What are bar bites?
“Bar bites give diners the opportunity to sample new foods in small portions, while allowing operators the chance to show off their creativity with different flavor combinations and food items. Here, you’ve taken a simple everyday food and elevated it to something new.”
What are some of the best bar bites to try?
What follows is a diverse array of menu-ready bar bites—all fitting beautifully into this dynamic and ever-evolving category. This Baja Avocado Elotes & Crab Toast is a creative play on elote, Mexico’s popular street treat of corn on the cob.
Should you create bar bites with cocktails in mind?
Creating bar bites with cocktails in mind is a smart strategy, as the two go hand in hand.
Are bar bites the future of small plates?
Among the opportunities that bar bites provide for foodservice operators is the possibility to upsell creative small plates while capitalizing on the versatility of a product. This Pistachio Hummus & Country Ham, created by chef Sean Brock of Husk restaurant in Charleston, S. C.
Baja Beauty
This Baja Avocado Elotes & Crab Toast is a creative play on elote, Mexico’s popular street treat of corn on the cob.
Pear Necessity
This Pear & Chicken Bastilla with Yogurt Herb Dressing is a fresh take on the traditional Arab-Andalusian bastilla, or pastilla. Adapted for use as a bar bite, this dish highlights the small-plate exploration of new flavors, textures and global cuisines.
A Savory Bite
A perfect savory complement at the bar, this crunchy baguette is topped with a blend of four sweet and nutty cheeses, salty pan-seared salami, savory black and green olives and fresh parsley.
A Cut Above
Providing an upscale indulgence while showcasing the versatility of beef, this Tender Trio features steak medallions atop toasted croutons finished with a flavorful trio of lobster mornay, mixed mushrooms and Rockefeller spinach.
Sweet Surprise
The firm sweetness of watermelon makes a unique base for these Watermelon Lamb Chorizo Bites, its summer sweetness contrasting the savory chorizo, Parmesan crisp and Greek yogurt with pickled watermelon rind.
Sprouting Up
This small plate of Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Manchego from Plum Bar & Restaurant in Oakland, Calif., showcases contrasting flavors and textures in a unique way.
Rib Fest
Middle Eastern-Spiced Lamb Ribs provide an elegant shareable with global flair. “While primarily linked to fine dining and entrées, lamb is moving into new areas of the menu, including innovative bar bites,” says Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board.
