Here are a few of our favourite food trend predictions for 2023. From spicy fried chicken sandwiches to non-alcoholic drinks and interactive restaurant experiences…
Ah January. No sooner has the Terry’s Chocolate Orange began to turn a whiter shade of pale and the predictions for all things food related are suddenly everywhere. What will be the next big thing in the food realm? Well, it depends who you ask of course. With this in mind, here are a few of our favourite predictions, although at the end of the day, we just want to eat delicious food, timely or not.
Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches
And new in for 2023, it’s the spicy fried chicken sandwich. Let’s just gloss over the fact that this is not new and be thankful that’s it’s still in vogue according to the powers that be in the American National Restaurants Association. The 2023 incarnation of spicy friend chicken will be sweet, salty and spicy which sounds just fine by us. In Dublin, Chimac is the place to go for your spicy fried chicken fix. And a frosé. Do not forget the frosé. www.chimac.ie.
Briny Foods and Drinks
Tinned fish, salty snacks and anything with a hefty dose of umami will apparently be in high demand in 2023 and we are ok with that. For their affordability, flavour bomb abilities and climate friendly nature, tinned fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel will be flying off the shelves this year. Personally, as a dedicated fan of the Bloody Caesar (a Bloody Mary with the addition of clam juice or Clamato), I can appreciate the sentiment. For the very best of tinned Irish fish, look no further that Shine’s Seafood for all your pantry staples. www.shinesseafood.ie.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
It’s hardly mind-blowing, but the trend for alcohol free aperitifs, wines and cocktails is certainly on the up with no sign that the rise in popularity will lose momentum anytime soon. In Ireland, Hollow Leg is a new alcohol free wine resulting from a collaboration between winemaker Pablo Martinez, Dublin restaurateur Jamie O’Toole, and Ronan Farrell of WineLab. Pablo spent five years refining a natural process to produce wine that preserves the mouthfeel, taste and aroma of the original wine, but this time it’s ‘everything but alcohol’. www.drinkhollowleg.com.
Solo Dining
I previously discussed the merits of dining solo and with the rise of counter culture in Ireland, a table for one is no longer an unusual request. Now, it seems dining alone is on the hot list for 2023 which is fortuitous for those of us who enjoy the simple pleasure of delicious food and a good magazine. In Blackrock, the bar at Big Mike’s is the perfect pit stop for anything from a steak sandwich to a plate of cheese. Just add a dirty Martini and you are hitting two 2023 trends in one very pleasant swoop. www.michaels.ie.
Interactive Restaurant Experiences
Apparently, two plus years of being cooped up has made us crave dining experiences that do more than deliver good food. 2023 will be the year of tableside drama when it comes to the three course meal, according to Kim Severson from The New York Times. From flaming crepes Suzette, Irish coffee trolleys and joints carved by your table, dining room theatrics will be all the rage in the months ahead. For your fill, you could do worse than a leisurely Sunday lunch at The Maigue Restaurant at The Dunraven Hotel in Adare, where the roast beef is carved to your liking, tableside, every Sunday. www.dunravenhotel.com.
