Pickled Mango Hawaii

Roosevelt chili

2012-01-10T12:15:00.000-10:00

Most concession stands at high school games offer chili, which means I always ask, "Is this canned or homemade." There's a huge difference, of course. At Roosevelt, it's homemade and even has chunks of Portuguese sausage. Talk about a filler-upper. Lub that chili.

Bubbie's

2012-01-09T09:16:00.003-10:00

It was well past 10 p.m. when I was pau work, so instead of going to Yogurtland for a few minutes, I settled on Bubbie's down the road in Mo‘ili‘ili. Two scoops, coconut delight and macadamia nut, for $4.60 or so. Still good stuff. I just like Land of Yog a little more with all the toppings and fruit.

Bubbie's is always crowded late at night. When I got there, the line went out the door. It's been like this through the recession. Quality trumps most economic factors.

‘Iolani Classic

2012-01-06T13:59:00.001-10:00

People kid me often about how much I like to eat at athletic events. Well, I don't get a real choice at night, when I'm covering games. It's yes or no. At Aloha Stadium, I take a pass most times because the food is way overpriced. But at gyms, the food is often awesome. Home cooked. Fresh. Here's what they offered at the ‘Iolani Classic last month.

Beef stew: big thumbs up!

Pulled pork: A new item. Average.

Shoyu chicken: Awesome!

Tita's Grill

2011-12-18T19:29:00.001-10:00

Finally got a chance to sample some grindz at Tita's Grill, located across the highway from Kahuku High School. I'm out there often enough, but usually at night, and Tita's is closed by then. One of the Kahuku basketball players recommended the tuna melt, so that's what I got.

Instead of a $3 snack, it's a $7 giant mass of goodness. I don't even like the idea of cheese and tuna together, but the buttery sweet toasted sweet bread was unexpected and incredible. This little eatery isn't cheap, but students can chow down on the burgers and fries for $3-4.

Owner Junior Ah You and his family are turning this place into a landmark. Connecting with passing visitors is no problem for the former football great.

Sugoi's Bento and Catering

2011-12-18T19:08:00.001-10:00

I've had Sugoi's sauce in a bottle before, but sitting down for their food at City Square was new. A couple of friends headed there after church and invited me. Who am I to resist?

I had the salmon plate, which was nice. But one friend had the spicy garlic chicken. That is all about the sauce, which is spicy, garlicky and sweet. ADDICTING. I actually ate the rest of her mac salad, dipping it in the rest of the sauce.

Looking forward to more visits to this spot. But it'll be hard to ignore the spicy garlic sauce. I think I could drink it straight. That'll be another story.

Ray's Cafe

2011-12-18T15:07:00.004-10:00

Been awhile since I stopped in at one of my favorite eating places ever. Doesn't matter what you order — everything I've ever tried was A+ level. This time, I gave the rack of pork chops a try. It was so good, it didn't need gravy. I even eschewed my usual A1 steak sauce, which I like on pretty much all my steak or pork chops.

Not here. This was $14.95 of pure satisfaction. Think Ray's would have to be back at No. 1 on my Top 10 Eateries list.

The rack of pork chops. Forgot to shoot the side of tossed salad.

Perfectly roasted everywhere

Perfectly juicy everywhere, down to the bone.

BEST PORK CHOP IN TOWN.

My pal Donald had the New York steak.

The steak was super juicy, too

The master himself, Ray, at right

Dear Zippy's ...

2011-12-11T00:52:00.001-10:00

Dear Zippy's. I know you like to overload the whipped cream to hide this simple fact: your brownie sundae is half the size it used to be and you charge twice as much. But it's OK. I'm not paying for the food. I'm paying for some quiet time in the restaurant at 1 am. Thankful I am.

Zippy's has always made a nice, tight clubhouse sandwich. Overpriced, but I'm treating myself. The potato salad is also underrated.

Saigon House

2011-12-05T22:14:00.001-10:00

Between the state cheerleading championships and Saigon House, I realized that the mini drive home would be amply satisfying with a stop at my favorite pho shop. Actually, after almost five hours in the chilly confines of Stan Sheriff Arena, I was actually cold by the time I left.

So I went here, got the usual (beef balls) and enjoyed as I wrote my story.

Ichiriki

2011-12-05T20:56:00.001-10:00

My second visit to Ichiriki, located on Piikoi Street. Satisfied both times. This was one of the late-night specials.

Yogurtland Manoa

2011-12-05T20:52:00.001-10:00

Twice in one week. I'm out of control.

A lot of chocolate — Reece's pieces, syrup, Oreo crumbs

Diego's Taco Shop

2011-12-05T20:40:00.001-10:00

A year? Two years? A long time had passed since I visited Diego's Taco Shop. The cook and the guy up front were totally different. Asians running a taco shop. That's a first for me. But the results were still good. I got the chicken hard taco and a pork soft taco. Cost: $5.25. The only problem is this shop is only open during lunch time. Guess I'll be stopping here on Saturdays after those trips to the worm tea store.

Worth every cent.

Peace Cafe

2011-12-05T20:30:00.001-10:00

After enjoying my shave ice a few blocks away, I turned the corner onto King Street. It's true. Sweets will stimulate your appetite. I suddenly wanted tacos. Diego's Taco Shop was right there. But as I waited on the tacos, I noticed a new place next door. When I last visited Diego's about two years ago, there was nothing memorable in this space. But here it was: Peace Cafe. I peeked in twice before finally walking in.

