Three or four nights into the trip, when we were back in Shanghai, we were all having stomach issues and decided pizza would be the cure so went to Pizza Hut. Unfortunately,and somewhat surprisingly, while we were waiting for our number to be called the hostess came out and informed the large waiting crowd that they ran out of pizza. We went back to the hotel an ordered room service pizza.
On our first night in Beijing, we adopted the romantic notion that we could wander down the side streets and find a great restaurant in which we could dine with the locals. We found a place that looked OK and, despite the fact that the staff and local patrons greeted us with some amount of surprise, we were seated and handed menus. No English, of course, and nothing on the menu looked very appetizing. We stuck to the plan, however, and picked the most familiar looking dishes, also taking the recommendation of the waitress on a few items. When the food arrived (pictured above), the kids immediately asked if they could go outside. Monica and I tried to be adventurous, but after I unexpectedly put a big piece of liver in my mouth, I lost all commitment to the project. Even the dish that appeared to be chicken was heavily laden with what we came to refer to as 'Beijing vinegar', which we all found less appealing than motor oil. We smiled and paid our bill and walked out without having really eaten anything.
I should also admit that we ate at McDonald's for lunch one day in Jyoto, and that we ate two dinners from street carts at the Gion Festival, comprised mostly of sausages and fried chicken.
I will say that the kids have been generally very adventurous eaters on this trip. We have found local food we really enjoyed everywhere and each of us has found a new favorite or two.
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