At Dalu Robot Restaurant, a hot pot joint in China, you'll never have to tip the server or worry that he sneezed into your soup. The new eatery, which is coincidentally owned by a man who also heads up a robotics firm, is using C3PO-like bicycling robots to serve its customers. A few others look like R2D2, running along tracks.
But if you're expecting 4-star restaurant treatment, these aren't the droids you're looking for. They don't serve you so much as just stop long enough so that you can pluck off what you ordered from a tray.
Another video after the jump!
The restaurant also has creepy-looking humanoid robots that are made to dance and entertain. Since these haven't yet traipsed pass the "uncanny valley", they aren't exactly as charming as Summer Glau.
Still, the whole thing sounds a lot more sanitary than these monkey waiters (see below).
Bar at Restaurant Spookhuis Belgium. April 17, 2010 (Photo from Bas van Duijn).
This abandoned restaurant in Belgium had a theme meant to creep people out. T’Spookhuys Restaurant/Bar is also known as House of 1,000 Ghosts and an occult bar.
Al Yeganeh's soup store in midtown Manhattan returns Tuesday after a six-year absence.
New York (CNN) -- Get in line, have your money ready and move to your extreme left -- Al Yeganeh, "the Original SoupMan," is back and re-opening his famed soup store Tuesday in midtown Manhattan.
Yeganeh and his Soup Kitchen International first rose to fame after he was caricatured in the long-running NBC TV show "Seinfeld" as the "Soup Nazi," a cranky and demanding soup-stand cook who bellowed "No soup for you!" to customers who didn't follow his strict rules for ordering.
Yeganeh, who first opened his shop in 1984, closed the store six years ago, but kept the lease to pursue franchise opportunities and a line of frozen soups with the Original SoupMan brand.
Chef Dan Rubano, who mentored with Yeganeh, was at the store a day before its re-opening, helping to set things up.
"We are keeping the original recipes and adding more to the menu," Rubano said.
Rubano didn't know whether Yeganeh would stop by for opening day, but said he's expected to make sporadic appearances.
According to the "Seinfeld" Web site, Yeganeh was at first unhappy with the publicity from the "Soup Nazi" episode and was quoted as saying he threatened to "smack" comedian Jerry Seinfeld's face.
Seinfeld, whose title character was banned during the "Soup Nazi" episode, declined to comment on the store's reopening.
Is your favorite restaurant wired for your convenience? Check out the following ways your local establishment is keeping in contact with you.
1. Now more than ever, restaurants need to be aware of their web footprint when it comes to reviews and ratings on sites like zagat, gayot, dine, tripadvisor, yelp, urbanspoon and others. Most have their own iPhone app, too. When reading a testimonial, remember that many restaurants plan accordingly to boost their reviews.
2. With the Open Table app, you can find the nearest restaurants and openings wherever you are. Upscale restaurants are intricately connected to Open Table through their online registration system. This enables them to scan free tables and time slots and automatically populate it with reservations.
3. We bet your favorite watering hole knows more about you than your doctor. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations—they're keeping tabs and putting it all into the Open Table scheduling system.
4. Your restaurant wants you to tell your friends where you are with apps like Foursquare and Meetup. The apps allow users to “check in” at restaurants so friends can meet up with them. Think of it as real-time recommendations.
6. Most restaurants have their complete wine lists online. If you plan ahead, you can avoid having to quickly navigate a weighty wine list. You may even find a low-cost steal or rare vintage. Get reviews from Wine Spectator (members only), Wine Enthusiast, cellartracker or do a Google search for private wine bloggers to avoid making a pricey fumble.
7. If you haven’t reviewed the wine list ahead of time, try using an app that offers wine recommendations. Hello Vino suggests a wine for your meal. More waiters are using wine apps to help them offer the best recommendations.
8. Fast food chains may one day allow you to order on an iPad. Why not remove the middle man when ordering? This could work well at bars or pool halls, too, just as long as the iPad is bolted down and protected from hands covered in BBQ wing sauce.
9. Smart restaurant owners realize the importance of being on Facebook and Twitter. Next time you try a new place, see if you can find a Facebook page for it first. You’ll get a preview of daily specials and see just how popular it is. Plus, Facebook and Twitter can help foodies stay on top of "pop-up" restaurant spots and hot-ticket chef events
12. WiFi is a given for most top tier restaurants. If that's not the case, check with the restaurant to see if you can hook up to their local wireless.
13. Planning a wedding or special event at your favorite restaurant? Some restaurants project past special events on flat screens and using electronic picture frames. Next time you visit, take a look. You'll get great ideas and see how good the staff is at executing special events. Why take chances?
