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Monday, October 21, 2013

CELEBRATING 350,000 PAGE VIEWS - www.greateatshawaii.blogspot.com

CELEBRATING 350,000 PAGE VIEWS
www.greateatshawaii.blogspot.com

Mahalo for visiting this little blog and enjoying 
great food, golf and fun.  More from Hawaii
and the world are coming soon!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

AIR CANADA MAPLE LEAF LOUNGE - LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

AIR CANADA MAPLE LEAF LOUNGE
TERMINAL 2
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

AIR CANADA MAPLE LEAF LOUNGE
TERMINAL 2
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HOURS: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily
LOCATION:  After security walk to left and take elevator or stairs to Mezzanine level.

I was not flying on Air Canada but had a card that allowed me access to the club while waiting for a flight on Hawaiian Airlines.  The Hawaiian Airlines lounge is located across from the Maple Leaf Lounge but does not compare in space or what is offered to eat and drink.  I left the Hawaiian Lounge after less than 30 seconds.  The place is small, dated and just does not have a good clean feeling.  The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge was the exact opposite.  Large, clean and stocked full of food and drinks for the morning travelers.  There was a machine that brewed fresh coffee by the cup and plenty of bagels, pastries, breads and cereals.  I enjoyed the coffee and free internet and got some work done while waiting for my flight.  Great place to hang for a few minutes or hours at LAX.

AIR CANADA MAPLE LEAF LOUNGE OVERLOOKS TERMINAL 2
LARGE LEATHER CHAIRS AND A GREAT KITCHEN
PLENTY OF ROOM TO SPREAD OUT AND TONS OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
COMFORTABLE SEATING
SMALL BUSINESS CENTER WITH PRINTER AND WORK STATIONS
SELF SERVICE BREAKFAST AT 6:00 AM
COFFEE, TEA AND COLD BEVERAGES
SEATING IN KITCHEN AREA
COFFEE MACHINES WERE GREAT
NICE SELECTION OF CEREAL
COMPLIMENTARY SNACKS AND FRUIT

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - REVISITED AGAIN

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
KAHALA MALL
HONOLULU, HAWAII

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
KAHALA MALL
4211 WAIALAE AVENUE
HONOLULU, HI  96816
808-737-9446
HOURS: Monday thru Thursday 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
                Fridan and Saturday 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM

My daughter loves California Pizza Kitchen and so do I.  Probably have been there more times than any other chain restaurant in Hawaii.  This time we went back seeking a more healthier lunch as I am trying to drop some pounds (again). Started with the Lettuce Wraps with Chicken ($10.40) as an appetizer for the table.  Always like this dish.  We went with some of the small plates offered on a separate menu on the table.  The White Corn Guacamole and Chips ($4.40) was delicious and packed a little bit of heat which I really liked.  The sweet corn, onion, guacamole and bell pepper all work well and make a great dip with the chips.  The Petite Wedge Salad ($5.25) was good and worth the five bucks.  The Asparagus and Arugula Salad ($5.40) was beautifully presented and really good.  By daughter had her favorite Kids Meal of Pasta Bolognese ($5.50).  Served with a drink and bargain for five bucks too.  We all loved the fresh bread served with olive oil and herbs.  The bread was fantastic!
All in all some really good food for the price.  Cannot go wrong at CPK.   
Click links to my other posts on CPK below.

CPK KIDS PASTA BOLOGNESE
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN KAHALA MALL
THE BREAD IS DELICIOUS
WHITE CORN WITH GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS
LETTUCE WRAPS WITH CHICKEN
LETTUCE WRAP
PETITE WEDGE SALAD
ASPARAGUS AND ARUGULA SALAD

BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT AND BAR

BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT AND BAR
MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA

