3 trendlettes to watch for July

This month, vibrant colors and a touch of sweetness are making their way onto menus. Meanwhile, in Denver, operators are competing with another emerging industry to get potential hires. 

The proliferation of cauliflower on menus has some chefs seeing purple. Like traditional cauliflower, the mild vegetable pairs with easily with many ingredients, and its color may appeal to guests who want to try a new take on a trend. Blue Cow Kitchen in Los Angeles offers grilled purple cauliflower as an appetizer, while Ohana Grill in New Jersey served a purple cauliflower and Gruyere soup as part of its restaurant week menu. 

As61% of consumers are more willing to purchase naturally sweetened drinks, according to Technomic's 2016 Beverage Consumer Trend Report, some coffeehouses are turning to honey. Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery, for example, introduced a honey cappuccino made with espresso, milk and honey, and Peet’s Coffee and Tea rolled out a honey-inspired spring drink line. 

Owners of Denver restaurants such as Acorn, Pizzeria Locale, and Stoic and Genuine say they’ve seen a dip in potential hires as the marijuana industry lures young workers with better wages and benefits.