2016 in Food: ‘Oceanic, Energized, Formidable’

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.

The final question for this year’s survey: Sum up the 2016 restaurant world in one word.

MC Slim JB, restaurant critic for The Improper Bostonian:

“Resource-constrained. Our locally-owned restaurants battled anew in 2016 to attract talent both front and back of house against competition from deep-pocketed nationals: looking at you again, Eataly, and every chain in the godforsaken Seaport. And now I shudder to think of the impact of proposed draconian new immigration policies on our kitchen staffs. Said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: Support your local independents — maybe be willing to pay a little more so they can compensate quality staffers fairly — if you don’t want Boston’s dining scene to become dull and middlebrow, indistinguishable from every less interesting, culturally-diverse city in the USA. Do your job.”

Marc Hurwitz of Boston's Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk:

“Teetering.”

Jenny Johnson, co-host of Dining Playbook on NESN:

“Fast-casual. I think if it's not already, it will be one word.”

Jacqueline Cain, associate food editor at Boston magazine:

“Oceanic.”

Alex Wilking, food and drink contributor for Boston magazine:

“Powerhouse.”

Rachel Cossar, food blogger and host of the new video series Curate the Plate:

“Transitory.”

Sam Hiersteiner, contributor to The Boston Globe, First We Feast, and Lucky Peach:

“For Boston? Formidable.”

Korsha Wilson, creator of A Hungry Society and food writer for various publications, including Eater Boston:

“Fun.”

Emily Phares, writer and illustrator for various publications and websites, including Eater Boston:

“Energized.”

Dana Hatic, Eater Boston associate editor:

“Delicious.”

Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Eater Boston editor:

“Raw.”