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As is Eater tradition, we close out the year by surveying local food writers (including our own staff and contributors) on various restaurant-related topics, and we publish their responses throughout the final week of the year. Readers, please feel free to chime in with your own thoughts in the comment section below.
Today’s first question: What are your headline predictions for 2017?
MC Slim JB, restaurant critic for The Improper Bostonian:
“Well-ridden hobbyhorses of mine, but these issues continue to worry and frighten me:
- 2017 will be another year where our chances at slowing climate change — and heading off the resulting catastrophic consequences for our food chain — continue to dwindle.
- Invasive corporate chains will keep surging at the expense of far better locally-owned establishments. (I for one will not be abandoning my favorite local Italian purveyors and restaurants to patronize Eataly Boston.)
- We will continue to fail to deal with how abusive to restaurant industry workers our current wage practices and transportation systems are. That isn’t just awful for them: When it results in good indies fighting and sometimes failing to survive, it’s bad for you and me.”
Marc Hurwitz of Boston's Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk:
- “The restaurant crash will finally hit (and God, I hope I'm wrong about this).
- Sushi burritos will start showing up everywhere, including in already-existing restaurants as well as new spots.
- Quincy will become seen more and more as a true destination spot for dining out.
- Related a bit to the sushi burrito comment above — Asian/Latin fusion restaurants are going to be the next big trend.
- Someone will open a Kosher deli in the Boston area, because believe it or not, there isn't one. Maybe I'll open one, though that would probably end badly.”
Jenny Johnson, co-host of Dining Playbook on NESN:
“Clean cuisine. Simpler preparations, fewer ingredients. An organic acai bowl a day keeps the doctor away. Trying to launch a new catchphrase here. Apple cider vinegar, cooking with coconut.”
Jacqueline Cain, associate food editor at Boston magazine:
- “It’s Impossible to Get a Reservation at Tiffani Faison’s New Place
- David Chang Cites Eventide’s Success in Decision to Expand Into Boston
- Mario Batali’s Crocs Spotted on the Silver Line”
Alex Wilking, food and drink contributor for Boston magazine:
- “Every IPA Looks Like Orange Juice, Costs Too Much
- Brookline (Finally) Gets a Brewery”
Dan Whalen, food blogger and cookbook author:
“Craft beer has obviously been growing and growing for many years, but I feel like it really exploded this year, and I think that it's only going to get bigger and more present. Especially the Juicy IPAs that started in Vermont and are gaining traction nationally! Tater tots also. Lots of tater tots (PS — Buy my tater tot cookbook spring 2018!)”
Rachel Cossar, food blogger and host of the new video series Curate the Plate:
“Hospitality included, anyone? I bet Garrett [Harker]’s restaurants start to adopt some more HI-forward policies. Also, maybe a few more Tattes, Flours, and Clovers?”
Sam Hiersteiner, contributor to The Boston Globe, First We Feast, and Lucky Peach:
“Boston Named #1 City in America for Tinned Fish (But Don't Forget Your Burlap Sack of Cash)”
Korsha Wilson, creator of A Hungry Society and food writer for various publications, including Eater Boston:
“{Insert Name of Well-Known Celebrity Chef} Opens First Boston Property in Seaport Area”
Dana Hatic, Eater Boston associate editor:
“Boston Is Drowning in Raw Fish, From Poke to Sushi Burritos to Crudo”
Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Eater Boston editor:
“Optimistic:
- Boston’s First Cat Cafe Opens Right Meow [Putting this here because the powers that be have banned cat puns in headlines, so I won’t be able to use this for the real story, even though it’s purrfect...sorry. I’ll stop now.]
- Soon There’ll Be a Poke Shop on Every Corner [Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I’d love to see as many poke shops as oyster bars.]
- All-Night T Service Allows for Growing Late-Night Dining Scene
- Boston’s First Underwater Restaurant Opens in Boston Harbor
Pessimistic:
- Independent Restaurateurs Can’t Afford to Open Anywhere in Boston; Chains Take Over
- First Storrowing of the Year, a Mayonnaise Truck, Leaves Disgusting Mess All Over the Road
- There Are Literally Zero People Left to Hire for Kitchen Jobs in Boston
- Boston’s Dollar Oyster Scene Becomes a Dollar-Fifty Oyster Scene
- Yes, Yet Another Juice Bar Is Opening and Wants to ‘Cleanse’ You”