabcakes, Apalachicola fried oysters and remarkable vegetarian options such as the Black eyed pea burger. Additional menu items include small plates, salads and shared sides consisting of deviled eggs, moonshine mussels, fried oysters, collard greens, spicy macaroni & cheese, fried green tomatoes, peanut butter hummus and more. Guests can dine inside, on the terrace or takeaway until late Monday through Saturday from 5pm until 1:30am.     

At Stillhouse, the moonshine cocktail program is served in a variety of ways to enjoy the distilled sensation. Using six charred oak barrels prominently featured on the back bar, the month aged spirits are second to none. Served straight or in a cocktail, the moonshine infusions combine regional ingredients such as Vidalia onions, Georgia peaches, watermelon, mint and more so flavors are balanced and shine. Guests may also choose to smoke their spirit or cocktail with fresh apple, cherry, pecan, and maple wood chips. Stimulating garnishes including local berries, freshly squeezed juices, bitters and house-made syrups ensure smooth, flavorsome cocktails. Additional bar options include a small but carefully selected list that features beer staples and regional microbrews, top wine sellers and an American craft selection of liquors such as the award-winning Boyd & Blair Vodka.    

"We love the history and flavor of moonshine. It took finding the right balance of ingredients to get an approachable but complex cocktail that pleases the palate," said Andrews Entertainment District President Steve de Haan. "Furthermore, we felt moonshine paired nicely with our amazing regionally sourced burgers to create an upscale burger bar."   

As guests enter Stillhouse, they will notice the natural materials, black and white prints of stills, bootleggers, and moonshiners. Adjacent to the back bar are two lit chalk board menus and daily specials. The space is warmed up with custom made Edison pendant lights and includes booths and whiskey barrel tables and custom tops. The ceiling has antiqued copper drop tiles alluding to the stills used to create this storied spirit. Featuring natural stone floors, a large wooden beam back bar and hammered copper accents on the bar, Stillhouse allows Buckhead's elite an evening out without the pretentiousness.  

Chef Giada De Laurentiis to Open Very First Restaurant at Gansevoort Las Vegas, Set to Open Early 2014

Chef, author and television personality Giada De Laurentiis plans to open her very first restaurant in early 2014 at the upcoming and all-new luxury lifestyle resort Gansevoort Las Vegas. This innovative concept is expected to open in early 2014 in conjunction with the hotel and casino.

Located in the heart of the dynamic city of Las Vegas, De Laurentiis' outlet will become the cornerstone of the hip and luxurious destination, located on the second level above the casino floor. This outlet will boast al fresco dining and breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip and the Bellagio fountains.

"Ever since I was a little girl hanging out at my grandfather's restaurant, I've dreamed of having a restaurant of my own," says De Laurentiis.

De Laurentiis' cuisine will embrace her birthplace of Rome, mirroring her passion for Italian cooking with lighter, Californian influences. Guests can enjoy her signature dishes made famous through her many cookbooks and "Food Network" television shows, along with uniquely crafted family recipes that focus on quality ingredients and great flavors.

Guests will be greeted with delicious aromas of bread baking along with a signature antipasto station, a first for Italian eateries on the Strip. The appeal of an open and airy kitchen will set the space apart giving guests the opportunity to watch chefs prepare the specialty pasta of the day, create beautiful flatbreads and bake divine desserts.

"Gansevoort Las Vegas will be a completely unique boutique resort experience and will bring a new level of social excitement to the Las Vegas Strip. Drai's Beach Club and Nightclub, Drai's After Hours, the signature lobby bar, and now Giada's very first restaurant, are certain to set the destination apart," said Tariq Shaukat, chief marketing officer for Caesars Entertainment. "Giada's exuberant warm personality and dynamic style will undoubtedly result in a restaurant that will not only be a perfect match for the experience we are creating, but also will become a destination in itself."