JAMAICA BAY INN
4175 ADMIRALTY WAY
MARINA DEL REY, CA  90292
888-823-5333
310-823-5333

Enjoyed a great breakfast and good dinner at the Beachside Restaurant in Marina Del Rey.  The restaurant is located inside the Jamaica Bay Inn and has great views of the bay.  For breakfast I enjoyed Breakfast Enchiladas ($12) that were terrific.  Everything you would expect in an Enchilada but with scrambled eggs and chorizo sausage in place of the chicken, beef or cheese.  Topped with Enchilada Sauce, Sour Creme and Guacamole.  This dish was good.  Really good.  Loved it.  Dinner here was just ok.  Had a great time with my Mom, Brother and Nephew.  Enjoyed a cocktail on the outdoor patio until the sunset and it got a bit chilly.  The staff was professional and on the ball outside.  As the weather changed they were more than happy to move large gas fired heaters near customers enjoying drinks and food.  We went inside for dinner where it was very comfortable.  Staff inside was great too.  Full of smiles, laughter and great attitude.  Ordered the Crispy Calamari ($11) appetizer for the table.  Calamari was a bit bland and served with a Aoli that tasted like mayonnaise.  Order it with cocktail sauce if you can.  The mayo did not add anything to the dish.  Mom and me both tried the Sauteed Garlic and JalapeƱo Shrimp ($27).  I did not taste much garlic and absolutely no jalapeno.  I ended up soaking the shrimp in the mashed potatoes to try to add flavor.  My brother liked the Pacific Sole Fish N' Chips ($18).  There was enough leftover to take some home.  The Seared Rare Ahi Tuna Salad ($19) was a huge hit with my nephew.  He absolutely loved the dish.

FANTASTIC BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS AT BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT

VIEW FROM BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT OUTDOOR PATIO SEATING
BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT STARTERS AND SALADS MENU
BEACHSIDE RESTAURANT ENTREE MENU
CRISPY CALAMARI
SAUTEED GARLIC AND JALAPENO (SCAMPI STYLE) SHRIMP
SEARED RARE AHI TUNA SALAD
PACIFIC SOLE FISH N' CHIPS

GRYLT

GRYLT
MANOA MARKETPLACE
HONOLULU, HAWAII

GRYLT
MANOA MARKETPLACE
2764 WOODLAWN DRIVE
HONOLULU, HI  96822
808-988-7832

Finally had a chance to visit Grylt in Manoa Marketplace.  This small chain of "healthy" restaurants seems to be creating a following and expanding quite nicely.  The concept is healthy food made with local ingredients.  I get that and like the concept.  Everyone knows that I could benefit by shedding a few pounds.  Grylt is located in the Manoa Marketplace in the back across from Longs.  There is plenty of parking which is good.  You enter Grylt and there is a large menu over the counter.  You order at the counter and then can sit inside or outside on the patio.  When your food is ready, a server will bring it to your table so you do not have to wait at the checkout.  If you want a "Plate Lunch" or platter as they call it you simply order a Protein, Starch and Veggie.  Selections for Protein include meat, chicken, fish or tofu.  I ordered the Grylt Signature Salad ($8.95).  Romaine Lettuce, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Yellow Squash, Tomato, Onions, Parmesan Cheese with a Honey Mustard Dressing.  The lettuce was served in large wedges and cooked until burnt on the ends.  I found everything on the plate to be pretty bland and did not like the Honey Mustard Dressing.  The veggies were fresh but the chicken was tasteless.  I did see on the menu that you can order a sauce and I recommend that you do.  Don't know if I would go back and pay $9 for this salad.  The Grilled Ahi Tuna Wrap ($9.95) consists of Fresh Line-Caught Grilled Ahi, Baby Romaine, Tomato, Grilled Onion and Wasabi Honey Mustard Dressing.  This wrap was good but again thought the dressing was weak.  The Grilled Fresh Salmon Wrap ($9.95) was similar to the Ahi Wrap without the lettuce.  Fresh Atlantic Salmon with Tomatoes, Grilled Onions and Wasabi Mayo.  Fresh yes.  Flavor and texture so so.  Thought the Salmon Wrap could use some lettuce too.  What surprised me was the Acai Bowl at ($6.95).  This little cup of berries, bananas, berries and honey took our lunch for three to almost $40.  My daughter loved it and said it was the best part of the meal.  I would give Grylt another chance.  I understand the concept and what they are doing but think they could kick up the flavors a bit without becoming too unhealthy.  Liked the story of the owners and incredible history of the chef here so I am adding the info below from their website.

