On February 20, CityPickle will open a massive 37,000-square-foot flagship inside the landmark Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, bringing seven professional-grade courts, a full-service bar and restaurant and a slate of luxe amenities to the eighth floor of one of Midtown's most storied addresses. The 1926 Paramount Building initially housed Paramount Studios, and CityPickle is leaning into that showbiz legacy,
José Andrés Group CEO Sam Bakhshandehpour is stepping away from the top role in the company's hospitality and media empire. Andrés tells Washingtonian his longtime friend and board member David Strasser-a managing director in venture capital firm Swan & Legend and former board member of Cava-will become the next CEO. The change is a "good next phase for all!," Andrés says in a text message.
A hotel is already alive long before it welcomes its first guest. Housekeepers make the rounds before dawn, kitchen crews rehearse dishes yet to be ordered, concierges prepare for the day. This unseen work is now expanding as Southeast Asia's travel sector expands at an unprecedented pace. The region's hospitality sector is projected to grow to roughly $208 billion by 2033, up from $136 billion in 2024, according to Deep Market Insights, a market research firm.
Sadec Garden is a small-scale accommodation project newly designed and located in the flower village of Sa ec, ong Thap, Vietnam. The project is approached as a quiet place of temporary stay, where architecture does not seek visual prominence but operates as a background for landscape, light, and local daily life. Rather than pursuing expressive forms, the design adopts an attitude of restraint, focusing on spatial organization, experiential sequence, and a soft relationship between architecture and the riverine context of Sa ec.
Shinola Hotel is ushering in a new chapter of culinary excellence with the appointment of Mary-Catherine Moore as the Executive Director of Food & Beverage and Managing Partner. Known for her extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Moore will oversee culinary operations across a dynamic range of venues, including the upscale Italian restaurant San Morello, the urban speakeasy Evening Bar, the beer hall The Brakeman, and the beloved fried chicken spot Penny Red's.
"We continue to see extraordinary demand for travel and experiences," Capuano told Yahoo! Finance. "It feels like a fundamentally permanent shift that consumers are prioritizing spending on travel and experiences versus purchase of hard goods." The hotel chain expects earnings growth in 2026, with revenue driven by adding rooms to its portfolio and higher co-branded credit card fees. While U.S. business was slightly weaker in the fourth quarter due to the government shutdown, Capuano says the fundamentals remain strong.
"Holidays are for relaxing, not taxing," the groups wrote in a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The businesses say people "would face an extra 100 or more for a two-week holiday" if a tax of 2 per person, per night was introduced. "It could force families to shorten trips, skip travel altogether or head overseas, spending their money elsewhere," they say.
Benjamin Nasberg is a Canadian entrepreneur and the CEO of Carbone Restaurant Group. He is known for building scalable hospitality businesses while staying closely connected to the people and communities behind them. His career reflects a steady focus on growth, culture, and practical leadership. Nasberg began working in restaurants at the age of 16. Those early roles gave him a ground-level understanding of operations, teamwork, and customer experience.
Have you ever noticed how some people never show up empty-handed? Whether they're coming over for a casual dinner or just stopping by for coffee, they always have something in hand - a bottle of wine, fresh flowers, or homemade cookies. It used to puzzle me until I realized these weren't random acts of generosity. These people were following an unspoken set of rules passed down through generations.
When February 13-15, 2026 rolls around, something magical happens: NBA All-Star Weekend crashes directly into Valentine's Day. And if you're in the food and beverage or hospitality game, this collision creates the kind of revenue opportunity that doesn't come around often: especially when it's all happening in Beverly Hills. For couples who want courtside thrills and candlelit dining without the hassle of navigating LA's infamous traffic, Beverly Hills is the only play that makes sense.
If you thought Myrtle Beach was just funnel cakes, mini golf, and sunburns, think again. The Grand Strand is getting a serious glow-up in 2026, and the food and beverage industry is leading the charge. We're talking Guy Fieri's largest entertainment concept yet, Tennessee's favorite distillery heading south, a 100-foot roller coaster, and enough live music to make Nashville jealous.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
As an American who's traveled to 44 countries over the last 30 years, I've seen my fair share of unforgettable places. But if I had to choose one place to visit again and again, it would be Bali, an island and province in Indonesia that combines vibrant culture, natural beauty, and a pace of life that feels both energizing and restorative. After spending a month on the island in 2023, I fell in love. Here's what made my trip to Bali so special.
We were expecting to see houses and buildings dot the shore, as well as the hawkers who'd typically crowd around piers in Indonesia with food and wares to sell. There was none of that. It was just a pier next to a tiny village. After disembarking, we set off walking and within 100 metres ran out of houses, surrounded only by rice paddies and farmland. There was nothing to do and nowhere to go, and not even a tree to seek shade under.
John Vincent said the upcoming rises in business rates along with overall cost increases means the High Street is no longer as profitable. Leon has been losing 10m a year. Vincent, an original co-founder of the chain, bought the company back from Asda last year. But last month the firm appointed administrators and announced a major restructuring of its 71 restaurants, which employ 1,000 people.
Often, we have stated in advance that it is our treat and then we are surprised when more than half of the meal ordered by our friend or family member is boxed up to take home. Last night took the cake when we treated two of our dear friends to a dinner at a very nice restaurant. The wife barely touched her entree before having it boxed to take home.
This year, I'm making my own celebrations and reaching my peak social potential by hosting at least one dinner party a month, going all out each time. First on my lineup is a Ham Party - I was just gifted a 12-pound hock, so I'm using it as an excuse to gather friends on a Sunday. The invitation I made features a tiny watercolor ham with a bow, the dress code is pink, and I'm serving French 75s and homemade sides.
It's no coincidence that my last name, Mesa, translates to "table." I believe I was born to work in the hospitality industry, and my passion for hosting people was nurtured from a young age. Growing up in the Dominican Republic with my maternal grandparents not only introduced me to an immaculate home but also a beautifully decorated dining table. My grandmother took pride in creating bright floral arrangements, polishing silverware, and making name cards with magic markers.
I'd gently suggest that you're not helpless against the changing tide. You've noticed a pattern that seems to be in conflict with your hopes and expectations for the holiday. So, for next year, you have the opportunity to talk about it with your daughters in advance and find a solution that makes everyone happy. Every holiday meal is, of course, about the food, but its primary purpose is togetherness as a family.
At 22, deeply hungover, Lindsey Lauten lingered in her apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas, weighing a decision: whether to call in sick from her job as a server. It was a Sunday morning, and for the recent college graduate, the thought of navigating the smell of burnt coffee, the clatter of plates, and the constant demands of a packed breakfast rush felt almost unbearable. Still, she pushed herself out the door, unaware that the unremarkable act of showing up would become the starting point
For 35 years, Palio has been a fixture in San Francisco's Financial District, an Italian restaurant built on family legacy, craft, and the deep-rooted belief that dining is about far more than food. Owner Martino DiGrande, son of an immigrant Italian restaurateur, says he was raised with hospitality in his DNA. As he puts it, "when someone walks in the restaurant, I view it like they're walking into my home."