tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48791084389719816432024-02-07T18:18:49.092-10:00self-indulging in hawaiiJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-81004855294781015722012-03-06T07:51:00.010-10:002012-03-06T08:40:21.149-10:00Island Lava Java<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Brunch with a view</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kailua-Kona</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Smoked salmon benedict</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmIsaD9CJfE/TzuE4Ec2oWI/AAAAAAAAC1I/YyLSfjDRmnw/s1600/P1040283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmIsaD9CJfE/TzuE4Ec2oWI/AAAAAAAAC1I/YyLSfjDRmnw/s640/P1040283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I only had three prerequisites when choosing the restaurant for Anthony's birthday brunch; it had to be 1) beachfront, 2) in Kailua-Kona, and 3) not too expensive, since I had splurged on his <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/02/honus-bar-and-grill.html">birthday dinner celebration</a>. After reading countless reviews, Island Lava Java, a small, casual restaurant facing the bay, became the clear winner. Since some pictures on Yelp showed its tables covered in white table cloth, I figured it couldn't be <i>that</i> informal. However, other pictures were taken of a long counter inside the restaurant for orders, implying that wait service was nonexistent and customers instead stood in line. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone raved about the food, so I returned to OpenTable and made our reservations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">On our final day on the Big Island, Ian (our favorite cabbie again!) dropped us off in the parking lot and made plans to pick us up later to take us to the airport. Island Lava Java was packed when we arrived, so I'm glad I had made reservations. Much to my relief, the restaurant had white table cloth <i>and</i> wait service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We were seated at the exact table we had been eyeing while weaving through the crowd. It was perfect - in the shade, close (but not too close) to the live music, and offered a direct view of the coast on Ali'i Drive, the winding, beach-lined road that I had quickly become fond of.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b4VZe7zTS-kDe8YfY4UwQkysX5vriUG_dYJgHk4gJ3WoxeiTH9VyT4KRi0uD_DuUGf3VZ7fB5Rr5Rqp3uCWGqJsRiF6t719rWDQEDjkPDOhAKG4tStakaZPW_XyH8XD6oiiiOUaTg_b4/s1600/P1040274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b4VZe7zTS-kDe8YfY4UwQkysX5vriUG_dYJgHk4gJ3WoxeiTH9VyT4KRi0uD_DuUGf3VZ7fB5Rr5Rqp3uCWGqJsRiF6t719rWDQEDjkPDOhAKG4tStakaZPW_XyH8XD6oiiiOUaTg_b4/s640/P1040274.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anthony and I both wanted the smoked salmon benedict on a buttered croissant (wouldn't you?). Is it ironic or completely predictable that Anthony, the <i>birthday boy</i>, was the one to cede the benedict and order a ciabatta burger instea<span style="font-size: small;">d? Children in Western society (the only society about which I can justifiably make claims) are taught that on their birthday, self-absorption is condoned, even encouraged, and that every desire should be satiated - usually by an eager parent. Perhaps it is a mark of maturation when we become more selfless on our birthday, or at least act more selfless (is there a difference between being and acting selfless?). It is precisely because of that ingrained sense of entitlement that the older we get, the more steps we take to consciously act the opposite way.</span> Somewhere between a spoiled six-year-old and a jaded adult embarrassed by his age lies the better part of decorum.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">H</span>ow did I get from croissants to social norms? I'm not quite sure what point I was trying to make, especially since Anthony probably let me</span> have the smoked salmon because the burger really did sound just as enticing.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VM7dNBpDjBk/TzuEmKVs-SI/AAAAAAAAC04/VtUNRODL4z0/s1600/P1040279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VM7dNBpDjBk/TzuEmKVs-SI/AAAAAAAAC04/VtUNRODL4z0/s640/P1040279.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony's burger - not a bad alternative at all</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">My smoked salmon benedict was wonderful. Forget English muffins (once again, England, an item you've produced proves to be subpar); I want my poached eggs served on buttered croissants from now on.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--0oVzXzibHY/TzuEvuW0gsI/AAAAAAAAC1A/v49ulKuGVTM/s1600/P1040281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--0oVzXzibHY/TzuEvuW0gsI/AAAAAAAAC1A/v49ulKuGVTM/s640/P1040281.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smoked salmon benedict on a buttered croissant, served with potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The ukulele music was a lovely accompaniment to our morning; when you're beachside brunching in Hawaii, nothing else can really top Jack Johnson. Or a more socially-conscious spinoff of that "I wanna be a billionaire..." song.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wt6ZdCnAEIw/TzuEdWjjh1I/AAAAAAAAC0w/OBuNQRgwA_A/s1600/P1040275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wt6ZdCnAEIw/TzuEdWjjh1I/AAAAAAAAC0w/OBuNQRgwA_A/s640/P1040275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Despite the staff ignoring my note on OpenTable that we were celebrating Anthony's birthday, just like at our dinner at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/02/honus-bar-and-grill.html">Honu's</a> (what's going on, Big Island restaurants?!), our Island Lava Java brunch was the perfect meal to conclude our weekend in Kailua-Kona. After a few more hours of playing tourist, i.e. gallavanting around hotels, checking out tacky shops, and snacking on too many Hawaiian treats, we caught our final cab back to the airport and headed home.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-80005123579176577672012-02-27T16:25:00.006-10:002012-03-06T09:08:15.544-10:00Ken's House of Pancakes<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Late-nite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Hilo (where the 19 turns into the 11)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2Creg9uUyo/TzuCqOkwGtI/AAAAAAAAC0A/864qjsCvzGQ/s1600/P1040262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2Creg9uUyo/TzuCqOkwGtI/AAAAAAAAC0A/864qjsCvzGQ/s640/P1040262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After a day of exploring the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (and getting lost in the dark for the last half hour of our hike)</span><span style="font-size: small;">, Anthony and I anxiously returned to Hilo on our way back home around the island to have a late-night dinner at Ken's House of Pancakes, the final stop on our new friend Ian's list of restaurant recommendations. I'm always up for 24-hour diners because they are guaranteed to offer breakfast all day long, and who doesn't love breakfast when you're not supposed to be eating it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We pulled into the parking lot around 8 pm, which is pretty late for this town, so I'm guessing that those who were out and about at this time were probably right here at Ken's. The restaurant was crowded, and looked a lot like Shari's, a 24-hour diner that I had once tried in Portland during one of my all-nighters in the library, during which one person always brazenly calls for a much-needed break, resulting in a group trip to the first place we can think of that could possibly replenish our empty stomachs and exhausted brains.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRx6kBpWnCU/TzuDCoe3mgI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/8UkP3FbPexs/s1600/P1040270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRx6kBpWnCU/TzuDCoe3mgI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/8UkP3FbPexs/s640/P1040270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony's steak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Despite the crowd, Anthony and I were immediately seated at one of the few remaining tables and handed two plastic-covered 8-page menus. I didn't even bother looking at the last six pages; my eyes went straight to the breakfast section and found what I had been craving since Anthony started driving to the restaurant. There are two things I always crave at diners: corned beef hash from the can and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, both of which would disgust me at any other type of restaurant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ken's offered a few options for my corned beef hash craving; I could get it with the typical eggs and rice, on a benedict, or - and this is what eventually won - in a loco moco. I figured I was on the Big Island; I might as well go all out "Hawaiian," whatever Hawaiian means (do any of us actually know what Hawaiians really ate before the Asians and colonists came over with their cuisines?). By the way, Ken's has an entire section of its menu dedicated to loco mocos. That's right - an<i> entire section</i>. Besides corned beef hash, you can get your loco moco with spam, teriyaki beef, chili cheese, Portuguese sausage, or kalua pig. It's a good thing I had my mind set on corned beef hash; otherwise, I could have easily spent an extra twenty minutes trying to decide between the Portuguese sausage and kalua pig.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoHQT9exJ9Y/TzuDLzFF26I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/ITCZNRp0gX0/s1600/P1040273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoHQT9exJ9Y/TzuDLzFF26I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/ITCZNRp0gX0/s640/P1040273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my corned beef hash loco moco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">My corned beef hash loco moco was served in a</span><span style="font-size: small;"> large, plastic bowl, with rice, gravy, and two over-easy eggs, and was to be eaten with the large spoon provided. No pretenses here, just straightfoward practicality. I love it. I also made sure to order a hot chocolate, which was, as expected, filled to the brim, had that unmistakable diner flavor, and was </span><span style="font-size: small;">topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbSqu2VJ6rs/TzuC2T32eFI/AAAAAAAAC0I/wMHfr1AHuDo/s1600/P1040263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbSqu2VJ6rs/TzuC2T32eFI/AAAAAAAAC0I/wMHfr1AHuDo/s640/P1040263.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is diner hot chocolate so good?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">In Honolulu, we have a Zippy's in every neighborhood, but it's nice to know that if I was, for some reason, living in Hilo, my 24-hour diner fix would be satiated.<br />
</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-71881249284235795122012-02-22T22:01:00.004-10:002012-03-06T07:54:50.742-10:00Honu's Bar and Grill<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Seafood buffet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kailua-Kona</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfhcOvXFm7s/Tzt8Lto6r2I/AAAAAAAACxg/XS8D8UvaKBw/s1600/P1030996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfhcOvXFm7s/Tzt8Lto6r2I/AAAAAAAACxg/XS8D8UvaKBw/s640/P1030996.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">A couple of weeks ago, Anthony and I hopped over to the Big Island to celebrate his 25th birthday. Yep, he's now a<i> quarter of a century</i> old. It was his first time on another island, and it was my first time in Kona since middle school. From what I remembered, Kona was exactly what we were looking for - touristy, relaxing, and the perfect size for a three-day getaway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had spent the week before our trip doing extensive research for Anthony's birthday dinner. Or at least I thought I did. My original plan was to take him to Beach Tree at the Four Seasons, an elegant restaurant/lounge right on the beach, with live entertainment. It was a little pricier than what I had wanted to spend, but I justified it by reminding myself that we didn't have a Four Seasons back in Honolulu, and, thus, it would be a while until I'd have another chance to dine at one. So I made reservations using OpenTable, one of my favorite internet sites, after Amazon and that site that lets me watch Gossip Girl for free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It wasn't until the day before the trip that I finally looked up the exact location of the restaurant. Turns out the Four Seasons is almost an hour away from our hostel and is inaccessible by bus, which only runs twice a day anyway. Damn. Toto, I have a feeling we're not on Oahu anymore. Since we wouldn't be renting a car until the following morning, and I assumed cabs were too pricey for us, the Beach Tree seemed out of the question. I quickly went on yelp, a site that I use, not for the reviews, but for finding restaurants categorized by locations. I made sure to narrow down my search to restaurants in Kailua-Kona, the "urban" section of Kona, which would be on our way to the hostel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I finally stumbled upon Honu's Bar and Grill, a beachfront restaurant at the King Kamehameha Hotel that offers a seafood buffet every Friday and Saturday night. <i>Seafood buffet. </i>I knew Anthony would love a buffet, so, unless he preferred one of the two pizza places also on my list, it looked like Honu's would be the selected venue. I was right. For once, he passed on the pizza and was excited for a buffet. I returned to OpenTable and booked a table for two.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgAvQnDLT_o/Tzt750ozyHI/AAAAAAAACxQ/mVeppzUoOGA/s1600/P1030994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgAvQnDLT_o/Tzt750ozyHI/AAAAAAAACxQ/mVeppzUoOGA/s640/P1030994.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We arrived in Kailua-Kona about two hours before our reservation, allowing us time to explore the main street and even indulge in an iced Kona coffee beverage at one of the many coffeeshops sprinkled throughout the city. We headed back to the sprawling King Kamehameha Hotel (think Hilton Hawaiian Village, without the obnoxious zoo animals roaming about) and finally entered Honu's. After choosing a table partially inside and outside, we went straight to the buffet line, eager to stuff ourselves with seafood.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGStqurDt3cGKLCQkZqmRQbtuYfFCbdEd2sAdeKeS_S2F1hY6ukWRO3Z5u3KBJ8CTBd0CmP9sOFe8PFece-cl_aEN_i7A99_KaTJoo8NUdxRxRxCHvqoEHbRZ4cjyJQNRmB0PGIs9AcLI/s1600/P1030997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGStqurDt3cGKLCQkZqmRQbtuYfFCbdEd2sAdeKeS_S2F1hY6ukWRO3Z5u3KBJ8CTBd0CmP9sOFe8PFece-cl_aEN_i7A99_KaTJoo8NUdxRxRxCHvqoEHbRZ4cjyJQNRmB0PGIs9AcLI/s640/P1030997.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Those of you who know me probably wonder why I even bother with buffets; I get full about halfway through a plate. However, like a good American, I appreciate the <i>concept</i> of buffets - lots of choices and unlimited portions must be good, right? - never mind that quality and service tend to be sacrificed.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YiZ-CcgqUEA/Tzt8omLnR8I/AAAAAAAACx4/X20v1fQlcmU/s1600/P1040004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YiZ-CcgqUEA/Tzt8omLnR8I/AAAAAAAACx4/X20v1fQlcmU/s640/P1040004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PcRORMThaQLdixQPu4CCFacBD_iJJtcaPhqqBVGqSJc-9uihvYKln3Vb7ct92NqJVoLIdX0DEF6MfHfV5L1oAO_wDCrnt4nECiePy9w-v_cTaswq8jdQdbLMq1Bw7_T9bjae0gkqsI4a/s1600/P1040002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PcRORMThaQLdixQPu4CCFacBD_iJJtcaPhqqBVGqSJc-9uihvYKln3Vb7ct92NqJVoLIdX0DEF6MfHfV5L1oAO_wDCrnt4nECiePy9w-v_cTaswq8jdQdbLMq1Bw7_T9bjae0gkqsI4a/s640/P1040002.