As reported previously, A La Carte and Hasbro are rolling out Transformers Themed Restaurants in China. Thanks to Leo Siu on Facebook who spotted what appears to be the storefront for the Transformers Themed Restaurant that is opening near Times Square is being called a "Smart Restaurant" that will incorporate dedicated Apps and other technologies to create an exciting and immersive dining experience.

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Following the previous report, just in from Weibo we have some images and details on the World's first Transformers themed restaurant. What will be called "The Ark", is to be decorated with a huge G1 Ark spaceship as the visual theme. Juding from the menu, the restaurant menu, it will be serving burgers and other sandwiches at theCauseway Bay, Hong Kong location, when it opens on April 23, 2023. - Read the Full News Story

Following the build images, we have another update from Weibo that shows THE ARK animated billboard on the building front announcing the opening date. THE ARK will be opening inCauseway Bay, Hong Kong location, on April 23, 2023 at 18:00 HKT. Check out the video and images of the venue, thanks to @漫港湾. - Read the Full News Story

Just out on the SNS we have out first official promotion for THE ARK, the World's first Transformers Themed restaurant that opens today in Hong Kong. Watch the video below that features an interesting storyline followed by a look at the menu that is more than meets the meal with faction symbol Autobot Burgers! - Read the Full News Story

Now that THE ARK is open, we can see what's inside the World's first Transformers Themed restaurant in Hong Kong. This establishment has really gone all out with so many nice touches beyond the decorations, including the Autobot shaped buns, Surge Fries, Energon Ice Cream, and most of all there is store to purchase toys and other Transformers THE ARK branded memorabilia. - Read the Full News Story

OK, I'm back from Hong Kong. I can honestly say that The Ark is the best thing in that country.

It's 2 storeys of pure TF indulgence. The downstairs bit is all displays of 9 foot tall Optimus prime coming through a gate, for photos, figures, and toys, with a small eating area and a little party area with amazing freaking metallic balloons. You can order and eat there, but I don't know why you would when you can go upstairs. The shop has a small range of figures you can get in store, but quite a good selection of big figs, like the Ark figure, Robosen Prime and Grimlock (they do not sell those, but you can buy either at the space museum, oddly enough). They also have hats, cardboard masks, and other kiddie stuff.

But then you go upstairs, and you find the walls are all screens. Bee and Wheeljack come along and chat, Megs breaks through the ship windscreen and attacks, Unciron flying overhead etc. Generally, the place is cool as!!

Food is all Autobrand shaped, which I loved to bits. The Happy Meal, as it were, comes is a big box shaped like the Ark (kinda), and the back opens and you pull out the food.

The only issue I had is that all the drinks are boba or bubble tea and they are, each and every one of them was disgusting in both texture and taste, you can't get a Coke or a Pepsi branded drink in the place but you can get Evian water, and it is served chilled, and you can get a cup with ice, which in Hong Kong, is virtually unheard of.

The prices, by HKD standards are very, very cheap, the quality of the food is good, the place is easy to find (Central MTR, Times Square exit is directly opposite) and the staff are friendly, if not as knowledgeable about the Transformerverse as they ought to be. They have a special offer on at present, if you go there and buy food, you get a discount on Transformers Branded Sketchers shoes (I'm wearing the Optimus Prime ones as we speak) and it's a good deal. Brand Name shoes are cheaper by far in HKD than in Australia. When I bought my shoes, I also got a free thermal drink bottle with Autobot branding.

You can also buy one of 2 "hampers". One comes with a baseball Cap with The Ark logo, a drink bottle and a keep-warm mug. The other comes with a reversible bucket hat with Ark decals, a BIG Autobot symbol cushion and an Ark international travel adaptor (which saved my electronic ass in HK tbh).

I'm biased, of course, because I have been a TransFan since 1985, this put me in a vastly different age group and demo than I think they were expecting, frankly. I was older that everyone except the boss, and he didn't seem to know a thing about the toys or the show (though he was atypically nice, friendly and helpful for someone who lives in HK). I could not, therefore geek out with even the guys in the shop about how amazing the place was. My 17 and 14 year olds were likewise impressed by the place.

I can't recommend a visit to HK but if you do go, go to the Ark. You will not regret it.

Till all are one!