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Friday, November 25, 2016

THANKSGIVING DINNER

THANKSGIVING
DINNER AT HOME

So nice to spend the day cooking, eating and enjoying family whether in person or on the phone.
We feasted this Thanksgiving with family and friends but also made many phone calls to the mainland to visit with people we love.  So nice to catch up with our loved ones and spend time as a family the entire day.  Food was incredible this year with the Turkey being the star.  So moist and flavorful.  Really good.  Loved the Crab Cakes that we make with recipe from Chef Roy of the Roy's Restaurant empire.  So much food for six people so next year I think we will invite some more people over.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

THANKSGIVING DINNER

APPETIZERS WERE SERVED AT 3:00 WHILE WATCHING SOME FOOTBALL
DEVILED EGGS
LIVER PATE
CREAM CHEESE WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES
ITALIAN MEATS AND CHEESES
FRESH AHI SASHIMI
KIMCHI TAKO POKE (TOP) AND WASABI POKE
SHRIMP COCKTAIL
A LITTLE WHITE WINE WITH THE APPETIZERS
CRAB CAKE WITH YOGURT SAUCE 
NOW WE ARE READY FOR DINNER
LOVE THE HOLIDAY SETTING AND READY TO EAT
PLACE SETTING FOR THE HOLIDAY
BACON WRAPPED TURKEY WAS THE BEST EVER!
BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH GUYERE CHEESE
SCALLOPED POTATOES
SAUSAGE, APPLE AND SAGE STUFFING WITH HOME MADE GRAVY
GREEN BEANS WITH FRENCH ONIONS
CREAMED CORN WITH PIMENTOS
HOME MADE BUTTER ROLLS 
MOIST, SEASONED AND HERB ROASTED TURKEY WAS BEST EVER
YUMMY!!!
THE BOSS GETS THE LEG
HOME MADE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS
CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO END THE DAY




Sunday, November 20, 2016

THE NOOK NEIGHBORHOOD BISTRO

THE NOOK NEIGHBORHOOD BISTRO
1035 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, #105
HONOLULU, HI  96826
808-942-2222
HOURS:  Monday: Closed
                Tuesday:  7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
                Wednesday and Thursday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM / 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
                Friday and Saturday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM / 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM

The Nook Neighborhood Bistro is tucked away within Puck's Alley on University Avenue and it really does have a small neighborhood feel.  With a small indoor seating area and outside tables for two you may need to wait a bit or make a reservation here.  We checked in on a Sunday and were put on the IPad waiting list where they take your phone number and text you when your table is ready.  The text system confirms your reservation, notifies you when your table is ready and allows you to confirm or cancel your reservation.  We waited about 15 minutes before we received our text.  We were seated inside where there are tables that can accommodate parties of two to around six people.  The outdoor tables are mostly limited to parties of two.  Since we are not big breakfast people we were kind of bummed that at 1:00 pm most of the menu was breakfast items.  Breakfast places are a huge hit in Hawaii now and really popular with the Japanese who will line up for hours for a good Pancake or Waffle.  I started with a home made soda ($4) which was a blend of Ginger, Mint and Lemon.  The drink was a bit tart and very delicious and refreshing.  Really enjoyed this.
I went for the BLT ($14) with Fried Pork Belly.  Served with a small side of Spinach Salad.  Liked the sandwich but it did not have a "wow" factor that would make me order it again.  Good though as was the Spinach.  The Mochiko Chicken and Mochi Waffles ($13.50) got mixed reviews from my Daughter.  She liked the Chicken but said the Waffles were chewy.  This is because they use Mochi flower to make them.  Mochi is a Japanese glutinous rice that is a bit thick and chewy.  The Citrus Shrimp Salad ($14) was "Delicious, Light and Refreshing" according to my Wife.  The Shrimp were perfectly cooked and sweet.  She loved the Salad and said she would go back again to eat it again.  We all liked the food, presentations and service here.  The gals working the place smile and pay attention to serving you.  Really liked the service and will return to try the dinner menu.  This is a little neighborhood gem.

THE NOOK NEIGHBORHOOD BISTRO

SMALL RESTAURANT WITH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING
INDOOR SEATING WITH BAR
THE NOOK NEIGHBORHOOD BISTRO BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU
EGGS, PANCAKES, WAFFLES AND MORE
SANDWICHES, SALADS AND SIDES
TEA 
COFFEE AND REFRESHERS

DINNER MENU
METAL WATER CUPS
I GOT RID OF THE METAL STRAW ---HOW DO THEY CLEAN THOSE THINGS?
BLT WITH FRIED PORK BELLY
FRIED PORK BELLY ON THE BLT
MOCHIKO CHICKEN AND MOCHI WAFFLES
CITRUS SHRIMP SALAD

Saturday, November 19, 2016

YAKINIKU DINNER AT HOME

YAKINIKU 
DINNER AT HOME

Entertained guests from Japan and California with a home cooked Yakiniku dinner.  Our cooktop was actually out of service so we decided to break out the Indoor Grill Pan and make this delicious meal for our out of town guests.  This is a really fun way to eat and you can use just about any meat, vegetable or seafood.  
Click links below for more posts on Yakiniku and Shabu Shabu;

YAKINIKU DINNER

YAKINIKU DINNER AT HOME

SMOKED MARLIN ON GARLIC BREAD WITH HORSERADISH, RED ONION AND CAPERS
KIM CHEE TAKO POKE AND AHI POKE
FRESH AHI SASHIMI
ONE OF MY FAVORITE WINES
THE TABLE IS SET NOW LETS EAT!
The sauce is called Batayaki Sauce (Soy Sauce, Ginger Juice, Lime Juice, Brown Sugar, Water, Daikon and Dashinomoto Seasoning)
ASSORTED FRESH VEGETABLES, SEAFOOD AND BEEF
SEAFOOD PARTY OF FLAVORS
ALASKAN KING CRAB, MAHI MAHI, LOBSTER, SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP
GOTTA EAT YOUR VEGGIES! 
SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP
LOBSTER
KING CRAB AND FRESH MAHI MAHI
THINLY SLICED STEAK
SEASONED VEGETABLES AND A LITTLE BIT OF BUTTER
I STARTED WITH SOME VEGGIES
MAHI MAHI, SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS HIT THE GRILL PAN
SEAFOOD WAS SO YUMMY
A LITTLE MAIN LOBSTER TAIL MEAT 
SEASONED STEAK
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM