Dal Fiorentino Brings Signature Schiacciata to Notting Hill with Latest London Opening on Westbourne Grove
Dal Fiorentino, a Florentine‑inspired lunch concept, opened its fifth London restaurant on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill. The outlet serves daily‑baked schiacciata flatbread sandwiches, offering more than 15 meat, vegetarian and vegan varieties prepared to order. Founded in 2022 by Cristina Affortunati and Andrei Bazavan, the brand has steadily expanded across the city, and the new site marks its largest footprint to date.
Reservations Open for MA/NA, a New Japanese Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Mayfair
London’s Thesleff Group has opened reservations for MA/NA, a new Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar launching on May 6, 2026 in Mayfair. The concept, inspired by the Japanese notion of mana, moves from a formal dining room serving certified Kobe...
In Algeria’s Harsh Interior, Dahbia Builds an Award-Winning Olive Oil
Dahbia Olive Oil, cultivated on 40 hectares in Algeria’s semi‑arid Djelfa plateau, earned a Silver Award at the 2026 New York International Olive Oil Competition. Founder Hakim Alileche planted 15,000 trees and adopted organic, early‑harvest practices that prioritize low yields...
We Asked 17 Bartenders: Which Cocktail Trend Do You Hope Comes Back?
VinePair surveyed 17 bartenders about which past cocktail trends they’d like to see return. The most requested revivals include blue, neon‑hued drinks, flavored brandy (especially ginger), and a modest splash of vermouth in Martinis. Bartenders also champion simpler formats such...
New Neighbourhood Comfort Food Restaurant All Roads Opens in Brixton
Hospitality duo Malika Green and Paschelle Brown are launching All Roads, a 35‑cover neighbourhood restaurant in Brixton on May 6, 2026. The venue marks their first permanent location after three years of sold‑out supper clubs across London. The menu draws on Caribbean...
Tunisian Producer Blends Tradition and Technology to Raise Olive Oil Quality
Les Montagnes du Nord, a family‑owned Tunisian estate, won a Silver Award at the 2026 NYIOOC for its Chetoui monovarietal Cirta olive oil. The 100‑hectare farm blends certified organic, hand‑harvested practices with a continuous‑phase mill and irrigates 10,000 trees to...
Mitica Signals Attainable Luxury, and In the Cheese Aisle Of All Places
Design Womb’s new Mitica Parmigiano Reggiano packaging swaps traditional wax and plastic for saturated matte paper and gold‑foil stamping, creating a luxe look in the cheese aisle. The wedge‑shaped wraps feature Mediterranean blues and greens, marking the brand’s first use of...
Keeping Menus Relevant, Executable, and Profitable
East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G) used POS data and staff observations to identify low‑use garnishes such as scallions, sour cream, and raw onions. By eliminating these default toppings, the chain streamlined kitchen prep, reduced food waste, and accelerated ticket...
How a Local Pizzeria Turned Curb Appeal Into a Viral Marketing Engine
Santo Sardo upgraded Super Sardo’s Pizza in Largo, Florida with a digital street sign that broadcasts witty, personality‑driven messages instead of static specials. The new display instantly attracted passing drivers, prompting them to stop, photograph, and share the content on...
The Japanese Sharp Pour Is Taking Over U.S. Taprooms
Japanese-style "sharp" pours, a technique dating back to the late 1990s in Japan, are rapidly gaining traction across U.S. taprooms from Seattle to Chicago. The method pours beer first, then caps it with a thick foam layer to achieve roughly...
Young Jerks Brings Order to Complete Natural Products Through a Color-Forward Brand System
Young Jerks, a branding agency, created a color‑forward packaging system for Complete Natural Products (CNP), a family‑owned vitamin maker with hundreds of SKUs. The new design uses distinct color palettes to group product categories, improving legibility on crowded retail shelves....
Report Shows Shortcomings in Recall System
A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group finds that food recall announcements have slipped, with only about 320 recalls reported in 2025 and many issued months or years after the first illness. The analysis highlights that FDA...
