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Sunday, March 6, 2022

HAU TREE LANAI

Wow.....what an incredible evening at the Hau Tree Lanai.  Food, service and sunset view was amazing.  This was one of the best Date Nights ever.  This place has a special meaning to me for several reasons.  First is that we had dinner here after we were married in 1998.  Second is that I lived in this hotel for almost two months when I first moved to Hawaii over 30 years ago.  I fell in love with the hotel and the beach and it remains one of my favorite spots in all Hawaii.  Our reservation was early so we could get a beachside table.  Only negative is that you bake in the sun for a few minutes until the sun goes down.  The restaurant provides fans and a little chilled chardonnay helps too.  Our waiter was great.  He explained menu items, talked story and never rushed us.  In fact, he timed everything perfectly so our entrees arrived just as the sun was setting.  We started with the Burrata Toast which we LOVED.  The Truffle Honey puts this over the top and I would order it again and again.  The Hamachi Crudo was beautifully plated and super fresh.  The Chopped Salad was huge and more than enough for two people.  Definitely made to be shared.  Fresh and crisp with a delicious light vinaigrette.
The House Made Ravioli with Snow Crab really didn't do it for us.  The pasta did not have that fresh taste or texture and you could not really taste the crab.  The Pork Chop arrived pre cut which was perfect for sharing.  It was cooked perfectly and tasted great.  Broke all my low carb rules on this night so we decided to go for dessert too.  Love the Banana Tart with Ice Cream.  Can honestly say that the food at Hau Tree Lanai has been uplifted to compare with the view.  As the sun set on Kaimana Beach, we thanked God for this night and the beautiful view and delicious dinner.Really doesn't get better than this in busy Waikiki.  
The Hau Tree Lanai is a gem!
Click link below to view previous posts on Hau Tree Lanai;

HAU TREE LANAI

LOBBY OF THE KAIMANA BEACH HOTEL


BEACHSIDE DINING IN WAIKIKI

THIS IS ONE OF MY HAPPY PLACES

BREAK OUT THE FANS BECAUSE IT CAN BE HOT

DATE NIGHT AT THE HAU TREE LANAI

HAU TREE LANAI MENU

BURRATA TOAST

HAMACHI CRUDO

ATTENTION TO DETAILS AND PRESENTATION

CHOPPED SALAD

PORK CHOP

SNOW CRAB STUFFED RAVIOLI

BANANA DESSERT WITH ICE CREAM

DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!

HAU TREE LANAI SUNSET






Saturday, March 5, 2022

BEEF AND BEAN BURRITO

BRUNCH AT HOME

Leftover Taco meat and Beans in the refrigerator so I made a Beef and Bean Burrito.
Added Cheese, Onions, Cilantro and Hot Sauce on a low carb Tortilla.  Loved it!

BEEF AND BEAN BURRITO 

 

DORAKU SUSHI TAKEOUT

DORAKU WAIKIKI
ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER
2233 KALAKAUA AVE, 3RD FLOOR
HONOLULU, HI 96815
808-922-3323

We love Doraku Sushi but this takeout did not live up to our expectations.  The Clams were bad and uneatable.  The portion was tiny for $21 and about 1/3 of the Clams did not open.
The Hamachi Kama was delicious but they did not provide any of the sauces or condiments. The Miso Soup was bland and cold.  I took one bite of the Poke and never ate another bite.  The Sushi was good as usual.  Pretty disappointed in this dinner which was delivered by Bite Squad.  No complaints about the delivery.  Was on time.

DELUXE RAINBOW ROLL W/NO RICE (L) - ULTIMATE SPICY TUNA ROLL (R)

AHI POKE

ASARI CLAM SAKAMUSHI

HAMACHI KAMA

TRADITIONAL MISO SOUP

 

Friday, March 4, 2022

BUCA DI BEPPO LUNCH FEAST

BUCA DI BEPPO
1030 AUAHI STREET
HONOLULU, HI 96814
808-591-0800
HOURS:  Monday thru Thursday 11AM - 10PM / Friday and Saturday 11AM - 11PM
                 Sunday 11AM - 9PM

I had Buca di Beppo delivered for an Employee Appreciation lunch at the office.  The online ordering is simple and makes it very easy to buy lunch or dinner for a group.  Delivery was on time and the driver helped set everything up before he left.  Everyone loved the food!

