Miscellaneous

🍴 Maydan Market, by Rose Previte, opened on October 1 in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Los Angeles' West Adams. It features a mix of restaurants, vendors, and a bazaar. Inspired by global markets, it includes a communal hearth and diverse culinary concepts like Maléna and Yhing Yhang. Compass Rose, originally opened in D.C. in 2014, joins Maydan Market. Club 104 offers rotating chef residencies, while Sook provides Middle Eastern pantry staples and grab-and-go foods.

📖 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, excels in spotting food trends. With a BA in history from Tufts University and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu, Thorn covers food trends across the U.S. He was a columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. He resides in Brooklyn, NY. Thorn's career began in Thailand, writing about business and food.

📲 Who? Brands and influencers engage in social commerce. When? Published on August 8, 2021. Where? Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, eBay, Depop. What? A study on social commerce's integration of culture, community, and shopping. How? By blending sellers, buyers, and influencers into dynamic ecosystems, creating cultural currency. Why? To enhance product identity, social standing, and trend amplification. Examples: Sephora, Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Crocs emphasize community and cultural relevance in retail strategies.

✈️ Online banking app Revolut has partnered with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), allowing users to convert RevPoints into SAS EuroBonus points at a 1:1 ratio, without a minimum transfer. Since RevPoints launched in 2024, 17 billion points have been redeemed. Revolut serves 65 million customers worldwide and now offers loyalty redemption across 14 programmes and 45 airlines. Customers can earn up to one point per pound/euro spent on purchases.

🏛 Westminster Abbey launches its first group booking portal for travel operators and Blue Badge Tourist Guides, allowing easier pre-booking of discounted tickets with guaranteed timed entry. This change prepares for the upcoming King Charles III Sacristy. Group tickets cost £29 for adults, £25 for seniors/students, and £12 for children (6-17 years). The Abbey, hosting over a million visitors annually, has been a key historical site since 1066, housing tombs of figures like Charles Dickens and Isaac Newton.

🍳 Casa Brasa opened on October 27 in Dallas, marking Big Dill Hospitality’s fourth concept. Chef Omar Flores and the Marshi family researched grills and sushi across Latin America, Dubai, Europe, Miami, and NYC. The 10,000 sq. ft. space features an open-fire grill, raw bar, and sushi counter. Menu highlights include Hokkaido scallop aguachile, the signature Casa Brasa Roll, and a 40-ounce tomahawk rib eye. The Kamilla bar offers creative cocktails and hosts DJs. Maroma, a coastal Mexican concept, opens in December.

🍴 The Barrière Group, led by Grégory Rabuel, has 150+ restaurants and bars in 33 casinos and 20 hotels, including locations like Saint Barthélemy, Marrakesh, New York, and Switzerland. Over the past two years, they've invested in strategic repositioning. In summer 2025, they served 680,000 meals in July and August, marking an 8% increase from 2024 and a 12% rise from 2023, setting a historic record. Consistent quality is ensured by standardizing key dishes.