Appetizers are an important part of any restaurant menu. These smaller dishes traditionally have served as the metaphorical “warmup band” for the main entree, but shifting consumer trends toward smaller portions in recent years are helping elevate the appetizer category to a menu destination all its own — and that’s good news for seafood.
According to food industry market research group DataSsential, a whopping 60 percent of restaurants with appetizers feature shellfish and/or finfish on their starters menu. The research firm analyzes 5,000 chain and independent restaurants regularly to track menu trends.
