Miscellaneous

🍽 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation's Restaurant News since 1999, is a key figure in spotting food trends. Thorn, a magna cum laude from Tufts University, studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu and spent time in China in 1989. He wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008 and won a Jesse H. Neal Award in 2006. Thorn authored works in the Oxford Encyclopedia and Oxford Companion, and was inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, has over seven years in restaurant and hospitality journalism. From August 2021, she has held her current role at Informa’s Restaurant & Food Group. Joanna’s past roles include Associate Editor (July 2019-August 2021) and Assistant Editor (October 2018-July 2019). She holds a bachelor’s from The College of New Jersey and a master’s from CUNY. Her work appears in The New York Times, Forbes, and more.

🍴 Bistro Sablé opens on November 3rd at 63-69 Canonbury Rd, London, N1 2DG, replacing The Smokehouse. This 65-seater restaurant, part of the Noble Inns collection, offers classic French bistro cuisine in a relaxed setting. Key features include an intimate dining area, open kitchen, and a garden space. With a wine list curated by Alex Froslet, 95% of wines are available flexibly. Bistro Sablé serves French classics, including Sunday roasts of Pork, Lamb, Beef, or Chicken.

🏖 European Camping Group (ECG) has rebranded, two years into its transformation plan, to unify corporate and operational brands. Following Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund investment, ECG aims for a cohesive identity. From 2026, all French operations will consolidate under the Homair brand, which holds a 43% brand awareness. Alannia Resorts, acquired in July 2025, will also adopt the ECG identity. A new Homair website and a Europe-wide campaign are set to launch in December.

🎣 Ivy Studio designed the "Limousine" bar and restaurant, which opened in 2025 in Montreal's Saint-Lambert suburb. Located on Victoria Avenue, it features red velvet, dark wood paneling, and a central diamond-shaped bar with a green marble countertop. The design reflects vintage luxury limousine interiors. Velvet curtains create a theatrical entrance, and the space includes tubular tan leather banquettes and black mosaic tiles. The venue caters to a younger demographic, offering a bold new dining experience.

🍳 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, is known for his expertise in food trends and French cuisine. Since 1999, he's been with Nation’s Restaurant News and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. He studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986 and graduated from Tufts University in 1990. Notably, he worked for ABC News during the Tiananmen protests in 1989. Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014.

🍴 Marking a new culinary chapter, BEAR by Carlo Scotto opened in Beaconsfield, October 2025. Located in the Crazy Bear Hotel, this 14-cover restaurant showcases a British foraged tasting menu inspired by Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Seasonal ingredients include mushrooms from Hogback Wood and wild garlic from Peterley Wood. Guests enjoy an eight-course menu, foraged cocktails, and rare wine pairings. The intimate design features a Nero Portoro marble counter for an immersive dining experience.

🌇 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.