Crossroads Kitchen, a vegan restaurant based in Los Angeles, developed a five-course vegan tasting menu with season six Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio that offers an entirely plant-based spin on classic meat-based dishes.
While the first course of the feast introduced "Mushrooms Pretending to Be Chicken Liver Mousse" with kale juice lavash, other notable items that followed included salads, a chocolate dessert and a vegan-friendly version of osso bucco, which is ordinarily made from veal shanks. As its name suggests, the Smoked Beet Osso Bucco was prepared from the colorful root vegetable and served with a sunflower seed and truffle risotto.
At the same time many affordable plant-based patties, strips and nuggets are emerging in supermarkets for mainstream consumers, there is also a desire for high-end meat alternatives for luxe restaurant dining experiences.
Plant-Based Veal Alternatives
Crossroads Kitchen is Serving a Five-Course Vegan Tasting Menu
Trend Themes
1. High-end Plant-based Alternatives - Opportunity for upscale restaurants to develop innovative plant-based alternatives that cater to high-end dining experiences.
2. Plant-based Fine Dining - Rise in demand for vegan tasting menus and plant-based interpretations of classic meat-based dishes at fine dining establishments.
3. Expansion of Vegan Meat Market - Growth in the variety and availability of plant-based meat products, including upscale alternatives, for both retail and foodservice industries.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant - Upscale restaurants can explore incorporating plant-based alternatives into their menus to cater to the growing demand for vegan dining experiences.
2. Food Retail - Opportunity for supermarkets to expand their plant-based meat offerings to include high-end alternatives, targeting consumers seeking luxurious plant-based options.
3. Foodservice - Caterers and event venues can capitalize on the trend by including plant-based alternatives in their menus, allowing for customizable vegan dining experiences.