My Starbucks is Not This Retro: Duddell St. Starbucks in Hong Kong

Starbucks has this neat concept store out in Hong Kong on Duddell St. where half the store is the typical Starbucks design and the other half is crafted to look like a bing sutt (literally "ice house" or "ice chamber").

A bing sutt is a type of Hong Kong cafe/diner popularized around 1950 to 1970, highlighting the convergence of East and West. They exist to this day, though in lesser numbers, and have traditionally served Hong Kong versions of Western comfort food as well as iced drinks, coffee, and tea.

Around the World: Dunkin' Donuts Korea - Monkey Banana Mini Donuts

So this summer, Dunkin' Donuts has been frying up donuts shaped like bananas in Korea. But, not just any bananas... mini bananas. They call them "Monkey' Banana" donuts (I think they mean "Monkey's Banana" or it could just be a random apostrophe).

They kinda look like bananas, but they also look like fat sausages. Maybe they should put them in a hot dog bun or roll for their next promotion.

As you can see, the promotion comes complete with a silly-looking monkey mascot.

My Starbucks is Not This Nice: A Starbucks in Brazil

I thought this was a neat looking Starbucks that recently opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Between the wave-like ceiling and the blue lighting, there's a nice ocean motif going on that makes me think it's near the sea. So, I looked it up and yup, it's near the ocean. Makes sense, no?

I think it's supposed to feel like you're underneath the ocean maybe?

Top Five McDonald's Menu Failures... in Videos!

McDonald's has come out with a lot of menu items over the years; some good, some not so good. Today, we'll look at the top five menu items from McDonald's that, for whatever reasons, just didn't catch on... with video footage! Thank you YouTube!

In no particular order (queue the '80s music!):

My Starbucks is Not This Swanky: Vigo Street Starbucks in London

In terms of look and feel Starbucks stores are generally pretty nice and cozy, which makes sense since more than coffee (which is often fairly average), Starbucks sells service and the idea of affordable luxury. I've read that in a survey of customers in China, a majority preferred the taste of competitors, but still went to Starbucks for the service.

There are some Starbucks locations that are more than just "pretty nice and cozy" though. That make you step back and think "This is Starbucks?!" Take this Starbucks location on Vigo Street in the West End of London:

Neat! Starbucks Asia - Red Bean & Green Tea and Hojicha Frappuccinos

Starbucks stores in quite a few countries across Asia are running an interesting, limited-time promotion this summer. They've got two new Frappuccinos on tap: the Hojicha + Tea Jelly Frappuccino and the Red Bean + Green Tea Frappuccino.

Hojicha is a gently roasted (the drink is a light brown) Japanese green tea so The Hojicha + Tea Jelly Frappuccino is a bit like the Green Tea latte they have here in the States, but it's paired with Earl Grey Tea Jelly. The flavor is described as a mix of the "toasty and creaminess of Hojicha" with the "refreshing, floral, and aromatic" of Earl Grey.

What's on the Menu: Pizza Hut UK 2012

The Internet has been abuzz about Pizza Hut UK's recent limited-time menu item, the new Hot Dog Stuffed Pizza, topped however you like and with a free mustard drizzle (is that really a selling point?) but I'd thought it be interesting to see what else they're serving at Pizza Hut across the Pond.

Photo Gallery: Taco Bell Headquarters Tour

I got to tour Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, CA recently as they were preparing for the launch of the Doritos Locos Taco. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the tour and something I whipped up in their test kitchen (it might take a while to load, there are quite a few pictures).

Fast Food Reference: McDonald's Hamburger University

Apparently, it's McDonald's Hamburger University's 50th Anniversary this year. To celebrate, Online Colleges has come up with an infographic giving a visual representation of the scope of Hamburger University with a look at its structure and various factoids.

You can check it out the full infographic after the jump.

Around the World: Quick - Fast Food Foie Gras Burger for $6.50!

The French are fancy! Apparently, even their fast food is fancy. French fast food burger chain Quick is, later this month, offering a very limited-time premium burger called the Supreme Foie Gras, the first fast food burger to be served with foie gras anywhere.

The Supreme Foie Gras burger features diced foie gras sourced from France, a 150g (a bit more than a quarter pound) grilled beef patty, caramelized onions, and arugula and will be served in a fancy-looking black paper clamshell.

The Asia Trip: Vending Machines in Japan

Let me start out by saying that drink vending machines are everywhere in Japan. I was told that even in the middle of nowhere, on a scenic hill, you'd still be able to find a vending machine or two. It's less a vending machine on every corner, and more like a vending machine on every corner, street, store, train station... well, you get the idea.

The Asia Trip: First Meal... Chicken Katsu!

My first meal in Japan was a takeout bento. I thought I'd start the new year with the long-awaited posts of my trip to Asia (AKA The Asia Trip).