The latest hassle with which restaurant operators are having to deal? It’s a shortage of alcoholic beverages, particularly wines and high-end spirits.
Since late summer sporadic shortages have been cropping up in various parts of the alcoholic beverage supply chain, making it increasingly difficult for restaurants and hotels to keep their bars well stocked.
In Pennsylvania, where the state’s Liquor Control Board maintains a monopoly on alcoholic beverage distribution and sales, selective daily purchasing limits of two bottles has been put in place as a strategy to deal with shortages and stock-outs.
Authorities in other monopoly states also report chronic inventory problems, with premium brands of distilled spirits in particularly short supply.
The causes of these supply chain snags are some of the usual suspects - not enough truck drivers and warehouse workers, for instance - but other factors, such as congestion at ocean shipping terminals and COVID-related delays in customs paperwork are also an issue.
Further compounding the supply shortfalls are shortages of aluminum cans and glass bottles, which mean that distillers, vineyards, and breweries aren’t always able to package all that they could be shipping.
High levels of demand are still another factor, as restaurants and bar try to build back the beverage inventories they let become depleted earlier in the pandemic.
To cope with the shortages, restaurants are being advised to avoid, whenever possible, promoting spirits by brand names. Several premium brands of rum are virtually unobtainable, for instance, while similar but less-well-known alternatives are widely available.
Dining room staffs should also be trained to suggest beverage products with similar flavor profiles when a customer requests a particular brand or bottle that’s currently not in stock.
Beverage industry experts predict that spot shortages are likely to continue well into 2022.
Side Dishes:
Little Caesars, the family-owned pizza chain that boasts of a global presence extending to 27 countries (and all 50 states here in the U.S.) has announced an expansion plan designed to build its store network here in New England, with special emphasis on the metropolitan Boston and Providence, RI markets. The chain has a target of developing more than 50 new franchise units in the region by 2026.
The value proposition at Little Caesars locations is their signature “Hot-n-Ready” pizza, a selection of pies available for immediate carry-out, as well as a number of other menu items, including their garlic-and-parmesan “Crazy Bread.”
A brand that has long specialized in pick-up and delivery - no in-store seating is available - Little Caesars is currently recruiting potential franchisee for its expansion program. To that end company executives will be available at a trade exhibition, The Franchise Show, to be held in Marlborough at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center on Oct. 16 and 17.
More information on Little Caesars franchises can be found at franchise.littlecaesars.com.
Here in Western Massachusetts there are Little Caesars locations on St James Avenue in Springfield and on Memorial Drive in Chicopee.
Figaro Ristorante in Enfield is presenting a tribute show double-header on Oct. 24. The evening, billed as “The Lady, The Legend,” features Lady Niki and Patrick Tobin performing favorites of Lady Gaga and Frank Sinatra, respectively.
The entertainment, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., is preceded by a dinner seating at 5:30 p.m. An Italian-American buffet will be available, and a food/beverage purchase is required of those attending. Tickets for the show are $25.
Reservations can be made by calling (860) 745-2414.
Max Burger Longmeadow is collaborating with the Berkshire Brewing Company (BBC) of South Deerfield to present a Beer Dinner on Monday, Oct. 18.
Chef Gabe Vancil of Max Burger has developed a five course menu that shows off his kitchen’s versatility as well as partnering well with some of Berkshire Brewing’s most interesting malt beverage creations.
A starter course of smoked salmon rillette, for instance, will be partnered with BBC’s Czech Style Pilsner, while coffee-crusted pork belly sliders will be served alongside Ireland Forever Irish Red Ale.
The main course, smoked and grilled filet mignon medallions, is designed to complement Fiery Green Gown Double IPA, a brew infused with mango and habanero peppers.
A kitchen sink cookie ice cream sandwich will conclude the table top proceedings.
Reservations for the dinner, which is $65 per person not including tax or gratuity, can be made by calling (413) 798-0101.
Participating Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations are offering two specially-priced Halloween cocktail creations this month.
“Dracula’s Juice” blends together rum, tequila, frozen margarita mix, and wildberry flavored syrup to produce a “goosebumps-inducing” frozen drink.
The “Tipsy Zombie” is all about rum, passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, and lime that’s topped with a splash of melon liqueur and garnished with a “gummy brain.”
Both drinks will be available through Halloween Night.
On Saturday evening, Oct. 23, Teresa’s Restaurant in Ware will be hosting “The Eagles Experience,” a tribute dinner and show featuring the music of the iconic 1970s rock band.
The evening begins with a 5 p.m. cocktail hour. Dinner, a six course family style meal of Teresa’s favorites, will follow at 6 p.m., with the show itself commencing at 8 p.m.
Tickets, which are $50 per person, can be ordered by calling (413) 967-7601.
The Western Mass Pioneers Soccer Team will be sponsoring the First Annual Lusitano-Fest at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow.
The Fest is a rain-or-shine event that will be held in the stadium’s pavilion from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16. Food, live music, and a selection of fall season beers will be featured, and both a raffle and a 50/50 drawing will be part of the fun.
There is no admission fee to attend Lusitano-Fest.
Denny’s Restaurant locations have an array of autumn-themed items available for patron enjoyment.
These include a breakfast platter featuring pumpkin pecan pancakes as well as a trio of “Benny Breakfast” that are built around the chain’s interpretation of eggs benedict.
The “Classic” option incorporates ham, over-medium eggs, and hollandaise sauce, while the “Prime Rib Benny Breakfast” stars bacon-cheddar potato cakes topped with prime rib, over-medium eggs and hollandaise.
Those looking for a bit of spice might opt for the “Southwestern Benny Breakfast” that use chorizo, pico de gallo, and a splash of hot sauce to provide a bit of “Ole!”
Sweet treats available this fall include a “Pecan Panookie (chocolate chip cookie, vanilla ice cream, and pecan topping) and “Double Chocolate Pancake Puppies.”
There are Denny’s locations in Holyoke, Springfield, and Enfield.
Enrico Giovanello, the executive chef of the Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge, will be collaborating with the kitchen of the Cedar Street Grille to present a Global Tapas Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 26 starting at 6:30 p.m.
The dinner’s theme is to be Southeast Asian cuisine, with small plate specialties from Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Giovanello will be delivering taste bud experiences built around aromatic flavors such as lime, basil, tamarind, and lemongrass.
The dinner is priced at $65 not including tax or gratuity; a special regional cocktail, beer, or wine is, however, part of the package. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Reservations can be made by calling (508) 347-5800.
The Starting Gate at Greathorse in Hampden is presenting a five-course “Harvest Moon” Wine Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The evening starts at 6:00 p.m.; tickets are $125 per person.
For more information or reservations, call (413) 566-5158.
On Saturday, Oct. 16, Black Birch Vineyard in North Hatfield will be celebrating its fourth annual Crush Festival from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The schedule of fun include live music, face painting, tractor wagon rides, and grape stomping. Food options available range from wood-fired pizza and cider donuts to an oyster bar where festival participants can enjoy oysters they’ve reserved in advance.
Entry tickets for the Festival are available on Eventbrite.com, where they are $10 plus a ticket broker’s fee. Each entry ticket entitles the bearer to a complimentary Black Birch tasting glass at the festival.
For more details contact Black Birch Vineyard at (413) 247-3300
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached on-line at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
The Link LonkOctober 09, 2021 at 04:58PM
https://www.masslive.com/dining/2021/10/off-the-menu-restaurants-finding-it-hard-to-keep-bars-well-stocked.html
Off The Menu: Restaurants finding it hard to keep bars well stocked - MassLive.com
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