Electrolux is best known for its household appliances but now it has also ventured into the arena of fine dining with their totally radical restaurant idea. The Cube is a transparent structure which is set atop monuments and buildings to offer diners a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A single 'table d'hote' serves 18 guests at any one sitting, who will get to enjoy a 3-course meal from tops chefs as well as spectacular views. The Cube is travelling around countries in Europe including Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland, with a 3-month residency in each location. The Cube is currently found in Brussels' Arc de Triomphe, overlooking the stunning Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Pizza Express Living Lab in the Richmond area of London introduces a few cool concepts in dining. Designed by Ab Rogers the restaurant features conversational booths with state-of-the art acoustics. Diners can plug their own ipods into their booth's docking station and adjust audio settings to suit. Customers can also control the lighting on the futuristic domes and if service is needed then simply press a button and the dome glows.
Mobile food trucks are growing in popularity in New York. A step up from the sidewalk hot dog stands the new breed of food trucks are savvy when it comes to branding and marketing.
Food trucks move around the city, stopping off at popular locations where workers in the city can pop out and grab something tasty.
There are the sweet food trucks selling the likes of waffles, muffins and cupcakes such as Street Sweets, Wafels & Dinges and Cupcake Stop. There are also savoury food trucks such as Jiannettos Pizza, Go Burger and Bian Dang which sells Taiwanese food.
Street Sweets also offer unique marketing opportunities to companies by customising a truck with a partner's brand for promotional campaigns. Companies such as American Express, Lacoste and Lexus have utilised Street Sweets for such purposes. Many food trucks also cater for birthdays, product launch events and other special occasions.
What we also like about the food truck story is the use of Twitter to promote where the truck is going to be at any given point, highlighting how Twitter can actively drive customers to the business. Some bricks and mortar restaurants also have mobile food trucks such as that of Go Burger.
We think food trucks are a great idea for anyone setting up a food business without having the expense of an actual premise and what makes these food trucks successful is the combination of good food, customer convenience and clever branding.
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#4 The Troubadour is steeped in history and just oozes charm. Established in 1954 as a coffee house the Troubadour grew to become a place for live music and entertainment. This was the first place Bob Dylan performed in London. Other musicians who have graced the stage over the years include Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell. Today the Troubadour is a place to have coffee, food, drink and be entertained. It has a relaxed vibe, bohemian decor and there is even an idyllic garden too, so rare to find in London. It was also recently voted 2nd in the Daily Mail's best restaurants in London for its authentic menu and genuine service. This is definitely a place to return to.
263-267 Old Brompton Road, London. SW5 9J
www.troubadour.co.uk