Cattyfeast Turns Cat Food Into Design Purrfection
Italian studio REWOT s.r.l. redesigned FIDOVET’s Cattyfeast cat food with gold‑foil cans and a sophisticated, flavor‑coded palette, turning the product into a premium pantry‑style item. The new wordmark combines a friendly serif with luxury cues, avoiding the typical cartoon aesthetic...
The Return of the Stubby? Garage Beer Bets on Stout Bottles and 24-Can Buckets
Garage Beer, backed by the Kelce brothers, is reviving the classic stubby bottle and launching a 24‑can “hardware bucket” to differentiate itself in a crowded craft‑beer market. The brand positions the stubby as a nostalgic, eye‑catching container while the bucket...
‘Forest 500’ Report Tracks Coffee Industry Deforestation Commitments
The 2026 Forest 500 report, compiled by Global Canopy, finds the coffee sector lagging behind most commodities on deforestation metrics despite modest gains in public commitments. Only 47% of evaluated firms disclosed a coffee‑deforestation‑free pledge, and merely 5% reported that over...
American Airlines Brings Italian Coffee Experience Onboard With Lavazza Partnership
American Airlines has partnered with Italy’s iconic coffee brand Lavazza to serve premium coffee across all cabins and in its Flagship® and Admirals Club® lounges worldwide. The rollout delivers a consistent Italian coffee experience from the gate to 30,000 feet,...
Study Identifies Chemical Differences in Civet Poop Coffee
Researchers from Central University of Kerala analyzed unroasted robusta beans collected from wild Asian palm civet droppings in Kodagu, India, and compared them with beans harvested directly from the same farms. The chemical analysis showed higher total fat and elevated...
What’s Happening to Beyond Meat?
Beyond Meat, the plant‑based protein pioneer, continues to bleed cash, reporting $1.2 billion in accumulated losses and a cost‑to‑revenue ratio of $1.95 for every $1 sold in 2025, up from $1.32 in 2024. The company has never turned a profit, prompting...
Tessas Eplegård Cider Explores Honest, Farm-Friendly Storytelling
Oslo‑based design studio OlssønBarbieri crafted a new visual identity for Tessas Eplegård, a small‑batch cider from Norway’s Hardanger region. The packaging features a hand‑drawn bug inspired by Scandinavian folk art and a playful serif‑sans mix. The back label breaks convention with...
Pasta Fortuna Tells the Story of a Mother’s Love and a Land of Tradition
Italian design studio nju:design has unveiled a new visual identity for Pasta Fortuna, an artisanal pasta brand rooted in Basilicata’s folk traditions. The brand’s graphics reinterpret centuries‑old good‑luck symbols as flat, gestural silhouettes that echo Matisse cutouts and risograph prints. By...
Sky Barn Desiged the Future of Oat Milk We Were Promised
Sky Barn teamed with design studio EO SPACE to launch a retrofuturist visual identity for its oat milk line, discarding the genre’s typical pastoral cues. The new packaging features sleek, futuristic graphics that echo the product’s technological edge. By designing...
Why the ‘$28 Burger’ Is a Warning Sign
Restaurants are increasingly resorting to steep price hikes, exemplified by the emergence of a $28 burger, to offset rising food, labor and operational costs. Industry experts warn that such reactive pricing can alienate diners and erode long‑term loyalty. The article...
Strong Feelings on Sweeteners Don’t Match the Data
Public anxiety about artificial sweeteners remains high, with 74% of parents believing they are harmful, fueled by WHO warnings and sensational headlines. However, recent human research tells a different story. A large observational study of three U.S. cohorts found that...
Oishii’s Nikko Berry Tray Is a Step Forward, But Is It Enough?
Oishii introduced a 7.5‑oz cardboard tray sealed with a lightweight film for its new Nikko strawberry, replacing the traditional plastic clamshell. The Nikko berry is the company’s most affordable and widely distributed variety, aiming to broaden market reach while maintaining...
Cactus Country Adds High Octane Design To Steve McQueen Coffee
Cactus Country has unveiled a new visual identity for Steve McQueen Coffee, a brand that channels the late actor’s love of motorcycles and racing. The agency designed weathered, oil‑style tin cans and graphics inspired by classic cars and bikes to give...
