CHICAGO — Mintel Menu Insights, a national restaurant-tracking service, has identified eight trends sure to transform the American menu in 2008 for restaurants from fine dining to fast food.
"Everyone's looking for the next breakthrough item, the next mini-burger appetizer, mojito or pomegranate flavor," said Maria Caranfa, director of Mintel Menu Insights. "This year, we expect to see new twists on already popular items, giving people more flavors and options for the foods they love."
1. Superspices are the new superfruits — This year, expect to see "superspices" seasoning American menus. Research suggests that superspices such as cumin, ginger, cinnamon and tumeric may boast more antioxidant power and medicinal benefits than their superfruit cousins.
2. Snack attack — This year, restaurants hope that small portions, big flavors and low prices will lure in hungry snackers. Look for restaurants to add more "mini" favorite foods this year.
3. Fine fast food — Fast food is going gourmet. Popular celebrity chefs are branching out with convenient, fast-casual restaurants that promise high-quality food, fine cooking and bold flavors ... all on a 30-minute lunch break.
5. Ingredient provenance — As concerns over ingredient origins rise, restaurants have responded with more local ingredients, more natural and organic menu items and more sourcing information on the menu. Expect all types of restaurants to take some of the "science" out of dining out this year.
6. Bulking up the bar — Enhancing menus with more flavorful cocktails and savory appetizers than ever before, restaurants want diners to linger, lounge and just have fun in the bar. Look for beverage lists to grow longer than entrée lists, while appetizers occupy more of the menu in coming months.
7. The return of the classic cocktail — In 2008, expect a rebirth of cocktails such as the Sidecar, Manhattan, Bellini and Tom Collins.
8. Mocktails rock — Rising demand for better non-alcoholic drinks created the mocktail. Boasting the same premium flavors as the cocktail menu, alcohol-free mocktails are a sophisticated alternative for "non-drinkers" and "drinkers" alike.