This is supposedly the world's most remote restaurant; if you make it there you get to eat lunch for free. On the one hand, what a deal! On the other, HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THIS PATH:
Unless this place is serving the best food in the entire world, there's no way you could get me to make that trek. Holy mother of god. [Core77]
Send an email to Adam Frucci, the author of this post, atadam@gizmodo.com.
Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- No pizza maestro worth his sauce will reveal his secrets.
Not even if he's 9 and hoisting up his apron so he doesn't trip on it.
"I'm going to have to know you better," Johnny Di Palma says with a smile, as he sprinkles ingredients onto freshly tossed dough. "And if I tell you, I'll have to kill you."
It's a Wednesday evening and the third-grader is where he usually comes after school -- Antico Pizza, the dream-come-true business established by his father, Giovanni Di Palma. The father/son duo moved from New York two years ago to start a unique pizza place, one that would reflect their family's Italian roots. Four months ago, the restaurant on the west side of Atlanta, Georgia, opened its doors.
In the large open kitchen, where patrons crowd to eat over large metal worktables, Johnny is at home. He does his schoolwork -- math is his favorite subject -- in the restaurant office. But otherwise he's working the crowd in his signature newsboy-style hat, tossing and stretching dough (a skill he began developing at age 4) and making grown women swoon.
Gallery: Authentic Italian pizza in Atlanta
"He wanted to know if this was my first time here," a 32-year-old woman gushes, her hand over her heart. "Oh, he's so cute."
Asked where he was born, Johnny, sporting a red kerchief around his neck, is quick to say Italy. But his father, standing within earshot, shakes his head and laughs.
"He thinks he was," Di Palma, 45, mutters. "Little Italy," in New York, "is more like it."
Along one wall are the imported mixers and sacks of San Felice flour from Naples, where Giovanni Di Palma's grandparents came from and where the family pizza-making tradition began. On the opposite side of the kitchen are three handcrafted ovens -- weighing in at 30,000 pounds -- that heat up to more than 1,000 degrees and bake a pizza to perfection in 60 seconds.
Combining ancient Santa Maria brick with beds of volcanic rock from Mount Vesuvio and Sorrento stone, only seven of these Acunto Napoli ovens exist in the United States, Di Palma says. He has three of them.
Propped atop each one is a patron saint, including above the center oven San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples -- which is also the name of Di Palma's signature pizza, one that includes sweet and spicy peppers from a location he refuses to name -- or rather, confirm.
Johnny says they come from Sicily. His father counters with South Africa. Later, one of them says Morocco. The game of guarding a family recipe secret is one the boy knows how to play.
If he had his way, Johnny might be hanging out to the sound of Green Day. But the songs that fill the Antico Pizza kitchen include Dean Martin's "In Napoli," Frank Sinatra's "Isle of Capri" and Enrico Caruso's "O Sole Mio." The maestros at the ovens get especially worked up during Gigi D'Alessio's "Napule" -- the song, about a guy making pizza, that's used to pump up the Naples soccer team before games.
Wearing a team jersey emblazoned on the back with his nickname "Giggotto" (usually shortened to "Gigi" or "Gigo"), Johnny grabs a 12-foot-long wooden paddle and maneuvers one of his pizzas into an oven.
"Maestro, bravo! Gigo!" his father calls out, while standing beside the woman he recently asked to marry him.
Aleesha Hurd was studying to get her MBA at nearby Georgia Institute of Technology when she was introduced to this place. She walked into the under-construction kitchen for an interview, wanting to do some bookkeeping for Di Palma.
"I came in all Tahari-suited up," she says, laughing at the memory. "He asked me, 'You like pizza?' I said, 'No.'" With that, she says, the interview stopped. Di Palma got to work in front of the ovens, then placed one of his creations before her. "I ate the whole damn pizza myself," she says, shaking her head.
She was sold on the business, and even before the engagement she put school on hold to help make Di Palma's dream happen. Telling her father she was dropping out to work at a pizza place didn't go over well at first, she says, but one trip down from his Ohio home and her dad understood.
"I thought I made a pretty mean pizza," Albert Hurd said by phone. "Then I go and see the place. ... I'm watching these people come in. I just couldn't believe how they kept coming. They came until they ran out of dough."
On Saturday nights, Di Palma says, they usually have to lock the door to new customers at around 7:30 p.m.
It's not just any pizza, and Johnny knows this, too. He'd like to start a class to teach other kids how to make a proper pizza, and he grimaces and gives a thumbs-down at the mere mention of places like Domino's and Papa John's. But he also munches on prepackaged convenience store beef jerky while strolling past a bin of specialty dried aged beef fit for his father's pizzas, and says of Wendy's, "They rock!"