UK Analysis Reveals Little Change in Consumer Food Safety Behavior
The UK Food Standards Agency's latest analysis shows that consumer food safety practices have remained largely unchanged between 2020 and 2025. Self‑reported data indicate stable rates of hand‑washing, cross‑contamination avoidance, cooking temperatures, refrigeration, and adherence to use‑by dates. The report...
Premium Bottled Water: Which Brands Are Worth It? (2026)
Premium bottled water is gaining traction among families seeking higher‑quality hydration, prompting a detailed comparison of leading brands. The guide evaluates six top options—Chiarella, Evian, Fiji Water, Voss, Smartwater, and Acqua Panna—based on source purity, mineral balance, packaging, and everyday versus...
21 Brand Activations That Turned Coachella 2026 Into a Design Playground
Coachella 2026 turned its desert stage into a sprawling design showcase, featuring 21 high‑profile brand activations that blended packaging, spatial design, and sensory experiences. The festival now draws over 100,000 daily attendees who wander between music performances and immersive pop‑ups, from...
Liquid Supplement Recalled because of Botulism Risk
Liquid Blenz Corp. is recalling all Good Brain Tonic liquid supplements after Cornell Food Venture Center and New York State inspectors identified a potential botulism contamination. The product, sold in 16‑ounce and 32‑ounce amber bottles nationwide through retail and online...
BREAKING: Governor Wes Moore Is Taking On Predatory Grocery Pricing — And Showing Democrats What Leadership Looks Like
Maryland Governor Wes Moore joined legislative leaders this week to sponsor a bill that would ban "dynamic pricing" in grocery stores. The measure would prohibit retailers from adjusting prices throughout the day or using consumer surveillance data to set individualized...
Two-Thirds of Americans Said They Drank Coffee Yesterday, NCA Report Finds
The National Coffee Association’s Spring 2026 NCDT report shows 66% of U.S. adults drank coffee yesterday, matching the past two years and keeping coffee the nation’s top beverage. Weekly coffee consumption reaches 73%, equating to roughly 195 million adults and 507 million cups...
Eight Ounce Coffee Becomes Exclusive Stronghold Roaster Distributor in Canada
Calgary‑based Eight Ounce Coffee has secured exclusive rights to distribute South Korea’s Stronghold electric roasters across Canada, adding the S2, S7, S8 and S9 models to its portfolio. The company, which already supplies roughly 4,000 cafés, roasters, hotels and retailers...
Loch Lomond Whiskies Marks The 154th Open with Tawny Port and Malbec-Finished Single Malts
Loch Lomond Whiskies has launched two limited‑edition single malts to celebrate the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, continuing its ninth‑year partnership with the tournament. The flagship Open Course Collection, finished in Tawny Port casks, is capped at 3,000 bottles...
The Stadium Beer Model Is Changing, and Athletic Brewing Is Ahead of It
Athletic Brewing Company, the United States' largest dedicated non‑alcoholic brewer, has secured high‑visibility partnerships with the San Francisco Giants and Arsenal F.C., showcasing two distinct activation models. In baseball, the brand is woven into the entire matchday experience at Oracle...
Heart Association’s New Guidance Recommends Olive Oil and Other Unsaturated Fats
The American Heart Association’s 2026 dietary guidance upgrades its recommendations, placing olive oil, soybean oil and canola oil among the preferred sources of unsaturated fat. The new guidance pivots from focusing on individual nutrients to endorsing whole‑food dietary patterns that...
Coffee Crops Are Dying From a Fungus with Species-Jumping Genes
A fungus called Fusarium xylarioides is killing coffee plants worldwide through coffee wilt disease. Researchers reconstructed historical strains and sequenced genomes, discovering that the pathogen acquired virulence genes via horizontal gene transfer from Fusarium oxysporum, including mobile “Starship” elements. These...
Motorcycle Matcha Revs Into Matcha Mania on the Back of Its Unique Brand Story
Motorcycle Matcha leverages its founder’s motorcycle journey through Japan’s tea regions to craft a brand narrative that permeates every product touchpoint. The brand’s packaging, designed by Saint‑Urbain, features retro‑inspired tins that echo mid‑century motorcycle advertising, setting it apart from the...