There were about seven or eight people there, including three at the large table in the center of the customer serving area. It was a very relaxed vibe, and though the Beatles played through the sound system and a pakalolo accessories shop was right next door, Peace Cafe felt more like a coffee shop. I mean, a good coffee shop, mellow and tasty. I wasn't hungry for any of the vegetarian fare, but I just had to try their miso soup, and it was good. The menu items are a bit pricey, but that's typical for veggie fare.

It's no more expensive than most things in Starbucks, and I enjoyed the quiet and air-conditioning. A revisit in the near future is a definite must.

Waiola Shave Ice

2011-12-05T20:22:00.001-10:00

Almost resisted the urge to drive back to McCully on Saturday. A slush float at Rainbow Drive In would've sufficed, right? But no. On to Waiola Shave Ice. It was the second leg of a relaxing Saturday, something my soul needed after a busy week.

XL Strawberry over ice cream and azuki beans on a sunny day

Cool. Now where do I get the actual shaved ice delivered to me?

Chris' Peanut and Seeds

2011-12-05T19:41:00.001-10:00

This is another shop in McCully that I pass all the time. I finally gave it a try on Saturday. I parked there on the street, a block from my usual Saturday visits to Waikiki Worm Co. and Daily Bread Bakery. They have boiled peanuts and all kinds of cracked seeds. I wish the peanuts were warm, but nobody sells it warm anymore. Still tasted good, of course.

Next door is a store that I used to visit occasionally as a kid. It was where I first got a thick booklet about the new NFL expansion teams, the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The NFL? Expanding? As an 11-year-old kid, this was way too mind-boggling to comprehend. I was addicted to sports without any help, apparently, from a young age.

Smoothies cheap and good

2011-11-29T12:20:00.001-10:00

This is my smoothie. It's healthy, cheap and quick. Cheap. Did I mention that? Yeah, if you're tired of paying 5 bucks for a smoothie at Jamba Juice, do this:

8-10 ice cubes
2 bananas
1-2 tbsp orange juice
5-6 frozen strawberries
1/2 to 1 cup water

Dump it all in the blender and rock. Actually, I got ice first, then bananas, then water and OJ, then strawberries. Any other order, particularly the first drop, will get my Osterizer stuck.

I refined this mix to taste as close as possible to my favorite Jamba flavor: Orange Appeal. Slightly tart, but strong on the sweet side. I finished off my big mug and now I'm shivering at 12:23 p.m. in Honolulu. Awesome.

Yogurtland

2011-11-28T19:23:00.001-10:00

Weeks, maybe a month since my last visit to Yogurtland in Lower Manoa. They have new flavors, but I still like plain tart, pistachio and vanilla bean the best.

Nov. 27, 2011

Yamamoto green tea

2011-11-28T18:48:00.001-10:00

Have some tea? Yamamoto is not as minty or sharp as the Triple Leaf. I like them both.

Can you see the sky?

'Yama' is mountain in Japanese, but I didn't think

about it until after I shot this

Daily Bread

2011-11-28T09:18:00.001-10:00

Another Saturday morning and another trip to the worm tea shop and my favorite bakery. I got my pastry fix — the guava rocks — and a fresh loaf of rye bread. It's awesome.

They're always beautiful and fresh

Cream cheese, blueberry and guava

My rye loaf getting sliced

Might try this next time

Breakfast at home the next morning with Daily Bread rye.

Triple Leaf

2011-11-25T13:46:00.001-10:00

Triple Leaf. "Relaxing tea. Promotes relaxation and restful sleep. Caffeine free."

Does it really promote relaxation? I say yes. Ready for a nap.

Tanioka's

2011-11-25T13:42:00.001-10:00

Lunch time at Tanioka's is a first here. It's not so crowded later in the day, but lunch time is madness. Almost like a Black Friday for musubi!

Frostcity

2011-11-22T21:17:00.001-10:00

Counter guy: "Welcome to Frost City!"

Me: "So ... this is Hong Kong style?"

Counter guy: "No. This is Taiwanese style."

I feel like I was questioning his kung fu. Crane style or Drunken Monkey? Anyway, he recommended watermelon, but his favorite is almond, so I got almond. here goes . . .

This is really sweet, but not a heavy sweet aftertaste. The ice is almost dry, but tasty. not sure what to do with this candy cane straw thing. Anybody want it?

Wait. If this place is all about Taiwan style, what happens if the premier of China demands to visit here for a big almond bowl with lychee balls? Do they lock the door on him? "Your money is no good here!" I want to see that.

Actually, the premier would love this stuff, especially on a hot Hawaiian day. Who knows, this might inspire a truce and better relations between the two sides. But if the premier stiffs the shop, that would be bad news. You know, if he ever comes here for an ice-cold sweet treat, it's on me. I'll do my part in the name of world peace.

Sumo Ramen

2011-11-22T21:15:00.001-10:00

An occasional visit here hits the spot when I'm craving their mochiko chicken curry on rice. Just wish they had kim chi or tsukenomo on the side. This is sweet mainland Japan style curry, with a little kick. Always worth it, but now they serve it in a wide bowl. Feels like there's more than usual. I like a good deal like that.

Nov. 22, 2011

Okata Bento

2011-11-21T00:24:00.001-10:00

This is one of those places that are often closed by the time I'm out of the home and roaming around town. If you're a typical night owl by choice or profession, you know what I mean. So many eateries in Hawaii are breakfast-lunch joints. Once the clock hits 2 o'clock, it's their pau hana time. I never felt like I missed any of these places.

It's different with Okata Bento. I'd passed by it a thousands time, paid no mind. So many places to satisfy the hunger up there on the hill, on top of Kaimuki. But I was at the camera shop on this day, and really hungry. Okata stands next door, so I took a look. It wasn't just the menu I scanned. I looked inside the small kitchen and liked the way the cook went about business. The pots and pans were straight out of a classic diner scene, down-home cooking, not a fusion cathedral of perfection — which would've been just fine, too.

But the kicker was the food that was in my hands after a few minutes. Oyako donburi, done just right by a guru. To them, it's just another sale, another customer. To me, it was the perfect breakfast at 2 p.m. on an otherwise normal day. I felt grateful. I felt satisfied. The bowl never made it home. I consumed most of it while I sat in my car across the street, in the 3-minute parking zone, too hungry and too happy to remember my time was up.

Nov. 4, 2011

The Varsity

2011-11-20T19:16:00.001-10:00

Haven't been here in years, since it was ... can't even remember if it was before Magoo's. But it was an early Saturday night, work was pau already, and the UH game was on. Headed to The Varsity after the Kapaa-‘Iolani game, met up with Tyson Alger of The Garden Island newspaper.

The brews were terrific. The pizza was super cheesy. Might be the only time I've ever thought there might be too much cheese. Onion rings were good, not great. Next time, I want to get there before 2 p.m. to try their breakfast menu.

This was a Kona beer, forgot the name of it, but it was good

This is the large pizza, three toppings, good deal

This is the Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Wet Hop - ono!

I was done with my beer and sat there for another hour watching UH rally, then lose to Fresno State. Oh well, at least the food and beverages were good. Normally I won't drink and drive, but the one hour was plenty, and the loss was sobering, to say the least. Drove the four blocks home and crashed out.

Ken Fong

2011-11-18T00:46:00.001-10:00

Been a year or two since the last visit to Ken Fong Chinese Restaurant. I was hungry, missed a meal or two by evening, so I gorged on cold ginger chicken. One our basketball kids, Thomas, ordered lemon chicken. I asked about the soup of the day and it was squash soup, which I imagined would be basic salty chicken-broth soup with squash in it. Instead, it was gray and very, uhh ... earthy. Once I got used to the direct hit on the palate, it actually was pretty decent. Just water, squash, pork and a little salt. In the color of poi water.

Nov. 16, 2011

Banana bread addiction

2011-11-18T00:42:00.001-10:00

Homemade is the best. This was made by a friend in our drama ministry, Lilia. Fresh out of the oven and still warm. Brown sugar gives it a little extra sweet and spicy kick. Addicting.

Nov. 15, 2011

Matsuyama Food Mart/Kay's Kitchen

2011-11-13T22:39:00.001-10:00

I had it locked in my brain. Arrive in Kona, check in, drive down Alii Drive past where I used to live near Magic Sands Beach, then up to Holualoa, and finally Matsuyama's before going to the game at Kealakehe. I got all of that done except for the Alii Drive tour. Crashed out hard on that hotel bed.

Matsuyama Food Mart doesn't have its eatery outside the store anymore. It's inside, at the back, and the menu is pretty alluring. Still, I wanted to save a few bucks so I got the loco moco for $6. Everything's more expensive in Kona, always has been. But the loco moco was outstanding. I just add a little sriracha chili sauce.

Tante's Restaurant

2011-11-13T21:56:00.001-10:00

My trip to Kona was so brief that I almost forgot about what is actually a very memorable place: Tante's Restaurant. Tante Urban is a fantastic cook/chef who is also someone I met in the 1990s when I worked in Kona. At the time, he had two restaurants, including one at the local bowling alley where he produced some magnificent dishes. My favorites were the shrimp sarisari — he insisted that I try some one day, forcing me to take a bowl — and the world's best fried rice.

This 24-hour trip I made over the weekend allowed me to have a free breakfast at the nearby eatery, which happened to be Tante's more recent place, overlooking Kailua Pier. Quite a view, super comfortable and very old Kona style. The food? Let's just say his fried rice still reigns supreme. The breakfast was a comp from the hotel I stayed at, but price is irrelevant for food this simple, this ono!

The food shot was done on my laptop's Photo Booth. Was too hungry to think about shooting the food with my camera. Portuguese sausage under the toast. So good.

Palama Super Market

2011-11-13T18:44:00.001-10:00

A rare trip to Palama Market today. It might become a weekly habit. Their offering of Asian vegetable seeds lured me in, and a byproduct of my gardening quest was some good groceries and a plate of bi bim kook soo for only $5.

I also bought a loaf of St. Germain raisin bread, just one day old, for $1.49, and some other breads for sandwiches. What a deal!

I love a great deal on good food.

The seafood pancake was mushy by the time I ate some at home. I think a few minutes in the oven will get it nice and crispy again. Kind of like reheating pizza. Gotta go oven.

