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CITY FOR TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITES!

Sunday, June 16, 2019

KAKU'S SUSHI AND SEAFOOD BUFFET

KAKU'S SUSHI AND SEAFOOD BUFFET
INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE
2330 KALAKAUA AVENUE, SUITE 326
HONOLULU, HI. 96815
808-755-9898
HOURS:  Daily 11:30AM - 2PM / 5:30 PM - 9:30PM

HOT TIP......Kaku's Sushi and Seafood Buffet rocks.  We were blown away with the quality and quantity of food for lunch and were equally surprised by the price.  Had no idea that Kaku's was here and did not expect to eat a lunch buffet on this day.  Just strolling through Waikiki with my Daughter and visiting one of her favorite stores.  We walked up to Kaku's not knowing what to expect.  Decided to go in and so glad we did.  We were seated quickly and then taken to a table.  Grant it we did not know this was a buffet and did not know the price.  Looking around we saw a long line of dishes lined up along the wall.  The waiter approached and gave us a blue and yellow list of Sushi and a pencil.  He said you can check off as much Sushi as you want and they will hand make it and bring it to the table.  Meanwhile, he said we could hit the buffet.  We hit the buffet and were amazed at the selections.  Steamed Clams, Shrimp, Fish, Sweet and Sour Pork, Tonkatsu, Salads, Noodles, Fruit, Soups, Tempura and so much more.  I loaded up a small plate and went back to the table.  After a few bites I said to my Daughter "wow the taste and quality is real good".  She agreed and said "Dad how much do you think this cost?".  I replied probably $30-$40.  She agreed.  When the Sushi arrived I told her that this was worth $50 since it is all you can eat Sushi plus all this other good food.  Again she agreed.  Now we were not that hungry and had no idea we would be eating a buffet.  We ordered the least amount of Sushi as anyone in the restaurant.  Our small plates of one or two pieces did not compare to the tables next to us that literally had platters of Sushi.  I mean it was amazing.  Large platters of Sushi going to the tables non stop.  Then there is us eating two pieces of Tuna and a piece of Shrimp.  The Sushi was fresh and higher quality that a lot of places in Waikiki.  We were happy but just could not each much.  We were not given a bill so I walked up to the cash register and asked how much this cost.  The guy asked if we were local and checked our I.D.'s.  He handed me the bill and it was $40 for two.  I was blown away.  $20 each is a steal.  I asked how much dinner was and he said $35 and they have King Crab and Oysters plus more entrees on the dinner menu.  Holy crap I said "what a bargain".  I highly recommend you go to Kaku's now because I can guarantee you the price will go up.  This is the BEST Sushi/Seafood Buffet in Waikiki.

KAKU'S SUSHI AND SEAFOOD BUFFET































MAILE'S THAI BISTRO TAKEOUT

MAILE'S THAI BISTRO
HAWAII KAI TOWNE CENTER
333 KEAHOLE STREET
HONOLULU, HI. 96825
808-394-2488
HOURS:  Monday thru Thursday/Sunday 11AM - 9PM / Friday and Saturday 11AM -10PM
www.mailesthaibistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mailes-thai-bistro-honolulu-3
www.facebook.com/mailesthai/
www.instagram.com/mailesthaihawaiikai/

Love Maile and Maile's Thai Bistro.  This is our go to place for Thai food in Honolulu.  We were craving Maile's Thai but knew the restaurant would be very busy on this night so we opted for takeout.  My Wife arrived to pick up the order and found Maile sitting with Roy Yamaguchi the founder of the successful Roy's chain of restaurants around the world.  Maile took time to introduce my Wife to Roy and chat while the food was being prepared.  Our go to dishes at Maile's are always the Cold Tofu which my Wife and Daughter absolutely love.  Think it is the sauce that makes this dish one of their favorites.  I like the Spring Rolls wrapped in lettuce with hot sauce.  The Green Papaya Salad is refreshing and I love the flavor and texture when you wrap the Papaya in cabbage leaves.  I like this dish a little spicy.  We always seem to order Pad Thai with Chicken.  Definitely a family favorite.  Tried the Thai Garlic Shrimp on this visit. Didn't really get a lot of garlic taste though.  My Wife loves the Ong Choi and so do I.  We usually order this with beef but opted to go just with the veggies this time.  Delicious.  Maile sometimes put things on her menu that surprise you.  Take French Fries for example.  We usually get the Fries when we dine in because they are so good.  Another surprise is her Carrot Cake.  We are not big Carrot Cake eaters but always order it at Maile's because it is so good.  

COLD TOFU
SPRING ROLLS
PAD THAI WITH CHICKEN
THAI GARLIC SHRIMP
ONG CHOI
GREEN PAPAYA SALAD
MAILE'S CARROT CAKE

Saturday, June 15, 2019

GRILLED MARLIN WITH GARLIC GINGER CREAM SAUCE

GRILLED MARLIN WITH GARLIC GINGER CREAM SAUCE
DINNER AT HOME 

I used the same piece of Marlin that we picked up for $3.49 per pound and made Fish Tostadas out of to make dinner the next night.  Had enough Marlin left to make two Grilled Filets.  Served with a Garlic Ginger Cream Sauce with Bok Choy and Carrots sautéed in Garlic and Ginger.  So good!

