Following the heady days of the 1980s when power restaurants seemed to be opening every time a celebrity chef popped into town, there has been a return to more low-key, relaxed dining across the country. There will always be private clubs and four-star hotel restaurants where the great and the good gather to do business and swap stories, but the dining scene has been less about eating out as a destination event and more about the provenance of the ingredients and the celebrity guests.
The diversity of eating styles, the marketing of restaurants and the growth in options for good food in pubs as well as restaurants has meant that many restaurant owners are looking to the past to recreate a buzz about their venue among those who are looking to impress.
Timing
Restaurants that conjure up memories of special meals are always going to be a benchmark option for individuals, while location plays a major part in who actually eats at a restaurant. Think of City traders celebrating a deal in a trendy sushi bar in Soho rather than a Michelin-starred restaurant close to their offices and you’ll appreciate this point. When people eat at restaurants has also changed; power breakfasts have become very popular, and afternoon tea is a delight many people turn to for entertainment.
Flexibility
This trend for eating out from early morning to late at night means that restaurants need to be flexible with their menus, which in turn means that they need more cold rooms to store a wider range of ingredients. Any restaurateurs looking to reposition their outlet as a power restaurant would do well to consult the experts before investing in a cold room. Check out sites like https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/cold-rooms for best practice advice.
Trends in the restaurant industry are part of the remit of the The Restaurant Association, so those aspiring to be part of the return of the “power restaurant” would be well advised to keep an eye on the Association’s campaigns and events.
With the latest Michelin guide showcasing that London now has an impressive 70 restaurants with one to three stars (including a new three-star restaurant, a new two-star restaurant and an amazing six new one-star restaurants), the fine dining scene at power restaurants is back on the menu.