As an extension of the family-operated Le Boulanger bakery-cafe, the brand will be opening the Fire, Oak & Barley Wood-Fired Bistro Restaurant in Palo Alto, California.
The new fast casual restaurant is the brand's attempt to refresh the bakery-cafe concept for the next generation. Although much of the breakfast and lunch menus will overlap with dishes from Le Boulanger, this eatery will put more of an emphasis on serving a "fine fast" dinner meals. True to its name, the restaurant will serve pizzas, pasta, steak and fish on a wood-fired oven.
Set for an opening in July, the 4,000 square foot restaurant will accommodate about 158 diners, where people can expect to pay a range of $12-15 for lunch and $18-22 for dinner.
Hybrid Bakery Bistros
The Fire, Oak & Barley Wood-Fired Bistro Restaurant Serves 'Fine Fast' Food
Trend Themes
1. Hybrid Bakery Bistros - Opportunity for bakeries to incorporate fast casual restaurant concepts, offering a mix of bakery and bistro-style dining experiences.
2. Refreshed Bakery Cafe Concepts - Opportunity to revitalize traditional bakery-cafe concepts with modern, fine dining elements to attract a new generation of customers.
3. Wood-fired Cooking - Opportunity for restaurants to embrace wood-fired cooking techniques, adding a unique flavor profile to their menus.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage industry can explore the hybrid bakery bistro concept to offer innovative and diverse dining experiences.
2. Restaurant - Restaurants can leverage refreshed bakery cafe concepts to attract new customers and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
3. Culinary Equipment - Culinary equipment manufacturers can capitalize on the trend of wood-fired cooking by developing innovative wood-fired ovens and cooking accessories.