With De Laurentiis' vision in mind, the restaurant will be a completely new build-out, revealing a modern, yet sleek design with clean lines and pops of color.  Los Angeles-based Studio Collective, whose prestigious portfolio includes several well-known hospitality venues including Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills and Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center, will lead the overall design. The restaurant space will extend over the pedestrian walkway below, featuring large glass windows with daytime and nighttime views of the Strip. The overall design will bring forth a comfortable, warm and welcoming charm with natural light and unique energy. Posh living room-style furniture will provide a cozy space for guests to relax, while views of the open kitchen from the bar will create an air of excitement. Private dining room space will also be available for larger parties or group functions.

The new restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner and will accommodate nearly 300 guests.

Daytona Oceanfront Dining Just Got Better

Paragon Entertainment Group (PEG) just opened a super-fast casual pizza restaurant in an oceanfront location at the Ocean Walk Shoppes. My Pi Custom Pizza & Craft Beer is set to become one of the area's hottest new venues. With seating to accommodate 100 guests, the wallet-friendly restaurant appeals to a diverse clientele, including families, students, and young professionals. Featuring a hip interior design that incorporates woods and metals to deliver a modern, industrial look, and outdoor balcony seating overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, My Pi is the perfect backdrop for date night. 

Similar to quick-serve restaurants like Chipotle, My Pi focuses on delicious, custom pizza offerings with a made-to-order menu, and dough that is baked from scratch using high-quality ingredients.  At My Pi, customers move along a service line and select from a number of sauces, cheeses, and freshly chopped toppings to customize their pizzas.  Two salads, a Caesar and Spinach, are also offered and can be customized.

Additionally, My Pi will feature a rotating selection of craft draft beers and seasonal bottled offerings.  The draft beers will be rotated on a monthly basis to provide incredible options to patrons and the restaurant will offer some of the most unique and complex beers from local, domestic, and imported brewers.

The 2,500 square foot restaurant has awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean, which can be seen from both inside and outside of the restaurant.  "As a growing, family-oriented community, My Pi is the perfect addition to the Daytona Beach area," states Robert Fronckoski, Paragon Entertainment Group's Director of Operations.

Woodinville's Historic Hollywood Tavern Reborn

A well-known and much-loved landmark property in the heart of Woodinville's wine country will soon become the new home for the Northwest's top distillery and the site of a reimagined roadside tavern featuring local farm-fresh cuisine. Seattle-based real estate company Point32 has teamed with Woodinville Whiskey Co. and the Huxley Wallace Collective, founded by restaurateur and street food pioneer Josh Henderson of Skillet fame, to create a new destination property at the "bend in the road" near the Ste. Michelle winery and Redhook Brewery.

For more than 65 years, the Hollywood's red neon "TAVERN" sign has welcomed visitors to Woodinville. While the sign will remain, the property will get a major facelift from Graham Baba Architects: a new production distillery, larger tasting room, and "Barrel Loft" event space for Woodinville Whiskey, and an expanded tavern space for Executive Chef Angie Roberts'  "wine country farm cuisine." A large outdoor patio will provide an applewood rotisserie grill, a fire pit, and horseshoe pits for catering, special events, and private parties held in the distillery building.

Built in the 1920s, the "Hollywood Corner Service Station" was converted to the Hollywood Tavern in 1947. Point32 purchased the property in 2012 with the intention of preserving the site's agri-industrial character and bringing together a destination distillery and tavern where folks could tour, taste, dine, relax, and celebrate.

"Not only will the new distillery allow us to quadruple production capacity to meet the growing demand for our products, it also offers a more interactive tour experience and private event space with catering by the Hollywood Tavern," notes Woodinville Whiskey co-founder Orlin Sorensen. Under the mentorship of David Pickerell, former 14-year Master Distiller for Maker's Mark Bourbon, Woodinville Whiskey has quickly become one of the state's top craft distilleries, combining select Washington-grown grains and fresh Cascade mountain water in its handmade production process. Hard-core fans have been known to line up overnight for the company's new releases, and are awaiting its annual "Harvest Release" later this fall.