Denny's Kona

2011-11-12T08:58:00.001-10:00

Some places are just sentimental, like Denny's in Kona. Before I moved back to Oahu in 1998, the place had just opened for a year or so. It was a 24-hour spot, just like Wal-Mart and Safeway. In other words, quite exotic.

Last night was my first time at Denny's in Kona since 1998, so I had to sit back and enjoy it, even if I wasn't really hungry after the visit to Starz. Here's what I wrote on Facebook.

• It was so new and shiny and sparkly back then. still nice now. what to eat?

• After a pit stop at the karaoke bar (starz), hot chocolate is so good. Waitress was kind enough to bring me a second mug after i was halfway through this one. I lub this place. even the hash browns are good.

• It got crowded after 2 a.m. I heard one girl tell her bffs about one wild night. Two guys got into it (different booths) and one cracked the other in the face. Then it got empty and nice again. Denny's Kona has a special place in my heart.

I'll add that the service was very nice. My waitress filled up my hot cocoa three times!

Starz Karaoke & Grill

2011-11-12T08:53:00.001-10:00

Sorry, no photos. It's dark in there and my little camera doesn't have flash capability. I wouldn't normally bother with a review about a karaoke place except that this place kept serving good stuff up until late. I got there around midnight and the kitchen was still open. I ordered the garlic shrimp, which was strong on the garlic — the way I like it. Thanks to an old friend, Harold Akiona, I got to enjoy the garlic chicken, garlic butterfish.

The garlic chicken was deep fried and juicy and sweet. The butterfish? I kind of wonder how it would've tasted without being deep fried. Overall, the food was good and the place was rocking with just a handful of folks singing 50% hip hop and 50% country. Only in Kona.

Golden Duck

2011-11-10T12:04:00.001-10:00

Another late-night trek to Golden Duck Chinese Restaurant. I wound up ordering some take-home salt and pepper (and chili pepper and garlic) fried chicken wings, one of my favorites.

Nov. 8, 2011

Swap Meet Aloha Stadium

2011-11-10T11:42:00.001-10:00

A Sunday morning in the sun and cool breeze at Halawa? Not too shabby for a November day. I had some work to do there, covering the high school football coaches' meeting. Turned out they started later than usual, so I took full advantage of my 30 minutes of free time.

Sept. 6, 2011

Fresh, ice-cold coconut

Vanilla bean plant at the swap meet?

Warren Matsuda, a guru of vanilla bean growing

Looks good

He owns this particular shave ice

Lin's had major variety of local-style snacks and dried fruits

Choon Chun Korean B-B-Q 2

2011-11-06T19:52:00.001-10:00

Could this new place on Kalakaua possibly match the original on Kalakaua? It's so different aesthetically, but after this visit, I say the food is very similar. Very good.

Sept. 26, 2011

Late night, work is done, missed dinner. Choon Chun 2 is open. Unlike the original on King St., it's roomy. I had the sesame leaf pancake. Pretty good.

Sept. 5, 2011

Sushi Man

2011-11-06T19:48:00.000-10:00

No sushi pics, just shave ice. It was interesting — fine with a little crunch, not super fine like Waiola. I like.

Sept. 5, 2011

There's a lotta ice cream under there!

Daily Bread Bakery

2011-11-06T19:41:00.001-10:00

They still won't bring back the awesome cheese-tomato bread at Daily Bread. The tuna-filled bun was decent. Little butter on the top was a pleasant surprise. When I got there on Saturday, 11 a.m., they were down to just one guava bar thing. The cream cheese pastry was long gone!

Sept. 5, 2011

Zippy's McCully

2011-11-06T19:35:00.000-10:00

Missed dinner, late night and hungry. Couldn't decide between the clubouse sandwich or the mandarin orange salad... so I got both.

Nov. 5, 2011

Daily Bread Bakery

2011-11-04T11:40:00.000-10:00

It's only been a few days or a week since I've been posting food photos here again, but I don't know how I forgot to post these. Daily Bread ROCKS. I stop by there on Saturdays on the way to Waikiki Worm Co. (for my lanai garden plants), which is next door.

Daily Bread. Vietnamese/French influence. Fresh everything, including baguettes, every day. I prefer raisin bread and their mighty selection of desserts. So awesome. And fresh.

Oct. 29, 2011

Guava!

Banana

Cream cheese!

Oct. 22, 2011

Tomato-cheese

This was so so so so good

Just gooey and awesome inside, and

only $1 something

Zippy's Kahala

2011-11-04T11:07:00.001-10:00

One Red Bull (sugar free) and I'm up all night. I normally sleep around 12 to 2 a.m., but it was 4 a.m. and I was hungry. Kaimuki Zippy's is CLOSED LATE NIGHT now, to my surprise, so I kept on truckin' up Waialae Ave. until I hit the Zippy's in Kahala. Even their dining (sit down/wait help) area is closed at night now. Sign of the times.

That was fine with me. As long as I have someplace to sit, enjoy hash browns and surf the net, I'm good. The presence of a police officer there is even better. Less likely to be robbed by some crackhead looking for money, and I like my peace and quiet.

Nov. 1, 2011

Chodang

2011-11-04T10:43:00.000-10:00

I'm not big on perfect service. Just get me your awesome food in a timely manner. Good service? Bonus. Bad service, though, is always an issue. At Chodang, you get good food, good price, good service. Poor lady was so busy, so I appreciate it. This was a good way to close out the night. A rainy night, I might add. This hit the spot.