Bold84 Revives Vietnamese Art Deco With Their Vibrant Coffee Cans
Bold84 is launching mini cans of Vietnamese Robusta coffee that showcase a vibrant Art Deco aesthetic. The branding, created by Ho Chi Minh‑based Behalf Studio, pulls directly from vintage street‑level graphics, including tarps, sidewalk colors, and classic pavement tiles. A salvaged colonial‑era sign...
US Restaurants Struggle With Rising Overheads and Shifting Consumer Tastes
Sysco announced a $29 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding 166 stores in 35 states to its distribution network. The deal raises concerns that heightened market concentration could empower Sysco to raise wholesale food prices, especially for independent eateries lacking...
The Origin Story of LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, the Coveted Cult Whiskey You’ve Never Heard Of
LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, a cult‑status American rye whiskey, was crafted from four cask‑strength barrels distilled in 1984 at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim facility and aged 23‑24 years at Willett Distillery. Between 2006 and 2009, only about 850 bottles were released,...
Ashcombe X Carousel Returns for 2026 with Exclusive Fire-Led Dining and Star Chef Line-Up
London’s Carousel collective will host its third Ashcombe Estate pop‑up this summer, offering fire‑cooked tasting menus across 22 weekends from May to September. Each Saturday night, 20 guests will dine at the custom WildKitchen outdoor kitchen, followed by a two‑night...
The VinePair Podcast: Is Brown-Forman for Sale? To Whom?
Recent reports suggest French spirits giant Pernod Ricard is weighing a takeover of Brown‑Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s, while rival Sazerac has also entered negotiations. The discussions have sparked speculation about whether the deal will be a full merger or a...
Understanding the Hidden Anxiety Behind Group Ordering
Assistant professor Sharaya Jones’s five‑year study of 2,000+ diners shows that choosing food for a group creates real anxiety, even when the options are identical to solo choices. The research, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, reveals that this...
Happy Plant Protein to Deploy Dry Extrusion Technology at New Latvia Facility
Finnish startup Happy Plant Protein has raised €1.8 million (about $2 million) in pre‑seed funding, led by Nordic Foodtech VC and supported by a Business Finland grant. The capital will fund deployment of its dry extrusion technology at a new facility in...
The Working Assembly Weaves Homegrown Authenticity Into Desert Kid Coffee
The Working Assembly has crafted the visual and spatial identity for Desert Kid Coffee, a new café and roastery rooted in the Coachella Valley. By drawing on regional landmarks and the nostalgic vibe of pre‑digital Coachella festivals, the agency infused...
Grain Opens in Holborn with Mediterranean-Inspired Bowls
Independent restaurant Grain opened at 272 High Holborn, London, serving Mediterranean‑inspired grain bowls built around saffron rice, tri‑colour quinoa and grain lentils. The menu features seven signature bowls, a build‑your‑own option, and filled sourdough pitta and bagel items, with all...
California Considering Food Safety Bills
California’s legislature is reviewing three food‑safety bills that would tighten temperature monitoring, traceability and allergen labeling for products sold in the state. The measures aim to close gaps exposed by recent recalls and align state standards with emerging federal guidance....
Ongoing Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Has Sickened Almost 200
A salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios has sickened 189 Canadians and hospitalized 26 people since March 2025. Cases have been reported in six provinces, with the highest numbers in Quebec and Ontario. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued numerous...
Affordabiity and Eric Asimov’s Search for Great Wine Values
Eric Asimov’s recent New York Times column revisits his long‑standing $15‑$20 wine‑value sweet spot, noting that inflation, tariffs and premiumization have pushed that range up to $20‑$30 by 2026. The piece highlights how rising fuel costs, higher interest rates and supply‑chain pressures...
Study Finds Coffee Tied to ‘Younger’ Biological Age in People with Mental Illness
A November 2025 observational study of 436 Norwegian adults with schizophrenia or affective disorders found that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily was associated with longer telomeres, a cellular marker of biological aging. In adjusted models, these participants...