This new roadside tavern fulfills Huxley Wallace Collective's vision of bringing "handcrafted food and spaces to beautiful Washington State," says Henderson, who started Skillet Street Food in a vintage Airstream trailer six years ago. Today, the Skillet family includes an award-winning diner with a second on the way, two successful food trucks, a thriving catering enterprise, the Skillet Counter, and its legendary Bacon Jam line. Roberts' menu will include such tasty items as house-ground classic cheeseburgers on buttered, toasted milk rolls, spit-roasted local meats, and house-made pasta. The inspiration for catering is simplicity, with authentic technique and ingredients: Think whole roast pigs with salsa verde, whole-grain salads with roasted artichokes, seasonal house-made soft-serve ice cream (yes, kids will be welcome in the dining room and patio), and whiskey flights. Somersaults will be highly encouraged—and not just from the kids.

Retractable Roof Brings A New Level of Luxury to NYC's Refinery Hotel

Located in Manhattan's Fashion District, Refinery Hotel is now welcoming guests to its newly opened Rooftop, featuring a retractable roof designed, manufactured and installed by OpenAire. The industrial aesthetic of Refinery Hotel extends onto the Rooftop above, where cocktails can be enjoyed within three distinct lounge spaces: indoor, outdoor and a space 'in-between' with an integrated bi-parting skylight.

The retractable glass roof enhances the view of New York's city sunsets, where guests can take in the skyline of Manhattan and the Empire State Building, while relaxing with cocktails or a glass of wine from the bar's premium wine list. The Rooftop's retractable roof features:

• A lean-to-enclosure with bi-parting roof, measuring 24'-4" x 40'-5", with a 40'-5" x 12'-5 ½" high front wall
• Installation along a 7.72 degree slope
• 4 dividing roof sections each measuring 10'-0"
• Two sections that bi-part up to 50 per cent from the center, moving outward and "parking" over the fixed end bays

"OpenAire's bi-parting skylight for the Refinery Rooftop adds a touch of luxury to the industrial aesthetic of the building. The integration of a retractable roof adds that unique element which boutique hotel clientele can appreciate," said Mark Albertine, president of OpenAire.

"The Rooftop has a warm industrial aesthetic for which the OpenAire skylight was a perfect complement. The massive skylight brings the outside in and vice versa, while sheltering guests from the elements," said Christina Zimmer, principal at Stonehill & Taylor Architects and Planners.

"The retractable skylight has become a focal point for our guests, with evening hours spent enjoying access to the Manhattanskyline. OpenAire enabled us to realize our original vision for the Rooftop, from conception to execution of the finest details," said Pinky Vaid, owner of Refinery Hotel.

The Refinery Hotel's Rooftop opened June 2013.

New Bill's Bar & Burger Hits Downtown Manhattan

Stephen Hanson and BR Guest Hospitality are pleased to announce the opening on this past Monday of their fourth Bill's Bar & Burger on 85 West Street in the New York Marriott Downtown. The fourth location of Bill's, which continues to serve up classic American comfort food in NYC's Meatpacking District, at Rockefeller Center, and at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City, marks a foray into downtown Manhattan for Hanson, furthering the hospitality group's commitment to New York City. 

"We are excited to partner with New York Marriott Downtown to bring the relaxed and low-key atmosphere at Bill's to the neighborhood surrounding the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, and South Street Seaport," says Stephen Hanson, President & Founder of BR Guest Hospitality.

Bill's Bar & Burger and Bill's West Side Bar will occupy two spaces within the 497-room hotel. The 400-seat spot, including 235 seats in the main dining room, 14 seats in the outdoor cafe, and 15 seats at the bar, has a casual vibe thanks to decor featuring a mix of tin and dark woods, industrial lighting, and art from emerging artists on the walls. A standing counter, sculptural light fixtures and checkered tablecloths add to the nostalgic environment.

Bill's Bar & Burger located in the Marriott Downtown will continue to dish up signature flattop griddled burgers, hand-dipped milkshakes, and over 100 craft beers in addition to serving breakfast every day.  Filling out the menu are items ranging from $8-$25, including Bill's Breakfast Burger, Classic Lasagna, and Bill's "Fat Cat," dubbed one of CNN's Top 10 Burgers in 2013.

The new restaurant is now open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week from 11am until midnight. As of July 22,  Bill's will be open for breakfast Monday-Friday 6:30am-Midnight, and Saturday- Sunday 7:00am-Midnight.  Reservations are accepted. Please visit http://www.billsbarandburger.com for more information.