He absently grabs a handful of fresh basil and pops it in his mouth as he talks about his favorite movies, "a lot of blood and gore," he says, his eyes lighting up. Later, while making a mask out of dough for a 7-year-old boy who's in the restaurant to celebrate his birthday, Johnny blurts out, "You ever hear of Jeffrey Dahmer? That's one of the coolest serial killers."
He rattles off his other hobbies -- skateboarding, soccer and his Xbox 360 included -- and boasts of other skills. Tossing mints in the air, he pumps his fist when he catches three in a row.
"My second-best talent is jumping two chairs in a row, the long way," he says, minutes before grabbing hold of his flour gun.
Yes, Johnny is there in the family restaurant, charming the patrons. But he's also a boy who, frankly, can act like one. Taking -- and wearing -- handfuls of imported flour, he loads his weapon.
Bam! He blasts his uncle Giuseppe, visiting from out of town, in the back of the head.
Poof! He shoots a boy who's dining with his family point-blank in the face.
"Hey Gigo," his father calls out over the crowd and white cloud, "it might be time to put the gun away."
Leaving the laughing boy customer behind, Johnny saunters off -- maybe to chat up several women who are smiling his way or, if he's feeling it, to create the sort of pizza that would make his ancestors proud.
It happens all the time: you’re watching a movie and a scene with food starts your salivary glands pumping. There are plenty of eatery choices around the world, but sometimes we pine for that perfect malt or spaghetti dinner we virtually experienced on the big screen the night before. It’s sad, really, because it’s movie food — no matter how hard you crave what you’re seeing, you just can’t get the same experience. Or can you? Here are 15 movie restaurants we’d love to try — real or not.
Katz’s Delicatessen – When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally is a classic best remembered for a scene in which the title characters are enjoying a lunch at Katz’s Deli in Manhattan. While arguing whether or not men know when a woman fakes orgasm, Sally, played by a young Meg Ryan, proves her point by faking one right at the table — fully clothed of course. Katz’s deli is a real place, and has been serving up mouth-watering sandwiches since 1888 and has seen the likes of US presidents and celebrities. We would like to have what she had.
The Athenian Inn was featured in a memorable scene in Sleepless in Seattle between characters Sam (Tom Hanks) and Jay (Rob Reiner). They share a heaping plate of clams while Jay advises Sam, a widower. The Athenian Inn is another restaurant that exists just as it does in the movie, waterfront view and all, as it has since 1909. If you’d like to stop by to sit in Tom Hank’s seat, the restaurant is located right at the heart of Seattle — in the famous Pike Place Market.
Featured in many a Kevin Smith movie, Mooby’s is a favorite imaginary fast-food restaurant shot at a shut-down Burger King in Buena Park, California. Granted, it’s not the cleanest, but the employees are good for a Star Wars vs Lord of the Rings trilogy-debate. And we can’t forget how awesome the hats are.
It’d be refreshing to come across a McDowell’s, with so many McDonald’s restaurants everywhere. Especially if you don’t like sesame seeds on your Big Mick buns. With awesome uniforms and Golden Arcs, how could you resist? Of course, McDowell’s is only a dream, and the Coming to America team had to get permission from McDonald’s before using the name. I can’t help but think it was win-win anyway. The building used for the McDowell’s set is now a Wendy’s, of all things, in Queens, New York.
Pig Burger – Better Off Dead
Impossible to forget is the awful burger joint that Lane, played by John Cusack, was forced to work in for the first half of Better Off Dead. The singing, dancing, and overall just plain awesome claymation hamburger made for one of the most memorable bits of 80’s film, and the restaurant itself served later in the film as the setting of some much-needed romance. As an act of homage, the owner of Pig Burger was none other than Porky from Porky’s. Unfortunately this one’s pure fiction.
The Frosty Palace was completely crafted on a sound stage – inside and out – but Grease immortalized the idea of a picture-perfect diner. Home of many a make-up and break-up in the film, we’d imagine the Frosty Palace would serve perfect malts amongst other tasty treats. It’d be a jump back to a simpler time with footsies and doo-wop, when a burger was a burger. We wonder if the namesakes of the Frosty Palace compete with the film-version, but that would mean a trip all the way out to Idaho.
We all know those restaurants. The ones with the kitsch covering every inch of the walls and the employees. Although another imagined restaurant, Chotchkies from Office Space would make any of us crave some potato skins from TGI Fridays, since really, it’s the closest thing. You may leave disappointed though if you go in expecting the enthusiasm of Brian and his 37 pieces of flair.
Jack Rabbit Slim’s – Pulp Fiction
Jack Rabbit Slim’s from Pulp Fiction keeps us craving diner food. What makes this place special, though, would have to be the waitstaff resembling 1950s personalities like Buddy Holly and Marilyn Monroe, along with seating arrangements modeled after vintage cars. There have been copy cats of this movie diner, but none are the real thing. Miramax kingpin Harvey Weinstein wanted to build a chain of the diners, but Tarantino talked him down, which makes us sad, because that Five Dollar Shake sounds amazing.
White Castle – Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
White Castle is one of those restaurants that many people weren’t aware of before Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle – mainly because its only located in the Northeast and Midwest of the U.S. After the movie, it left us all craving the chain’s signature diminutive and delicious sliders like raging stoners. Yes, White Castle is real, and you can find one here. And if you’re not up for a roadtrip, your local supermarket may carry them in the frozen food section. Much of the South can get a near equivalent at Krystal’s, as well.
Sideways follows two friends through the Santa Barbara wine country over a weekend of women and food, despite the fact that they were supposed to be preparing for one of them to get married. The delights of The Hitching Post in Buellton, California feature old and new food traditions – ribs and chicken to ostrich and smoked duck breast. The movie filmed on location, and if you can’t get out to the Buellton Hitching Post, you can stop by the Casmalia location. Either way, you’re in for tasty fare and beautiful wine country to boot.
Despite the whimsical nature of Amelie, the Cafe des Deux Moulins is real! Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere — the quaint cafe, with its 1950s decor, mustard ceiling, and lace curtains, has all been preserved. Even if you go to look for the unisex restroom, it’s there. The menu has pretty much remained the same as well, if you’re craving beef filets, calf liver, pig’s brains with lentils, or simply a hamburger with an egg on top or a green salad with warm goat cheese, this is your place. Cafe des Deux Moulins is a prime little spot in Paris, especially for the cult of Amelie.
We should all take tips from Ferris Bueller when trying to get into the hottest restaurant in town. Pretend you’re the Sausage King of Chicago. It should work, really! Whether or not we wield any influence, we’d still want to hit up the posh Chez Quis for the high class service and to relive the moments of this classic film. Unfortunately, the inside of the restaurant was filmed in Los Angeles, and the exterior is now a remodeled house in Chicago.
It can be tough to find authentic Greek food, at least, depending on your location — but the Dancing Zorba brings it that much closer. Sadly, It’s all a ruse, as the interior was shot on a sound stage. My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s Dancing Zorba inspired a slew of namesake Greek restaurants to pop up all over the place, so by all means, hit them up if you’re still hankering for a bite.
Louis’ Restaurant – The Godfather
Louis’ Restaurant in The Godfather was indeed a real restaurant, with a different name, but if you’re looking to “mangia” you’re out of luck. The restaurant where Sollozzo and McClusky were gunned down was shot in the old Luna Restaurant. It’s no longer in business, but was located under the elevated White Plains Road IRT in the Belmont, more commonly known as Little Italy, New York.
The Bamboo Lounge – GoodFellas
Everyone loves a good mafia hangout, like The Bamboo Lounge in GoodFellas. What’s not to love, after all? A combination night club, casino, and flea market could do your wallet a lot of damage. The kitschy decor aside, Joe Pesci did his famous “Funny Guy” scene in this restaurant — why wouldn’t you want to sit where he sat? Well, you won’t exactly get to do so, as the location was flipped from the Hawaii Kai Restaurant to a stylish Japanese restaurant these days. No more South Seas vibe, but at least you can say you’ve visited. Doesn’t that amuse you?
The fifth-annual Tomato Fest at Iron Barley in South St. Louis wrapped up Sunday with owner Tom Coghill and a crew of 90 volunteers working to create the world's longest bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwich, at 179-feet, two-inches. (That's a lot of bacon -- 500 pounds of savory, crispy, delicious bacon.) The previous record was 169 feet. Video, photos and more BLT stats after the jump. (All photos by Tom Lampe; check out his Flickr page, too.)
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All you art collectors out there. Here is a chance to get a Giclee copy of some of Ian M Sherwin work. Ian is planning on doing a whole series of Marblehead, Massachusetts paintings. His work is amazing.
![4532265968 5165ecc8cc b Spooky Spookhuis an Abandoned Restaurant to Dine in Hell: Haunted House of 1,000 Ghosts [51 PICS]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4532265968_5165ecc8cc_b.jpg "Bar at Restaurant Spookhuis Belgium")
This is supposedly the world's most remote restaurant; if you make it there you get to eat lunch for free. On the one hand, what a deal! On the other, HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THIS PATH:
Unless this place is serving the best food in the entire world, there's no way you could get me to make that trek. Holy mother of god. [
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