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">For my first round, I filled my plate with clam chowder, dinner rolls, and seafood pesto. The clam chowder was wonderful, probably my favorite part of dinner. My next round consisted of crab legs. Only. My mom wasn't around to crack the crab legs for me, so I put the birthday boy to work (I knew he'd come in handy!). As expected, the quality of the crab was somewhat inconsistent, but was, as are all things that require work and come in small packages, still perfectly satisfying.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJbU3-a2B0s/Tzt8yzjdSGI/AAAAAAAACyA/tOSw6ZYUszU/s1600/P1040005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJbU3-a2B0s/Tzt8yzjdSGI/AAAAAAAACyA/tOSw6ZYUszU/s640/P1040005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our epic pile of crab legs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMUHKgrgHSz0BuIHZx8gE9RJLc7LNstYuMTXfce_a6l1hMW6Qox9zAcrn2bvseMLSMuT8ObSK7iULB9JNWtHFaaz6m_UtDrx061Xf-7hj14Ghk1iTC9vx_506iX6hAqV23Y80xz1lOQzG/s1600/P1040006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMUHKgrgHSz0BuIHZx8gE9RJLc7LNstYuMTXfce_a6l1hMW6Qox9zAcrn2bvseMLSMuT8ObSK7iULB9JNWtHFaaz6m_UtDrx061Xf-7hj14Ghk1iTC9vx_506iX6hAqV23Y80xz1lOQzG/s640/P1040006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We had come at 6 and thus dined through the sunset, a glorious sight even though it happens every night. I only had a few more pieces of sashimi because I wanted to save room for more important things in life, e.g. dessert. The dessert table at buffets never disappoints! I ordered my second Kona coffee of the day (I could get used to this town...) and piled on the desserts. They had the requisite cakes, pies, and cookies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My only complaint about Honu's (and another place in Kona, <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/03/island-lava-java.html">Island Lava Java</a>) is that the restaurant ignored my little note in the Special Requests box on OpenTable that we were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday. It wasn't a big deal because I hate singing in public anyway (I'd need one more glass of wine for that), but, still. Anthony could've gotten a bowl of complimentary ice cream that would have gone perfectly with his dessert of choice from the buffet -- a simple chocolate chip cookie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Service was attentive and the view was just as I'd hoped. In the end, I'm glad I chose Honu's over Beach Tree; Anthony, who is not impressed by stuffy, five-star restaurants, seemed to have enjoyed his dinner, and that was all that mattered.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-77489676107735240382012-02-22T20:37:00.004-10:002012-02-29T08:47:07.440-10:00The Fish Hopper<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Breakfast</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kailua-Kona</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfL6H2svbVU/TzuAEpAxDKI/AAAAAAAACzA/CeT76ZJxbRY/s1600/P1040040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfL6H2svbVU/TzuAEpAxDKI/AAAAAAAACzA/CeT76ZJxbRY/s640/P1040040.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anthony and I met Ian on our first day in Kona, when he picked us up from the airport and dropped us off at what he assumed to be our hotel (the King Kamehameha Hotel) in Kailua-Kona. He was an awesome cab driver, overwhelming us with restaurant suggestions and driving advice on how to get to the volcanoes, all in a delightful British accent. His first restaurant suggestion, since he considerately instructed us in chronological order, was the Fish Hopper.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_vMw4fwnA/Tzt_uYU-ibI/AAAAAAAACyo/b26FBIrndbQ/s1600/P1040037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_vMw4fwnA/Tzt_uYU-ibI/AAAAAAAACyo/b26FBIrndbQ/s640/P1040037.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After spending the week prior to our trip conducting restaurant research, I recognized the Fish Hopper. It had been on my "Anthony's Birthday Breakfast" list for a couple of days, but I had eventually taken it off because I'd noticed a breaded-and-fried trend on its menu. However, Ian was very convincing, and, much to my relief, I found it easy to avoid fried seafood, especially during breakfast.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoXy9-FXZeQ/Tzt_8qqytsI/AAAAAAAACy4/VN56RgFRPYw/s1600/P1040031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoXy9-FXZeQ/Tzt_8qqytsI/AAAAAAAACy4/VN56RgFRPYw/s640/P1040031.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On Saturday morning, our hostel owner Annie was generous enough to drive us all the way into town and dropped us off right by the restaurant. We were seated on the balcony, with direct views of the bay. I ordered the macadamia brioche french toast ($9.95) and another cup of Kona, while Anthony had pancakes, eggs, and spam, with a side of rice -- he's such a local. My portions were tiny, which meant that, for once, it was the perfect size for me. Encrusted with macadamia nuts and topped with whipped cream and maple syrup, my two slices of french toast were a perfect start to a day of exploring the volcanoes.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-0dus2t5IRXD_Ot0EmqdPu45BZUVTa-apVMoDoez86DCqtWjz-AVTR3X5poKU39ytayUfAMhAJvE1vMD-tUysA-8lRWEeMCWclP3DPcy1DRpuvs9yqGOyD-dmO77XZQx0N_zivYz1bJD/s1600/P1040041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-0dus2t5IRXD_Ot0EmqdPu45BZUVTa-apVMoDoez86DCqtWjz-AVTR3X5poKU39ytayUfAMhAJvE1vMD-tUysA-8lRWEeMCWclP3DPcy1DRpuvs9yqGOyD-dmO77XZQx0N_zivYz1bJD/s640/P1040041.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FwSYqqEsJ8/Tzt_15-cUfI/AAAAAAAACyw/SEIArnEd0iI/s1600/P1040039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8FwSYqqEsJ8/Tzt_15-cUfI/AAAAAAAACyw/SEIArnEd0iI/s640/P1040039.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-38866093567074619512012-02-15T00:00:00.095-10:002012-02-23T15:58:30.191-10:00Tex Drive-In<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Malasadas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Honoka'a</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAxuhtliXyBD95VABScNjlFsidUw-ONFC1-3JcRmwpu7m9WVwFrjo55FeJl0HKtzHx-I1lPIYF6r6vamZKckteKFg-rQLv2i0y15OgZyWJlISYD66WwDyJsukYuxWgIEwY9GWJYhwBmnj/s1600/P1040090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAxuhtliXyBD95VABScNjlFsidUw-ONFC1-3JcRmwpu7m9WVwFrjo55FeJl0HKtzHx-I1lPIYF6r6vamZKckteKFg-rQLv2i0y15OgZyWJlISYD66WwDyJsukYuxWgIEwY9GWJYhwBmnj/s640/P1040090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After a successful breakfast at the <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/02/fish-hopper.html">Fish Hopper</a>, Anthony and I were eager to follow more of our cabbie Ian's restaurant suggestions during our excursion to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. His next suggestion was to stop by Honoka'a to pick up a half dozen of the best malasadas of our lives at Tex. Actually, Ian said "Tex's," which led me into thinking he said "Texas." A malasada shop named after that monstrous state? Interesting.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LUpJi0Zgn0/TzuBNyg0NKI/AAAAAAAACzQ/ghhYY8S6it0/s1600/P1040080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LUpJi0Zgn0/TzuBNyg0NKI/AAAAAAAACzQ/ghhYY8S6it0/s640/P1040080.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately, Anthony was paying attention while driving and turned left into the parking lot of Tex Drive-In. Like all malasada shops, you stand in line, order the number and type, and wait for your box of fresh malasadas. The malasadas at Tex come with a variety of fillings, from guava to apricot. We decided to order two plains, two Bavarian creams, one apple, and one chocolate cream. You can guess who got the apple and who got the chocolate.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iggszIkD4vw/TzuBWmh6atI/AAAAAAAACzY/ycXeKa_DnHE/s1600/P1040082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iggszIkD4vw/TzuBWmh6atI/AAAAAAAACzY/ycXeKa_DnHE/s640/P1040082.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I was slightly disappointed when I opened the white cardboard box. Unlike the malasadas at my favorite malasadaria (yes, I'm going to make that a word), Champion's on Beretania, Tex's malasadas are pale and square. However, my disappointment faded as soon as I tasted the bavarian cream filling and felt sugar all over my chin. A few hours later I tried the chocolate cream malasada. Much better than I thought, especially after Ian's warning to avoid the chocolate (apparently no one, not even Ian, can convince me to avoid chocolate).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMxMLBMQ26w/TzuBdFfidDI/AAAAAAAACzg/A9-63_iuV0E/s1600/P1040084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMxMLBMQ26w/TzuBdFfidDI/AAAAAAAACzg/A9-63_iuV0E/s640/P1040084.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NozUQUF0dV0/TzuBljDpTbI/AAAAAAAACzo/JrQTwhuhDaY/s1600/P1040086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NozUQUF0dV0/TzuBljDpTbI/AAAAAAAACzo/JrQTwhuhDaY/s640/P1040086.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tex's malasadas are definitely better than Leonard's, which I've always believed to be merely overhyped, soggier versions of Champion's. For the classic malasada (spheres of sugar-coated fried dough, crispy on the outside and warm on the inside), Champion's is still, as its name suggests, the champion. There's no point in arguing that one. But for a new spin on these Portuguese treats, Tex offers a softer, more square, cream-filled alternative. If I'm ever back on the Big Island, I'll be sure to make up any excuse I can to pick up another half dozen.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-36234658853410258272012-01-30T11:16:00.002-10:002012-01-30T11:17:17.197-10:00Honolulu Coffee<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Macarons and coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAozetT_aQA/TyRXljJnxHI/AAAAAAAACvw/cVLMXNprmRU/s1600/P1030748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HAozetT_aQA/TyRXljJnxHI/AAAAAAAACvw/cVLMXNprmRU/s640/P1030748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Honolulu Coffee is similar to <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/01/island-vintage.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;">Island Vintage</span></a>, specializing in Kona coffee beverages and sprinkled throughout Waikiki, catering to tourists who don't mind paying the price. While I tend to prefer the coffee at Island Vintage, Honolulu Coffee definitely has a better selection of pastries.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Amf4k7um00U/TnWGR_021EI/AAAAAAAABF8/xPwr-S7OwNc/s1600/37586_1501163165595_1129650080_31508915_1543833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Amf4k7um00U/TnWGR_021EI/AAAAAAAABF8/xPwr-S7OwNc/s640/37586_1501163165595_1129650080_31508915_1543833_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">chocolate mousse in the shape of a cup!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Unlike Island Vintage, Honolulu Coffee has a branch in downtown, which is really convenient. Macarons during your lunch break - need I say more?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpl86hKjuWI/Tvy8ElDg0fI/AAAAAAAACX0/LXpJ6Df4D2M/s1600/P1030118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpl86hKjuWI/Tvy8ElDg0fI/AAAAAAAACX0/LXpJ6Df4D2M/s640/P1030118.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isPP69j09Eo/TyRXTUyVSsI/AAAAAAAACvg/ROH8s0b-Tkc/s1600/P1030746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isPP69j09Eo/TyRXTUyVSsI/AAAAAAAACvg/ROH8s0b-Tkc/s640/P1030746.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCCOjt8bw_A/Tvy7zLIFYfI/AAAAAAAACXk/MrMItRM80Bw/s1600/P1030115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCCOjt8bw_A/Tvy7zLIFYfI/AAAAAAAACXk/MrMItRM80Bw/s640/P1030115.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">peppermint macarons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So far, these are the macarons in the state. And these are no typical macarons. There are lilikoi, Hawaiian salt, and Kona coffee flavored macarons - only in Hawaii!</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPJWBE1Xov0/TnWGTgvqS5I/AAAAAAAABGA/HkZTSrw448E/s1600/258880_2090783665739_1129650080_32524798_2995835_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPJWBE1Xov0/TnWGTgvqS5I/AAAAAAAABGA/HkZTSrw448E/s640/258880_2090783665739_1129650080_32524798_2995835_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">lilikoi, pistachio, and caramel & hawaiian salt maracons</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8CYxTXCmTM/TyRXLzj79SI/AAAAAAAACvY/giOLHPLk6_w/s1600/P1030744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v8CYxTXCmTM/TyRXLzj79SI/AAAAAAAACvY/giOLHPLk6_w/s640/P1030744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">pistachio, kona coffee, and caramel & Hawaiian salt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfo4JcB2RLg/TyRXeFEX-DI/AAAAAAAACvo/gRKEQT0-JpY/s1600/P1030747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfo4JcB2RLg/TyRXeFEX-DI/AAAAAAAACvo/gRKEQT0-JpY/s640/P1030747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">studying at Bishop Square</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htC1WU-mLPM/Tvy7sGbUUuI/AAAAAAAACXc/k-dUAxBTUDE/s1600/P1030109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htC1WU-mLPM/Tvy7sGbUUuI/AAAAAAAACXc/k-dUAxBTUDE/s640/P1030109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">at the Moana Surfrider Hotel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-90607845144918770392012-01-27T23:08:00.001-10:002012-01-27T23:08:51.355-10:00Lobby Bar<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Drinks, Late-night</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Modern Honolulu</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KbzKAErvDI/TyO4hQhaKhI/AAAAAAAACsg/7Ni-BOMRXrc/s1600/P1030550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KbzKAErvDI/TyO4hQhaKhI/AAAAAAAACsg/7Ni-BOMRXrc/s640/P1030550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinot noir and a geisha ($11)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2denqHpWms/TnVxW6PiKaI/AAAAAAAABEs/CebKs4fbSMc/s1600/167763_1783016251746_1129650080_32092450_1750078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2denqHpWms/TnVxW6PiKaI/AAAAAAAABEs/CebKs4fbSMc/s640/167763_1783016251746_1129650080_32092450_1750078_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0Q-0U1iXdM/TrjSFz7iq5I/AAAAAAAABpQ/0yqjr-s-iDc/s1600/P1020151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0Q-0U1iXdM/TrjSFz7iq5I/AAAAAAAABpQ/0yqjr-s-iDc/s640/P1020151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lxfg0tfC38/TyO5NHJTYLI/AAAAAAAACtA/RJP_PQ9-lfs/s1600/P1030559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lxfg0tfC38/TyO5NHJTYLI/AAAAAAAACtA/RJP_PQ9-lfs/s640/P1030559.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margarita and rosé<br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I absolutely love this bar. That is all.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J0kRDaCMT4jMnazB0GhV3s7aq-KCfaG3Ob68OvaYd8fy3yS-V37gyg-rEyVoZG8838vUtCbkrMkGQYBl_8Xb3Qu9GzyKh7FMon7uXGFmeRukX3JclkHcFVAqb30YYe6g2Pz4lGwjK53d/s1600/167763_1783016331748_1129650080_32092452_6166209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J0kRDaCMT4jMnazB0GhV3s7aq-KCfaG3Ob68OvaYd8fy3yS-V37gyg-rEyVoZG8838vUtCbkrMkGQYBl_8Xb3Qu9GzyKh7FMon7uXGFmeRukX3JclkHcFVAqb30YYe6g2Pz4lGwjK53d/s640/167763_1783016331748_1129650080_32092452_6166209_n.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAGmkaLlqoo/TrjSnvgp5iI/AAAAAAAABpo/HNjKv-Mn7aA/s1600/P1020155_2_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAGmkaLlqoo/TrjSnvgp5iI/AAAAAAAABpo/HNjKv-Mn7aA/s640/P1020155_2_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6TfV0d1MC0/Tr1iRDyvzCI/AAAAAAAABsQ/m0_nrJS6EGk/s1600/171035_1772315944245_1129650080_32072929_3078053_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6TfV0d1MC0/Tr1iRDyvzCI/AAAAAAAABsQ/m0_nrJS6EGk/s640/171035_1772315944245_1129650080_32072929_3078053_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrzXGp59nvU/TyO5WXzGuEI/AAAAAAAACtI/DeITKD-90ck/s1600/P1030564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrzXGp59nvU/TyO5WXzGuEI/AAAAAAAACtI/DeITKD-90ck/s640/P1030564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charcuterie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JogAJIH5q8/TrzxgUA5N8I/AAAAAAAABr4/j_5nN6alZZQ/s1600/312265_2283550244783_1129650080_32748277_2771515_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JogAJIH5q8/TrzxgUA5N8I/AAAAAAAABr4/j_5nN6alZZQ/s640/312265_2283550244783_1129650080_32748277_2771515_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TgXBbJFOlk/TrjSRgbWguI/AAAAAAAABpY/ySn4p5P_Ryc/s640/P1020153.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CidPCFwmiho/TyO5hbY3I4I/AAAAAAAACtQ/a6BQPQoPimI/s1600/P1030566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CidPCFwmiho/TyO5hbY3I4I/AAAAAAAACtQ/a6BQPQoPimI/s640/P1030566.JPG" width="640" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-78524126290544370192012-01-27T22:55:00.000-10:002012-01-27T22:55:33.427-10:00Prima<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Italian</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kailua</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0g_tfwTSWtY/Txm1uVTVC2I/AAAAAAAACmI/7xq4vUeD1e0/s1600/P1030657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0g_tfwTSWtY/Txm1uVTVC2I/AAAAAAAACmI/7xq4vUeD1e0/s640/P1030657.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After months of wanting to try Prima, a small Italian restaurant that opened up last fall, I finally made the trek to Kailua with Anthony and his friend Justin last week. Prima was exactly how I expected it to be... sort of reminiscent of some of my favorite restaurants in Portland, e.g. Broder, St. Jack, and Grüner -- I'm not sure if it's due to the typewriter font and lack of decimal places and dollar signs on the small menus or the cutesy minimalist decór, but Prima does share characteristics with <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/town.html">town</a>, my favorite restaurant in Hawaii. It had to be a good sign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3sF9kqwvqk/Txm1Jyd3HKI/AAAAAAAAClo/A0NJCrHJjOQ/s1600/P1030647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3sF9kqwvqk/Txm1Jyd3HKI/AAAAAAAAClo/A0NJCrHJjOQ/s640/P1030647.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The restaurant looks like a chic cafeteria, with an exposed ceiling, robin's egg blue desk chairs and light recycled wood tables, and an open kitchen that showcases a wood-burning oven.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQgeBG2TatQ/Txm1bsfRfcI/AAAAAAAACl4/I8lvboSS_OM/s1600/P1030651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PQgeBG2TatQ/Txm1bsfRfcI/AAAAAAAACl4/I8lvboSS_OM/s640/P1030651.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I had a glass of pinot grigio and shared a boquerones pizza and veal parmesan with Anthony. The boquerones pizza had thyme, white anchovies, chili water, and garlic. The crust was a little dry and too burnt (try <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/01/jj-dolans.html">JJ Dolan's</a> for the perfect crust), but the toppings were fantastic. Gotta love those anchovies and thyme.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9Zbo7ZAhtE/Txm1mSK82CI/AAAAAAAACmA/d520rAwFhW8/s1600/P1030652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9Zbo7ZAhtE/Txm1mSK82CI/AAAAAAAACmA/d520rAwFhW8/s640/P1030652.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrFvY68v24ag4_FL6RHd1l4BRIcrFZ3sT5BrkGeNIdX7ECOIOMzjRO4FUjXK7Zn-rHCPOA-LiSrthvW8actNKZvRhm3M04sTWX0rO-x5gXGI7KVoBz0GASw77pJzDFHlDtbTcslpNh91i/s1600/P1030656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrFvY68v24ag4_FL6RHd1l4BRIcrFZ3sT5BrkGeNIdX7ECOIOMzjRO4FUjXK7Zn-rHCPOA-LiSrthvW8actNKZvRhm3M04sTWX0rO-x5gXGI7KVoBz0GASw77pJzDFHlDtbTcslpNh91i/s640/P1030656.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We had reluctantly ordered the veal parmesan because we figured we may still be hungry after just one pizza, and, ironically, this dish turned out to be better than the pizza -- not because of the veal, but because of the spaghetti. It's always exciting when pasta is properly cooked<i> al dente</i> in Hawaii.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qX7OOA9r9GQ/Txm2GiMGefI/AAAAAAAACmg/j55mX8eGI5E/s1600/P1030659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qX7OOA9r9GQ/Txm2GiMGefI/AAAAAAAACmg/j55mX8eGI5E/s640/P1030659.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Justin had the fried jidori chicken leg and thighs, which came with mashed potatoes and collared greens. Just like my al dente pasta, fried chicken that has flavor beneath the bread brings tears of joys to my eyes.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izsR24BG0AU/Txm1-s5PvoI/AAAAAAAACmY/9RvLP-NnPDU/s1600/P1030658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izsR24BG0AU/Txm1-s5PvoI/AAAAAAAACmY/9RvLP-NnPDU/s640/P1030658.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I regret not trying dessert here, because apparently the pastry chef is a <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/01/nobu.html">Nobu</a> alum -- is this the same chef who used to create the dolce mascarpone at Nobu that I still fantasize about?? I guess I'll find out next time.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C25rAyvu0D0/Txm1To7qCMI/AAAAAAAAClw/a-QCl_GMO8M/s1600/P1030648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C25rAyvu0D0/Txm1To7qCMI/AAAAAAAAClw/a-QCl_GMO8M/s640/P1030648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-46080541957845770612012-01-27T22:06:00.004-10:002012-03-15T17:13:03.340-10:00Plumeria Beach House<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Beachside Brunch Buffet, Happy Hour, View </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: The Kahala Hotel</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwpAxzksDQ/TnUwnFnNieI/AAAAAAAABBY/dYGYVf_-GrI/s1600/301901_2279943554618_1129650080_32745036_4139223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uPwpAxzksDQ/TnUwnFnNieI/AAAAAAAABBY/dYGYVf_-GrI/s640/301901_2279943554618_1129650080_32745036_4139223_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only $32 for a brunch buffet literally steps away from the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">If I could only go to one restaurant before I die, I would choose the Plumeria Beach House - not necessarily because it's the best restaurant I've been to (although, it's pretty damn good), but because I have so many memories here. I practically grew up at the Kahala Hotel, as I am within walking distance and have celebrated many special occasions throughout my life at this restaurant, e.g. my high school graduation party, various Mother's and Father's Days, ballet and piano recital celebrations.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmPjriSu1QM/TvT0nVj-0FI/AAAAAAAACRE/E6zCwR56yaM/s1600/37601_1488817016949_1129650080_31475409_2513743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmPjriSu1QM/TvT0nVj-0FI/AAAAAAAACRE/E6zCwR56yaM/s640/37601_1488817016949_1129650080_31475409_2513743_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxYSCCdwo-I/TnUw6rXSDzI/AAAAAAAABBg/x9wtdImZOWU/s1600/270235_2139605886264_1129650080_32552085_315561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxYSCCdwo-I/TnUw6rXSDzI/AAAAAAAABBg/x9wtdImZOWU/s640/270235_2139605886264_1129650080_32552085_315561_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Whenever I have guests in town, I always take them here for brunch. This is the place that initiated my love for the three B's: Beachside Brunch Buffets. Of all the beachside restaurants I've been to in Hawaii, Plumeria offers the best view - unobstructed views of Portlock on the left (and sometimes other islands on clear days) and Kahala on the right.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-xxnOVFOfs/TnUxhTyNlPI/AAAAAAAABBs/aTpmZNfTZk8/s1600/317669_2291041392057_1129650080_32757497_6139775_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-xxnOVFOfs/TnUxhTyNlPI/AAAAAAAABBs/aTpmZNfTZk8/s640/317669_2291041392057_1129650080_32757497_6139775_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">live Hawaiian music</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJKk7UZg-cg/TvTmjrZdsVI/AAAAAAAACQw/yeG0dsuntzU/s1600/P1020923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJKk7UZg-cg/TvTmjrZdsVI/AAAAAAAACQw/yeG0dsuntzU/s640/P1020923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grilled Kahuku corn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> The brunch buffet is my favorite meal here, and I usually have this about once a month. There is an omelette station at which you order customized egg dishes, bruschetta bar, miso soup station, fruit station, cereal station... so many stations! One of my favorite brunch dishes here is the thinly-rolled pancakes soaked in melted maple butter that oozes out with every bite. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfdmdcPG_wFFCuFrg-QPpbMxAJvJV635dhF48g0beEwwSS4wSvILgxQ_zlIPE-CDXOpC6uHU1SueaPJlRH7P5gMIcZBecFLJA9OZVbplVLqqR1xDyZ3q7Ta9MWKXI8q9sgsb1oHnycyfO/s1600/318603_2278523159109_1129650080_32743367_902458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfdmdcPG_wFFCuFrg-QPpbMxAJvJV635dhF48g0beEwwSS4wSvILgxQ_zlIPE-CDXOpC6uHU1SueaPJlRH7P5gMIcZBecFLJA9OZVbplVLqqR1xDyZ3q7Ta9MWKXI8q9sgsb1oHnycyfO/s640/318603_2278523159109_1129650080_32743367_902458_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their famous pancakes - thin, rolled up, and soaked in maple butter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHxmIn21o7A/Tnfv2h8FXHI/AAAAAAAABMw/a1lGjc4_7Bs/s1600/199999_1002210172082_1129650080_30016668_2369_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHxmIn21o7A/Tnfv2h8FXHI/AAAAAAAABMw/a1lGjc4_7Bs/s640/199999_1002210172082_1129650080_30016668_2369_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous views, any time of the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The brunch buffet is slightly over $30, which is an amazing deal for what you get. Service could use some work, but I guess I shouldn't expect much for a buffet. Service is much better later in the day, when it's less crowded.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnMShUSN8a4/TvTmUTluOhI/AAAAAAAACQg/0mPeQDllqtc/s1600/P1020919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LnMShUSN8a4/TvTmUTluOhI/AAAAAAAACQg/0mPeQDllqtc/s640/P1020919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is obviously not my plate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3hfs7qUn8k/TvTmvfB3sSI/AAAAAAAACQ4/ajh2UvsctBE/s1600/P1020926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3hfs7qUn8k/TvTmvfB3sSI/AAAAAAAACQ4/ajh2UvsctBE/s640/P1020926.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they now have a bruschetta bar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I just recently tried Plumeria's new happy hour, and it was lovely. Live Hawaiian music can be annoyingly touristy, but since it's in Kahala not Waikiki, the singing trio somehow seemed less cheesy. Cocktails are $8 and pupus are about $6-8. What a bargain! And these aren't the cheap cocktails usually available during happy hour. I ordered a Plumeria sparkling sangria, which is Chandon sparkling, grand marnier, dekuyper amaretto, orange and pineapple juice. Jae ordered a Boston sour, made of Makers Mark bourbon, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and angostura bitters. We shared two dishes, calamari and hummus. Nothing really interesting, but both tasted great. I will try the more interesting dishes next time I go.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM7gHb11OPU/TnUxcshrkjI/AAAAAAAABBo/D8BowPeNT6E/s1600/311654_2291046312180_1129650080_32757519_8049653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM7gHb11OPU/TnUxcshrkjI/AAAAAAAABBo/D8BowPeNT6E/s640/311654_2291046312180_1129650080_32757519_8049653_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$8 happy hour Plumeria sparkling sangria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1VYplQkBsrCeoH0dS2puX_oUbc3mkDhyR3D7Hqncm4DrVR4CEDE7mmd6QDKN-5ACzXUNJZOodofGZDSZGC-wJ5zivEullC5qUYC0jnBgUac2l_f_4zAVI_FezcqGw4teMeo376Z_AsjF/s1600/297923_2291054072374_1129650080_32757542_6464715_n%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1VYplQkBsrCeoH0dS2puX_oUbc3mkDhyR3D7Hqncm4DrVR4CEDE7mmd6QDKN-5ACzXUNJZOodofGZDSZGC-wJ5zivEullC5qUYC0jnBgUac2l_f_4zAVI_FezcqGw4teMeo376Z_AsjF/s640/297923_2291054072374_1129650080_32757542_6464715_n%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$6-8 happy hour calamari and hummus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of weeks ago, Mizuki and I had dinner at Plumeria. Secluded and beachfront, this is the perfect place for a romantic evening. Unlike the hustle-and-bustle at brunch, dinner time is more relaxed, and service is much better. We came on a Wednesday night, so I'm pretty sure the other three occupied tables were all guests at the Kahala Hotel.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NeFDX20xLmg/TyOYCWyPiHI/AAAAAAAACrY/rbGjaHK1tV4/s1600/P1030524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NeFDX20xLmg/TyOYCWyPiHI/AAAAAAAACrY/rbGjaHK1tV4/s640/P1030524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZqWegLFy00/TyOXuiIr8oI/AAAAAAAACrI/TG_ybQauI48/s1600/P1030519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZqWegLFy00/TyOXuiIr8oI/AAAAAAAACrI/TG_ybQauI48/s640/P1030519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Not sure why the sky looks so purple...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOYpTl-6y4o/TyOXUsYRe9I/AAAAAAAACq4/7xPduMxeY6c/s1600/P1030515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOYpTl-6y4o/TyOXUsYRe9I/AAAAAAAACq4/7xPduMxeY6c/s640/P1030515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mizuki felt like celebrating (she can <i>always</i> find an excuse for celebration), so we started with a bottle of prosecco. I ordered the rosemary and Hawaiian salt roasted half chicken. You can't go too wrong with roast chicken and mashed potatoes, but this one was exceptionally tender and full of wonderful rosemary flavor. Mizuki had the Crab and Clam Boil ($34), of course, which came with butter poached Hawaiian white crab, king crab, clams, black mussels, sweet prawns, fesh catch fish, corn, and potatoes.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02g6sfg5Oys/TyOX6ny-yII/AAAAAAAACrQ/cAJ2_CRf2MY/s1600/P1030523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02g6sfg5Oys/TyOX6ny-yII/AAAAAAAACrQ/cAJ2_CRf2MY/s640/P1030523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato cheese soup ($10)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxhvRvS9YAU/TyOYXfazf6I/AAAAAAAACro/NA2LAxflqGs/s1600/P1030526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxhvRvS9YAU/TyOYXfazf6I/AAAAAAAACro/NA2LAxflqGs/s640/P1030526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary and Hawaiian salt roasted half chicken with mashed potatoes ($28)</td></tr>