Ono Kim Chi

2011-10-31T11:24:00.000-10:00

Ono Kim Chi, Makiki — Didn't have time to stop in to my favorite bakery/kim chi joint, but took a quick photo while sitting at the red light nearby. Specials? This place is so underrated. I'll post photos from earlier this year and you'll see what I mean. (Oct 29 2011)

Zippy's

2011-10-31T11:21:00.000-10:00

Zippy's, McCully — Rarely do I voyage indoors at Zippy's, especially if I'm eating alone. But the comfort of a nice booth, air conditioning and quiet was too appealing. I paid my $3 something for this little Orange Bang. Three slurps and gone. (Oct 29 2011)

Concession stands: McKinley High School

2011-10-29T12:20:00.000-10:00

This is not the norm, but it's food. Tasty, sweet, decadent food at the state volleyball tournament, McKinley Student Council Gym. (Why such a long name for a gym? There's a cool story behind it.)

This is the vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbs and chocolate syrup. For $2, you can't beat the deal. Most high school concession stands have cheap food. GOOD cheap food. Unlike Aloha Stadium, where it's $5.75 for a slice of pizza and almost $4 for a soda.

W&M Bar-B-Q Burger

2011-10-29T12:11:00.002-10:00

I've got a lot (choke) of photos still on deck from that past year or so. But here's something fresh. Can't ignore W&M, which stands right next to City Mill, which I frequent regularly. The hamburger deluxe with fries is always a winner and the price is always right. Less than $4 for the burger.

Bangkok Chef

2011-10-19T23:35:00.000-10:00

Yup. Good ol' Bangkok Chef. For dessert. Say what? Yep, those jello-ey desserts are fun to eat. Some more than others.

May 19, 2011

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

2011-10-19T23:26:00.000-10:00

The Manoa shop is where I like to hang out every now and then, propped up on a leather couch in air-conditioned coolness, devouring a blueberry bar or their cheesy pasta dishes. The fact that they'll warm up or toast anything for you makes CBTL special, specialer than that big name-brand chain across the street.

Oh. I like the hot green tea, too.

May 18, 2011

Golden Duck

2011-10-19T23:22:00.000-10:00

I hadn't been to Golden Duck Chinese Restaurant in years. Decades maybe. But there were a few dishes that I regret not having all that time. One was the salt and pepper chicken wings. It is more than just salt and pepper, though. The garlic and chili combined as a sauce or topping taste incredibly addictive.

The lamb dish, the walnut shrimp, the oyster sauce chicken ... all good. Very good. But I could eat the salt and pepper chicken wings every day.

May 17, 2011

Yogurtland

2011-10-19T23:11:00.000-10:00

Another visit to the Land of Yog. It's sometimes magical, sometimes cooling, but always satisfying. Especially after a hot afternoon.

May 15, 2011

Ezogiku

2011-10-19T23:06:00.001-10:00

Back to Ezogiku in Mo‘ili‘ili. This time, something different: seafood ankake on cake noodle instead of udon.

May 15, 2011

I try not to compare, but with gyoza, I can't stop myself. Taiyo has the best by far. Best texture. Lots of garlic. Best condiments. Everyone else has OK gyoza. Nothing wrong with that.

L&L Drive Inn

2011-10-19T22:34:00.000-10:00

The Liliha location is the original L&L, from what I read. I don't get there much, so I don't know what their best dish is. I had a mahimahi deluxe and fries on this occasion. Can't remember where I was headed on this day, but I guess I'll always know what I had at 2:46 p.m.

May 13, 2011

Ono Kimchi

2011-10-19T22:18:00.000-10:00

Restaurant? Not really, though they serve up some good dishes. Kimchi store? Sure, they sell some. But did you know this Keeaumoku Street hole-in-the-wall (near Cartwright Field) is actually a fine bakery? Oh, you should see the treats they make. No, you should taste them!

I ordered the fried (?) tofu. So good. And the vegetable pancake. Nice. And walnut brownie. Massive.

May 11, 2011

Bangkok Chef

2011-10-19T22:07:00.000-10:00

At one point, I was at Bangkok Chef at least two or three times a month, trying something new on the menu each time. This is a chicken eggplant dish with basil, if I remember right. It was good. Jasmine brown rice.

May 10, 2011

Ezogiku

2011-10-19T22:03:00.000-10:00

I never get tired of their seafood ankake ramen. A little bit thicker broth, simple and satisfying. I go to the Ezogiku in Mo‘ili‘ili, between Blazin' Steaks and Kit n' Kitchen.

May 9, 2011

Les Murakami Stadium

2011-10-19T21:59:00.002-10:00

Covered the state baseball tournament there, so the snack bar was a necessity. Pretty good burgers.

May 9, 2011

Mountain apple

2011-10-19T21:53:00.000-10:00

Biggest one I've ever seen or eaten. This was from Lulu, who gave it to my nephew Josh. It was the size of a regular avocado. Maybe a little bigger. Still sweet, though.

