Well, we ate our way to the end of another year. As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers, and we thank each and every one of those who participated. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted and unedited herein.
Q: What are your headline predictions for 2014?
Ryan of Miami Power Rankings: Trick question. There are no newspapers in 2014.
Matthew Melzer of Thrillist: "Rosa Mexicano Now Only Restaurant Left on Alton Road: Credits $19 Burrito" "Kanye West to Open 'Iconic' South Beach Steakhouse, Calling it 'Kanye'" "Study Shows Southern Food Found Still Causes Obesity, Even When it's 'Farm-to-Table.'" "Giogrio Rapacavoli to Pose for Playgirl"
Steven of Chowfather: A Beard for Bachour. Chef Compton Top Chef Champion. Cobaya Kitchen shhh.
Lesley Abravanel of Miami.com: Pop-ups Implode!
Zachary Fagenson of Clean Plate Charlie: More unfounded, clickbait reporting of Thomas Keller opening a Miami restaurant. The same for Mario Batali's Eataly.
Laine Doss of Miami New Times: Miami Chefs Vow to Use More Local Seafood; Cocktails Still on the Upward Trend; Molecular Gastronomy Goes The Way of the Dinosaur; Julio Cabrera Lands Lucrative Armani Modeling Contract; Food Trucks Take Off Wheels, Settle Into Permanent Food Court in Kendall.
Emily Codik of Short Order: A budding chef will move to Miami, open a vegetable-oriented restaurant with a big, sunny porch, write a simple menu, operate a wood-burning oven, work with the farmers down in Homestead, and rock everybody's world... Someone? PLEASE?
Evan Benn of Miami.com: Lamb belly is the new pork belly.
David Rosendorf (aka Frodnesor) of Food For Thought: Two years ago I predicted the resurrection of the Jewish deli - and I was right. Last year I came awfully close when I predicted that the Pubbelly boys would open a burger joint and declare "Restaurant Bingo" (they're opening a French brasserie instead). So this year I'm going to predict something I really hope will actually happen: "Inspired, world-class restaurant opens in Miami."
Ashley Brozic, Eater Contributor: I think the locally-sourced trend is going to gain a lot more momentum. More and more restaurants are featuring local brews like Wynwood Brewing Co. on tap and getting their veggies and meats from nearby farms. I also think that brunch might become as popular here as it is in New York, as I see more photos of mimosas and eggs benedict pop up on my Instagram feed on Saturday mornings. Hey, I'm not complaining.
