Late last week, the preservationist and author Chris Nichols had stopped by the McDonald's in Downey when he noticed ...

Stepping into Cosmica, an "Italian diner" that serves classic dishes in a neon-lit atmosphere inspired by "spaghetti Western" movies.

The question is: Will it and other big food companies adopt the approach in United States? And will consumers, raised on color-popping cereals, flame-colored nacho chips and neon blue sports ...