Mayu Farinas

While surfing in Waikiki, Allen met Mayu, an MBA student at HPU from Japan. They started dating and became married on Nov 10, 2006. After college Mayu became a realtor working at Century 21. After an eight year career with Toshiba, Allen was presented with the opportunity to get involved with a local restaurant chain where he and his wife owned and operated multiple restaurants serving a plate lunch style menu.
Wanting to develop a concept on their own that incorporated Healthy, Delicious, Fresh and Savory while being eco-Friendly, Mayu and Allen started looking for help in developing a menu. They found many talented Chefs but they knew they found the right one when they met Chef Raoul Orosa.

Chef Raoul

Chef Raoul's experience includes not only being an Executive Chef at few fine restaurants but also a chef at fine restaurants like Spago in Beverly Hills and The Four Seasons. One of his favorite is working side by side as a Sous Chef with Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Napa Valley.
In Texas, Chef Raoul Started his own Restaurant Called Seventeen Seventeen, and he has been awarded “Dallas Star Chef” by food critics 3 years in a row and winning “Best Lunch” in Dallas.
Chef’s Night Out, a best-selling book, names Seventeen Seventeen as one of the top 100 restaurants in the nation. Raoul has been invited twice to showcase his culinary talents at the "Friends of James Beard" event in New York City. Southern Living Magazine describes Raoul's complex and heavily styled dishes as presentations to be gazed at before tasting.
GRYLT 

GRYLT AT MANOA MARKETPLACE
ORDER AT THE WINDOW
PAY AT COUNTER AND THEY WILL BRING FOOD TO YOUR TABLE
COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR SEATING ON THE DECK
GRYLT SIGNATURE SALAD WITH CHICKEN
GRYLT AHI TUNA WRAP
GRYLT SALMON WRAP
ACAI BOWL

JAMAICA BAY INN - MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA

JAMAICA BAY INN
4175 ADMIRALTY WAY
MARINA DEL REY, CA  90292
888-823-5333
310-823-5333
RESERVATIONS: reservations@jamaicabayinn.com

We stayed at the Jamaica Bay Inn back in 2011 and were not that impressed.  Seems things have changed in two years.  The service here is now top notch and the guest experience has been elevated to new levels.  From the check in to check out the staff at the front desk was exceptionally friendly.  Wish I could remember the gals name that checked me in.  She was smiling, gracious, polite and walked out from behind the counter to hand me my key and escort me to the elevator.  Bellmen were polite and prompt unlike my last visit when they did not seem to care.  Loved the room and view of bay.  Great think about Jamaica Bay Inn is that it is about 10 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport and 5 minutes from Loyola Marymount University where my nephew attends college.  I was able to spend time with my nephew and other family members and easily be at the airport before 6:00 AM.  Driving from the hotel to the airport was a breeze.  Great location for getting in and out of LA without a lot of stress. 

JAMAICA BAY INN MARINA DEL REY

ROOM HAD BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF BAY
CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE ROOMS
NICE DESK WORK AREA
COFFEE, TEA, WATER AND REFRIGERATOR
BATHROOM AND SHOWER WERE GREAT

Saturday, October 19, 2013

DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT

DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA

DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT
38-995 DESERT WILLOW DRIVE
PALM DESERT, CA  92260
760-346-0015

Wow....what a great Clubhouse and Course at Desert Willow.  First class all the way.  Loved the golf, food and staff here.  The course is a giant sandbox with bunkers everywhere.  I somehow managed to avoid most of them.  This is a beautiful and challenging course that I loved.  
 
DESSERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT
 
DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT IS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT
GREAT CLUBHOUSE, BAR AND RESTAURANT
KICK BACK INSIDE THE BAR OR OUTSIDE ON THE PATIO
PATIO DINING IS WHERE WE HAD LUNCH
LAKEVIEW DINING MENU

FISH TACOS WERE EXCELLENT