GRILLED MARLIN WITH GARLIC GINGER CREAM SAUCE

FRESH HAWAII MARLIN



FRESH FISH TOSTADAS

FRESH FISH TOSTADAS
DINNER AT HOME

Not too often you see super fresh fish for $3.49 per pound in Hawaii.  I saw this beautiful pink piece of Marlin and had to buy it.  The price was incredible and the fish looked amazing.  Decided to use have of my 1.5 pounds to make Tostadas.  Placed warm Refried Beans that I made earlier with onions and jalapeño on the Tortilla and then topped the beans with the fresh Marlin that I coated with Cajun Spices and then grilled.  A little hot sauce, lettuce, cheese and Pico de Gallo for a killer Tostada.  These were really good because the fish was so fresh and very flavorful.  Yummy!

FRESH FISH TOSTADA

FRESH MARLIN FOR $3.49 PER POUND!
BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF MARLIN
FRESH FISH TOSTADA

NICO'S PIER 38

NICO'S PIER 38
1129 N. NIMITZ HIGHWAY
HONOLULU, HI. 96817
808-540-1377
HOURS:  Daily 6:30AM - 9PM / Sunday 10AM -9PM
https://nicospier38.com
www.yelp.com/biz/nicos-pier-38-honolulu-2
www.facebook.com/nicospier38/
www.instagram.com/nicospier38/?hl=en

I showed up on the wrong day for a lunch meeting at Nico's so I got take out and went back the next day for the meeting.  Nico's two days in a row not so bad.  First day enjoyed fresh Mahi Mahi with Lobster Arrabiata Sauce.  No taste of Lobster in the sauce but this was good.  Fish was super fresh. Second day I ordered fresh Ahi with a Tomato Caper Sauce.  Again fresh and again delicious.
MAHI MAHI WITH LOBSTER ARREBIATA SAUCE
AHI WITH TOMATO CAPER SAUCE

Sunday, June 9, 2019

OAHU COUNTRY CLUB MEMBER/MEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

 OAHU COUNTRY CLUB MEMBER/MEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT
HONOLULU, HAWAII

When the weather is perfect at Oahu Country Club, it is one of the most beautiful places on Oahu.  Blessed to get the perfect weather for the 2019 Member/Member tournament.  While me and my partner finished dead last, we had fun enjoying golf, good food, a few beers and the beauty of Waolani Valley.  Food this year was amazing with a great Prime Rib, Shrimp Pasta and Chicken dinner following the two day tournament.  The dinner buffet on the eve of the tournament was incredible with Candied Bacon, Japanese French Fries, Poke, Cheeseburger Sliders, Shoyu Chicken and a fall off the bone pork dish.  Top notch food, golf and fun.

SANTOS AND CRICCHIO - DEAD LAST TEAM BUT STILL WINNERS!

LISTED LAST AND FINISHED LAST  BUT WE HAD FUN!
PRE TOURNAMENT DINNER BUFFET SELECTIONS

 BEER AND SPAM FUELED TEAM

BENTO LUNCH FOR GAME DAY


















GOLF BUDDIES AND WIVES

HA LONG PHO

HA LONG PHO NOODLE HOUSE
WAIAKAMILO SHOPPING CENTER
1414 DILLINGHAM BLVD #101
HONOLULU, HI 96817
808-845-3687
HOURS:  Daily 10AM - 9PM (Closed Sunday)
http://halongnoodle.com/wp/
www.yelp.com/biz/ha-long-pho-noodle-house-honolulu
www.facebook.com/Ha-Long-Pho-Noodle-House-73178473511/
www.instagram.com/halongpho/

Ordering some takeout Pho at the office and one of my employees said to try Ha Long Pho instead of our usual BaLe Pho.  He said the Pho was good and they give you more meat.  Went for it and boy was he right.  Ha Long Pho just might be my new favorite Pho spot in Hawaii.  I ordered the Rare Steak and Brisket and there was twice the meat of BaLe and twice the vegetables.  I was impressed with the portions but what about the taste.  As I emptied Basil, Jalapeños, Lemon, Bean Sprouts and other leafy things out of the bag I found two containers of Sriracha Sauce and Spicy Chili Oil.  This would pump of the taste for sure I thought.  I poured the meats and veggies along with the sauces into the broth and mixed it all up.  After one slurp of the broth I thought "wow this is good".  Second bite with a bit of beef and "wow this is really good".  After getting through about half of the Pho I declared this one of the best Pho's in Hawaii.  Absolutely loved it.  Cannot wait for my next Pho day at Ha Long Pho!

BAG OF VEGGIES, SPICES ALONG WITH BROTH, NOODLES, ONIONS, RARE STEAK AND BRISKET
PHO BROTH
MEATS, NOODLES AND ONIONS
EVERYTHING IN THE POT AND LETS EAT PHO!


SHRIMP TEMPURA

SHRIMP TEMPURA
DINNER AT HOME

Enjoyed delicious Shrimp Tempura with Dipping Sauce and Rice for dinner at home.  Quick and easy dinner that hit the spot!

SHRIMP TEMPURA