Top 12 Food & Drink Trends in 2014 That We Loved

Not quite as cathartic to write as our Top 12 Food & Drink Trends of 2014 That Should Die, here are the top 12 food & drink trends that we loved in 2014.

1. Good Italian cuisine is cool again: We’re looking at La Scala on Jersey, A Tavola, The Larder, The Lemon Tree, Casoni, ACME to name a few.

2. The calibre of restaurant dining in Sydney Pubs, namely Hotel Centennial, Charing Cross, Ajo at The Welcome Hotel.

3. Australia may be at the other end of the world but it a target market for new whisky releases. Top picks of 2014 include Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu & Hibiki, Chivas Extra, Glenfiddich Excellence 26 YO, The Balvenie Tun 1509 and The Glenlivet Winchester Collection 1964.

5. Pubs that embrace the small bar ethos and do it very well such as The Clock Hotel’s Whisky Room and their G&T Menu, and The Smoking Panda above the Coronation Hotel.

6. The rise of Australian Craft Spirits with more exposure for brands such as Belgrove Whisky, and Crazy Uncle Moonshine by Whipper Snapper Distillery.

7. Cheap and cheerful international street food in casual eateries such as Sugarcane in Surry Hills, Madame Nhu, Rolld in Randwick along with the consistent quality that Din Tai Fung delivers.

8. New specialty venues we loved such as The Champagne Room, The Smoking Panda, Henrietta Supper Club, Ramblin Rascal Tavern, The Cidery (Cider), Fino Par (Sherry), Stillery Bar, Eau de Vie Apothecary to name a few.

9. Delicious, sustainable seafood, local and seasonal produce on menus.

10. The clever use of smoke in cocktails eg wood smoke or rosemary.

11. Top bars that are also a food destination eg Lobo Plantation, Yurippi/The Cliff Dive, Vasco in Surry Hills, Hello Sailor in Darlinghurst.

12. That Coogee Pavilion has opened in our ‘hood. And Coogee Pavilion Rooftop Bar is about to open. Finally a decent place to go to within walking distance.

We won’t be posting a list of predictions for 2015 but you can read my article on dining trends with a few predictions at the Citibank Dining website here.