The King Charles Cocktail

It is officially patio season, and with that, comes the best new cocktail to enjoy with your besties on that amazing patio!

Highclere Castle Gin, the award-winning gin brand brought to you from the iconic Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame, has announced the first cocktail creation to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. This historic cocktail, aptly named the “King Charles Cocktail,” is set tocaptivate mixologists and home cocktail enthusiasts around the world with its exquisite recipe of premium gin and classic ingredients — a required element for any coronation party.

Created by Highclere Castle Gin and taste tested by top chefs and mixologists, this innovative yet deceptively simple cocktail smashes together two quintessentially British spirits known to be favorites of His Majesty The King. The combination of gin & Scotch is rarely seen together, challenging the status quo in cocktail design. The King Charles cocktail showcases Highclere Castle Gin, a premium London dry gin made with a blend of botanicals from Highclere Castle’s famous estate.

Highclere Castle Gin: 2 Oz.

Macallan 12 or Single Malt Scotch: 25 Oz.

Fresh Lemon Juice: 0.5 Oz.

Orange Curacao: 5 Oz.

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake. Strain into cocktail coupe. Garnish with Rosemary Sprig.

Throughout the years, small changes have been made to the menu, like the addition of the Whoopskidawg in 1989 and the Superchic in 1991. However, the Superdawg recipe, the original trademark figures (continuing to flirtatiously wink at each other), and the drive-in concept have not changed. Customers can still order from their car and have a carhop deliver their order on a tray. Maurie and Flaurie’s attention to quality products and service, preparing each customer’s meal to order, affirming the belief that the customer is always right, and insisting that the customer should always be treated as family continues today.

In 1999, Superdawg underwent a makeover while retaining the original building and spirit. The classic ’40’s drive-in was updated with the addition of neon-studded canopies across the parking lot, a crisp new speaker system and a cozy, indoor dining room. The original rooftop figures were refurbished so that they can continue to serve as a Chicago landmark for years to come.

In May of 2009, ground was broken for a second location in Wheeling, Illinois. The new Superdawg opened in January, 2010. Maurie, Flaurie and the rest of the family were proud to say, “HIYA!…From the bottom of our pure beef hearts – thanks for stopping ” in Wheeling.

Since 1948, Maurie, Flaurie, their children and grandchildren have scrupulously adhered to one goal: “always to serve you in a manner that will make you want to return – and bring your friends, and new generations, with you.” The Legacy continues on!

8 Simple Tips for Positive and Lasting First Impressions

Food quality and service are the cornerstones of a successful restaurant. Loving what you’re producing can make it tricky to review the operation from a guest’s perspective. As a regular practice, put aside the owner’s manual. Imagine you’re not in the restaurant business and try out what your cuswtomer’s experience. Setting guests up with positive first impressions allows your food to amaze, the service to sparkle, and most of all: ensures customers run back for more.

1. Call and Ask:

• For the location and directions.

• About restaurant concept and quality –specifically: “Do you like the food?”

• Hours of operation.

• Pricing.

• Parking.

2. Drive to the Restaurant:

• Determine if it is easy to find, if there are accessibility issues, and whether parking is challenging.

• In winter, monitor snow or ice problems.

• Ensure signage is visible and fully illuminated from all directions.

3. Curb Appeal

• Observe whether foliage needs attention.

• Check doors, windows, and awnings for necessary maintenance and or cleaning.

• Assess signage readability, maintenance, and if current.

• Entry is clean, welcoming, and filled with tantalizing food aromas.

4. Greeting

• Smiles and eye contact immediately upon entry, even if host is on the phone.

• Reservation name recognition and timely seating.

• Waitlist quote accuracy.

5. Seating

• Customers referred to by their name.

• Walking alongside guests to table.

• Other employees greeting guests with “hello and welcome”, by name if possible.

• Tables and chairs clean, set, and level.

• Ensure guests are seated and comfortable before handing off to servers.

6. Dining Room

• Floors are litter-free.

• Balanced temperature, lighting, and sound levels for seated guests.

• Clean, stocked, and functional restrooms.

7. Service

• Approach the table within one minute.

• Server is knowledgeable.

• Menu is readable and clean.

• Easy ordering process.

• Food delivery is timely, hot, and looks and tastes delicious.

• Regular satisfaction check-ins – drinks are refilled, silverware replaced as needed, and coffee and dessert are offered.

8. The End Zone

• Prompt payment transactions.

• Sincere display of gratitude to customers.

• Employees in the vicinity of exiting. guests offering “thank you and please come again!”

Grocery Bolsters Walmart

Walmart’s comparablestore sales in the United States rose 7.4% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 as the retailer broadened its grocery market share and its digital operations grew rapidly. Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce sales were up 27% in Q1, driven in part by strong growth in its pickup and delivery businesses and an increase in third-party retailers using its marketplace to fulfill orders, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said during the company’s earnings call. Walmart’s profits grew faster than its sales during Q1 even as the tilt among shoppers towards food and consumable goods negatively impacted its gross margins.

Miru Now Open at New St. Regis Chicago

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is excited to announce that Miru (401 E. Wacker Dr., 11th Fl.) at the new St. Regis Chicago is now open. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with weekend brunch, carryout and delivery service to follow. Miru, which means view in Japanese, is a modern Japanese restaurant that boasts iconic views of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and the Chicago River from its dining room and expansive outdoor terraces. Miru is the first of two restaurants from Lettuce Entertain You to open at The St. Regis Chicago.

The menu at Miru is a collaboration between Chef/Partner Hisanobu Osaka (formerly Morimoto, Daniel), Naoki Nakashima (formerly of Naoki Sushi) and Executive Chef Helmy Saadon (formerly of Mila, Zuma). The menu celebrates the flavors and cuisine of

Japan. A collection of shareable dishes include warm and cold selections such as Hamachi & Ponzu with white ponzu and lemon and Spicy Bluefin Tuna

Crispy Rice. Signature dishes include Crispy Whole Snapper with herb salad and ginger miso and Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Zabuton, shishito peppers, Miru steak sauce. Miru’s dining room also features a 12-seat sushi bar.

An afternoon tea service is coming soon, which will be available Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the Drawing Room and Library. A signature of the St. Regis brand, the afternoon tea service will include hand-selected Rishi loose-leaf teas. The menu showcases a delightful assortment of savory and sweet bites with Japanese influence as well as house-made pastries and an entremet cart.

— Photos: Allison Gallese

LaCriolla’s Chef and Baker Spice Lineup DIG, Urban Belly: Early Adoptors of PreciTaste’s Prep Assistant

LaCriolla Spice Company recently announced its new Food Service lineup at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago. A comprehensive list of popular Chef and Baker spices are now available in convenient large container kitchen friendly sizes. All of the everyday commonly used spices are included in the new lineup together with a unique selection of unusual blends such as Dry Sofrito and a combination of Adobo & Sason are included in the line up. Free samples are available directly from LaCriolla.

– Find LaCriolla’s ad on page 14.

PreciTaste, recent 2023 Kitchen Innovations Award winner and leader in restaurant AI, is proud to see success in their expansion into midsize QSRs and fast casuals with their plug-and-play Prep Assistant. The first of their current customers to share their experience with the Prep Assistant are New York-based DIG and Chicago-based Urbanbelly restaurants. “The Prep Assistant provides the tools to empower our staff and operators to run our business effectively,” said Chef Bill Kim.

– PR Newswire

Visit Us Before You Buy Equipment, Seating, Tabletop or Prep Equipment

Chef Profile

Mick Brown

Palm Springs Cooking School (PSCS)

Zink

5400

• www.zinkfsg.com