storm from the east

Ask non-designers about design

Professionals in many fields notice - or obsess over - little details that the average person may not notice or care about. Design is a particularly good example.

Airline Logos

Some people see airline logos all too often, but how often do you actually stop to take in the aesthetics of them or ponder what they represent? Perhaps not very often, but if you'd like to - without having to hang around airports - you can have a look at this collection of airline logos on the Museum of Flight website.

Eating Out: Kua 'Aina

OK, so fast-food restaurants may not be near the top of your list when looking for somewhere to eat in Tokyo (or anywhere else, for that matter), but Kua 'Aina is more than McDonald's with a hint of aloha.

The burger shop originated in Hawaii, but has proven so popular with Japanese tourists (apparently Hawaii is a popular tourist destination for the Japanese…) that there are currently fifteen shops in Japan compared to only two in their homeland. The menu and décor of each shop, however, remain true to the original in Haleiwa. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the surroundings: while the shop in Haleiwa is situated amongst greenery along Oahu's famed North Shore, in Japan they are more likely to be found in bustling shopping centres. Still, the atmosphere is set by having the staff greet you with a (usually) cheery 'aloha', having surfboards and pictures of surfing legends like Duke Kahanamoku adorning the walls, and having the radio tuned to KCCN. If you try really hard, you can almost imagine that Surf n Sea is just up the road and you're not too far from Waimea Bay and Pipeline. Probably.

On to the food, then. The burgers are reputed to be very nice, with everybody asked saying that the avocado burger was especially tasty. The reason that it has special personal appeal is that it is one of the few places in Japan where you can buy a vegetarian sandwich that is worth eating - both the avocado sandwich and the cheese sandwich come highly recommended. People may complain about the fries being fried almost until they are cremated, but we like them. There are also salads on offer and, for once, they're not just a gimmick as people really do order them. According to some patrons interviewed briefly in the Kanda, Shibuya, Marunouchi, Kashiwa, Koshigaya and Haleiwa branches, Kua 'Aina is often seen as the 'healthy fast-food option' and seems to appeal to people who either are surfers or who would really like to be.

When ordering a sandwich, you have a choice of bread and, at least in Japan where white bread is king, it's nice to see wholemeal options. And they are filling: You won't find a Mega-burger or a Super-duper Massive burger on the menu because the ones they have are big enough. The same is true for the fries, with a small portion more than enough for the average healthy appetite.

As for price, well it's not exactly cheap, but your meal is made for you while you wait and it is far better than your average hamburger chain. An avocado burger set, with fries and a drink, starts at ¥1080 and the aforementioned cheese sandwich will set you back ¥750, including your choice of three types of cheese.

A number of the shops are now proudly displaying pictures of US President Barack Obama, who was spotted in the Haleiwa branch while on a trip home, so if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for us.

Kua 'Aina has branches in and around Tokyo and Osaka. For a full list, visit the Kua 'Aina website: http://www.kua-aina.com/

Destinations: Hong Kong

SFTE was in Hong Kong over the New Year for a whistle-stop tour. As we were there ostensibly on business, we tried to stay away from well-known and well-documented pleasure districts such as Lan Kwai Fong and decided take things a little easier in the Central district. Here are some of the highlights.