A Dutch Eataly?
24-7-2014
Last weekend I read a blog by Ciao Tutti about the Mercato Centrale in Florence. Within approximately 3000 square meters above the Mercato Centrale you will find a selection of small restaurants, winebars and tasting rooms that are in place to allow you to try the best Italian delicacies. This in addition to the market where you can buy local products. A type of “foodhallen” that have been popular in South European countries for years. The owners of Eataly were able to also make this concept of a combination of restaurants + retail popular outside of Italy. The growth of Eataly locations seems unstoppable, right now they have 27 locations of which 10 in Italy, 13 in Japan and the others in cities like New York, Chicago, Dubai and Istanbul. Rumors say they are working on a Dutch location.
While reading I started wondering why don’t we have a “foodhall” with Dutch products?
Sleeping in a 120-year-old station
17-7-2014
We have spotted restaurants in old trainstations before, but in Denver a complete hotel opened in an 120-year-old station. The Crawford hotel has 112 uniquely decorated guest rooms that reflect the different eras of the building’s history. The Crawford hotel has amenities such as a spa, fitness area and room service. The Crawford experience starts at the Denver Union Great Hall. This area serves as the main entrance and lobby of the hotel, which features a 65-foot ceiling and houses 13 restaurants and retailers. Watch the pictures to get an impression of this beautiful hotel.
The ‘vegetarische slager’ goes XL
15-7-2014
Since this month, three products from the meat substitute brand ‘de vegetarische slager’ are sold in the XL stores from the Dutch retail chain Albert Heijn. The products are sold in all 36 stores in The Netherlands and can be found next to other meat substitute products.
Gluten free croquette by Restaurant Valuas
15-7-2014
Michelin restaurant Valuas, located in Venlo (The Netherlands), created gluten free croquettes. The croquettes are made of a ragout of corn, rice and 36% pure beef, covered in a layer of rice. The flavor of the croquette is savory and spicy and is has a smooth filling because of the stock that has been used. Valuas, led by master chef Eric Swaghoven, creates unique croquettes and ‘bitterballen’ on request. Check the website from Valuas Kroket to see where you can eat them.
Overheated World Cup fans receive ice-cold treat
14-7-2014
Russian soccer fans, who were in Brazil for the World Cup, were treated to a six-pack of ‘Skol’ beer entirely encased in ice. The unique packaging was designed to chill the beer without freezing it and included a handle for easy transportation. The ice-pack was designed as a reminder that packaging can be both beautiful and multifunctional. Although the video is spoken in Russian and Portuguese, the reactions speaks for themselves..
Limited editions beer cans for Tomorrowland
14-7-2014
For the 10 year anniversary of Tomorrowland, the festival created 10 limited edition Belgian beer cans. Each can symbolises a milestone of the existance of Tomorrowland, that is displayed by the Mainstage of that year. Tomorrowland is one of the largest festivals of the world and takes place in the Belgian Boom. The limited edition beer cans can be collected via various supermarkets.
Drinking a cup of coffee in a folded paper cup together?
14-7-2014
Nescafe inspires readers to interact with those around them and share a mug of coffee. They constructed a newspaper advertisements equipped with two foldable mugs packed with instant coffee. The paper has been distributed throughout the Parisian metro system and transforms the quite time of reading a newspaper in to a shared activity! Created by the agency Geometry Global Paris for Nescafe France.
Truffle infused beer
12-7-2014
Brewing company ‘Moody Tongue’ from Chicago introduced truffle infused beer. Brewer Jared Rouben shaves fresh truffle through the beer during the brewing process. The truffle beer is served in the restaurant from Thomas Keller, Per Se in New York. According to the website, Fine Dining Lovers, the chef and sommelier from Per Sey combine the beer with roasted dark chocolate and truffle pudding with brioche cream and nuts. The brewer said the truffle beer will be launched the coming weeks in Chicago and is especially interesting for the high-end restaurants and hotelbars, as the price is 120 dollar.
Orange cocktail with Colombiana kola
11-7-2014
A nice idea for the Holland – Argentina match today; an orange cocktail with Colombiana kola. Colombiana kola is a sparkling drink from South America with a unique flavor. It is alcohol-free and has less calories and sugar than other kola brands. It exist since 1904, but recently sold in the Benelux as well by PaisaNL. PaisaNL has a social dimension by working together with local entrepreneurs and investing in local projects. The thing we like most about Colombiana kola is that it works really well in orange cocktails, what makes it perfect for the World Cup.
AH starts with pilot thuisafgehaald.nl
10-7-2014
The Dutch retail chain ‘Albert Heijn’ started a pilot in cooperation with website ‘thuisafgehaald.nl’. ‘Thuisafgehaald.nl’ is an online platform that connects home cooks with people who don’t have the time to cook for themselves. In this way the website connects people in the same neighborhood and reduces waste at the same time. In one ‘Albert Heijn’ in Amsterdam, a Touch screen is placed, where people can find and order meals.
