Menu news of the week: Nov. 25, 2019

Chefs and operators are busy this week gearing up for the season. Here’s a roundup of holiday items and seasonal dishes being highlighted on menus now, starting with tamales. Tamales are a tradition for many families during the holidays. Several concepts are featuring the Mexican specialty to eat in or take out.

Del Tacois kicking off the holiday season with a tamale LTO. The authentic-style tamales are made with shredded pork, fire-roasted salsa and stone-ground masa, all hand-wrapped in a corn husk. The tamales are two for $4 or available in a convenient four-pack to go. Limited edition wrapping paper featuring a tamales pattern in red and green colors will be available in Del Taco’s webstore beginning Dec. 5.

El Pollo Locois bringing back its handmade Chicken Tamales, updating them with a twist. The LTO is now menued as a Chicken Tamale Bowl in three variations. All feature the tamales (a blend of chicken, red chile sauce and masa), but one pairs a tamale with a two-piece leg and thigh and the other with a chopped chicken breast. Also available for a limited time is Chicken Pozole Verde, a Mexican soup made with hominy, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Southern Foodservice Managementis offering tamales to employees of Bosch in Broadview, Ill. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Executive Chef Iraj Fernando is cooking up Lilla’s Tamales filled with pork or jalapeno and cheese and served with Mexican rice, salsa and sour cream. Tamales are “a homemade feature folks in on-site cafeterias rarely see,” he says.

Morton’s The Steakhousehas several new items for guests seeking a festive upscale dinner with elevated service. On the roster are a Fall Burrata Salad ($16), Potato Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream and Lemon Zest ($13) and two steaks: a Snake River Farms Gold New York Medallion ($79) and a Truffle & Porcini Crusted Wagyu Filet ($69). On the drinks side is a holiday cocktail featuring cucumber-rose vodka and aperol, topped with whipped cream and edible rose petals.

Corner BakeryCafeis going the comfort route, menuing indulgent seasonal items available through January. These include Rustic Italian Panini with pecan wood-smoked ham, provolone and Calabrian chile spread; Chicken Rosa Pasta with grilled chicken, spinach and tomato cream sauce; and Caramel Pecan Chocolate