Even as Caesar salad continues to dominate the salad category, Asia's influence is on a roll. Watch for Chinese-inspired noodle salads with soy, ginger and green onion to blossom. While tastes still savor beef tenderloin and filet mignon with elegant sauces, Menu Census shows that diners also appreciate the rich flavors in prime rib, T-bone and porterhouse steaks. Whole lobster is in demand as a leading special-occasion meal. Biscuits are on the heels of bagels, dinner rolls and pizza bread as leading sellers.
Respondents consider focaccia a strong candidate for future menus.
Menu Census shows contradictions as well. Though diners are on a flavor quest, they still prefer poultry's white meat to the more flavorful dark meat. But that same staple has become a canvas for flavors from Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. Operators oblige dessert-lovers with apple pie and cheesecake. But they see opportunities to market ice cream cake and signature cakes, baked apples and Boston cream pie.