Monday, August 31, 2009

McDonalds, Japan

As I've said before, I don't discriminate any kind of food. I am not a food snob. We have been eating very well here in Japan and over the upcoming posts you'll read about a great range of Japanese meals we had from traditional Kaiseki dinners to theme park snacks. Yes, I love fancy dinners, but what really gets me salviating is comfort food. Food that you can dig your teeth into, that reminds you of home or other great times in your life. I'm the type of loyal foodie that revisits a restaurant over and over again if I like it. You're probably wondering what this has to do with McDonalds? I love McDonalds! There, I said it. I do. Sometimes, there is nothing more delicious and satisfying then a Big Mac, fries and a coke...and of course an Oreo McFlurry.












Yes! I saw the movie "Super Size Me" and it broke my heart. I did lay off of the cheeseburgers for a while...but within time the cravings kept coming back. Of course they would, it is so deep seeded into my psyche and tied to so many childhood memories that I cant stay away! Everytime we went on a family road trip the best part of the trip was stopping at McDonalds. One particular trip from Disney back to Miami I remember quite well. Growing up I used to fight over dumb things with one of my sisters and this time it was the pickle in the cheesburger. See, I didnt like pickles, but when my sister asked me for mine I said "no" to get her back for teasing me earlier on. Everyone knew I hated pickles but I was'nt going to give her the satsifaction of having it! My mom insisted I give my pickle to my sister knowing very well I didnt like them, but I stood my ground claiming my new found love for them, clearly lying. To my dismay, once we got home, mom brought out the jar of pickles, sliced them up and put them in my cheesburger. She stood by my side and made sure I ate up every single one. I suppose thats when I developed a liking for pickles!?

My favorite growing up was Chicken McNuggets. I remember when they first came out. They were like little nuggets of gold, except for the dark meat ones. I was very happy when they introduced the all white (bleached) meat version. Even on the few rare occasions I wake up early enough to have McDees breakfast it is so rewarding. Sure I feel like poop afterwards, but those first few bites are heaven. I dont know how many cheesburgers I indulged in when McDonalds opened across the street from the Nederlander in NYC. And when traveling abroad, you can always find salvation in the golden arches when craving something familiar.

Today, McDonalds is a special treat I give myself every now and then...and I'm not the only one is the cast!Like any other city in the world, McDonalds is also found on every corner all over Tokyo. And the rumors are true! Its better here than in the US! Not only does it taste better, but the sandwiches look like the ones in the pictures! Remember when they used to deep fry the apple pie? They still do in Japan! It really is tastier deep fried...I know, what isnt!? In this post you'll find some of the menu items we don't see in the US. Click on the photos to see them up close.
Remember when the Egg McMuffin had an an actual egg with a yolk?

Delicious, black pepper fried chicken.

Someone in the RENT company was saying that it would be a great idea to have an international McDonalds restaurant that served all the products from all over the world in one restaurant. I thought that was such a great idea!


So readers....What else does McDonalds serve around the world? Where are you from and what differences are there?? Can't wait to hear!


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Secret

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Itadakimasu!

I haven't been posting much since being here in Japan. It's either I sit in my hotel room blogging or go on a new adventure out in Tokyo. There are so many things that I want to say...so many things that I wish I can share with you....I really wish you can be here having this experience with us. See...I don't consider myself a writer, or photographer for that matter....I just love taking pictures and sharing my adventures, and sometimes I get a little overwhelmed when there's so much I want to share. Id rather just grab you by the hand and take you on the journey in person. I want YOU to have the experience yourself. I want YOU to taste the dishes I have tasted...the richness of the curry sauce that the Chicken Katsu sits in, how fresh sushi can be, or how McDonalds actually tastes better here than in the US! I don't discriminate any kind of food. Being in Japan has been amazing.
Justin Johnston, Nicolette Hart and Adam Pascal order yakitori and noodles one of our first nights in Tokyo at Gonpachi.
Look familiar? Gonpachi is known to be an inspiration for the Tarantino film Kill Bill.

Tracy McDowell shows off the fancy chopsticks she bought.

I'm a big fan of Japanese food so it wasnt a huge culture shock being here. Actually, many of my favorite dishes like Katsu Curry Don and Beef Sukiyaki are Japanese.



Some places have a system where you pay by inserting money into a vending machine that gives you a little ticket of what you ordered. You then hand it over to the person working there that prepares your food. In other cases, once you know what you're going to order, you call on the waiter by pressing a button.

Rent alumni Kyle Post visits us in Tokyo!
Nicolette Hart turns to her guide book for help translating her order from English to Japanese, while Kyle and Adam Pascal laugh at her attempt. To our salvation, many of the restaurants have picture menu's or plastic food models outside where you can point at what you would like to order.

Lexi Lawson and Erik Hansen have some noodles. Slurping your noodles is actually good manners in Japan!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

La Vie Boh...mmm Episode 6. Schenectady

While I was in NYC doing a reading of the upcoming Broadway musical HAVANA, the RENT tour was in Schenectady for our last week before Tokyo. This video features Telly and Tammy and a wonderful cake. So sad I missed it!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

La Vie Boh...mmm!!! TOKYO Sushi

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Welcome To Japan!


The RENT cast has safely made it to Tokyo, Japan! We are so excited to be here. We've been here for 2 days now and already have done so much sightseeing, shopping and eating! Over the next couple of days I'll be putting my pictures and videos together and posting them up on here...but i wanted to let you all know that we're here and have so much to share with you. Have any great suggestions on where we should eat or do while were here in Tokyo?