WORLD’S WEIRDEST RESTAURANTS, FOOD NETWORK TV SHOW. BOB BLUMER: CURRY TRAIN CAFE, THAI BOXING, MONKEY WAITERS.
Have you spotted any Pirates on Food Network Canada? The TV show World’s Weirdest Restaurants, which Captain La Carmina and First Mate Naomi arranged and appear on, is currently airing every Wednesday and Saturday.
You may recall that we were in Tokyo for a month last fall, working on this Food Network docu-series. Since I wrote a book called Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo, we knew exactly where to take the TV cameras.
Canadians may recognize host Bob Blumer from “Glutton for Punishment” and “The Surreal Gourmet.” We shot at Kayabuki, the tavern with monkey waiters.
Naomi held a baby monkey!
In addition to serving hot towels and beer, the macaques do tricks like balancing on a ball.
Naomi spoke expertly about this monkey business. I can’t imagine a restaurant in North America that would allow this.
The tofu, grilled mackerel and sashimi were to die for. The bee larva… not so much. Kayabuki is located north of Tokyo, in Utsunomiya (Address: 栃木県宇都宮市御幸本町４６８８).
Every day was insane: we rushed to a theme restaurant and filmed non-stop, for hours. We adored Curry Station Niagara, helmed by a an adorable grandma “conductor.” The homemade curry is delivered to customers via toy trains.
Hats all around, for the kids. The decor is authentic: parts salvaged from vintage trains. (Address: 東京都目黒区祐天寺2-1-5 高坂ビル)
As fixers, we’re always dealing with last-minute changes. Within 24 hours, we arranged filming at a Muay Thai boxing restaurant!
The signs outside Ooenjyai (4-9-23 Ayase, Adachi-Ward, Tokyo) make the theme apparent…
You eat delicious Thai food while watching young people beat each other up!
Upstairs, there’s a training room.
The Thai boxers included teenage boys and a young woman.
Interested in seeing more photos and stories of Japan bizarre cafes? Please support my work and check out my Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants book. Also visit the Pirates website for Tokyo TV hosting, location scouting, TV production, translation and guiding services.
PS: Thanks to Fashiolista for interviewing me. The style-sharing and saving site is addictive! I post my finds and outfits there; add me to get started.
What do you think of these weird Japanese restaurants? Would you be interested in visiting one? Have you seen our TV show yet? (I’ll post clips later.)
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VERSUS BY VERSACE DRESS, RICK OWENS LEATHER JACKET: NEW 2012 WOMENSWEAR & MENSWEAR LUXURY COLLECTIONS.
Angel’s heart will never break your dreams apart
Will help you never lose control.
Now I need somebody just to hope.
– Siberian Heat, Angel’s Heart (Italo disco, what else?)
Seba and I were twice invited to Luisaviaroma Firenze4Ever, the event that brings together the world’s top fashion bloggers. I still haven’t posted all the photos from last January — ready for more?
Cross pendant necklace: Maria Francesca Pepe (love her triple studded ring)
Lavender pleated cady stretch dress: Versus by Versace (this exact design)
We modeled in the studio next to the luxury boutique. Some of you asked if we could keep the clothes we wore. If only!
In front of the iconic Florence carousel. My leather jacket and thigh-high leather boots are by Rick Owens.
Close-up on Seba’s Visual makeup.
Studs and sandals — rock on.
A Goth girl makeup technique: use purple shades for blush. It highlights your face angularity, while preserving your undead appearance.
On the bed.
K-pop style: Sebastiano wears a Givenchy pin-up t-shirt.
Many thanks to our friends at Luisaviaroma, old and new, for letting us dress up and play!
Which were your favorite looks from our styling labs? Thoughts on how we took designer labels, and gave them a Goth / Asia pop spin?
Click for more Luisaviaroma adventures.
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LA CARMINA
