We had a funny moment in the office not so long ago when discussing how we would best sum up dining trends in Sydney for 2013. The unanimous response was ‘novelty’.

We had a funny moment in the office not so long ago when discussing how we would best sum up dining trends in Sydney for 2013. The unanimous response was ‘novelty’. Talking further, we were amazed at how many examples we came up with. From desserts being served in jam jars and main meals served on tiles of slate to industrial spaces being turned into unique dining rooms and even a resident pig to keep customers amused … 2013 really has seen new and old eateries try to secure their point of difference in a very competitive market.These novelties have almost become more prominent than their name … “lets go to that place where you sit by the big open barbeque” or “should we try that cafeteria where you have to line up in that amazing design warehouse”. For all those who love to eat out – there is no shortage of entertainment and amusement no matter who you are and where you want to go. Equally interesting are the food trends that are like a virus … sliders, Brussels sprouts and salted caramel just to name a delicious few.We then referred back to our own Café & Bistro and were perplexed as to what our novelty it is, the irony being that he was sitting beside us! The multi coloured polo shirt wearing, “teenager” crying Frenchman himself … David. With much giggling, we continued the conversation and realised very quickly that we had unintentionally built our very own Bitton mascot. He is indeed a novelty – welcoming customers with a boldness that only the French can get away with, making all the women blush at his flirtatious compliments and threatening to charge a 20% surcharge because you look like you could afford it. Love it or shy away from it, he is our novelty.Truly we are so lucky in Sydney – to have such excellent food from cuisines across the globe and with restaurateurs putting so much effort into décor and little details that make your experience memorable. I can only imagine what 2014 has in store for us …