Leisurely Check In: Mastercard Opens a Restaurant, The 1st Cannabis Restaurant & More!
What’s happening this week in the world of restaurants? How about a new mega restaurant from a credit card company, a national burger chain beginning delivery, and tableside flower service in Los Angeles. Here’s a run down on all the food news you may have missed.
Mastercard’s Restaurant is Literally PRICELESS
After decades of helping guests pay for their meals, Mastercard has decided to get into the restaurant game with the opening of PRICELESS. Taking over a space in Tribeca, Priceless will feature globally renowned chefs including James Beard winner J.J. Johnson while also recreating the ambiance of restaurants from around the world, including The Rock in Tanzania. The initial line up of five restaurants, which is expected to run through early next year, also features sushi specialist Teruzushi from Japan and London’s cocktail king Lyaness. Guests can make a reservation for all restaurants through OpenTable.
Yelp Might Need Help!
A report by Vice revealed that customers who used Yelp to contact restaurants by phone were unknowingly causing the restaurants to be charged a referral fee of up to 20% from the total order amount. Due to the Yelp’s partnership with GrubHub, guests are prompted to call a phone line that adds tracking by GrubHub for delivery or takeout orders. However, the phone line is the exact same number as the restaurant’s official number, which is causing confusion and anger with some restaurant partners.
…But hey, at least Shake Shack Will Now Be Available via Delivery
Despite concerns about GrubHub’s delivery practices, Shake Shack announced it has partnered with the company to offer nationwide delivery for the first time. Delivery will begin in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. There’s no report on whether delivery will make the wait faster at Shake Shack’s original Madison Square Park location, but we still love the idea of making a pilgrimage for SmokeShacks and frozen custard every now and then.
Tableside Flower Service Anyone?
Luckily, there’s at least one new dining option that will help us all chill out. Lowell Cafe, scheduled to open this September, will become America’s first official cannabis restaurant and lounge. Headed by Chef Andrea Drummer, Lowell Cafe will offer tableside flower service guided by a designated flower host. The initial menu includes grilled peaches and burrata along with a fried chicken sandwich.
America’s first cannabis dedicated restaurant is ready to open in LA. Photo Credit: Lowell Cafe