</tbody> </table><span style="font-size: small;">We both ended our meals with a latte, which, much to my delight, came with Kahala's signature sugar stick, which releases the perfect amount of sugar into the coffee drink.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2M823J21axUawAPo8ntSa3nkitE1v_kaR1wnUT8DwshlFDP79qjeieALF2J2zoqbLPmnWvvlYDRBwTlZK8JZyXd85cxGHa9SPpI-cp2TP-lQeCs-4iMYTvkG1ZxA0-10wCPYF41mGpfC/s1600/P1030539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2M823J21axUawAPo8ntSa3nkitE1v_kaR1wnUT8DwshlFDP79qjeieALF2J2zoqbLPmnWvvlYDRBwTlZK8JZyXd85cxGHa9SPpI-cp2TP-lQeCs-4iMYTvkG1ZxA0-10wCPYF41mGpfC/s640/P1030539.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latte ($6.50)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I've been here for dessert a few times as well. They have about ten desserts, all delicious but none are very interesting. If you want more innovative desserts, go to <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/morimoto-waikiki_25.html">Morimoto</a> instead. Plumeria's dessert cocktails are great and about $12 each. My favorites are the Perfect Night (coffee, frangelico, Baileys and amaretto) and Keoki (coffee, Kahlua, brandy, and dark crème de cacao). What a perfect way to end the night.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipDXsIQ4sbU/T2KvgehGkBI/AAAAAAAAC5I/YGzXw_cGVa0/s1600/P1040630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipDXsIQ4sbU/T2KvgehGkBI/AAAAAAAAC5I/YGzXw_cGVa0/s640/P1040630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUd1meTmZLQ/T2KvnQ0HeaI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/cCjiUY_ZP90/s1600/P1040632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUd1meTmZLQ/T2KvnQ0HeaI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/cCjiUY_ZP90/s640/P1040632.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzSpIDF3fA0/TnV8NKo6c0I/AAAAAAAABFk/_FMK0d2fbOY/s1600/33495_1530293613838_1129650080_31591538_5545525_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzSpIDF3fA0/TnV8NKo6c0I/AAAAAAAABFk/_FMK0d2fbOY/s640/33495_1530293613838_1129650080_31591538_5545525_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waialua chocolate mousse cake: light, creamy mousse made from cacao grown on Oahu's north shore, $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-42835888335955927792012-01-27T20:27:00.009-10:002012-03-09T19:56:42.678-10:00JJ Dolan's<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Pizza</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Chinatown</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Scampi pie </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2lLENf8mZM/TyOS9HK5w4I/AAAAAAAACqg/2eQ1bH3ps74/s1600/P1030467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2lLENf8mZM/TyOS9HK5w4I/AAAAAAAACqg/2eQ1bH3ps74/s640/P1030467.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scampi pie and the Deli Meat Special</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I desperately need to go back to JJ Dolan's -- not just because it easily has the <b>best pizza in Hawaii</b>, but because my photos of my meal there are tragic. Fortunately, Anthony constantly craves pizza, so I don't think a return trip will be too much of a request.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYOdbaRs-hM/TyOTFvftYsI/AAAAAAAACqo/FDhuExKJl6M/s1600/P1030469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYOdbaRs-hM/TyOTFvftYsI/AAAAAAAACqo/FDhuExKJl6M/s640/P1030469.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAWGoFdzyOw/TyOTOL-xiWI/AAAAAAAACqw/mpWz3puewrU/s1600/P1030470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAWGoFdzyOw/TyOTOL-xiWI/AAAAAAAACqw/mpWz3puewrU/s640/P1030470.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We shared the Scampi Pie ($18.50), which was loaded with bay shrimp, mushrooms and scampi sauce, for $18.50. Now <i>that</i> is what a crust should taste like!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXjTQk53Drk/T1rOy8fQUsI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/g0F8R209214/s1600/P1040584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXjTQk53Drk/T1rOy8fQUsI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/g0F8R209214/s640/P1040584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meatballs, pepperoncini, Portuguese sausage, and garlic ($19)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkUlZPFa7I0/T1rO9AulGhI/AAAAAAAAC3g/Xtr3m72uYfw/s1600/P1040585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkUlZPFa7I0/T1rO9AulGhI/AAAAAAAAC3g/Xtr3m72uYfw/s640/P1040585.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-67312878376772535362012-01-27T11:19:00.004-10:002012-01-28T08:36:02.158-10:00Maile's Thai Bistro<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Thai</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Hawaii Kai</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xGl1RVfjxjxQFFwKsDrR4fiiELOxspt4S6FUX2_LLLAgtthZq-MbHbC3HdKjPRmRSMNCGvdVVtkO1pMymtl564DeNt7kXZ4P3LOWo4fInYucRGhYOCxh4q7nwVMqdTq7xLSD-YGNXh64/s1600/P1030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xGl1RVfjxjxQFFwKsDrR4fiiELOxspt4S6FUX2_LLLAgtthZq-MbHbC3HdKjPRmRSMNCGvdVVtkO1pMymtl564DeNt7kXZ4P3LOWo4fInYucRGhYOCxh4q7nwVMqdTq7xLSD-YGNXh64/s640/P1030460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why he looks so confused either...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The first time I came to Maile's was with my parents and family friend Pathana, who was treating us to dinner because her sister owns the restaurant. While my parents were initially a bit disappointed because they thought the food was a watered-down version of what they knew Pathana could cook, they couldn't help but agree that it was good Thai food that would please the typical Hawaii diner. Not everyone wants to leave in a pool of sweat after eating a meal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">A few weeks ago, Anthony and I had just finished hiking Mariner's Ridge. Well, <i>I </i>call it a hike; Anthony considers it more of a stroll. However, we both agreed that we were hungry and spent the long walk back into town discussing desserts and brainstorming where we could eat for lunch. I immediately brought up Maile's, as I hadn't eaten there since my first dinner with my family, and Thai food is always a good choice after a work out (or maybe I just made that up...).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn01EelCceKRiKsgRUnmcxLoA34jH1ITBFE5fxuAI7vYSrhzseU5fLsCD2FYwzvR_uYdMBqV4EMSFEpWPPd99UuNQy36MmXdKmbNMmL-I3-rtO1C2bYZaw5K6LDyTj0qPL6RIQdhywNLZ/s1600/P1030458_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn01EelCceKRiKsgRUnmcxLoA34jH1ITBFE5fxuAI7vYSrhzseU5fLsCD2FYwzvR_uYdMBqV4EMSFEpWPPd99UuNQy36MmXdKmbNMmL-I3-rtO1C2bYZaw5K6LDyTj0qPL6RIQdhywNLZ/s640/P1030458_2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We walked in, feeling a little under-dressed, which I <i>never</i> am. Luckily, it was lunch time, so I don't think we offended too many people. I ordered the pad thai and iced coffee; Anthony ordered the loco moco. Pad thai and loco moco... since when did our tastes become so uncultured?? Try not to judge us -- sometimes we just crave the cliché.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHaeaLms16Y/TyMLc1TOy1I/AAAAAAAACpg/_iVbLfU69V0/s1600/P1030463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHaeaLms16Y/TyMLc1TOy1I/AAAAAAAACpg/_iVbLfU69V0/s640/P1030463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pad thai ($12.90)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The pad thai was delicious and came with the ground peanuts <i>on the side</i>, while the bean sprouts and shredded carrots were nicely laid on top. This place was made for picky eaters! Anthony's loco moco was barely a loco moco, which is a good thing. Instead of a hamburger beef patty, it was served with minced pork stir-fried in a sizzling wok with sweet basil, bell peppers, and onions. In other words, the only reason it could be considered a loco moco at all is due to the rice and over easy egg.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjTOLYCjxkjLPJOHb-6HFTNBvk2vRWIfW1gR0keUc4njSdR9KIW9EPQkSpIQfgmGLDTHuDZJPSSsz_lQ1W1l2a1IX_IHISjbzrImaA3nOE4k4uZDpAmR5cuLsq3ahpOz2IePxoKtryINU/s1600/P1030462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjTOLYCjxkjLPJOHb-6HFTNBvk2vRWIfW1gR0keUc4njSdR9KIW9EPQkSpIQfgmGLDTHuDZJPSSsz_lQ1W1l2a1IX_IHISjbzrImaA3nOE4k4uZDpAmR5cuLsq3ahpOz2IePxoKtryINU/s640/P1030462.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loco moco, or "Pad Kapau" ($13.90)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Maile's may not be as traumatizingly delicious as the food Pathana serves at home, but we were completely satisfied with our lunch</span><span style="font-size: small;">. Besides, why would we want to sweat from our meal after we'd just come from a hike?</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-86044124825161404862012-01-27T10:13:00.011-10:002012-02-27T15:15:21.628-10:00Il Lupino<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERi7DI5jJ1E/TyMKh1qEQJI/AAAAAAAACo4/OvSCHq_xBac/s1600/P1030362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Italian, Happy hour</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ8ofpMDIhpCQx4hM7uXcPvxnt8SvfWwtUqq3eal449vJPI_oVD7b2V7XaxiQw1aYLdz54Q20KtZtmvA3k1aydSXWcM9w76I_QMF8zoap1cys7_iF-ibUKcx1cK8S0n521ePPRHVLF5gt/s1600/P1030365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ8ofpMDIhpCQx4hM7uXcPvxnt8SvfWwtUqq3eal449vJPI_oVD7b2V7XaxiQw1aYLdz54Q20KtZtmvA3k1aydSXWcM9w76I_QMF8zoap1cys7_iF-ibUKcx1cK8S0n521ePPRHVLF5gt/s640/P1030365.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I tend to stay away from Italian restaurants for three reasons: 1) pasta dishes are easy enough to make; 2) my standards for pizza seem to be getting lower and lower (I've obviously been away from New York for too long...), so now I can easily fulfill my pizza cravings at any American restaurant or frozen aisle section at the grocery store; and 3) I refuse to believe that we have enough Italians in Hawaii to have authentic Italian food.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVBnL408Bk4/TwehAUuwpAI/AAAAAAAACiA/m0Nft9DJOMk/s1600/P1030383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVBnL408Bk4/TwehAUuwpAI/AAAAAAAACiA/m0Nft9DJOMk/s640/P1030383.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">However, I was thrilled when Il Lupino was the selected venue for our double date with Jon and Sarah because I'd read good reviews and always pass it after work before heading home. We went for happy hour, which is available from 3:00-6:30 every day. Il Lupino is located on the ground floor of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, with an outside patio that faces the gardens between the shopping center and the hotel. When we noticed that all the happy hour items were $5, we eagerly decided to order one of everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOLaCVr2NDs/TwegWC01rZI/AAAAAAAAChA/eqQqaWyZaKE/s1600/P1030368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OOLaCVr2NDs/TwegWC01rZI/AAAAAAAAChA/eqQqaWyZaKE/s640/P1030368.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The bread was the perfect texture, just chewy enough. I had a bellini and a glass of house red later. Both were delicious. Bellinis really are the perfect drink for sitting outside during the day. We shared about 5 dishes:</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: small;">Salumeria plate: proscuitto de parma (dry-cured ham from Parma), speck (dry-cured and smoked proscuitto from Alto Adige), Molinari spicy salami, and three different cheeses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Polpettone al Pomodoro: veal, pork and beef meatball served over a bed of pomodoro sauce and parmesan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Melanzane e Zucchini Soufflé: eggplant and zucchini soufflé with parmesan and mascarpone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Trio di Bruschette: three selections of bruschetta, served with spinach</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Margherita: pizza made with vine-ripened pomodoro sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. The crust was good, but the pizza itself was just margherita; luckily Anthony knew to add toppings from our bruschetta to add some flavor to the pizza.</span></li>
</ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCnYlZdEJsDgVK0cE0EgL6hIYoDmnWbhqlaHF5WferYpTKWtToKqeKSsSVNJ7ZKirp2pU3MYGCPkmNvUiUpO59qSL_LKhTlfpnaZttV4L5npb-RIq3oQtoIwqNGG5gmkzMMHhPVO2cIg0/s1600/P1030370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCnYlZdEJsDgVK0cE0EgL6hIYoDmnWbhqlaHF5WferYpTKWtToKqeKSsSVNJ7ZKirp2pU3MYGCPkmNvUiUpO59qSL_LKhTlfpnaZttV4L5npb-RIq3oQtoIwqNGG5gmkzMMHhPVO2cIg0/s640/P1030370.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Pte6GjEMfo/TwegbEoH9II/AAAAAAAAChI/TUfFs1ksPNc/s1600/P1030369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Pte6GjEMfo/TwegbEoH9II/AAAAAAAAChI/TUfFs1ksPNc/s640/P1030369.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilNLSVW0Z9s/Twegl5lmqlI/AAAAAAAAChY/6L7Uc_7fpUw/s1600/P1030376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilNLSVW0Z9s/Twegl5lmqlI/AAAAAAAAChY/6L7Uc_7fpUw/s640/P1030376.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The red wine (just the house, I believe) was so good that three of us ordered it, some of us more multiple glasses. For dessert we shared the panna cotta. Not as good as <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/town.html">town</a>'s, which is smoother and not too rich, but panna cotta is panna cotta.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cod4Xnf4oy0/TyMIzIuXV8I/AAAAAAAACoo/EapUeTOZ8Ow/s1600/P1030382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cod4Xnf4oy0/TyMIzIuXV8I/AAAAAAAACoo/EapUeTOZ8Ow/s640/P1030382.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RaNeIaQuNyo/TyMIqwEMIaI/AAAAAAAACog/oKCQBIIDuro/s1600/P1030378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RaNeIaQuNyo/TyMIqwEMIaI/AAAAAAAACog/oKCQBIIDuro/s640/P1030378.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The </span><span style="font-size: small;">salumeria plate ended up being $25 instead of $5 (our fault for not reading the menu carefully) but was still worth it, as this dish was easily the best one and worth the twenty extra bucks. The other dishes were less memorable but all tasty. Il Lupino has been added to my list of happy hours, due to its gorgeous location in the courtyard facing one of my favorite hotels, [mostly] $5 menu of perfectly-sized Italian food items, and happy memories (in the end, isn't that really what determines a good restaurant?)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERi7DI5jJ1E/TyMKh1qEQJI/AAAAAAAACo4/OvSCHq_xBac/s1600/P1030362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERi7DI5jJ1E/TyMKh1qEQJI/AAAAAAAACo4/OvSCHq_xBac/s640/P1030362.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sangria, bellini, and a ginger martini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-85393747000560136402012-01-16T12:25:00.003-10:002012-03-13T10:16:29.305-10:00Nobu<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Modern Japanese, Drinks, Dessert</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Waikiki Parc Hotel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Dolce mascarpone, Black cod saikyo miso, Wagyu beef & foie gras gyoza, Salmon skin salad</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9uYML1d46KWImKcfWhkHRZrS7h_OL1Frv5zUDd_I_JXRJHSc5fQHaHEyULe8wRogHtDkgbAkRluPZu-wjMPgz_oHO8g73eYN-S3k0d-POvQwBJOpI3sSlm6ft2KH5SUDAyDa5HJws6WW/s1600/170639_1754739344841_1129650080_32050670_4238461_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9uYML1d46KWImKcfWhkHRZrS7h_OL1Frv5zUDd_I_JXRJHSc5fQHaHEyULe8wRogHtDkgbAkRluPZu-wjMPgz_oHO8g73eYN-S3k0d-POvQwBJOpI3sSlm6ft2KH5SUDAyDa5HJws6WW/s640/170639_1754739344841_1129650080_32050670_4238461_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5giOobXUbM/TnVHpXyBlCI/AAAAAAAABCo/GoANHLA-dQU/s1600/171105_1754743544946_1129650080_32050675_767521_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5giOobXUbM/TnVHpXyBlCI/AAAAAAAABCo/GoANHLA-dQU/s640/171105_1754743544946_1129650080_32050675_767521_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocktails are about $14, assorted sushi rolls about $7 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The first time I came to Nobu was in January. Mizuki and I sat at the bar, ordered like crazy, and had a wonderful time. Two cocktails each, a few appetizers to share, and lots and lots of sushi. If <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/morimoto-waikiki.html">Morimoto Waikiki</a> can be described as "heaven," Nobu can be described as "hell" ... not [necessarily] because Nobu is a place for sinners, but because the decor is dark and red, unlike Morimoto's bright white walls and large windows.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18BHNneFzwM/TnVIwP5mHKI/AAAAAAAABDI/u8Cz715nIJk/s1600/287858_2220174180421_1129650080_32661953_6063178_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18BHNneFzwM/TnVIwP5mHKI/AAAAAAAABDI/u8Cz715nIJk/s640/287858_2220174180421_1129650080_32661953_6063178_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wagyu Beef and Foie Gras Gyoza ($10): one of my favorites</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92P2oxO5-LA/TnVHxZrBFVI/AAAAAAAABCs/cgLoxTh6IkE/s1600/297628_2291054632388_1129650080_32757543_5042437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-92P2oxO5-LA/TnVHxZrBFVI/AAAAAAAABCs/cgLoxTh6IkE/s640/297628_2291054632388_1129650080_32757543_5042437_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy Duck Harumaki ($9)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Nobu's salmon skin salad ($17) is amazing, and very rarely do I remember salad. After stuffing ourselves silly, Mizuki and I ordered dessert, and this is when I had <i>the best dessert ever</i>. I am a dessert freak, so when I say "best," you should really be impressed. As many of you know, I don't eat fruit - unless it is in alcoholic form. Mizuki, who very considerately decided to ignore my fruit-phobia, ordered a dessert for me: <i>Dolce Mascarpone</i> (creme de mascarpone, <b>fresh passion fruit puree</b>, almond and olive oil crumble with honey caviar) paired with Dolce Wine. Foodgasm!! Thanks to her, I learned something: if there's any place that will get me to eat fruit, it will be a fancy Japanese restaurant. Figures. Everything was perfect, and the dolce wine just made it even better. Almost a year later, I still fantasize about this dish.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9XiWjek_Zo/TnVIWfrG3PI/AAAAAAAABDA/TtsQjVK415s/s1600/301635_2291040272029_1129650080_32757493_4559335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9XiWjek_Zo/TnVIWfrG3PI/AAAAAAAABDA/TtsQjVK415s/s640/301635_2291040272029_1129650080_32757493_4559335_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black cod butter lettuce cups ($8). This was one of my favorite dishes, but maybe that's just because I love all things black cod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XsQskGXJDJ5D0X3dLMBdYs0RaNZJzoZDPQtka1M9vm9b7h6so218kBNampiyz0GJWg1oAp0TcFX3syp0QggZV1GWwwKv1Q7pFwfbNIE4rSp3t5z7RbF_WoYlCAoH5ecP5nyKKeKKb9Lz/s640/134552_1754744704975_1129650080_32050677_4399505_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEST DESSERT EVER ($22): Dolce Mascarpone (creme de mascarpone, fresh passion fruit puree, almond and olive oil crumble with honey caviar) paired with <i>Dolce Wine</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next time I came to Nobu, I brought a group of people for happy hour. Bad idea. This is not like other happy hour places, at which one can share two or three dishes and a cocktail for bargain prices and feel satisfied. Three happy hour dishes at Nobu won't cut it. The four of us left hungry and feeling ripped-off.</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72-tMPvr3nA/TnVIGibe9QI/AAAAAAAABC4/6FwOepZ7BoQ/s640/299992_2291044792142_1129650080_32757512_386762_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seafood puffs ($9)... nothing special</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn29vLnnzxFOb4a_JgcRUn4G9FppLrTwylyBdRC3MHIwfZl7c3d3v2zY2LJruC_OAiCxZocVDd1w3Cj66kz_nqT1DS9s8MT2bR5H33m1fohUmtTlOUHd8cTeWjNysITw_DGyLis-uWF9pz/s640/tumblr_lr28gj2gyU1qiot6no1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy tuna with crispy rice ($10). An interesting but okay dish. The tuna wasn't very spicy, and the crispy rice just tasted like tater tots. It was a fun dish to eat though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The third time I came to Nobu, Jae and I shared four dishes, two glasses of wine, and a dessert. Although this experience was more enjoyable than the last time, I almost cried when I found out that they no longer serve my Dolce Mascarpone dessert. I had come specifically for that! I rancorously ordered the chocolate cremoso and made sure to order the happy hour size to save a few bucks. Another bad decision, because the happy hour size was insanely tiny and lacked some of the ingredients found in the regular portion.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkChoMmtAaQ/TnVID2B2kSI/AAAAAAAABC0/b0q7dmH7rHc/s1600/286237_2220184180671_1129650080_32661972_4043412_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkChoMmtAaQ/TnVID2B2kSI/AAAAAAAABC0/b0q7dmH7rHc/s640/286237_2220184180671_1129650080_32661972_4043412_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted rolls for $14</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aoMyE0pakhTHVhEixKcBwjiGH22A5epyDy9r-QluhWB9wa1HPl4y5In75jhjCjecq1h0m1EOqWVFRvDwNWLMBfcoZvgski2uT8iMv-Y10K0CKbpxoPjXPc8DsvXTrn9TnvE7wp919vqE/s1600/302945_2291037511960_1129650080_32757484_4512498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aoMyE0pakhTHVhEixKcBwjiGH22A5epyDy9r-QluhWB9wa1HPl4y5In75jhjCjecq1h0m1EOqWVFRvDwNWLMBfcoZvgski2uT8iMv-Y10K0CKbpxoPjXPc8DsvXTrn9TnvE7wp919vqE/s640/302945_2291037511960_1129650080_32757484_4512498_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate "cremoso" ($8)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The lesson to be learned is: don't come to Nobu on a budget. If you do, you'll be miserable. In other words, if your budget is less than $60 for yourself, don't bother coming here.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">...Unless, of course, you're coming just for dessert. Anthony and I were in the middle of dinner at CPK yesterday (twice in one week! That's what happens when <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/town.html">town</a> is closed for eight days) when I demanded dessert. Ideally, not at CPK. I hadn't been to Nobu in over two months, so I figured it was about time to return. It happened to be the week of APEC, so I called Nobu first to make sure the Waikiki Parc Hotel was even open to the public. Fortunately, it was. And even better - valet was still available as well (this is the real reason why I only dine at fancy restaurants in Waikiki).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aN4EUzb2Nzw/Tr7Wrqimb9I/AAAAAAAABuk/CZdKxZ1XcEU/s1600/P1020263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aN4EUzb2Nzw/Tr7Wrqimb9I/AAAAAAAABuk/CZdKxZ1XcEU/s640/P1020263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GY40G_52uc0/Tr7W7iWzs9I/AAAAAAAABu0/2v_MebqsQR8/s1600/P1020273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GY40G_52uc0/Tr7W7iWzs9I/AAAAAAAABu0/2v_MebqsQR8/s640/P1020273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We sat in the lounge and ordered the Bento Box, a Dolce wine for me, and a gin & tonic for Anthony. The Bento Box consists of a flourless chocolate cake, goma tuile, and a scoop of green tea ice cream. The chocolate cake was amazing - the epitome of a molten cake. Even Anthony, who is not a huge fan of chocolate, couldn't help but appreciate the quality of chocolate used. I will no longer be able to enjoy molten cakes anywhere else. Thanks, Nobu. We learned that goma tuile is a thin, crispy sesame wafer whose texture provided a perfect contrast to the softness of the molten cake. The ice cream was light and refreshing, with just the right amount of green tea flavor. I'll take green tea over vanilla and whipped cream any day!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3JToZMZxpEzq4U42UcYWRIU6YVMnd1JicSBQYzOL1AwsVKrqYHBW4Ok3YyIaGT9fukzZBylVghFEbp0RLfsLuP9O97XsXUgd2_QVjcdp6gQVtqGUTmqorl1MnR-gFF3nMRJtKEpcvDTl/s1600/P1020277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3JToZMZxpEzq4U42UcYWRIU6YVMnd1JicSBQYzOL1AwsVKrqYHBW4Ok3YyIaGT9fukzZBylVghFEbp0RLfsLuP9O97XsXUgd2_QVjcdp6gQVtqGUTmqorl1MnR-gFF3nMRJtKEpcvDTl/s640/P1020277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bento Box, $13</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YY8i37QBc6k/Tr7XM49MH3I/AAAAAAAABvE/N0Jq_CoT_FY/s1600/P1020278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YY8i37QBc6k/Tr7XM49MH3I/AAAAAAAABvE/N0Jq_CoT_FY/s640/P1020278.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I ordered the Dolce wine because I remembered that it had been paired with my Favorite Dessert Ever (the dolce mascarpone) back in January. The wine still tasted like honey goodness, but it definitely paired better with the mascarpone. Oh well. Some things in life will just have to remain perfect memories.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TS39YEQz94/Tr7Wzlh824I/AAAAAAAABus/5JQUGDu0pmc/s640/P1020271.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="360" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolce wine, $18</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGLxqi60_6s/Tr7XU1M-l6I/AAAAAAAABvM/-E8tmieKd68/s1600/P1020282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YGLxqi60_6s/Tr7XU1M-l6I/AAAAAAAABvM/-E8tmieKd68/s640/P1020282.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few days ago, Michael and I tried Nobu's new lunch menu, which is available until mid-January. This was my first time sitting in the actual restaurant; for some reason, I had always opted to dine in the lounge before this day. As I had been warned, the restaurant is somewhat underwhelming, especially after being accustomed to the hanging white coral and sleek glass tables at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/morimoto-waikiki.html">Morimoto</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8JuJj_84sg/TwKCw4-T0LI/AAAAAAAACcM/NQbQtoWXjBQ/s1600/P1030229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q8JuJj_84sg/TwKCw4-T0LI/AAAAAAAACcM/NQbQtoWXjBQ/s640/P1030229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I ordered the lunch bento box, which came with assorted sashimi (salmon, tuna, and hamachi), black cod saikyo miso, rock shrimp tempura, and miso soup and rice. Oh my goodness, no wonder black cod miso is Nobu's signature dish. I've had some pretty good black cod, but none have been as tasty or melt-in-your-mouth as this one. Eating Nobu's black cod is an experience almost as life-altering as eating his Dolce mascarpone. Almost. I still haven't fully recovered from the loss of that dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygb1H61R2p8/TwKETZs8JYI/AAAAAAAACdM/IfQ3PRBXC8g/s1600/P1030238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygb1H61R2p8/TwKETZs8JYI/AAAAAAAACdM/IfQ3PRBXC8g/s640/P1030238.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">lunch bento box ($30)</span><br />
</span> </td></tr>
</tbody> </table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michael ordered the squid pasta, which led our waiter to immediately warn him was that it was not a real pasta. Fine with Michael; we're at a Japanese restaurant, not Italian. I'm guessing the dish is called "squid pasta" because the squid looks like little pasta maruzelle, scooped over some rice. Michael was satisfied.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tc6sS_SWho/TwKD3laNzJI/AAAAAAAACc0/DgKU5QNq91g/s1600/P1030234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tc6sS_SWho/TwKD3laNzJI/AAAAAAAACc0/DgKU5QNq91g/s640/P1030234.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">squid pasta ($24)</span><br />
</span> </td></tr>
</tbody> </table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, the real question: has Nobu's lunch menu defeated <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/morimoto-waikiki.html">Morimoto's</a>? My lunch bento box did taste better than the lunch box I usually order at Morimoto's (although, presentation was somewhat lacking), and the service was better. However, the decor at Morimoto's can't be beat, and I should [and will gladly] return to Nobu for lunch at least once more and try something else besides the black cod before I make such an inevitably contentious claim.<br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R2_kFTcLyo/TwKEKltTtwI/AAAAAAAACdE/wePtQ7qCEwQ/s1600/P1030236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R2_kFTcLyo/TwKEKltTtwI/AAAAAAAACdE/wePtQ7qCEwQ/s640/P1030236.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-61484149056136589592012-01-11T18:19:00.001-10:002012-01-12T09:58:41.333-10:00KiMO BEAN<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Waikiki</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrqKdtWAq9c/TwfBp8tq8BI/AAAAAAAACj4/TkBJF9F8k7I/s1600/P1030345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrqKdtWAq9c/TwfBp8tq8BI/AAAAAAAACj4/TkBJF9F8k7I/s640/P1030345.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">K</span><span style="font-size: small;">iMO BEAN is another one of those fancy coffeeshop chains found throughout Waikiki, like <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2012/01/island-vintage.html">Island Vintage</a> and <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/honolulu-coffee.html">Honolulu Coffee</a>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I've noticed that the best coffee in Hawaii can usually be found in touristy areas because only tourists seem to be willing to spend $4 for high quality Kona coffee. I'd like to think it's because locals just make similarly good coffee at home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCmYA1oL8ss/TwfAfVw9WvI/AAAAAAAACjI/yQ__nrNj9vQ/s1600/P1030334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCmYA1oL8ss/TwfAfVw9WvI/AAAAAAAACjI/yQ__nrNj9vQ/s640/P1030334.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The first time I came to KiMO BEAN, Alec and I lucked out and found the last open table. The coffeeshop was packed, as usual, which is why I had avoided KiMO BEAN until that day. The interior is bright yellow and, unlike Honolulu Coffee and Island Vintage, doesn't go all out on a Hawaiian theme. Instead, the decor is very minimalist, which is a nice change.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0EXqwPY6I4/TwfA9qsrolI/AAAAAAAACjg/1FRjUKXGA9s/s1600/P1030342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0EXqwPY6I4/TwfA9qsrolI/AAAAAAAACjg/1FRjUKXGA9s/s640/P1030342.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The most recent time I came was right before work, and I had about half an hour to start the book about North Korea that my dad gave me for Christmas (how typical). I ordered a mocha freeze and sat outside. Drinking coffee outside on a busy street is one of my favorite pasttimes, much like hotel hopping and lounging on the beach at night. The mocha was strong, which was exciting, since I've been accustomed to watered-down sugary frappuccino drinks from Starbucks for the past few months. I may not have gotten through the first chapter of my North Korea book, but I was finally awake and energized for a long day at work. </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-77687564913092107482012-01-11T18:03:00.001-10:002012-01-11T18:04:00.794-10:00Kozo Sushi<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Cheap sushi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kapahulu, Kahala, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8k37GFVscqU/Twe-QLt5jQI/AAAAAAAACiY/XWmxn5Drfuk/s1600/P1030321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8k37GFVscqU/Twe-QLt5jQI/AAAAAAAACiY/XWmxn5Drfuk/s640/P1030321.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15-piece lunch box ($6)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Why go to McDonald's when you can have sushi? Kozo Sushi is basically a fast food chain - it's fast, it's everywhere, and it's cheap. The sushi isn't very good quality, but why would one expect it to be when Nobu and Kin Chan charge over three times as much?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wq0mooi38PqlGA3phcOP9Vf3yZM_v99I5bf63q_K-ydZRTNwmyHxiA-PlYTSz_LbYLN63H0z0eV7ZjYWZpWsLn_jdFlARgZq4nYeRtl3qZYG5M__o44MfAtpSrON8v4iPPrEPYKse2ZP/s1600/P1030326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wq0mooi38PqlGA3phcOP9Vf3yZM_v99I5bf63q_K-ydZRTNwmyHxiA-PlYTSz_LbYLN63H0z0eV7ZjYWZpWsLn_jdFlARgZq4nYeRtl3qZYG5M__o44MfAtpSrON8v4iPPrEPYKse2ZP/s640/P1030326.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anthony and I went to the Kozo on Kapahulu and spent a total of $11 for a 15-piece lunch box, 2 orders of nigiri, and a hand roll. Beat that! One thing I've learned after years of various qualities of sushi is that you can't go wrong with hand rolls at cheap sushi places. My spicy ahi hand roll was definitely the best one that day, filled with lots of flavor.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2hDvEp-Lw8/Twe9zogghEI/AAAAAAAACiI/WOhDPTsADgA/s1600/P1030316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2hDvEp-Lw8/Twe9zogghEI/AAAAAAAACiI/WOhDPTsADgA/s640/P1030316.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-69791784762129814882012-01-11T17:46:00.002-10:002012-01-16T09:41:51.687-10:00Kirin<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Dim Sum</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: University</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Baked char siu bun, Beef look fun roll</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upjUv7SO5Dw/TwLRpyaNN9I/AAAAAAAACeo/bJ_7YcIgWag/s1600/P1030209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upjUv7SO5Dw/TwLRpyaNN9I/AAAAAAAACeo/bJ_7YcIgWag/s640/P1030209.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Kirin has always been one of my favorite dim sum restaurants. Why it's named after a mediocre Japanese beer still confuses me, but-- trust me -- the food here is much better than its name suggests.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDPZzHE03EI/TwLQdXXXtrI/AAAAAAAACdw/50iYlPAHT_A/s1600/P1030198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDPZzHE03EI/TwLQdXXXtrI/AAAAAAAACdw/50iYlPAHT_A/s640/P1030198.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otQDJa6LKhc/TwLQTRYeiII/AAAAAAAACdo/BsV3oBANe7w/s1600/P1030197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otQDJa6LKhc/TwLQTRYeiII/AAAAAAAACdo/BsV3oBANe7w/s640/P1030197.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The restaurant is a comfortable size, with a few rooms that can be shut for private parties, </span><span style="font-size: small;">and lots of intricately-carved Chinese doors. Unlike my other favorite dim sum restaurant, Jade, which is definitely going for a sleeker, more modern feel, Kirin is traditional, from its dishes to its chairs. That's probably why I need both restaurants in my life.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFvRkr2uJfk/TwLQHtJ9ylI/AAAAAAAACdg/kayXKD62E_Q/s1600/P1030195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFvRkr2uJfk/TwLQHtJ9ylI/AAAAAAAACdg/kayXKD62E_Q/s640/P1030195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I don't know what else to say about a near-flawless dim sum experience every time, so I'll let the pictures do the talking:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DEhlAVoRLHw/TwLRHSYsymI/AAAAAAAACeQ/3IM5nufZ5aQ/s1600/P1030202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DEhlAVoRLHw/TwLRHSYsymI/AAAAAAAACeQ/3IM5nufZ5aQ/s640/P1030202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siu mai and har gow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCTbhurjNzE/TwLRcc15sgI/AAAAAAAACeg/E2RNX2r2yEA/s1600/P1030204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCTbhurjNzE/TwLRcc15sgI/AAAAAAAACeg/E2RNX2r2yEA/s640/P1030204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed beef won tons</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWmRAP1Hp9A/TwLQ7uxOyKI/AAAAAAAACeI/FMhgSztpV1U/s1600/P1030201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWmRAP1Hp9A/TwLQ7uxOyKI/AAAAAAAACeI/FMhgSztpV1U/s640/P1030201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore rice noodle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upjUv7SO5Dw/TwLRpyaNN9I/AAAAAAAACeo/bJ_7YcIgWag/s1600/P1030209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfd2vNB50M/TwLR1c93L_I/AAAAAAAACew/ebTTKEesnzY/s1600/P1030213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEfd2vNB50M/TwLR1c93L_I/AAAAAAAACew/ebTTKEesnzY/s640/P1030213.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMlZr8NBt3I/TwLR-g3ZweI/AAAAAAAACe4/js9lBnwcpmM/s1600/P1030214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMlZr8NBt3I/TwLR-g3ZweI/AAAAAAAACe4/js9lBnwcpmM/s640/P1030214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked char siu buns with a flaky egg custard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVIe9-xH-Z8/TwLSwrrgzAI/AAAAAAAACfg/8hz0uJN50gQ/s1600/P1030219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVIe9-xH-Z8/TwLSwrrgzAI/AAAAAAAACfg/8hz0uJN50gQ/s640/P1030219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdzHjhwRy34/TwLTH-wPIUI/AAAAAAAACfw/sdBXe6FOYXY/s1600/P1030223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdzHjhwRy34/TwLTH-wPIUI/AAAAAAAACfw/sdBXe6FOYXY/s640/P1030223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef look fun roll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-2570550957723549202012-01-11T17:19:00.001-10:002012-01-11T17:19:57.271-10:00Brasserie du Vin<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: French </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Chinatown</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0sy6qG4_4/Tv2VRug2A3I/AAAAAAAACZk/tcwlG9lQWZk/s1600/P1030140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0sy6qG4_4/Tv2VRug2A3I/AAAAAAAACZk/tcwlG9lQWZk/s640/P1030140.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moules Frites ($9<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The first time I came to Brasserie du Vin was a few years ago for lunch on a Saturday with Lauren, Vania, and Kate. It was a magical experience. I had discovered the restaurant a few weeks before and decided that it was the perfect location for our girls' lunch out.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfEwpA2CceY/Ts9wXzA8III/AAAAAAAAB_Y/9w2259O1UfA/s1600/n1129650080_30560305_1714384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfEwpA2CceY/Ts9wXzA8III/AAAAAAAAB_Y/9w2259O1UfA/s640/n1129650080_30560305_1714384.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for her food</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">We were led through the dark interior to the bright open courtyard that transported us to the countryside, filled with soft colors and hanging plants. Since it was the weekend, we had the courtyard all to ourselves. I ordered the gorgonzola and prosciutto crostini, which is still one of my favorite dishes here.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXdG9LMBc_s/TnWIly4jdTI/AAAAAAAABGE/QRrr-h5FvYM/s1600/n1129650080_30560314_1862388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXdG9LMBc_s/TnWIly4jdTI/AAAAAAAABGE/QRrr-h5FvYM/s640/n1129650080_30560314_1862388.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a romantic table for lovers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">After that experience, I was eager to return. I've been here at least four more times, some better than others. Most of the times have been dinner during First Fridays, which is always a hectic time to come. I usually order the flatiron steak, which is grilled and cut into thin slices and roasted with garlic and a port wine demi-glace, and served with fresh greens and pommes frites.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDeDhmlwhCwwBEC2SZwbkG4tYrQEgjrthIwWJcDUzCQTPKHnl3UXXrOeABk6gGhgHYr7uI6fLbprpAEOENfh8BcEMtt2nrFThBe6h_zeePd6UULol-S_xuhOcTFjVFz7ltuUSV9lD0Nke/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDeDhmlwhCwwBEC2SZwbkG4tYrQEgjrthIwWJcDUzCQTPKHnl3UXXrOeABk6gGhgHYr7uI6fLbprpAEOENfh8BcEMtt2nrFThBe6h_zeePd6UULol-S_xuhOcTFjVFz7ltuUSV9lD0Nke/s640/IMG_4274.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRKZEw4IcZ0/TpIyaVr4rcI/AAAAAAAABTQ/VdLC8SxFK0Y/s1600/IMG_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRKZEw4IcZ0/TpIyaVr4rcI/AAAAAAAABTQ/VdLC8SxFK0Y/s640/IMG_4276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">french onion soup</td></tr>
</tbody> </table><span style="font-size: small;">My most recent time was a couple of weeks ago with Anthony. We had lucked out and arrived during their happy hour, so I ordered the Moules Frites (steamed live Penn Cove mussels, white wine, garlic and herbs, topped with pommes frites) for only $9, and the house red. Anthony had the grilled island fish, served with preserved lemon-dill creme, haricots verts and yellow wax beans, drizzled with a white balsamic vinaigrette, for only $9.50, and the house whtie. For dessert, we shared the carrot cake because I didn't want to wait 20 minutes for the chocolate soufflé. I'm so glad we made that decision because it may have been the best carrot cake either of us has had. The frosting was a generous portion of cream cheese, and the edges were covered with orange-colored shavings of something that we still can't make out but loved anyway.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qBOCts82vI/Tv2U_jjoBRI/AAAAAAAACZU/9G5CFKYz9Y8/s1600/P1030138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qBOCts82vI/Tv2U_jjoBRI/AAAAAAAACZU/9G5CFKYz9Y8/s640/P1030138.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled island fish, served with preserved lemon-dill creme, haricots verts and yellow wax beans, drizzled with a white balsamic vinaigrette ($9.50)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqwdg1BFAhw/Tv2Way3tSMI/AAAAAAAACac/l5P1HQqUgvg/s1600/P1030152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqwdg1BFAhw/Tv2Way3tSMI/AAAAAAAACac/l5P1HQqUgvg/s640/P1030152.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best carrot cake I've ever had</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I have still never been to France (and still have no desire to go), so I don't claim to be an expert on its cuisine. However, everything I've had here is delicious, and Du Vin must be one of the best deals for French food you can get in Hawaii. Sure, you can spend a fortune at La Mer and Michel's, or you can get a satisfying, straightforward meal here. Happy hour and weekend lunches are definitely my favorite times to come because you can experience Du Vin at its best, by taking full advantage of its adorable courtyard and comforting French food.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-9595971529572041312012-01-10T14:55:00.005-10:002012-01-10T14:57:00.056-10:00Island Vintage<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Waikiki, Ala Moana</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Kona drip, Lava chocolate </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnIWsZ2k3AA_pn3TfssEkhHVRr8QgjhfOpMZ02WIixb4g97mt924cJdhIKt58-66icacI2XAx4OOgggFJJLGoAIM9t-m31tqpZ2FLKTWcTWJbHv5oYZZNHJwSEIeVnug-D57auDuSSmEa/s1600/P1030178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnIWsZ2k3AA_pn3TfssEkhHVRr8QgjhfOpMZ02WIixb4g97mt924cJdhIKt58-66icacI2XAx4OOgggFJJLGoAIM9t-m31tqpZ2FLKTWcTWJbHv5oYZZNHJwSEIeVnug-D57auDuSSmEa/s640/P1030178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Living in Portland for four years has spoiled me, thanks to First Cup, Albina Press, Ristretto Roasters, Barista, and, of course, Stumptown - the five coffeeshops that got me through senior thesis. I didn't always like coffee. Although I had been raised by parents dependent upon it, I remained merely an avid appreciator of the smell and sound, but not the taste, of all things coffee. I always knew to wake up when my mom turned on the coffee grinder, and I still look forward to nights during which my dad brings out the espresso machine from the dining room cabinet. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmfXTQ7ijeE/TvUAPRUVAlI/AAAAAAAACSA/7OEJE-HLIiU/s1600/P1020936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmfXTQ7ijeE/TvUAPRUVAlI/AAAAAAAACSA/7OEJE-HLIiU/s640/P1020936.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It wasn't until my junior year at Reed that I started to like the taste of coffee. Actually, I didn't just like it, I <i>needed</i> it. My walk across campus to the library was incomplete without first stopping by the student-run campus coffeeshop, the Paradox, to pick up an 8-oz drip, and even my weekend excursions into town always included a trip to one of the many coffeeshops around Portland.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaq-QM4GC8T5K46K0cGCdzM-1UHm8zcevccSbbywvzKG6Esn6GWVVoVdmD6-mPRj_w9-45S9epSz4ofllCO60SwkQGNEfI1dyEqQckmO14yvjfrMT4eEFAdhaMg0me7hliAGcyMtpiHHy/s1600/P1030180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaq-QM4GC8T5K46K0cGCdzM-1UHm8zcevccSbbywvzKG6Esn6GWVVoVdmD6-mPRj_w9-45S9epSz4ofllCO60SwkQGNEfI1dyEqQckmO14yvjfrMT4eEFAdhaMg0me7hliAGcyMtpiHHy/s640/P1030180.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbX4JItRuUE/TvUBOFhPvCI/AAAAAAAACS4/dfBaEWgcxt8/s1600/P1020946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbX4JItRuUE/TvUBOFhPvCI/AAAAAAAACS4/dfBaEWgcxt8/s640/P1020946.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Of course, real coffee aficionados, e.g. my dad, will claim that I don't really like <i>coffee</i>, since I always add cream and sugar. It's a legitimate criticism, just like I judge those who eat milk chocolate. However, this was before I tried the coffee at Island Vintage.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rEBiXtW3WU/TvT_X25kkkI/AAAAAAAACRQ/RxI-swMm_Yw/s1600/P1020930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rEBiXtW3WU/TvT_X25kkkI/AAAAAAAACRQ/RxI-swMm_Yw/s640/P1020930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can bring home a bag of Kona coffee. Or honey. Or sugar. Or jam. Or tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I had been to Island Vintage many times, but I usually indulged in a lava chocolate drink or some other gluttonous iced beverage. Then, one day, I joined my parents for a snack at the Island Vintage in Ala Moana. My dad convinced me to order a plain 100% Kona coffee instead of my usual. So far, it was the best coffee I've ever had. Why did it take me this long to understand why people love Kona coffee?? No wonder Long's charges fifteen bucks for this stuff. The coffee was smooth and rich; cream and sugar would have tainted it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92nmKT54sl8/TvT_-jDiryI/AAAAAAAACRw/zBrpCXPHkno/s1600/P1020934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92nmKT54sl8/TvT_-jDiryI/AAAAAAAACRw/zBrpCXPHkno/s640/P1020934.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Island Vintage in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is my favorite one to go to, especially since I now work nearby. They have a small assortment of baked goods - try their chocolate croissants, but go to <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/honolulu-coffee.html">Honolulu Coffee</a> for a more interesting selection of pastries (including macarons!!!).</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-75057791816180185092011-12-29T10:27:00.002-10:002011-12-29T10:34:33.830-10:00Morimoto Waikiki<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Modern Japanese, Dessert, A peaceful meal in Waikiki </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: The Modern Honolulu</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Black cod, Tofu cheesecake, Traditional breakfast </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl0WJzijLSw/TnVBUxzYYSI/AAAAAAAABCQ/HxcLnrxG0Ww/s1600/296509_2275983335615_1129650080_32740033_7371382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl0WJzijLSw/TnVBUxzYYSI/AAAAAAAABCQ/HxcLnrxG0Ww/s640/296509_2275983335615_1129650080_32740033_7371382_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most beautiful restaurant in Honolulu?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Breakfast, lunch, and dessert have now been taken care of - dinner is the only meal left to try. Morimoto is, hands down, my favorite lunch place in Hawaii. Ironically, lunch time is when my expert friends advise me <i>not</i> to go, probably because the menu is much more limited and the lunch crowd is somewhat boring compared to the lively dinner crowd. However, I happen to enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful restaurant -- perhaps the most beautiful restaurant in Hawaii? -- and continue to bring out-of-town guests here for a $40 lunch that's worth every penny.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RWzAQ14KC4/Ts1C-O7FeBI/AAAAAAAAB2I/pYYuI1D7WYQ/s1600/306252_2279653627370_1129650080_32744644_2584842_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RWzAQ14KC4/Ts1C-O7FeBI/AAAAAAAAB2I/pYYuI1D7WYQ/s640/306252_2279653627370_1129650080_32744644_2584842_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For those of you who do not watch the Food Network obsessively, this restaurant is owned by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Ah yes, that explains why the dishes are (relatively) innovative and absolutely delicious. People have their own opinions about this whole celebrity chef phase which America seems to be going through, but I happen to approve, despite Anthony Bourdain's deep criticisms of it. Come on, people, it means <i>more restaurants, more cooking shows, more food</i>, which are always good things! By the way, I think Mario Batali should open a restaurant in Hawaii too. Please?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o9Jz9olyJ0/TnVB5AwkX-I/AAAAAAAABCY/VMNPqiSrUCk/s1600/P1090971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o9Jz9olyJ0/TnVB5AwkX-I/AAAAAAAABCY/VMNPqiSrUCk/s640/P1090971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">During lunch, I always order the </span></span>iced tea. In my pre-Morimoto life, I was never a fan of iced tea. I thought it was a disgrace to Chinese oolong and Indian chai. However, I reluctantly copied Michelle's order of iced tea when I first dined at Morimoto and now can't digest a lunch set without it. Must be the fancy pitcher and the addition of the perfect amount of agave syrup. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDqlCaKJuck/TnVBd_zTMeI/AAAAAAAABCU/66wZrB3MOqw/s1600/tumblr_lqgfexq0Rs1qiot6n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDqlCaKJuck/TnVBd_zTMeI/AAAAAAAABCU/66wZrB3MOqw/s640/tumblr_lqgfexq0Rs1qiot6n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iced tea: $7</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">The lunch sets are the best deal. For a mere $22, each lunch set comes with miso soup, 3 pieces of maki sushi, 2 pieces of nigiri sushi, and salad. So far, the black cod is my favorite. Braised black cod in ginger-soy reduction, pickled bell peppers, and budo mame - all laid on top of congee (rice soup). I get hungry just thinking about this. The angry chicken and pork belly are also good.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRTnRIMS0pg/TnVCR730-3I/AAAAAAAABCc/GVerYQ1Pgi8/s1600/tumblr_lqeqjdYHik1qiot6no2_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRTnRIMS0pg/TnVCR730-3I/AAAAAAAABCc/GVerYQ1Pgi8/s640/tumblr_lqeqjdYHik1qiot6no2_500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black cod lunch set: $22</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sHaylF6jmY/Ts1DI35gCfI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/LdsElEMyhj4/s1600/P1020379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sHaylF6jmY/Ts1DI35gCfI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/LdsElEMyhj4/s640/P1020379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork belly lunch set: $22</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd54NcoHg-E/Ts1DQ5gOVrI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/H12VJmYEis0/s1600/P1020383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd54NcoHg-E/Ts1DQ5gOVrI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/H12VJmYEis0/s640/P1020383.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I always end lunch with dessert, of course. For my birthday, a group of us came to Morimoto for dessert on Friday night. The atmosphere is completely different, and it's easy to see why this place is considered one of the hot spots in Hawaii. The six of us were taken through the vibrant dining room and seated at a large circular table. The dessert menu during dinnertime is slightly larger, but we ended up ordering two orders of three dishes because apparently we were all in a chocolate mood that day. Quite fitting, considering it was my birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrWuj2E0hGE/TnVChhcV3xI/AAAAAAAABCk/hqSlsc6QZ8E/s1600/307310_2276001736075_1129650080_32740073_1804474_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrWuj2E0hGE/TnVChhcV3xI/AAAAAAAABCk/hqSlsc6QZ8E/s640/307310_2276001736075_1129650080_32740073_1804474_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My friend who happened to be working that night served us an adorable pink bottle of sake. Best sake I've had - she knows me too well! As for desserts, the tofu cheesecake is still my favorite. It sounds kind of disgusting, but, in fact, tofu cheesecake just tastes light and airy, and is served with molasses ice cream, kuromitsu (Japanese black honey), kinako (roasted soybean powder), and adzuki (azuki bean). The flavors and textures work together marvelously.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IvkST0P-KU/Ts1DYWCJOZI/AAAAAAAAB2g/e6XUlH65UEg/s1600/P1020384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IvkST0P-KU/Ts1DYWCJOZI/AAAAAAAAB2g/e6XUlH65UEg/s640/P1020384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG90JQrQ2aPLF8vB6Xu20mWFd3uttNUaXprhaluZgF6xpVeg46m78J60Sig8Vsr1_OSEpfMcr748WX3R4SkEmXmPr-bO70TiX2YO9Yp7_nd2dmUx0dbAVUOGCHHj-bN-wgqsLg2qlnmxIE/s1600/tumblr_lqf09z2BCG1qiot6no1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG90JQrQ2aPLF8vB6Xu20mWFd3uttNUaXprhaluZgF6xpVeg46m78J60Sig8Vsr1_OSEpfMcr748WX3R4SkEmXmPr-bO70TiX2YO9Yp7_nd2dmUx0dbAVUOGCHHj-bN-wgqsLg2qlnmxIE/s640/tumblr_lqf09z2BCG1qiot6no1_500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tofu cheesecake: $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZZ9ovgQjDY/Ts1C9Al69yI/AAAAAAAAB2A/j3WfFdnU8tY/s1600/316185_2279649987279_1129650080_32744632_7140104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZZ9ovgQjDY/Ts1C9Al69yI/AAAAAAAAB2A/j3WfFdnU8tY/s640/316185_2279649987279_1129650080_32744632_7140104_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut butter fondant: $12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">A few days ago, I finally tried Morimoto for breakfast, and it's now my favorite time to come. Chloe and I were seated outside (my first time outside!) and ordered the yose dofu and traditional breakfast. The yose dofu (house made warm tofu) comes with grilled miso cod, kim chee sauce, dashi broth, pickled vegetables, and onsen tamago. You spoon the desired amount of kim chee sauce and dashi broth onto the large pot of tofu.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-xAjsUzrSI/Tvy_kC3W7gI/AAAAAAAACYw/rSMfF14KdDs/s1600/P1030087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-xAjsUzrSI/Tvy_kC3W7gI/AAAAAAAACYw/rSMfF14KdDs/s640/P1030087.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The traditional breakfast comes with grilled miso cod, sashimi, miso soup, pickled vegetables, onsen tamago, rice, and tsukemono. Delicious! I was glad to see that both dishes came with the miso cod; Morimoto knows what people like.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6SHQ8rgJJE/Tvy-umrEcPI/AAAAAAAACYA/9hPMSQme_gU/s1600/P1030080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6SHQ8rgJJE/Tvy-umrEcPI/AAAAAAAACYA/9hPMSQme_gU/s640/P1030080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yose dofu ($29)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3IjDEr4ox4/Tvy_AFOZj_I/AAAAAAAACYQ/a3WBSvy8WEQ/s1600/P1030083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3IjDEr4ox4/Tvy_AFOZj_I/AAAAAAAACYQ/a3WBSvy8WEQ/s640/P1030083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional breakfast ($30)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I'll be dragging someone to breakfast with me again soon because I kind of want to try his ume shiso mary. I've never been a fan of bloody marys, but this one, made with muddled shiso and ume, and served with a wasabi-salt rim (wasabi-salt!! omg), sounds absolutley tantalizing.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSqO80LPGCQ/Tvy-40YrWYI/AAAAAAAACYI/t0Wq3sLg4lw/s1600/P1030081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSqO80LPGCQ/Tvy-40YrWYI/AAAAAAAACYI/t0Wq3sLg4lw/s640/P1030081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-44318866987270587552011-12-29T09:07:00.004-10:002011-12-29T10:29:13.751-10:00Little Saigon<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Vietnamese</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kaneohe</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s_i8A2BYyU/Tvtm-2XUemI/AAAAAAAACXQ/IrlUZQ4M15c/s1600/P1030078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s_i8A2BYyU/Tvtm-2XUemI/AAAAAAAACXQ/IrlUZQ4M15c/s640/P1030078.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I go to Kaneohe for two things: to visit my friend Lauren, and to go the cemetery with my family. When I'm there for the latter, we usually end up having dim sum at Joyful Garden, a decent Chinese restaurant in one of the many strip malls in the neighborhood. Joyful Garden can't compare to <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/10/jade-dynasty_09.html">Jade</a> or Kirin, but it's the best on that side of the island, and I'm always down for dim sum after staring at graves.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrbNdpWlX6k/Tvtm1bXyelI/AAAAAAAACXI/MrY_5ljqxis/s1600/P1030077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrbNdpWlX6k/Tvtm1bXyelI/AAAAAAAACXI/MrY_5ljqxis/s640/P1030077.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Last weekend we had planned to do another round of dim sum after visiting my grandparents, but - what the hell - Joyful Garden was closed! What kind of Chinese restaurant is this?? Another family parking their car saw our distraught faces and explained that someone had committed arson at the restaurant. Poor Joyful Garden! I'm sorry I called you "decent" earlier!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIK34U1CODE/TvtkgpwOUVI/AAAAAAAACVQ/YFBQnlo_VMI/s1600/P1030054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIK34U1CODE/TvtkgpwOUVI/AAAAAAAACVQ/YFBQnlo_VMI/s640/P1030054.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_GNXxV-5G4/TvtkAAnDu3I/AAAAAAAACU4/hnFi1XUnrI0/s1600/P1030050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_GNXxV-5G4/TvtkAAnDu3I/AAAAAAAACU4/hnFi1XUnrI0/s640/P1030050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all that sriracha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">While I pondered why someone would torch a restaurant, my famished parents quickly led the way to the next door restaurant called Little Saigon. Fortunately, I can easily prepare my stomach for spring rolls and pho.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih3T_eLjYUA/Tvtlj0w-oxI/AAAAAAAACWI/uF2Gg15C4IA/s1600/P1030064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ih3T_eLjYUA/Tvtlj0w-oxI/AAAAAAAACWI/uF2Gg15C4IA/s640/P1030064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring rolls ($3.75)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlREf0BMe7A/TvtmM2KlMCI/AAAAAAAACWo/rflryW7MIlM/s1600/P1030069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlREf0BMe7A/TvtmM2KlMCI/AAAAAAAACWo/rflryW7MIlM/s640/P1030069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green papaya salad ($6.75): freshly shredded green papaya, boiled pork, shrimps, mint</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">We shared spring rolls, and I ordered a banh xeo. Both were pretty good; I've had much better at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/10/super-pho.html">Super Pho</a>, and I think the rest of my party agreed, with their own dishes. The best dish was my mother's (why does she always order the best thing?): a lemon beef salad, which consists of eye round steak slices cooked medium-rare, onion flakes, and shredded white cabbage, tossed in lemon savory salad dressing. It was refreshing and exactly how a salad <i>should</i> taste (meaty!).</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDtv51DdgV4/Tvtk07DrOfI/AAAAAAAACVg/GcatzMVlrE0/s1600/P1030057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDtv51DdgV4/Tvtk07DrOfI/AAAAAAAACVg/GcatzMVlrE0/s640/P1030057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon beef salad ($7.50)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_juaYO_tbE/TvtmYLW1IhI/AAAAAAAACWw/ChD0pSWNKPg/s1600/P1030070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_juaYO_tbE/TvtmYLW1IhI/AAAAAAAACWw/ChD0pSWNKPg/s640/P1030070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh xeo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The prices were cheap, as Vietnamese food always is since it hasn't become ultra hip yet like Thai and Japanese food. Fine with me.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpScSeolidA/Tvtj0-kUQPI/AAAAAAAACUw/GvAjAZtKut8/s1600/P1030049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYD-OeCgfXM/TvtmiSbPfSI/AAAAAAAACW4/qyTE2DzySTM/s1600/P1030073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYD-OeCgfXM/TvtmiSbPfSI/AAAAAAAACW4/qyTE2DzySTM/s640/P1030073.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpScSeolidA/Tvtj0-kUQPI/AAAAAAAACUw/GvAjAZtKut8/s1600/P1030049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-68901973640531877722011-12-18T15:40:00.005-10:002011-12-20T03:05:17.748-10:00The Counter<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Burgers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kahala</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_9DaGRtSXaoTYLUbDyOFldVuL44nfjf63ywUpgQI0NxThLEqccxzSEGyhudxu69TBkE3Vos1Dthu22TmGBVsitfASr361A0EMkItjV2ms1CumpcpsOcI_KZouVZTSZrs8dL5LYHuDWzw/s1600/P1020900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_9DaGRtSXaoTYLUbDyOFldVuL44nfjf63ywUpgQI0NxThLEqccxzSEGyhudxu69TBkE3Vos1Dthu22TmGBVsitfASr361A0EMkItjV2ms1CumpcpsOcI_KZouVZTSZrs8dL5LYHuDWzw/s640/P1020900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/3-lb burger with sauteéd mushrooms ($10.50)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">I get the same thing every time I come to the Counter: a 1/3-lb beef burger on a multigrain bun, with gruyére, grilled onions and sauteéd mushrooms. I think the only ingredient I've altered is the type of sauce, which is selected from a list of almost 30 different sauces by filling in the bubble (my favorite type of multiple choice test!) on one of the disposable paper menus attached to a clipboard.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQVYl1Vlp0/Tu5_-uFP2nI/AAAAAAAACOM/9dGuTbn1Sz4/s1600/P1020890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQVYl1Vlp0/Tu5_-uFP2nI/AAAAAAAACOM/9dGuTbn1Sz4/s640/P1020890.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">These types of endless, excessive options are somewhat wasted on people like me but are exactly what [supposedly] make America so great. Lettuce blend or organic mixed greens? Roasted green chilis or roasted red peppers? We are very particular because we <i>can</i> be. Choice makes humans happy...right?</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGEobnRx4mo/Tu6AfhseDNI/AAAAAAAACOk/ygoohFi2iiY/s1600/P1020894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGEobnRx4mo/Tu6AfhseDNI/AAAAAAAACOk/ygoohFi2iiY/s640/P1020894.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Last night Anthony and I had dinner at the Counter because I had a "buy one get one free" coupon (crazy, right?) which had been mailed to my father a few days that I knew would go to waste if I didn't use it. I tried the chipotle aioli sauce with my gruyére-onion-mushroom burger. Absolutely delicious - although, I suppose that's not difficult to do with those ingredients. Anthony and I shared some fries, which were nice and thin, but I really miss Kua'aina's old french fries, which were crispy and sprinkled with parsley.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWs1PulZAtU/Tu6BTB5WbhI/AAAAAAAACPM/aGYXC9Xsiu8/s1600/P1020905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWs1PulZAtU/Tu6BTB5WbhI/AAAAAAAACPM/aGYXC9Xsiu8/s640/P1020905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's what I call medium rare</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiamSIcs1S0/Tu6AqjSkHTI/AAAAAAAACOs/XKh9gpxPDOE/s1600/P1020895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CiamSIcs1S0/Tu6AqjSkHTI/AAAAAAAACOs/XKh9gpxPDOE/s640/P1020895.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a legit old fashioned</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Anthony's a snob about old fashioneds, so we were relieved when his cocktail came with all the proper components. Good job, Counter, you have now joined the ranks of <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/lobby-bar.html">Lobby Bar</a> and Ruby Tuesday's. Apparently Anthony was in a Greek mood because he ordered his 2/3-lb burger with feta cheese and tzatziki sauce. I suppose this is a legitimate reason for having too many options - we can now cater to our every cultural craving at any moment. We both left stuffed and brought home almost half of our meal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPtkRefqICY/Tu6A9iH97qI/AAAAAAAACO8/JTZsbjc3uaA/s1600/P1020901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPtkRefqICY/Tu6A9iH97qI/AAAAAAAACO8/JTZsbjc3uaA/s640/P1020901.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The following day, I pan fried my leftover burger and fries on low heat without oil and chopped some parsley for the fries. The bun now had a nice crisp to it, the cheese was even more melted, and the fries were properly seasoned. I've always been a fan of bringing home leftovers because 1) I hardly ever finish my meal in its entirety, and 2) I feel like a saint - it's like recycling, but tastier! But who knew leftovers could surpass the original?</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqszrGovZ1xzob5c13MwPHM0CaVSxVopbfCR-dOPpje0cAYC_aghPwVWfW_NOZduC6SpP2DanUar6vncrBxQ9MgtSBUMSXiV4mS1CiM9ngPjpOtmaXNPDOT4zkYAZqy6HLjlYU_QgUUR-/s1600/P1020899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqszrGovZ1xzob5c13MwPHM0CaVSxVopbfCR-dOPpje0cAYC_aghPwVWfW_NOZduC6SpP2DanUar6vncrBxQ9MgtSBUMSXiV4mS1CiM9ngPjpOtmaXNPDOT4zkYAZqy6HLjlYU_QgUUR-/s640/P1020899.