The Travel Detective Season 2 Episode 4 Dark Science of Menu Engineering

The Travel Detective season 2 episode 4, titled "Dark Science of Menu Engineering," takes viewers on a deep dive into the world of menu design and pricing strategies at restaurants.

Host Peter Greenberg explores the psychology behind menu layouts, font styles, and color choices, and how they can influence diners to order certain dishes or spend more money. He also delves into the murky world of menu engineering, where prices and menu items are strategically manipulated to maximize profits.

Throughout the episode, Greenberg visits various restaurants and interviews chefs, menu designers, and restaurant owners to uncover the secrets behind their menus. He discovers how some restaurants use decoys and menu anchors to steer diners towards higher-priced items, or highlight expensive dishes to make others appear more reasonable.

The episode also explores the trend of dynamic pricing in the restaurant industry, where prices fluctuate based on demand and other factors. Greenberg investigates how technology is being used to track data on diners' behavior and adjust menu prices in real-time.

With this episode, viewers will gain a new appreciation for the subtle ways in which menus can influence our dining choices, and how restaurants are using data and technology to maximize their profits. The "Dark Science of Menu Engineering" offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at an aspect of the dining experience that many of us take for granted.