Review: McDonald's - French Vanilla Latte

McDonald's new French Vanilla Latte features a new French Vanilla syrup that replaces the plain vanilla syrup. The French Vanilla syrup is accompanied by fresh brewed espresso and foamed steamed milk.

A small goes for $2.29, but I got this one for free courtesy of a coupon provided by McDonald's.

Around the World: Pizza Hut Singapore - Double Sensation Pizza

Pizza Hut is offering something interesting out in Singapore for the holidays: the Double Sensation pizza.

Looking more like an edible party tray than a pizza, the Double Sensation is so named because it features not one but two rings of crust. The outer ring is stuffed with melted mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses which ooze out at intermittent holes in the crust, while the inner ring is filled with chicken sausage with bits of cheese inside.

News: Carl's Jr. / Hardee's - New Jalapeno Turkey Burger

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are offering a little bit of heat this winter with the new Jalapeno Turkey Burger. Turkey burgers have become a bit of a thing for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's where they're offered as a lower calorie alternative to beef. Other fast food chains usually don't offer them.

Brand Eating Giveaway Drawing: McDonald's Holiday Drinks

McDonald's sent me some coupons for free small Peppermint Mochas (or Hot Chocolates) and free French Vanilla Lattes and I'd thought I'd share with two lucky readers.

Here's what's up for grabs:

• Two sets of 3 coupons for a free small Peppermint Mocha and 3 coupons for a free new small French Vanilla Latte (a total of 6 coupons per set, or basically enough to get your morning coffee for a week). The coupons expire on February 1, 2013,  because the Peppermint Mocha will be probably be off menu by then.

Review: Papa John's - Sausage, Peppers, and Onions Pizza

I decided to get something like an Italian beef pizza from Papa John's so I ordered a large original crust with sausage, green peppers, and onions for $10.

My Starbucks is Not This Festive: Starbucks Gingerbread House

I don't know how big Christmas is in Hong Kong, but having been there around the holidays, I do know that Christmas decorations are big around the city.

There are amazingly elaborate holiday displays at a lot of the many shopping centers and all along the waterfront (including lights on many of the high-rises facing the water).

Around the World: Burger Chain Goes with Edible Burger Wrappers

Over in Brazil, a burger chain called Bob's (named after it's American Brazilian founder, tennis pro Robert Falkenburg)  ran a marketing campaign that included edible paper-like wrappers for their burgers. The idea being that their burgers are so good that customers can't even wait to unwrap them before eating.

I'm going to guess it took a wee bit of convincing to get the customers to start eating burger wrappers, but they seem to be having a good time of it. You can see for yourself in the video below:

Review: Popeyes - Red Beans and Rice

Popeyes' Red Beans and Rice is a side dish that harkens to the chain's southern roots and features seasoned rice with red beans.

A individual portion goes for $1.99 in my area.

Around the World: Mister Donut Offers Snoopy Cupcakes in Japan

Out in Japan, Mister Donut offers Snoopy-themed cupcakes for Christmas in individual holiday-decorated Snoopy's house boxes.

You might ask why Snoopy? And be surprised to find that Mister Donut is an official sponsor of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, which counts the Peanut Gang among its properties.

News: Frito Lay - New Tostitos Cantina Tortilla Chips and Salsas

Frito Lay aims to give you the Mexican restaurant chip and salsa experience at home with their new Tostitos Cantina line.

Not sure how the new chips are different from Tostitos Restaurant Style chips, but the texture is described as "unique." The line includes two new tortilla chip varieties and two new salsas to pair with them.

Review: Trader Joe's - Candy Cane Joe-Joe's

Joe-Joe's are Trader Joe's version of Oreo cookies. The Candy Cane Joe-Joe's are a seasonal item similar to Candy Cane Creme Oreos, but without the food coloring.

They cost the same as Candy Cane Creme Oreos at $2.99, but you get a fair bit more (16 ounces versus 10.5).

Around the World: Burger King UK - Merry Cheesemas! Menu

It looks like Christmas menus are a bit of a thing at fast food chains in the UK. McDonald's has their Festive Menu and Burger King has this: the Merry Cheesemas menu.

As you can imagine, the Merry Cheesemas menu focuses on various cheeses. Specifically, the burgers go with UK-based cheeses that you aren't going to see at Burger King in the US anytime soon.

Here's what you'll find on the Merry Cheesemas menu: