You say times are tough at your restaurant? Think what it's like at big-ticket operations like Ruth's Chris Steak House or Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. They're set up to cater to a clientele for whom price is no object, a disappearing demographic these days. What to do? These two operations have finally succumbed to the inevitable by offering prix fixe meals at a low-ball (for them) price they hope will help fill seats. So what does prix fixe mean today at the very high end of the fine dining world? Read on.

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Searching for a signal about how consumers will spend their discretionary dollars? Look no further than outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops (BPS), many of whose over-the-top megastores contain large casual dining seafood operations that operate under the Islamorada Fish Company brand. The new BPS store in Altoona, IA, near Des Moines, has a restaurant, too, but it's a scaled-back concept called Uncle Buck's. When a savvy retail giant like Bass Pro Shops (60 stores, $1.9 billion in sales, more than 100 million store visits annually) makes a move indicating that consumers are cutting back, it's time to pay attention.

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Kids may not always make sound food choices, but don't be fooled: They know from healthy. In a recent study by Technomic and C3, a youth-focused brand marketing agency, 9 out of 10 kids surveyed recognized fresh whole fruits and vegetables are healthy. About three-quarters also identified salad, steamed vegetables and eggs as healthful options. And more than half said the same about fish, cheese, chicken and peanut butter.

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