Miscellaneous

🍱 Simply Greek, a family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh, has grown from a 16-seat taverna to a 45-seat venue at 8 Union Street, near the Edinburgh Playhouse. Known for authentic Greek cuisine, it offers dishes like moussaka and souvlaki. Owner Dimitris Zarkalis celebrates customer support and invites guests Monday to Friday between 4-5.30 PM for a free mezze with orders. The restaurant embodies Greek hospitality with simple ingredients and big flavors.

📚 Nov. 25, 2025: Jannes Sörensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy, shares insights in a discussion with Matthias Huettebraeuker for Hospitality Daily.

🍴 Bret Thorn, a Denver native, is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. In 2006, he won the Jesse H. Neal Award. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate, Bret also studied at Le Cordon Bleu and worked for ABC News in 1989. He authored entries in the Oxford Encyclopedia (2012) and the Oxford Companion (2015). Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, he resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🍷 Jemima Jones and Lucy Carr-Ellison's Tart London partners with Bathtub Gin to release a limited edition gin, available from November 13, 2025, at Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons for £33.50. This UK-wide release features a design inspired by British winter folklore. The collaboration aligns with Bathtub Gin’s campaign as "the gin of hosting." Previously founded in 2012, Tart London is known for its Belgravia restaurant, Wild by Tart, and its vibrant hospitality ethos.

🚀 Travelport, a leading travel technology company, has signed a multi-year distribution deal with Riyadh Air. By 2030, Riyadh Air aims to fly to over 100 destinations, supported by Travelport’s network, which connects with global travel agencies and corporate buyers. The airline, part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, has already ordered over 180 aircraft. This collaboration focuses on integrating NDC technology and delivering personalized offers, further enhancing Riyadh Air's retail strategy.

🍴 Bret Thorn, a Colorado native, serves as Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News since 1999, sharing expertise in culinary trends. He has a BA in History from Tufts University and studied at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. Thorn's career highlights include writing for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and working for ABC News in 1989. Awarded the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, he resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., and contributes to major publications.

📈 Digital MGA Ripe, in 2025, acquired Schofields Limited, a holiday homes insurance specialist, marking Ripe's first entry into this market. Schofields, established in 1984 in Bolton, serves over 10,000 policyholders and recently won a Gold Trusted Service Award. The Schofield family continues to lead, with Keith Schofield as a consultant. Ripe aims to expand Schofields' growth using its technology and marketing expertise.

📑 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, brings over 7 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. She joined Informa's Restaurants and Food Group in October 2018 and has held roles including Senior Editor since August 2021. Joanna holds a bachelor's from The College of New Jersey and a master’s from CUNY. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, and Vice, focusing on industry news and cultural issues.

🍴 Chicago led with a 3% transaction increase in Q3 2025, while Denver and D.C. saw declines of -4% and -5%, respectively. Single-diner reservations rose by 22%, and breakfast bookings at 9 a.m. increased by 19%. The peak reservation time remains 6 p.m. Tipping rates rebounded slightly to 19.2% from a seven-year low of 19.1% in Q2 2025, down from a 19.8% peak in 2021.

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, is known for his expertise in food trends and French cuisine. Educated at Tufts University and Le Cordon Bleu, he has written for the New York Sun (2005-2008) and Asia Times (1995-1997). Winner of the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, he also served as IFEC president in 2005. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY, and hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast.