[2011 trends] Back to the dinner table: 11 restaurant trends

[Michael Said] Each year I return home from the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and wonder which of the latest trends I had just witnessed will take South Africa by storm. There's been the Low-Carb/No-Carb Trend, the Zero Trans Fats, the Organic Trend, The Mini Dessert Portion Trend, the Health Trend and the 'that looks like another trend' trend. 21 Jan 2011 13:40

The only thing missing in Rosebank is common sense!

[Michael Said] Arriving at the new and almost completed Rosebank hub recently, situated between the Zone and the area that once housed Tijuana 220 and Baccarat, I discovered the place had changed quite dramatically since my days of body shots, Corona Beer and Gypsy Kings. You see back in the day, you could almost count the restaurants within 3km of us on one hand. There was Tijuana 220, Baccarat, Late Nite Al's, Moosehead, Bourbon Street and few others; today you would need a Cray Supercomputer to count the eateries, add up the setup costs, calculate the square meters, the seats, the wage bill, the rental bills and most importantly the turnovers required in order to pay for all of this. 13 Dec 2010 15:17

Why food critics simply don't matter!

[Michael Said] There are only two professions that I am aware of where 1: Someone gets hired to masquerade as someone who can't say no; 2: A person is paid to do what other people consider a pleasure, and 3: They usually declare themselves disgusted afterward...and I should tell you that the 'other' one is a hooker! 27 Oct 2010 11:11

Who mugged the Bean?

[Michael Said] It was with great interest that I read Chris Moerdyk's recent column on the changes at Mugg & Bean as I am "his marketing manager Mike" whom the first commenter mentioned. All brands develop over time and in fact my motto when running the marketing department was "constant renewal through innovation" but where did M&B slip up, if it has slipped up at all? 19 Oct 2010 12:41