Miscellaneous

🌇 Boston's South Station, opened in 1899, receives its first major upgrade since the 1980s. Pelli Clarke & Partners redesigned the station, featuring a new concourse with 10 concrete arches and three domes, improving transit connectivity. Rising above is a 52-story tower with 680,000 sq ft of office space, 166 Ritz-Carlton residences, retail, and dining. The project boasts LEED Gold precertification and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, symbolizing Boston’s evolution and leadership.

🍽 In 2025, the restaurant industry is facing sluggish growth with nearly 60% of companies reporting negative same-store sales. Technomic has adopted a scenario-based model due to the market's underperformance. Fast-casual traffic is declining, while Gen Z is increasing visits to casual-dining chains. About 25% of Gen Z’s spending goes to casual dining. Menu prices rose 3.7% in September 2025, with consumers anticipating further increases. Operators expect costs to rise, and 60% plan further price hikes. 80% of consumers worry about inflation.

🏨 Milner York celebrated its first anniversary from October 13-17, 2025, with a 1940s-themed week, culminating in an Anniversary Evening in York. The Milner Award was introduced, honoring Eleanor Bryson for her contributions to Visit York. The event supported St John Ambulance and featured the Lord Mayor of York. The celebrations honored William Milner, commemorating his courage during the 1942 Baedeker raid. The hotel, rebranded in 2024, boasts high guest satisfaction and team retention.

🛩️ Thai Airways and IBS Software have partnered to modernize the Royal Orchid Plus Programme through the iLoyal platform. This initiative aims to enhance member engagement using AI and data-driven capabilities. The platform supports integration with various sectors, adding value to the loyalty experience. Leaders Marcus Puffer and Gautam Shekar highlight the commitment to digital transformation, with Thai Airways focusing on "Power of Plus" to drive future growth and innovation.

🚀 myPlane, a global online booking engine for commercial charter flights, has launched AI capabilities to aid airline revenue teams in tracking demand and setting margins. With over 150 airlines and 1,500 B2B users, the platform provides AI-powered quotation management and dynamic market pricing insights. This technology helps airlines forecast seasonal demand and adjust rates based on market behavior, making charter bookings more efficient and data-driven.

🍝 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, specializes in food and beverage trends. His career includes roles at The New York Sun (2005-2008) and Asia Times (1995-1997). A Tufts University magna cum laude history graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. Thorn's work includes a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, and he was IFEC president in 2005. His expertise spans French cuisine and Asian culinary trends.

🏠 Designer Luke Edward Hall’s Deux Gares Express restaurant in Paris, next to Les Deux Gares hotel, features 1960s and 70s-inspired interiors with antique and custom furniture. The eclectic design blends British and French styles, with hessian wallpaper and trompe l'oeil marble. Restaurateurs Jonathan Schweizer and Frédéric Lesire focus on classic French cuisine. Key elements include a sunflower yellow bar, green and brown color palette, and a centerpiece antique table sourced from a French monastery.

🛩️ Aeroitalia, an Italian airline, is upgrading its IT infrastructure with IBS Software's cloud-based iFlight Core system for better operations and crew management. This update, designed for small to medium-sized airlines, will be completed next year and features AI enhancements for decision-making and staff satisfaction. Aeroitalia's insights on the implementation will be shared at the iFlight Customer Summit in Prague on November 4-5, 2025.

🌊 Antarctica, the ultimate frontier for adventure, offers breathtaking experiences with its wildlife and landscapes. Key hotspots include the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island, Lemaire Channel, South Shetland Islands, Paradise Bay, South Georgia, Ross Sea, and Weddell Sea. Each destination boasts unique features, from penguin colonies to volcanic calderas, promising memorable wildlife encounters. Plan your visit with Wildfoot Travel for a safe and ethical journey among icebergs, penguins, and seals in this pristine wilderness.

🍴 Bret Thorn is the senior food & beverage editor for Nation's Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. A Tufts University graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986 and was at Beijing University during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn won a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. He has written for The New York Sun and contributed to Oxford food encyclopedias. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY.