Hot Concept Alert

I was in London a few weeks ago and was amazed at the new concept development going on there.  Until the early-’90s there wasn’t much going on in London. Now I’d say it’s of the best places to see innovative new restaurant concepts.

One of my favorites on this trip was Vapiano, an Italian fast-casual concept with fun design elements and a great food.

Food is prepared to order, using induction (electric) woks for sauces.  No disposable plastics here. Food is served on china and has great eye appeal, as can be seen in the photo below. The two dishes I sampled would hold their own against fare from much higher-priced Italian dinner houses.

Freshness cues are all over the store. There is a glass-enclosed prep (finishing) station in plain view that is nearly constantly in use. Each table gets one or two pots of fresh herbs on the table. 

The design places a premium on the ability for guests to mingle, with community tables, like at Wagamama.  (It will be interesting to see how U.S. consumers adapt to this type of table seating.) There is also a lounge area, providing a comfortable place to enjoy coffee, desserts or an alcoholic beverage.

Vapiano is worth a visit.  Not going to London anytime soon?  Head to Washington, D.C.   Or, Chicago, Miami, LA, and Vegas will be opening in 2009.

I will show you one more concept from my trip to London next week.