ACQUIRED TASTES
FOR thosewho can’t bear another foam, jus or sevencourse dégustation menu, there are a plethora of alternative venues popping up world wide that have more curious lures— ones that are much more about quirk than cuisine.
CEREAL KILLER CAFE,
london
This UK “first” fills a gap in the market that nobody even saw— nobody apart from two identical twins from Belfast. The Cereal Killer Cafe ( cerealkillercafe.co.uk), opened last December, serves 120 different cereals fromall over theworld ( try the Oreo Os, otherwise only available to buy in South Korea), with 30 different types of milk. Located on hipster- packed Brick Lane in Shoreditch, the space is an ode to decades past, with 80s Formica and a vintage vibe.
The laundromat Cafe, Copenhagen
Copenhagen residents have an unusual solution for getting on top of their domestic chores: At the Laundromat Cafe ( thelaundromatcafe.com),
customers bring their laundry, pop it in a machine and then grab a drink— there’s over 40 types of beer— or a meal ( dirty brunch is a favorite, with eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes and chocolate butter, homemade muesli and juice) at longwood tables or red couches surrounded by eccentric posters.
fuKurou Sabou owl Cafe, Tokyo
Eating dinner and petting an animal don’t make for obvious bedfellows. Following on the success of cat cafes in New York, Tokyo ismoving into new territory with the next big thing: owl cafes. At Fukurou Sabou ( hukurousabou.sakura.ne.jp), the cheesecake may come well recommended, but for most city dwellers and tourists, it’s the chance to hold an owl— or have one sit on your shoulder.
Cabbage Sand Condoms, BANGKOK
Cabbages and Condoms ( pda. or. th) is the brainchild of Mechai Viravaidya ( ak a Mr. Condom), co- founder of the Population and Community Development Association. He wanted people to consider condoms as casually as they’d consider cabbages. Dripping with tongue-in-cheek-humor, this two- story restaurant seats 400 and features walls dotted with condoms. Illuminated “condom pom- poms” provide light; a full- size action hero made of the contraceptives greets you on arrival.
modern toilet,
Taiwan
Modern Toilet ( moderntoilet.com.tw) might sound like a culinary no- go, but there’s still food to enjoy at this most peculiar of establishments. Inspired by the toilet humor of Japanese cartoon Dr. Slump, there’s no escaping the theme at this Taiwan- based chain ( which also has a number of outlets in China). Diners eat at tables made from converted sinks. Acrylic toilets embellished with brash designs make for seats. Asian food is served in mini bathtubs and toilets, while drinks come in urinal- shaped glasses.