BUCA DI BEPPO LUNCH FEAST



ANTIPASTI SALAD

SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE

BAKED RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE

SHRIMP SCAMPI PASTA

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

SALMON PESTO

HOUSE BREAD

TIRAMISU

 

Thursday, March 3, 2022

GRILLED CHEESE AND ONION SANDWICH

LUNCH AT HOME

Not much in our refrigerator and I had some low carb bread.  Went with a simple Grilled Cheese and Onion Sandwich.  Boy this hit the spot with a little ketchup.

GRILLED CHEESE AND ONION SANDWICH



 

PINE TREE CAFE

PINE TREE CAFE
73-4040 HULIKOA DRIVE
KAILUA KONA, HAWAII  96740
808-327-1234

The Pine Tree Cafe just past the Kona Airport is a solid "go to" spot for breakfast or lunch.  The place is usually packed with locals and contractors grabbing a bite.  The Menu behind the counter is huge and pretty unreadable because there is so much and the type is so small.  The endless variety of dishes causes many to stand and stare for minutes.  Specials are posted on a billboard and I think a lot of people just order off that.  I did and went with the Breakfast Burrito with Portuguese Sausage and no potatoes.  Pretty good.
Click link below to view previous post on Pine Tree Cafe;

BREAKFAST BURRITO

I OPTED FOR NO POTATOES AND DIDN'T EAT THE TORTILLA TO STAY LOW CARB

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

GREEK GROTTO

GREEK GROTTO
KUHIO AVENUE FOOD HALL
INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE
2330 KALAKAUA AVE
HONOLULU, HI. 96815

I saw a photo of a giant Gyro on Instagram and just had to have one.  Found that the Greek Grotto had just opened in Waikiki so we decided to try it for lunch.  It took awhile to get our food but the Manager apologized and explained that he wanted to make sure it was fresh.  We sat at an outside table on Kuhio Avenue.  There is a bar next to the Greek Grotto so I grabbed a glass of wine to enjoy while we waited.  I ordered the Greek Salad with Beef and Lamb.  It arrived with a nice portion of meat and large chilled salad.  I found this dish delicious and filling.  My Wife went for Gyro which also came with a small salad.  She ate the whole thing so I guessed she liked it.  I highly recommend the Greek Salad with Lamb and Beef.

GREEK GROTTO

KUHIO FOOD HALL

SMALL SPOT IN THE KUHIO FOOD HALL IN WAIKIKI

GREEK GROTTO MENU

GYRO WRAP

MEATY AND FRESH

GREEK SALAD WITH BEEF AND LAMB

LUNCH IN WAIKIKI 

GARLIC SHRIMP SALAD

DINNER AT HOME

Wanted to use up some Shrimp we had in the refrigerator so I used whatever we had and made this nice salad.  Iceberg Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach, Cucumber, Red Onion, Carrots, Tomato, Edamame, and Mozzarella Cheese.  Marinated the Shrimp in a Garlic Scampi Sauce and then grilled them and placed on top of the salad.

GARLIC SHRIMP SALAD

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

CAFE DIOR

CAFE DIOR
ALA MOANA CENTER
1450 ALA MOANA BLVD
HONOLULU, HI 96814
808-638-4731
https://www.yelp.com/biz/dior-cafe-honolulu

I am not a shopper so when the Wife drags me to the mall, I often look for a comfortable place to hang out and people watch.  Cafe Dior was perfect on this day but the place serves mostly coffee drinks which I do not drink.  I went for a Lavender Lemonade which was $16.  Add a $2 tip and my little glass of Lemonade cost me $18.  I liked the glass though and the Lemonade was cold and delicious.  Service was good too.

DIOR LAVENDER LEMONADE

CAFE DIOR MENU

NICE OUTDOOR CAFE NEXT TO THE DIOR STORE