The official start of spring occurs on the 20th of March. It is a time of renewal and growth. The season provides the perfect opportunity for restaurant owners to freshen up their menus. By incorporating fresh, seasonal ingredients and new dishes, you can attract new customers and keep regulars interested. You have some time to prepare. So what are your plans to freshen up your menu to give your restaurant a springtime boost?
Highlight seasonal produce.
Spring is the perfect time to showcase the best of seasonal produce. Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables such as asparagus, peas, strawberries and rhubarb can add a pop of colour and flavour to your menu. Consider featuring a seasonal salad or soup or adding spring vegetables to your entrees.
“Spring is the perfect time of year to indulge your customers in seasonal fruit,” writes Kacey Bradley on BarAndRestaurant.com, “While you rearrange your appetizer menu, include a fruit board in place of heavy bread. Options like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and strawberries will stand out from your competitors and serve as a refreshing replacement to calorie-heavy alternatives.”
Add lighter dishes.
With warmer weather comes the desire for lighter, fresher dishes. Consider adding more seafood options to your menu, such as grilled fish or shrimp dishes. You can also offer lighter options for appetizers and sides, such as a fresh fruit platter or a chilled cucumber and avocado salad.
Incorporate spring flavours.
Spring is also a great time to experiment with new flavour combinations. Consider incorporating fresh herbs such as basil or mint into your dishes. You can also add citrus flavours such as lemon or lime. As well, try incorporating floral flavours such as lavender or rose into desserts or cocktails.
Offer brunch.
Brunch is a popular meal during springtime. Offering a brunch menu can be a great way to attract new customers. Consider adding brunch dishes such as avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches or eggs Benedict to your menu. You can also offer brunch cocktails such as mimosas or Bloody Marys.
“Brunch continues to be a fantastic idea to keep customers happy,” contends TheForkManager.com, “This is especially true for foodies, who enjoy this middle-ground between breakfast and lunch, since it lets them eat breakfast later than usual and treat themselves at an excellent establishment that offers them what they like and is trendy. Spring is the perfect time for this culinary style.”
Experiment with grilling.
Springtime is the perfect time to fire up the grill and experiment with new dishes. Consider adding grilled vegetables to your menu, or offering grilled meats such as chicken or pork. You can also offer grilled flatbreads or pizzas as a lighter option.
Create seasonal cocktails.
Spring is a great time to experiment with new cocktail flavours. Consider incorporating fresh fruit juices such as strawberry or watermelon into your cocktails. You can also offer herb-infused cocktails such as a lavender gin and tonic or a basil mojito.
Do you allow your customers to order their meals online?
Unity Payments’ online ordering platform allows restaurant owners to take orders directly from their own website, reducing the restaurant’s dependency on commission-based third-party apps, and increasing revenue through their own brand. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca to learn more.
