Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2012

For a thematic meal with strings attached, pop along to the Thunderbirds Café (B1 Pasela Resorts Ochanomizu, 1-21-5 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku; www.paselabo.tv/thunderbirds), to dine amid memorabilia of the famous 1960s UK sci-fi series. The dining area resembles the Tracy Island control room in Gerry and Sylvia Andersen’s show, and features rare collectors’ items such as three-meter-long original models of the Thunderbird 1 and 2 aircraft. Themed dishes—such as John’s bagel sandwich and Ming Ming’s Asian beauty salad (both ¥780)—are perhaps intended to make the 40- and 50-something target group relive their youthful excitement at watching the exploits of the puppet saviors. Owner Newton Co. is responsible for other themed venues, like the Dragon Quest Bar and Masked Riders Diner.