Friends of Eater Offer Headline Predictions for 2014

As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of local food writers, industry types, and friends. We asked the group eight questions, and so far they've answered: Biggest Dining Surprises, Restaurant Standbys, Top Newcomers, Restaurant Breakups, Top Dining Neighborhood, Best Meal of 2013 and 2013 in One Word. Now, Headline Predictions for 2014. Readers, please feel free to add your thoughts to the comments.

Jameson Fink, Wine Without Worry:

"Wine Drinkers Embrace 3L Boxes of Rosé to Slake Thirst, Spread Joy"

Rachel Belle, radio personality at KIRO 97.3 AM and Open Wide columnist at Eater:

I see Tom Douglas having a spiritual awakening, while at a silent meditation retreat on the northern California coast that his wife forced him to attend, which results in a sudden disinterest in eating food for pleasure. He will subsist on lemon water and Brussels sprout stems while earning a bit of money reading auras at the Ballard market. That and more Xiao Long Bao in Seattle, to compete with the Din Tai Fung opening on our side of the bridge.

Nicole Sprinkle, food editor at Seattle Weekly:

"Sesame Out, Za'atar In." It's already started, but lots of flavors from all over the world — particularly places like North Africa and the Middle East.

Jess Thomson, writer and cookbook author, Hogwash:

"Fried Brussels Sprouts Battle Frites for Favorite Fried Snack Takeover and Lose in Spectacular Overtime"

Kristin Ackerman, publisher at SIP Northwest Magazine:

"Ethan Stowell opens Columbia City indoor foodie market!"

The Surly Gourmand, curmudgeon:

"Racist Fatasses Support Racist Fast Food Chain in Unsurprising Turn of Events"

Leslie Kelly, editor at Zagat Seattle:

"Veggies Rule!" More chefs meet the challenge of remaking humble vegetables into something extraordinary.

Allecia Vermillion, food & drink editor at Seattle Met:

"James Weimann and Deming Maclise open a teppanyaki restaurant and go-kart track."

Allison Scheff, food & dining editor at Seattle Magazine:

I'm hoping we get a taste of the prix-fixe menu trend hitting in NY, SF, Chicago. Places like Coi, Atera, Brooklyn Fare, where the meal is essentially one seating, many courses and you're taken for a ride. Of course, Willows Inn does this so, so beautifully, but it's a trek. I'd love to see a few small city restaurants go for it, go full-out ambitious. (It sounds like this is what Ethan Stowell's Noyer is all about, so I'm looking forward to that.)

I'd also love for Seattle to take its rightful place at the forefront of modernist cooking. We are home to ChefSteps and the birthplace of the 6-volume Modernist Cuisine tome, and it makes no sense to me that one cannot experience modernist cooking in its full expression — ala Alinea, WD-50 — here in Seattle.

Jen Chiu, Roll With Jen:

In Seattle, I predict we'll see more Middle Eastern restaurants pop up. In particular, I'd love to see Taylor Cheney start up her own Egyptian cafe so I have access to her culinary greatness more than just once a week at La Bête.

Naomi Bishop, freelance food writer, The Gastrognome:

"Ethan Stowell opens five more restaurants. Tom Douglas opens seven more. Seattle finally gets its first Burmese restaurant." (Okay, that last one's more hopeful than likely).

Julia Wayne, freelance writer, Eater Seattle contributor:

"Meat Wins!"

Bryce Lathrop, founder of White Moustache Urban Adventure Co.:

"Beacon Hill will become the next Ballard."

Julien Perry, editor at Eater Seattle:

I'm going to repeat my 2013 headline prediction (just like Leslie Kelly did), because I came damn close: "Canlis Wins James Beard Award." Either that or, "Canlis Adds Drive-Thru Window" because that almost happened, too.