Top 5 Restaurant Trends

Trends…always changing, always tasty.  Being the foodies we are, we’ve noticed a few new patterns popping up on restaurant menus.  We collectively decided that eggs, grains, greens, coconut water and oysters are among the top restaurant trends.

Eggs:  No longer just a breakfast staple, eggs have left the chicken coop and have started to arrive in various settings such as cocktails (try the Bradstreet Cocktail: a blend of Jim Beam Rye, jasmine syrup, lemon, bitters and, yes, egg whites; located at Bradstreet Crafthouse 601 First Ave. N., Mpls.).  Eggs have also started to appear on top burgers and bruschetta (try the soft egg and lobster bruschetta; complete with cream cheese, tomatoes, chives, a buttery-ness of sorts set atop crostinis at Bar La Grassa 800 North Washington Avenue, Mpls.). Grains:  We bet the first thing that comes to mind when we say “grains” isn’t black rice mixed with gremolata accompanying a seared sea scallop, but that is exactly what we had the luxury of sampling while at Bar La Grassa.   Uncommon grains are more prevalent on menus because of their versatility and availability within the market (think rice, faro, quinoa and freekeh just to name a few).

Greens: Not only is this category one of Popeye the Sailor’s favorites, it has become a super-food trend in the health market.  Greens (such as kale, spinach, arugula, collard greens, etc.) are making their way onto several menus, and not just in salad-form.  Pizza anyone?  Try The Iowan (La Quercia prosciutto, ricotta, mozzarella, garlic confit & arugula) at Pizzeria Lola 5557 Xerxes Ave. South, Mpls.

Coconut Water: Who knew sticking a straw into a young green coconut, much like the roadside merchants do in Latin America and Asia, would become a popular trend over the water?  This low calorie, electrolyte-booster has become a favorite among sports-enthusiasts, health-addicts and coconut-lovers, just to name a few.  Last year, Vita Coco, the biggest-selling coconut water brand in the US, won BevNET’s top product and marketing awards.  In a nutshell, we found this natural energy drink falling from trees and landing in local groceries such as Wholefoods and Surdyks. Oysters: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, as are pearls, but that’s not why we picked this trend.  Seafood lovers are shucking up oysters all over the nation at oyster bars (literally a tub of ice full of oysters); some of which include “all-you-can-eat” given the option of raw, fried or on the half-shell accompanied with lemons, hot sauce, etc.  If you feel like getting your shuck-on, head over to Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar at 1400 West Lake Street, Mpls.

Tell us some trends you’ve INdulged in lately!