We are in the midst of cold weather almost everywhere in the country, so offer a place to take a “mini vacation,” at no other location than in your restaurant! From fun daily specials to new menu items, you can transport your guests somewhere warm with every sip or bite.
Daily Dose
For a limited time, consider offering tropical-themed daily specials to spice it up a bit. Feel free to give it your own creative spin, but some ideas for each day of the week could be Margarita Monday, featuring discounted frozen drinks; or Tropical Tuesday, where you offer a “tropical meal deal” combination of a drink, entrée, and dessert for a special price. A fun feature drink recipe to try is a Frozen Piña Colada — serve as a mocktail or add rum for some fun-in-the-sun flavor.
Next up is Catch a Wave Wednesday, during which any number of Bay Winds® seafood choices would be an excellent addition. Bay Winds offers a top tier portfolio of premium seafood sourced from prime, sustainable areas across the globe. From shrimp and lobster to Chilean Sea Bass, Bay Winds delivers unparalleled flavor, thanks to a commitment to quality and freshness.
This BBQ Shrimp Handheld recipe is the perfect special, combining the bold, smoky flavors of BBQ with fresh shrimp. It’s a crowd-pleasing option that’s easy to prepare, highly portable, and ideal if you’re looking to add a unique, high-margin item to your menu.
Kick off the weekend early with Travel Away Thursday and host a DJ playing hit music from all the warmer areas of the globe. Flavorful Friday might boast a special flavor pairing menu, and on Sunny Saturday you could offer discounted prices on menu items during whatever hours you deem “sunset hours.” Lastly, on Spicy Sunday you could host a spicy challenge where you feature your hottest dish for those that dare to try it.
From Corn to Cod
Transport your menu to the vibrant streets of Central and South America with traditional Latin flavors. Whether you're looking for high-quality ingredients to elevate your dishes or a few new recipes altogether, Contigo® is your trusted partner. True to its name, "with you," Contigo is committed to sourcing delicious, authentic products that will support your business, holding a special place in your kitchen.
Put a flavorful spin on your menu with Contigo Street Corn Pizza. This fusion favorite combines the zesty taste of roasted street corn with the heat of jalapeños and the vibrant kick of Contigo Peppers. It’s the perfect way to warm up your restaurant this winter while delivering a taste of the tropics to your diners.
Looking for a different type of cuisine to transport your taste buds to a warmer place? Try adding Spicy Tuna and Crispy Rice Sushi Bites to your specials. This bold, zesty recipe is a perfect balance of heat and freshness, evoking the vibrant energy of tropical destinations with every crunchy, savory bite. One more new recipe option full of flavor AND spice is the Sriracha Cod Quesadillas, with a smoky, spicy kick and vibrant mix of roasted corn, black beans, and zesty salsa that transports you to the sun-soaked flavors of Latin America in every bite. You’ll definitely want to give one of these recipes a try!
Island Vibes Only
Comfort food always helps us go to a warmer place when it’s dreary outside. Play around with adding a new section to your menu featuring your favorite comfort food items with a tropical spin. Coconut rice and jerk chicken, pineapple glazed meatballs, a hot mai tai, or a coconut chai latte are just a few ideas.
And feel free to break outside of the menu. Visit your favorite party or craft store and look for the decor to make your space FEEL warm, too! Maybe there’s a fun ocean mural background you can make into a selfie area for guests to post on social media. (Hello, marketing!) You could also try changing up your tablescape with a coconut-scented candle, seashell-centric centerpieces, or use tropical-inspired mugs, cocktail glasses, or leis for each guest.
Limited Time “Escape” Menus
For a week or month at a time, consider featuring dishes inspired by different tropical islands. Give everyone a taste of the Bahamas with items like conch fritters, fried plantains, or Empire’s Treasure® Crab and Spinach Dip. Travel to Thailand with some mango sticky rice or a basil stir fry. Another place to add to your lineup — Hawaii. Add some items to your menu featuring poke, manapua, or any drink with passion fruit juice.
Crank up the heat and add some flavors of the tropics to make winter feel a little less cold at your restaurant.
