Food

Lazy Dog, Piada and Greene Turtle catch spring fever

Taste Tracker: Starbucks flavors the menu with lavender; McAlister’s Deli, Dog Haus and Applebee’s honor St. Pat; Easter blooms at Tim Horton’s; and Black Tap goes British.
Photos courtesy of the brands

Spring menus are popping up faster than daffodils as restaurant kitchens rotate in seasonal specials

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is refreshing the menu with 10 food and drink items, starting with the cocktail list. The Tequila Honey Squeeze is mixed, then served in a honey bear-shaped bottle to squeeze over ice. The newest TV Dinner—a chain signature—is Shepherd’s Pie, while Hot Honey Chicken + Waffle Salad is the featured Roadtrip Bowl. Also in the spring lineup are Grilled Idaho Trout, Green Goddess Salad, Firecracker Shrimp, Sweet + Spicy Ribs and Confetti Cake.

Lavender has been one of the most requested flavors by Starbucks baristas, according to the coffee giant, and that request is now being fulfilled with its spring menu additions. Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte debuted Thursday, part of Starbucks' strategy to innovate for Gen Z and Millennial customers.

A citrusy riff on Caesar salad welcomes spring at Piada Italian Street Food. The Lemon Kale Caesar Salad includes kale, romaine, red and napa cabbage, pancetta, bruschetta tomatoes, grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses and Parmesan crisps. It’s served with house-made Caesar dressing and a lemon wedge for a fresh squeeze of flavor.

Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille is paying tribute to its Maryland roots with a Crabby Melt Sandwich. It’s flavored with Old Bay seasoning and boasts double the amount of Maryland crab dip, tomato, cheddar, bacon and grilled sourdough. Also new are four “comfort” apps—Pow Pow Shrimp, Ultimate Nachos, Onion Rings and Fried Pickles—as well as eight colorful cocktails.

It's all about St. Patrick’s Day at McAlister’s Deli, which is serving up two holiday-themed LTOs. There’s a Corned Beef Spud, a baked potato loaded with corned beef, Swiss and Thousand Island Dressing, and a Reuben Sandwich, layered with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye.

Over at Dog Haus, the spirit of the holiday is embodied in the St. Patty’s Melt, available through the end of March. It’s composed of a beef patty, pastrami, grilled sauerkraut, American cheese and “secret sauce,” grilled patty-melt style on King’s Hawaiian bread.

Value-priced Saintly Sips are Applebee’s contribution to St. Patrick’s Day. There’s a $5 Tipsy Leprechaun with a green hue, crafted with Irish whisky, melon liqueur, blue curaçao and lemon-lime mixers, and a $7 Pot O’ Gold Daq-A-Rita, a blend of tequila and rum, mango and triple sec with a gold sugar rim. On the food side, the chain is introducing two new 2 for $25 Sizzlin’ Skillets—Garlic Sirloin and Cheddar Bacon and Chicken.

Pi Day is the holiday of choice for North Italia, where 10 regional pizzas and one national pie will roll out on March 14. Each is created by a North Italia chef’s personal connection to a region of Italy, such as the Piemonte Veggie, The Sicilian and Hot Honey and Smoked Prosciutto.

Black Tap Craft Burgers + Beer opens in London this summer, and the brand is marking the occasion this month with a BT Fish & Chips Sandwich and Cadbury Crazyshake. The shake blends in Brits’ popular Cadbury Cream candy and is garnished with a chocolate-coated ice cream bar, chocolate drizzle and crunchie bar crumbs.

Easter is in the spotlight at Tim Horton’s with its collection of Spring Donuts adorned with Easter egg and floral designs. There’s also an indulgent new Croissant filled with Nutella and Whipped Sweet Cream, as well as Hazelnut Mocha beverages with Nutella and a non-caffeinated Berry Cherry Refresher.

To watch these menu items spring into action, click on the video:

 

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