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my kahala plantation tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-8389468915365861572011-12-18T13:47:00.004-10:002011-12-19T09:49:01.514-10:00Mac 24-7<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Late-nite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Hilton Waikiki Beach</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF-0HPEaUuyJfu9ALOkI5lajVKg-5r9GrgrbVhIHBCJtM91qpDS4c-0tO3ixjG8EaEbrBk3F_nE_1Yo2nn2tTPiLDb5BVn8fDQnybnNGGkE4I7-YUvxqFAQWR-0rf09fGaINp_XUgknuF/s1600/P1020798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF-0HPEaUuyJfu9ALOkI5lajVKg-5r9GrgrbVhIHBCJtM91qpDS4c-0tO3ixjG8EaEbrBk3F_nE_1Yo2nn2tTPiLDb5BVn8fDQnybnNGGkE4I7-YUvxqFAQWR-0rf09fGaINp_XUgknuF/s640/P1020798.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Why oh why did it take me so long to try Mac 24-7? I blame the unappealing name. And perhaps the fact that it's located on Kuhio, a street I tend to avoid particularly when I need a place exactly like Mac 24-7, i.e., to sober up. However, if I had known that Mac 24-7 was located in a decent hotel, had purple walls, and was more than just abhorrent pancake challenges (thanks, Man vs. Food), I would have ditched all those late nights at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/09/wailana-coffee-house.html">Wailana</a> for this place in a heartbeat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Don't get me wrong. I still love Wailana. And, to tell you the truth, the two can't really be compared. Wailana is the epitome of a diner and costs about half as much as Mac 24-7, whereas the chic decor and music fit for a lounge put Mac 24-7 in a somewhat different category. Lesson to be learned: just because it's 24-hours doesn't mean it has to be trashy. I know, Portland, this blows your mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrjEaiWDnCEfQ4uUIAztBvZHc_YNJ8u5WcWyhMLXoeCDsHfgEon1n_eGOcsnqTs6AsbgXYAZhU-MHZWdew1hct__hRANmVidr7vdeuxgAvdli372IaEWEvZgF2dfmeQ-8GisTdV7czSgk/s1600/P1020800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrjEaiWDnCEfQ4uUIAztBvZHc_YNJ8u5WcWyhMLXoeCDsHfgEon1n_eGOcsnqTs6AsbgXYAZhU-MHZWdew1hct__hRANmVidr7vdeuxgAvdli372IaEWEvZgF2dfmeQ-8GisTdV7czSgk/s640/P1020800.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anthony and I had come after being drenched by a torrential downpour while attempting to view the Christmas lights in downtown. We were cold and hungry, so we went where any other person at midnight would go: Waikiki. We sat at the bar, which was fine for that night, but I definitely want to try a table in the other room next time. I convinced Anthony that he wanted to share a smoked salmon benedict (not that I really need to convince anyone that they want a smoked salmon benedict) with me and ordered a coffee. I guess I'm used to the dainty portions at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/09/orchids.html">Orchid's</a> and the <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/09/beachhouse-at-moana_21.html">Beachhouse</a>, because I was overwhelmed by the epic benedict here. That English muffin must have been colossal.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-co0BxJLcM8Y/TuUJ8savo1I/AAAAAAAACMw/_sYFFRPSpvg/s1600/P1020803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-co0BxJLcM8Y/TuUJ8savo1I/AAAAAAAACMw/_sYFFRPSpvg/s640/P1020803.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smoked salmon benedict ($17)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> This was my first time having a smoked salmon benedict, and, while it wasn't life-altering (I don't even remember what the smoked salmon tasted like), and the breakfast potatoes could have been crispier, the benedict hit the spot.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC-ydrr839aYGLjhr7USK4bJBAEA4pZDqPlasKrPtoBEk-LOQhiTorE7zjp2PAPygmAG-bTmQAbRBgr9-Bi3fN7RmgYCuPvtVciFC0rs5f4EgkfkBJOmzjHzufskEq0CtoMoHMirUcOLs/s1600/P1020801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC-ydrr839aYGLjhr7USK4bJBAEA4pZDqPlasKrPtoBEk-LOQhiTorE7zjp2PAPygmAG-bTmQAbRBgr9-Bi3fN7RmgYCuPvtVciFC0rs5f4EgkfkBJOmzjHzufskEq0CtoMoHMirUcOLs/s640/P1020801.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'll definitely be back sometime (I just have to get drunk first so I can properly justify sobering up here), as I'm sure that guy from LOST will be, too. </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-66552629113306855462011-12-18T12:52:00.003-10:002011-12-19T09:49:21.676-10:00Jawaiian Irie Jerk<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Jamaican</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Kaimuki</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Foodgasmic dish</i>: Jerk wings</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRqTKnMZI_M/TuEWTNaynUI/AAAAAAAACLI/e892BLAfoUg/s1600/P1020693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRqTKnMZI_M/TuEWTNaynUI/AAAAAAAACLI/e892BLAfoUg/s640/P1020693.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/town.html">town</a> was completely booked for dinner a couple of weeks ago (how dare you, town! I really should have special privileges at that restaurant considering I'm always there and shamelessly promote them whenever I can; maybe <i>I</i> should have called for the reservation?), so Jon, Sarah, Anthony, and I decided to move our double date to Jawaiian Irie Jerk, a casual Jamaican restaurant that opened up about 6 months ago, just a few blocks away from town.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfX0eFwRZ89yyL9ErRFvBZdXoRLVEPalMAbjtQCiP9p1ETGo-8rTl8zQlrpTZz9D59wJqLNLro5wvTJDoGoR_Wi0OtYHvb74zgiTl6I5HGpyIwwZ8YvJ157UBsm8Elx1y7Kwy1xisR4TA/s1600/P1020694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfX0eFwRZ89yyL9ErRFvBZdXoRLVEPalMAbjtQCiP9p1ETGo-8rTl8zQlrpTZz9D59wJqLNLro5wvTJDoGoR_Wi0OtYHvb74zgiTl6I5HGpyIwwZ8YvJ157UBsm8Elx1y7Kwy1xisR4TA/s640/P1020694.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We brought in a bottle of pinot noir and were seated at a cozy table in the back corner. Just like <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/cafe-maharani_1457.html">Maharani</a>, Jawaiian Irie Jerk is somewhat exotic to locals, so the restaurant basically has an obligation to Hawaii to confirm our preconceived images of a culture about which we know much too little. Hence, the bright walls and lively music.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRdSEFsTaI8/TuEXHXENv9I/AAAAAAAACLo/EMisICNTJmw/s1600/P1020697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRdSEFsTaI8/TuEXHXENv9I/AAAAAAAACLo/EMisICNTJmw/s640/P1020697.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We started off with some spicy jerk wings. They were perfect - not just because jerk wings are the perfect Jamaican cliché with which to start our meal</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>,</i> but because the succulent meat was grilled perfectly and fell right off the bone.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qpRKPS_zCQ/TuEV5LBBKdI/AAAAAAAACK4/w8QRqwRmCws/s1600/P1020688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qpRKPS_zCQ/TuEV5LBBKdI/AAAAAAAACK4/w8QRqwRmCws/s640/P1020688.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy jerk wings ($6.95)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN448JdAjuw/TuEWtyDf7lI/AAAAAAAACLY/4oO4KpVVuKQ/s1600/P1020695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN448JdAjuw/TuEWtyDf7lI/AAAAAAAACLY/4oO4KpVVuKQ/s640/P1020695.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lsr1KJU3yOA/TuEW549r5II/AAAAAAAACLg/K8JHZwJjlx0/s1600/P1020696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lsr1KJU3yOA/TuEW549r5II/AAAAAAAACLg/K8JHZwJjlx0/s640/P1020696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamaican jerk chicken ($12.95)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently I couldn't get enough of that jerk chicken because I ended up ordering more as my entreé, which was marinated with Chef Cassie's jerk marinade overnight and served with rice, peas, and Italian stew. I don't remember what anyone else got (shame on me! That's what happens when I wait this long to review a place...), but I do remember that we were all happy and eager to save room for dessert. We shared the Caribbean style bread pudding and Jamaican coconut rum cream pie, both of which were served with a rich creamy rum sauce. As I'm sure you know, alcohol makes everything better - it can even make fruit edible!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNhP9-apEo/TuEXRTnKdoI/AAAAAAAACLw/Cd8i0lS1wB8/s1600/P1020698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUNhP9-apEo/TuEXRTnKdoI/AAAAAAAACLw/Cd8i0lS1wB8/s640/P1020698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caribbean style bread pudding $5.95</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKlI7mB4YcQed93mzz4FCqgf5-YAcSPkS4bnEjjNsonMRpaoHxWXANknC7LQ5l2L-3fSZgWpQCvdpX3mV65du6stc6A7FH4WV402nvTFcYoPTdnRZFhHTjzStEN0NGDB-kKRwP9XjDlfN/s1600/P1020699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKlI7mB4YcQed93mzz4FCqgf5-YAcSPkS4bnEjjNsonMRpaoHxWXANknC7LQ5l2L-3fSZgWpQCvdpX3mV65du6stc6A7FH4WV402nvTFcYoPTdnRZFhHTjzStEN0NGDB-kKRwP9XjDlfN/s640/P1020699.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Jawaiian Irie Jerk is a wonderful addition to Waialae's restaurant row. It shares a building with the Himalayan Kitchen and Bella Mia, and right across the parking lot are <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-day.html">Happy Day</a>, Magura-ya, and To Thai For. It's no wonder that I love this neighborhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now if someone would just listen to me about our lack of Middle Eastern food... </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-58867654763325282392011-12-10T16:19:00.002-10:002011-12-14T10:52:10.530-10:00Duk Lee<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Chinese</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Market City Shopping Center</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS-T5HDZnfp-1Xk9FzJtYtZ5DJWC9OPfMtQFHl_5hyphenhyphenzrQYTFQnKGvwZ0-Ikkc-xqX1DspFwgYw3IKs0ZEEMFdlYwrZZOlLl7EgpBDi7_MjJ1FNVqmXD50EqfrNFiFK5okDp2es5au4FRi/s1600/P1020682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS-T5HDZnfp-1Xk9FzJtYtZ5DJWC9OPfMtQFHl_5hyphenhyphenzrQYTFQnKGvwZ0-Ikkc-xqX1DspFwgYw3IKs0ZEEMFdlYwrZZOlLl7EgpBDi7_MjJ1FNVqmXD50EqfrNFiFK5okDp2es5au4FRi/s640/P1020682.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2-combo plate: fried rice, roast pork, and lemon chicken ($8)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">My dad and I used to stop by Duk Lee to pick up a pound of char siu (and roast pork too, if my dad's feeling up to it) every Sunday after my piano lessons. Since high school, I returned for the first time with Anthony because we were both hungry, low on funds, and right around the corner from Market City.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSVFWfXzfCo/TuEVTqLkCDI/AAAAAAAACKw/VICTAEW1gLE/s1600/P1020686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSVFWfXzfCo/TuEVTqLkCDI/AAAAAAAACKw/VICTAEW1gLE/s640/P1020686.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Duk Lee is a small restaurant with one long counter of food, about eight small tables, and a huge window displaying rows of hanging meat. Yum. We shared a 2-combination plate and a side order of chow fun, for a total of $12. Not sure why we got the extra noodles; the plate was more than enough for the two of us. It came with fried rice, roast pork, and lemon chicken. The roast pork was fantastic - loaded with flavor, crispy skin, and just enough fat. The lemon chicken was good, but can't really compare to roast pork, and its sauce went perfectly with the fried rice and complimentary bean sprouts.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeGGyI882JFfGMMKbyxBfKsNhdhhRhfD2UFEtsdHRIAcZEBmc6ogxt4B1aBfP0eHWst3HNbO5lnAxMfXsiTRMmvOn469QnJtsKx5etCT3xaHdAJsGzhmRCBlkRaWfuCfg9TRnqkpcywuh/s1600/P1020684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeGGyI882JFfGMMKbyxBfKsNhdhhRhfD2UFEtsdHRIAcZEBmc6ogxt4B1aBfP0eHWst3HNbO5lnAxMfXsiTRMmvOn469QnJtsKx5etCT3xaHdAJsGzhmRCBlkRaWfuCfg9TRnqkpcywuh/s640/P1020684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chow fun (under $4)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Market City is another one of those areas blessed with an assortment of cheap, reliable restaurants - just like Waialae Avenue and Kapahulu. Anthony and I have set a goal to try every single restaurant in this shopping center. We can already check off Gina's and Duk Lee; next up - G Sushi, Anytime Cafe, Kaila, a burger place, and that odd Mexican bar.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10mzX-obKDM/TuEUV8CsZNI/AAAAAAAACKI/ujqA_gEgj_Y/s1600/P1020681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10mzX-obKDM/TuEUV8CsZNI/AAAAAAAACKI/ujqA_gEgj_Y/s640/P1020681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another angle of our wonderful combination plate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4879108438971981643.post-73923217901085340182011-12-04T16:17:00.005-10:002011-12-04T16:31:40.787-10:00Lappert's<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Best for</i>: Ice cream</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Location</i>: Hilton Hawaiian Village</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbAfe7OpvSA/TtqH2Q82gYI/AAAAAAAACI4/OzYvWLxcuSQ/s1600/P1020648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbAfe7OpvSA/TtqH2Q82gYI/AAAAAAAACI4/OzYvWLxcuSQ/s640/P1020648.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Anthony and Mizuki were somehow still craving ice cream after our feast at <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/12/yakiniku-don-day_04.html">Yakiniku Don-Day</a> a few days ago. Since we had gone to <a href="http://selfindulgence0.blogspot.com/2011/11/bubbies.html">Bubbie's</a> recently, we decided to go to our only other option: Lappert's in Waikiki. I have fond memories of this place, mainly because after ballet performances at the Hilton, Steve would buy our entire company ice cream from Lappert's. Free gourmet ice cream after a hard day's work remains one of the highlights of my rosy childhood.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34neZqDrsNo/TtqHRIObU3I/AAAAAAAACIg/KEmspyvKTtw/s1600/P1020645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34neZqDrsNo/TtqHRIObU3I/AAAAAAAACIg/KEmspyvKTtw/s640/P1020645.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGG_rgC3bbg/TtqHFHbXY5I/AAAAAAAACIY/SVoLWBxkHuk/s1600/P1020644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGG_rgC3bbg/TtqHFHbXY5I/AAAAAAAACIY/SVoLWBxkHuk/s640/P1020644.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I usually order the mint chip, but on this particular night, I wasn't very hungry (probably because I hadn't danced ballet right before) so I just shared a bowl with Anthony. I'm not sure which fancy flavor he chose, but I could taste creamy vanilla and chunks of fudge. Perhaps it was the Big Island Inspiration? Mizuki ordered a kona coffee waffle cone and a latte and joined us on the only bench outside.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AW0dTJoXqBU/TtqIB0rYDDI/AAAAAAAACJA/EmiIEwCp2Ig/s1600/P1020651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AW0dTJoXqBU/TtqIB0rYDDI/AAAAAAAACJA/EmiIEwCp2Ig/s640/P1020651.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lappert's has some pretty interesting flavors:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Maui Mango Madness: mango ice cream, mango sorbet and grand marnier</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Mauna Kea's Secret: white chocolate ice cream swirled with raspberry sorbet and loaded with chocolate chips and chocolate brownies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Tutu's Anniversary: coconut ice cream with raspberry and passion fruit sorbet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Heavenly Hana: creamy chocolate ice cream with delicate swirls of marshmallow ribboned throughout handmade chunks of white chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, dark chocolate almond chunks, chocolate bits and roasted almonds</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;">Perfect for the Hilton tourists.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516490500379713353noreply@blogger.com