Restaurants are always looking for an edge to one-up the competition in the area. We have progressed as a society to the point where there is virtually a restaurant at every corner. The thing with many restaurants, though, is that they often do not do much to differentiate themselves from each other. One way that a restaurant can really take things to the next level and attract the type of guests that they want, is to rely on local supplies and local flavors.
Breaking the Mold of Classic Seafood
Seafood is one of those types of food that have some very common traits. We have all tried classic dishes such as a piece of fried fish with french fries and onion rings. We’ve all had fried clams, fried scallops, and so on. The same goes for the baked variety, which often lack unique traits from one restaurant to another. In order for a seafood restaurant to be that much more enjoyable than the others, it has to break away from the mold of classic seafood.
Incorporating Local Flavors into Classic Dishes
There is nothing wrong with classic seafood, but giving it an added twist can take things to the next level. One way that restaurant successfully do this today is by relying on local flavors. Local flavors are born out of the culture of the area in which the restaurant resides. Perhaps you live in a culture where spicy food is more common, or in an area where baked fish is more popular? Quality chefs in coastal dining restaurants are going to be able to take these local traits from the home culture of the restaurant, and incorporate them into these classic dishes. This brings local flavors that are going to connect with the guests from the area, as well as introduce new things to those visiting the area and restaurant for the first time.
Local Supplies Help with the Taste
Local supplies is another way to incorporate the home culture of the restaurant and differentiate. Coastal seafood restaurants have the ability to purchase local seafood from local suppliers. These are fisherman that could, in theory, catch a fish that morning and deliver to the restaurant a few hours later. These local fisherman are the pipeline that is going to allow a restaurant to really capture that local vibe. If two seafood restaurants exist next to each other, chances are they are each going to have their own suppliers of their food. If one supplier is local, and the other is across the country, delivering frozen seafood via a truck, the guest is going to taste a big difference.
The incorporation of local seafood and local flavors is one way that a coastal dining restaurant can create a special experience for its guests. There are many tried and true seafood dishes out there. The restaurants that differentiate and add twists, though, are those that local guests and visitors seek out to try out something unique to the area.