Behind Blondie Park

McDonald’s, the global face of fast food and bete noire of health nuts everywhere, is celebrating 30 years of Happy Meals in France. Contrary to all expectations, its burgers-and-fries combo has been a hit with French diners, because the corporation has been savvy in fashioning a customized…See Video below.

ROME -(Dow Jones)- McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) and Italian travel restaurant operator Autogrill SpA (AGL.MI) said Thursday they have signed a deal that will allow the U.S. fast-food company to open stores at Autogrill outlets in France.

In a statement, the two companies said the partnership will first be focused on Autogrill outlets on French highways, with the first McDonald’s opening in the autumn in an “emblematic area” of the French highway grid.The U.S. company will then look at also using other Autogrill outlets in French airports, train stations, and other “prestigious” locations.

Autogrill, controlled by Italy’s Benetton family, saw 2008 revenues rise 19% to EUR5.79 billion. The company operates restaurants and shops at highways, airports, and other locations in 42 countries.

In France, Autogrill has 526 outlets, more than half of which are in the country’s highways. The company also has some prestigious locations in France, such as the Louvre museum in Paris.

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World’s First Underwater Restaurant

The world’s first underwater restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali resort in Maldives. The US$5 million restaurant was constructed 5 metres below the waves of the Indian Ocean, offering 270 degrees of panoramic views of the sea-life. Designed by a New Zealand firm and constructed in Singapore, the restaurant was installed in November 2004 and took a team of divers and 50 locals 13 hours to set in place under the waves.  Read more here

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“Plus some of the Worlds Strangest Restaurants”

♦Have Fun in Bed

Eatery: B.E.D. Restaurant   Location: Miami, Fla.

What Makes It Unique:
Diners at B.E.D. (”Beverage, Entertainment and Dining”) lounge in beds and eat from bamboo trays. It caters to the highly fashionable, club-going crowd. If you go, don’t look for a sign, there isn’t one. B.E.D. is not marked except for the street number and the logo hidden on the mat outside.

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♦Supporting Safe Sex

Eatery: Cabbages & Condoms  Location: Bangkok

What Makes It Unique:
Dedicated to birth control and AIDS awareness, the name signifies the owner’s belief that condoms should be as accessible as produce in Thailand. Condoms and sex toys are a major part of the decor. And all diners get a condom with coffee, instead of an after-dinner mint.

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♦Road Kill With That?

Eatery: Linger Lodge  Location: Bradenton, Fla.

What Makes It Unique:
With menu items like “Bag-N-Gag,” “Chunk O’ Skunk” and “Swirl of Squirrel,” it’s no wonder that Al Roker named it one of the top five weirdest restaurants in the country. If you’re a fan of taxidermy, you’ll love the decor. Stuffed dead animals reign supreme.

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Posted by:  BBParks