Category Archive for Fims + Videos
COS-CHA MAID CAFE AKIHABARA, ARABIAN ROCK THEME RESTAURANT. TOKYO JAPAN FIXERS, PRODUCTION ARRANGERS.
Have you spotted La Carmina on Food Network Channel recently? I’ve been appearing on the TV show “World’s Weirdest Restaurants.”
For the maid cafe scene, I got my hair done at a Kabukicho hostess/gyaru salon.
Key dress: Banana Fish, from Closet Child Tokyo
Coffin backpack: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child Tokyo
Strappy Goth shoes: Yosuke, from Marui One Shinjuku
At Cos-Cha maid cafe in Akihabara, customers pay to be spoon-fed and slapped! I explain the cultural context for the audience.
The waitresses engage in pancake-eating and drinking contests with the boys. The rules are skewed in the maids’ favor.
When this otaku failed to finish a disgusting drink in time, he got whacked on the cheek by the French maid.
Typical customers: geeky boys. One brought along a Hello Kitty comic.
In the past months, Naomi and I have been fixing/hosting a variety of TV shows. We shot with National Geographic Taboo and NHK Kawaii TV, and a Pro Sieben travel show. You can learn more about our TV arranging and presenting work on our Pirates website.
A genie, and bellydancers.. this can only be Arabian Rock, the Aladdin theme restaurant in Shinjuku.
To “open sesame,” you have to rub the magic lamp. Three wishes are not guaranteed.
We Pirates found treasure, arr! For more about Japan’s bizarre theme restaurants, take a gander at La Carmina’s book.
If you could open any theme restaurant, what would it be? Has anyone been to the Pirate theme restaurant in Odaiba yet?
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WORLD’S WEIRDEST RESTAURANTS, FOOD NETWORK: ALICE IN WONDERLAND CAFE, SHINJUKU TOKYO JAPAN. GOTH LOLITAS.
I hope you’ve been enjoying my appearances on the TV show “World’s Weirdest Restaurants,” currently airing every Wednesday on Food Network Canada. If you’re not in the land of the Canucks, don’t worry — I’ll post some clips soon.
First Mate Naomi and I “fixed” 14 of the TV segments, meaning we planned shoots at Tokyo theme restaurants, cast extras, and made sure everything went smoothly. One of my favorite episodes was Alice in Wonderland Cafe in Shinjuku.
No shoot is complete without Yukiro. Ever the shape-shifter, this is his Sweet Lolita incarnation.
At Alice Cafe, the food is as mad as the Hatter. Playing card pizza and Cheshire Cat risotto fit the theme.
An avocado and roe (fish eggs) sushi roll, in honor of the story’s Caterpillar.
This is Lewis Carroll’s vision, not Disney’s. Wonderland has a dark, topsy-turvy atmosphere.
If only Tim Burton’s movie version were like this.
Thanks to everyone who came and took part in the TV filming! I’m wearing a cute Bros Products dress, given to me by the Hong Kong designer. (I also wore it to the Hong Kong Art Fair). Lace hair accessory is a gift from my friend Heathyr.
Pumpkin glitter hair scrunchies, worn as bracelets.
Ironically, on a Food Network TV shoot, you hardly get a chance to eat. Instead of “Eat Me,” my motto was “Feed Me.”
My friends gave their opinions on the Cheshire Cat sundae.
Stuffed toys in the chandelier: a nice effect. All photos by Naomi.
Canadians, I invite you to watch Food Network every Wednesday night, to see me in the Japan episodes of World’s Weirdest Restaurants! Check your listings for the exact time and channel number.
Here is a bonus clip from tonight’s episode: La Carmina at Cos-Cha maid cafe in Akihabara. Slapping and spoon-feeding are involved…
Intrigued by cutely decorated food, and bizarre Japanese theme restaurants? I wrote books on both subjects. Check out La Carmina’s books and pick up a copy.
Would you like to have a Mad Tea Party at the Alice in Wonderland Japan restaurant? What do you think of my Food Network and NHK Kawaii TV appearances?
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LA CARMINA