May 8, 2011

Coconut Grill

2011-10-19T20:59:00.000-10:00

This is the in-house restaurant at the Maui Seaside Hotel. The breakfasts are solid. Never mind that they were comped for hotel guests. The only problem was deciding between pancakes or the Portuguese sausage (or ham) and eggs. And home fries! Good quality work. You know I'd take this over the standard breakfast at a ritzy hotel any time.

May 8, 2011

Bangkok Chef

2011-10-19T20:52:00.000-10:00

Nothing quite like cashew nut chicken and jasmine brown rice at Bangkok Chef. The quality doesn't vary whether it's the Nuuanu location or Manoa. Both awesome.

May 8, 2011

IHOP

2011-10-19T20:42:00.001-10:00

IHOP in Kahului, open late, but not all night. It's not Tasty Crust, but like most chain businesses, you know what to expect.

May 7, 2011

Ichiban

2011-10-19T20:32:00.000-10:00

Hungry, jonesing for some good eats. Guess what? This little place right across the hotel, nondescript, not flashy, but man it was good.

Ichiban, Wailuku. Japanese food. Hope I go there again on the next visit.

May 7, 2011

War Memorial Stadium

2011-10-19T20:19:00.001-10:00

State track and field championships at Wailuku's War Memorial Stadium. Didn't have much time with all the events running non-stop, but I grabbed a bowl of this homemade chili. Definitely ono. The snack bar people guaranteed I'd like it. They were right

May 6, 2011

Tasty Crust

2011-10-19T20:09:00.003-10:00

It's been awhile, maybe three years, since I'd been to this historic spot in Wailuku. It doesn't get more homey. A place in a regular neighborhood, away from the touristy spots and malls. If I lived on Maui, I'd want to live within walking distance of Tasty Crust. Otherwise, I'll just wait for those visits to the Valley Isle when it hosts the track and field and state baseball tournaments.

May 6, 2011

Home cooking

2011-10-19T20:02:00.001-10:00

Garlic, Portuguese sausage, tomato sauce on English muffins. Had to make do without spaghetti noodles.

Home cooking

2011-10-19T20:00:00.001-10:00

I can't really cook. But this qualifies as home something. It's poi English muffins toasted with garlic. Yes, it was good. That's how much I love garlic.

One Plus One

2011-10-19T19:58:00.001-10:00

Back at one of the many eateries in Mo‘ili‘ili. This time, something simple: saimin. Chinese style, if you can imagine. Ran into former UH lineman and all-around great athlete Kamalu Umu and his family there. Kamalu is an awesome basketball player, by the way. He didn't play in high school, but when I used to see him play at 24-Hour Fitness a year or two ago, he was unstoppable.

Liu's Chop Suey

2011-10-19T13:07:00.005-10:00

I needed someplace quiet and roomy to write my story after the Punahou-Kamehameha volleyball match. Pork watercress soup — nice bonus! Liu's is at Kamehameha Shopping Center, Kalihi.

Oct. 18, 2011

Bangkok Chef

2011-10-18T12:25:00.001-10:00

Original location, Nuuanu. Photo taken with my laptop "phone booth" tool. Not the best photo, but it the yellow chicken curry with brown jasmine rice is so good, no photo can do it justice.

May 3, 2011

Yogurtland

2011-10-18T12:22:00.000-10:00

The Land of Yog. I was almost a regular customer over the summer. Not so much now. I usually spent $7-8 for my big cup. My favorite flavors: coconut, mango. Favorite toppings: strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, walnuts. The heavy toppings added to the weight, price goes up. But their stuff is so tasty.

May 1, 2011

Golden Coin

2011-10-18T12:16:00.000-10:00

This isn't the bakery/diner. This is Golden Coin lumpia at church. Dip in the vinegar-garlic sauce, so good.

May 1, 2011

One Plus One

2011-10-18T12:13:00.000-10:00

It's been months since I snapped this pictures and I don't even remember where this place is. The laulau was good, I remember that.

I looked it up. Now I remember. They're on the corner of King and Coolidge streets, next to a liquor store and across from HK's (now gone). This place has a mix of local and Chinese food, and their saimin is nice.

May 1, 2011

Waiahole Poi Factory

2011-10-18T12:08:00.000-10:00

I pass by on the way to Kahuku and don't have time to partake of their fresh, Hawaiian food. I pass by on the way back, and they're closed. One of these days, I'm gonna have at least one plate. Poi doesn't get fresher than this, I think.

April 30, 2011

Surfin' Tacos

2011-10-17T21:08:00.000-10:00

My first visit to this North Shore fixture. Everything out there closes early, so when I'm driving back after a game at Kahuku, it's dark and foodless unless you consider anything from 7-Eleven to be food.

Surfin' Tacos? Good stuff! Their "surf sauce" speciality just drips off the tacos. Tasty . . .

April 30, 2011

Kahuku Superette

2011-10-17T21:02:00.000-10:00

In the back, they serve up all kinds of goodies. Marinated kal bi, all kinds of meats. But I go there for the poke and rice if I'm there early enough.

April 30, 2011

Zippy's

2011-10-17T20:57:00.000-10:00

Can't remember which one it was, but it was definitely Zippy's. Strawberry salad? Steamed fish? Brownie delight!

April 30, 2011

Jamba Juice

2011-10-17T20:51:00.000-10:00

I don't even remember which Jamba this was. But I always order the same thing: original Orange Appeal, immunity boost. Always hits the spot. From the stats in my book, I was at a Pearl City-Waianae volleyball match before this visit.

