Category Archives: Trends

The Land of Lincoln Opens the Doors of Opportunity to Small Distilleries

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 30, 2010
Legislation signed this week by Gov. Pat Quinn allows small distilleries, firms that make less than 5,000 gallons of spirits a year, to sell the liquor they produce at their facilities. While wineries and microbreweries nationwide have used this model for a number of years, this is a new, and potentially highly lucrative, development for [...]
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Craft Beer + Dark Chocolate = Bliss

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 27, 2010
Here’s a trend that’s sure to make you lasting friends: beer and chocolate pairings. When you consider all of the amazing domestic craft beers available coupled with local or imported chocolate, this is an event that you can safely repeat time after time. While there are obvious days to promote beer and chocolate pairings, like [...]
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Attention Bar and Restaurant Owners: Is Genevers on Your Radar Yet?

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 23, 2010
Attention cocktail and spirits lovers, a Dutch style of gin known as genever is getting more popular than Dutch tulips. The English word “gin” derives from Genevers. Served chilled and in the traditional tulip-shaped glasses found in Amsterdam’s genever bars, this cocktail is sure to please your regulars. Pair with Dutch cheese, slow-braised oxtail, stews [...]
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New Study Reveals More Adults in the U.S. Appear to be Drinking Alcohol

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 19, 2010
According to a new study conducted by the University of Texas School of Public Health and the University of North Texas Health Science Center, it appears that more adults in the U.S., across all ethnic and gender lines, are drinking alcohol. Why are Americans drinking more alcoholic beverages? While the results from the report are [...]
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Do You Need a Fixed Bar to Serve Your Customers Cocktails?

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 8, 2010
Answer: No. All you really require is a competent bartender, a state issued full liquor license and a portable bar. Bingo, you’re now offering your customers a full complement of alcoholic beverages. If your restaurant is too small to accommodate a fixed bar, the table-side cocktail service is made to order. “When you don’t have [...]
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Can a “Local Drink” Philosophy Make Your Customers Happy?

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 7, 2010
The locavore, or local food, movement is all about eating local meats and produce. The idea is to eat food that is fresher and doesn’t have to travel great distances, making the dining experience greener. Locally produced craft beer and locally made wines are, of course, the natural complements to the local food movement. One [...]
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Are Celebrity Bartenders the Next Big Thing?

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 5, 2010
Do you remember Tom Cruise in Cocktail? Well, it seems that at least in New York, reality is now mimicking fiction. Bye-bye celeb karaoke DJ and hello Celebrity Bartender! I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make. Cocktail At selected bars around New York, bartender’s who have developed a following are encouraged to place [...]
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Is Your Menu Varied Enough to Accomodate Vegetarians?

By Jon Mejia | Published: July 2, 2010
I recently went to dinner at a local French restaurant with a new friend only to discover that he is a committed vegetarian. Oops! While he was gracious and made do with bread, salad and soup, the experience reminded me of a growing trend as restaurants widen their menus to accommodate those who are lessening [...]
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Will Smoked Salmon Flavored Vodka Make a Splash at Your Bar or Restaurant?

By Jon Mejia | Published: June 30, 2010
First there was bacon-flavored vodka from Seattle and now you can savor salmon-flavored vodka from Wasilla, AK, the home of Sara Palin. It seems the inspiration behind the new product was creating a flavor with an Alaska theme. If your restaurant is frequented by super-foodies willing to try anything adventurous, then this alcoholic beverage could [...]
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When is Too Loud a Problem for a Bar or Restaurant?

By Jon Mejia | Published: June 29, 2010
Are quieter restaurants and bars a trend? Loud, crowded dining rooms and cocktail parties fueled by too many drinks can be a turnoff to many of your customers. One way to turn the volume down in your bar or restaurant is to pad the walls. To be sure, you’ll want to have enough buzz going [...]
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