Nation's Restaurant News

Food News

Would You Eat Fast Food Beef That's Less Than Well-Done?

Like the rest of the fast food world, Arby's is stepping up its game.

Like the rest of the fast food world, Arby's is stepping up its game. Earlier this week, it introduced its new Angus Three Cheese & Bacon, the first menu item in a new line of premium beef sandwiches that are made with medium-rare Angus beef.

After the accusation that Taco Bell is falsely labeling its "seasoned beef," you'd think there'd be more than a little caution exercised over serving a burger, burrito, or anything else bovine less than 100 percent genuine and cooked well-done completely throughout.

Bret Thorn, a food writer for Nation's Restaurant News who actually sampled the item, maintains that "big fast food chains have serious safeguards in place." Certainly, Arby's wants no part of the meat saga that Taco Bell's been through. If you do order meat at fast food restaurants: are you against the idea of eating beef that's anything less than well-done?

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Food News

ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen: Chipotle's New Asian Concept

Finally, we have an update on Chipotle's new Asian-themed fast-casual eatery slated to open this year.

Finally, we have an update on Chipotle's new Asian-themed fast-casual eatery slated to open this year. According to Nation's Restaurant News, it's already applied to register ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen for trademark.

With this piece of information, industry analysts are champing at the bit, speculating that the name "strongly hints that the new Asian restaurant will not limit itself to the cuisine of any one country." One expert has even discovered possible restaurant logos.

Are you excited for more details on an Asian-themed eatery by Chipotle?

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Trends

Do You Buy Chervil?

According to Nation's Restaurant News, chervil's making a comeback in high-end kitchens, where it's being called "the new parsley."

According to Nation's Restaurant News, chervil's making a comeback in high-end kitchens, where it's being called "the new parsley." The curly dark stems are less expensive than other garnishes like microherbs, and they're prized for their delicate demeanor and slightly anise-like, bitter quality. Chervil rarely makes an appearance in my kitchen (save for the occasional navarin of lamb), but considering it's about to hit peak season, perhaps it's time to let it into my culinary life. Are you familiar with chervil?

Source: Flickr User beelerspace

Trends

Coming Soon to a Ballpark Near You: Sophisticated Food

On Major League Baseball's Opening Day, there'll still be plenty of ballpark favorites like hot dogs and pretzels, but this year, the stadium pickings won't be quite so slim.

On Major League Baseball's Opening Day, there'll still be plenty of ballpark favorites like hot dogs and pretzels, but this year, the stadium pickings won't be quite so slim. A number of food service companies are following in the Yankees' footsteps and serving up nontraditional fare. Delaware North, which caters to the likes of the White Sox and Padres, has teamed up with Food Network to develop new menus and signature dishes for suite menus at all of the company's stadiums. Aramark, which services the Red Sox, Rockies, and Mets, is expanding its gluten-free and vegetarian fare. And Centerplate, which works with the Giants and the Rays, will be rolling out vegan soups, veggie dogs, a charcuterie and cheese offering, and a fresh seafood stand. I always appreciate a little variety, although I still don't believe canapés will ever really compete with chili dogs at the ball game. Not to mention if a beer costs $9 at the stadium, I can't imagine how much a charcuterie platter would set me back.

How do you feel about the enhanced offerings?

Source: Flickr User Dan Bock

taste test

Domino's Pizza Takes the Pie in Blind Taste Test

Domino's Pizza claims to have taken the pie in a blind taste test against competitors Papa John's and Pizza Hut.

Domino's Pizza claims to have taken the pie in a blind taste test against competitors Papa John's and Pizza Hut. According to the fast food chain, an independent, blind taste test of 1,800 consumers in eight different markets conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide showed that Domino's pizzas were preferred to other pizza chains "by a wide margin." The study indicates that eaters prefer Domino's extra cheese, pepperoni, and sausage pizzas all by at least 58 percent over Pizza Hut and Papa John's. While Papa John's didn't respond to the results, a skeptical representative from Pizza Hut countered by saying, “If you do some research into other taste tests, you’d be hard-pressed to find one in which Domino’s won." Although the study was supposedly conducted by an independent research company, it feels rather like a publicity stunt. I'm more inclined to believe the results of the Serious Eats delivery pepperoni test — although admittedly we did see improvement in the new Domino's formula.

Do the results seem rigged to you? Who would come out on top in your personal taste test: Domino's, Papa John's, or Pizza Hut?