Whilst Facebook is rife with photos of abs, gym goals and Paleo dishes, the Willow Tree Nottingham at Nottingham is testing whether most customers are genuinely choosing to eat like Saints or indulge like Sinners during the January blues.
Owners have assumed nothing in the post Christmas lull, offering a timely menu of four saintly dishes, all under 660 calories for £4.99 and four indulgent delights at £7.49 each.
“Last year we ran a similar event and post discounts to Nexus voucher website when customers voted at a rate of three to one in favour of saintly dishes, at this pub and fifty others” explained General manager Lynne Woodward. “It’s interesting because the newest food trends are at the one extreme geared towards healthier eating and at the other, all about premium dishes, street food and man vs food.
“We’ve put on a menu for a bit of fun insight, conscious of our customers January purses, that offers the two alternatives. All eyes are on the results this year with the fast pace of the changing consumer palette.”
The healthier choice menus include roasted Courgette Bake, Vegetable Risotto with the option for a chicken topper, Sweet Chilli Chicken Salad and Mexican delight Chicken Burrito. Testing willpower in the Sinners camp is the New York Deli Burger, good old Sausage and Mash, a comforting bowl of gooey Macaroni Cheese, and Chicken Burger with even more temptation of chips and sweet potato fries to boot.
Speaking about the promotion, Lynne added: “Just because it’s January, people don’t want to stop going out. If anything they need to socialise more so great prices, healthy alternatives for the Saints and opportunity for bravado from the Sinners – perfect.” Asked which option they were going for, the reply? “No comment!”