April 26, 2011

Taco Del Mar

2011-10-17T20:47:00.000-10:00

I covered a game at CORP and was hungry. Didn't want Zippy's. I was near Starbucks when I decided to revisit Taco Del Mar (Waipio). I'm a sucker for good enchiladas, so I gave them a try. Turned out to be worth every cent and super filling, too. Tasty!

April 25, 2011

Ezogiku

2011-10-17T20:35:00.000-10:00

This is the University location. Good service, a/c. Nice. Normally, I get the seafood ramen (ankake). But this day, I got a plate. Rarely do that. I think this was mochiko chicken and I remember it being tasty. But nothing beats that seafood ramen.

April 24, 2011

Bale

2011-10-17T20:28:00.001-10:00

I love their bread. I am not a big bread eater, but something about their bread is special. Slightly crunchy outside. Tender inside. Put some pastrami and those cool pickled vegetables in there ... there's no need for mayo, etc. But I got avocado in mine anyway.

This is from Bale at Kam Shopping Center, Kalihi.

April 23, 2011

Taiyo Ramen

2011-10-17T20:14:00.003-10:00

I've eaten there countless times since 1995 or so, when I used to take my mom there during my vacations. (I lived on the Big Island in the '90s.) They were across from KFC on Kapiolani back then. Why do I still take photos of their food? It's a strange fixation of mine. Maybe it's a way of reassuring myself that they are still reliable, the food is still simple and awesome, and that my unconscious desire for quality control is satisfied with every visit.

Below, chicken curry on rice, gyoza (best on Earth) and their unique smoky chili paste. I like to add vinegar and gyoza sauce to mine. Da best!

April 22, 2011

Kapolei Golf Course

2011-10-17T20:07:00.000-10:00

I covered the ILH championships at Kapolei Golf Course, first time there in two years. Had some time to kill, so I got a glass of iced tea and apple pie ala mode. Simple and good!

April 20, 2011

Catching up

2011-10-17T20:01:00.000-10:00

I stopped posting photos of all the places I eat at in early October of 2009. I kept taking photos, but they're all on Facebook. I'm going to post lots of the photos that I've taken since, but starting from late April of this year. It's too much hassle to unplug some wires and plug in older external hard drives. From time to time, if I'm not busy and in the mood, I'll dig up some of those old photos. For now, I'm going to start posting newer stuff. There's plenty, so don't feel deprived.

New blog for my lanai gardening obsession

2011-10-14T14:20:00.000-10:00

I'll be posting the lanai garden stuff at a new blog: Urban Bucket Garden. I started it because A) it's free, B) I didn't feel 100% comfortable with combining foodie posts with stuff on how to kill whiteflies and grow cucumbers, and C) did I mention that the blog is free?

Please comment with your input and feedback and wisdom. I'm such a amateur at gardening, I need to learn a lot.

Chodang

2011-10-09T23:29:00.001-10:00

Never regretted a visit to Chodang. Probably never will. The soup and meat jun are cheap yet excellent. Actually, I could go for some again right now.

Oct. 1, 2011

White friggin flies

2011-09-24T11:07:00.002-10:00

I'm such a noob at this, please educate me if you're willing. After two weeks, I've learned that it's not aphids in my lanai garden. These little beige and brown eggs all over the gardenia and cucumber leaves are WHITEFLIES. I know this because they flock and scurry away when I blast the plants with my spray bottle. Right now, they're very low in numbers, but eggs were all over my newer cucumber plant leaves. Hundreds.

So I did some checking online and apparently, whiteflies are a problem everywhere. There are all kinds of toxic and homemade remedies. One is to use a plastic yellow cup, fill it with motor oil. Apparently, the adult whiteflies can't resist the color yellow. That would explain how they like the cucumber plants — lots of bright yellow flowers. And the gardenia leaves they like best start out very bright yellowish-green.

One person wrote that the eggs are on the soil, too. Maybe my squirting the eggs off with water on the gardenias isn't enough.

I have a bottle of neem oil treatment that was for the gardenias, but I also used it this morning on the cucumber plants. I hope that works. The newer plants have been decimated. They were so vibrant and lush, grew so quickly. Now it's a jungle of dead brown leaves. I have hope, however. Since I've been paying more attention to the older cucumber plants, squirting off the whiteflies often, it's made a comeback. In fact, it's been sprouting new female flowers, mostly too small to pollinate. But this morning I discovered a HUGE new female flower with the fruit already 2 inches long. I haven't seen one that big since the flower that turned into my only cucumber harvest so far. That was about a month ago.

So there are other ways to battle the whiteflies. This thread at GardenWeb helps. I'm hoping for great results. Man, I hate these whiteflies.

Update: More great educational info on killing whiteflies at The Hot Pepper.

Those #%@$!!&# aphids

2011-09-10T23:13:00.000-10:00

John of www.growingyourgreens.com talks aphids and getting rid of them at the end of this video. Everything I'd learned was right, after all.

Teach me about growing tomatoes!

2011-09-10T21:40:00.001-10:00

Why are my turnip seedlings dying?

2011-09-10T15:28:00.002-10:00

(This was posted on my food blog Sept. 10.)

They sprouted nicely a month or so ago. Since then, wilty and dying. Why? This site explains that turnips originate from Siberia. SIBERIA! In other words, they thrive in temperatures between 40 and 75 degrees.

It's been routinely around 85 where I live, so no matter how consistently I water them or how much shade they have, the turnip seedlings are overheated. Maybe I'll wait until winter to try again. Or not. I was so looking forward to making kim chi turnip. Can't win 'em all.

Tiny bugs infesting my gardenias

2011-09-06T23:29:00.001-10:00

It sucks! Every day, I get my spray bottle and wash away these tiny green and brown bugs that infest the leaves of my three gardenias. They've plagued one plant, especially, and are working on a younger one. I wash them away, wondering how I can get rid of them. I don't mind the high-maintenance work, but tonight I stumbled across a site that explains how ladybugs can be natural killers of aphids.

I don't know if these tiny bugs are aphids, but there was a nice little black ladybug (above) on one of the gardenias today. It was running around like it was a little lost. I never saw her before and she may have just been lost. I live in an apartment building pretty high up, so the chances of more ladybugs landing up here are remote. I'm glad I didn't get rid of it. I hope she sticks around and eats ALL the aphids and other little pests.

Cucumber growing fundamentals

2011-08-29T21:06:00.000-10:00

I've had some problems with my original two transplanted Fanfare cucumber plants. The pollination process has been mediocre — only one successful fruit from four female flowers — and the leaves have been dying off more and more. Though I'm told by a good friend that this is natural, I'm wary about the whiteflies that have been hiding out under these leaves. So, I'm on a quest to learn more about cucumber growing, especially for growing in containers without any direct sunlight.

As for whiteflies, here's what they advise on eHow.com: How to get rid of white flies

Soapy water. I gotta try this immediately.

Pickled Mango REVISED

2011-08-21T20:27:00.002-10:00

I'm so lazy. How does anyone go months without blogging after going through the trouble of starting a blog? But it's not like I've been totally bored. I've been planting vegetables. Seeds. Starter pots. I still eat out, but the lanai garden is my fascination. Limitations, yes. But still a new world to me that I learn more and more about. So I'm going to post my hundreds (yes, HUNDREDS) of photos. I'm also going to make a habit of posting embedded YouTube videos from some gardeners I enjoy learning from.

YouTube meant so little to me until I bought a handful of little starter plants from City Mill one day. I didn't even plan on buying plants. It just sorta happened, and now there are roughly 15 or 20 plants. Anyway, this guy says this is his front-yard garden, but it feels more like a farm to me. I'd love to have the space to do what he does, but I lack the knowledge and, after all, God never gives us more than we can handle.

Home cooking

2011-05-19T14:54:00.001-10:00

Time capsule: October 2009. Ate a lot of salad, a lot less carbs. Went from 225 pounds to 181 in six months. A month later, I started eating more rice again and some of the weight came back.

Taiyo Ramen

2011-05-19T14:32:00.000-10:00

Time capsule: Oct. 4, 2009. Best gyoza on earth. Lots of garlic in there, and the smoky chili paste is completely unique. I've always loved their chicken curry on rice and miso ramen. I guess I was hungry that night.

Take out!

Avocados

2011-05-19T14:27:00.000-10:00

Time capsule, Oct. 13, 2009. I love avocadoes. Ketchup. Chili sauce. Salsa. Any will do.

Roosevelt football grinds

2011-05-19T14:24:00.001-10:00

Time capsule: Oct. 2, 2009, Roosevelt High School (Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium), chili dog plate. The food there is ALWAYS sensational. This was at a Kahuku-Farrington game. Roosevelt is Farrington's home field.

‘Iolani chili

2011-05-19T14:19:00.000-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 25, 2009. Tough to beat homemade chili and rice. This was at ‘Iolani.

Kapolei football grinds

2011-05-19T14:06:00.000-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 11, 2009. Kapolei High School snack bar. Really good fried noodles. Are they as good as the fried noodles at Mililani? It's pretty close.

Bangkok Chef: Pad raumit

2011-05-19T13:58:00.001-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 24, 2009. Trying out the menu at Bangkok Chef, Nuuanu. Jasmine brown rice is my favorite brown rice. Mmmm . . .

Zippy's: Omelette

2011-05-19T13:50:00.001-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 22, 2009. Omelette, hash browns and rice at Zippy's. Think this is the Mililani location.

Pita good

2011-05-19T13:46:00.005-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 16, 2009. File under "Home cooking." I'm not a cook. Eating more pita bread and less rice helped me lose 44 pounds in '09. In six months.

Almost anything looks good in tomato or spaghetti sauce. This is an eggplant. It was good.

More pita sandwich the next day. Pork is good.

More pita, Sept. 23, 2009.

Sept. 30, 2009. Making do with what's in the kitchen.

Oct. 1, 2009. The pita overdose continues.

Oct. 5, 2009. Chicken!

Waiola Shave Ice

2011-05-19T13:37:00.000-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 7, 2009. Nothing quite like a big shave ice with ice cream and azuki beans from Waiola Shave Ice. That's right. I said it. Waiola is the BEST.

Kahuku football snack bar(s)

2011-05-19T13:24:00.000-10:00

Time capsule: Sept. 4, 2009, Kahuku High School football game. Always variety in their food offerings at a good price. Good food is always made with love!