Hawn McClain's Five50 Pizza Bar Now Open at Vegas' Aria Resort and Casino

FIVE50 Pizza Bar, the first casual concept from James Beard award-winning Chef Shawn McClain, is now open at ARIA Resort & Casino. Following the success of Sage, his first restaurant at the property, Chef McClain’s newest Las Vegas outpost is serving up wood-fired pizzas, flavorful small plates, artisanal charcuterie, international cheeses, seasonal salads, handmade pastas and decadent desserts, all complemented by an impressive collection of carefully selected craft beers.

Designed by celebrated architect David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, the industrial-chic space blends the warmth, soul and nostalgia of classic pizzerias with the social energy and edgy vibe of the best bar scenes. All aspects of the iconic FIVE50 atmosphere are elevated with a concentration on craftsmanship and the use of the finest natural materials; a design highlight and focal point is the custom mural by CYRCLE, a Los Angeles-based street artist collective. Style is also at the forefront with a bold, fresh take on traditional uniforms, conceived by the FIVE50 team and designed by Las Vegas fashion designer Barbara Bell. To round out the experience is a signature music soundtrack with genres ranging from classic rock and rebel country to old school hip hop and indie pop.

FIVE50 Pizza Bar Features: 

Farm-Fresh Fare. Known for his ability to create complex yet approachable flavor profiles, Chef McClain’s dynamic culinary expertise is exemplified with the diversity of FIVE50’s menu – which features signature pizzas, Italian-inspired specialty dishes and home-style desserts – all prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

• Pizza. FIVE50’s 16-inch pies are baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven; the crispy crust blends properties of New York and Naples-style pizzas, but is a signature creation of Chef McClain’s. Elevated with rich sauce and creamy cheese, flavors range from traditional to gourmet such as the Gotham, topped with pepperoni, sausage, salami, mozzarella and Grana Padano; and the Farmstead, with prosciutto, crème fraiche and country olives, finished with an over-easy farm egg. Other unique varieties include the clam-topped North Beach and Truffle pizzas. Guests also can create their own with choices of more than 20 toppings.
• Specialties. Accentuating guests’ dining experience, FIVE50 offers an eclectic Meat & Cheese Bar featuring artisanal charcuterie and international cheeses. Flavorful small plates include Wood-Fired Clams and Linguica Sausage, Marinated Octopus Crostini, and Creamy Polenta and Farm Egg, to name a few. FIVE50’s salads feature the best of seasonal produce with refreshing flavors such as Arugula and Fennel, and Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata Cheese for summer. All pasta is hand-rolled daily; signature pastas include such options as Ricotta Cavatelli with pistachio pesto; and Pigs & Truffles, a rich, pork shoulder cannelloni with spinach, béchamel and summer truffles. 
• Dessert.  Home-style sweets with a gourmet spin offer the perfect ending to meals at FIVE50. Guests can enjoy an array of indulgences such as Milk Chocolate-Lavender Custard served layered in a miniature mason jar; the FIVE50 ‘Beer’ Float with caramelized banana, malted milk ice cream, salted caramel and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout; and a unique Ice Cream Sandwich, with a choice of ice cream flavor served between two pizzelle cookies and paired with a sip of Italian soda.
• Craft Beers. With more than 50 beers offered, FIVE50’s all-American draft selection features 11 microbrews on tap with a focus on regional American craft varieties. Its eclectic bottle list showcases the best beer from around the globe. The menu includes seasonal offerings from labels such as Dogfish Head, Sierra Nevada and Las Vegas microbreweries, Tenaya Creek and Big Dog’s; tried-and-true craft favorites such as Stone Arrogant Bastard and Rogue Dead Guy Ale; and premium imports like Chimay and Unibroue. FIVE50’s beverage program is rounded out with three gluten-free beers, four ciders, an extensive by-the-glass wine list and specialty cocktails to satisfy all kinds of thirsty guests.

Located off ARIA’s casino floor adjacent to the Race & Sports Book, FIVE50 Pizza Bar is now open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight; the slice counter is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.