America's First Hello Kitty Cafe Unleashes Cuteness on Southern California

Cat cafes are so 2014. The new hotness in feline-themed eateries is clearly Hello Kitty cafes, as evidenced by today's momentous event in Irvine, California: an official Hello Kitty restaurant is now open for business, Racked LA reports.

Located at outdoor shopping center the Irvine Spectrum, the Hello Kitty Cafe is the first of its kind in the U.S. (Of note: Hawaii has an officially licensed Sanrio Cafe that sells Keroppi-topped pastries and Chococat cakes, among other things.) Housed in a very pink, "origami-like" shipping container that folds out into an outdoor patio, expect rainbow sprinkles, kitty-shaped latte art, and bow-shaped cutouts galore. Appropriately twee food and drinks include cat head-shaped pocket pies, pink-crusted berry tarts, strawberry-mint lemonade, and tiny individual birthday cakes.

When it comes to Hello Kitty restaurants, North America is decidedly behind the curve: Last year a Hello Kitty dim sum spot with themed dumplings opened in Hong Kong, and Taiwan also has an official Hello Kitty hot pot restaurant.

• Inside America's Very First Hello Kitty Café, Opening Today in SoCal [Racked LA]

• The Hello Kitty Cafe Pounces on SoCal Next Year [E]

• Hello Kitty Dim Sum Restaurant Claws Its Way Into Hong Kong [E]

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