OLIVE GARDEN

OLIVE GARDEN

Gainesville, Florida

After seeing the commercials for Olive Garden for years on television we decided to try the place since it was right across the street from our hotel. We were quickly seated and greeted by a waiter that was excellent. Probably one of the best waiters we have had on a road trip or anywhere else. The Olive Garden menu is filled with soups, salads, pastas, chicken, beef and fish dishes. There is alot to choose from. My selection was made easy because the menu includes several dishes that are marked "Garden Fare". This indicates that the dish is low fat. All of the meals come with all you can eat salad and bread. The salad was actually really good. Fresh lettuce, roma tomatos, onion and olives topped lightly with Italian dressing. We shared a Caprise Flatbread appetizer ($6.35). Tomatos, garlic, basil and mozzarella cheese on flatbread crust. This dish looked like crap on the table but tasted fantastic. They put way too much cheese over the dish and then didn't melt it all the way. This turned out to be o.k. because it allowed me to pull off all of the cheese making the dish less fat. I ordered a dish from the Garden Fare menu. It was Shrimp Primavera ($14.25). Shrimp, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms in a bold arrabbiata sauce over Penne Pasta. This dish was also presented poorly and covered with too much sauce. The flavor however was good. The shrimp were small and most tasteless but the onions, peppers, mushrooms and sauce were good. I could only eat about 1/3 of the plate. The serving is big enough for two. My wife tried the Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto ($14.95). Large sauteed shrimp served over creamy parmesan risotto with asparagus. This dish was a soupy mess. Way too much liquid on the plate and not too good. My daughter ordered Chicken and Broccoli served over Angel Hair Pasta. They forgot to put the chicken in the dish. Dinner at the Olive Garden was not great but I would try it again.

Click link below to view another post on Olive Garden;

https://www.greateatshawaii.com/2021/07/olive-garden.html

SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q

SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q

Somewhere between Orlando and Gainesville, FL.

Traveling down the Interstate from Orlando to Gainesville we decided to stop for some BBQ at Sonny's. We had seen Sonny's featured on the Food Network and it looked great. We arrived and were greated with a big hello from the staff. As we were seated, I could not help but notice that most of the patrons were big. I mean 200 pounds plus or more. People were eating like crazy. After looking through the menu I had to make a decision to stay with my diet or bust out and go for the grease and fat. I went with the fat in moderation and ordered the Bar--B-Q Pulled Pork Plate ($9.59). It is served with two side dishes and corn bread or garlic bread. I chose the Corn on the Cob and Cole Slaw sides. My wife and daughter split combination of pork done three ways - Pulled Pork, Sliced Pork and Sonny's slow-smoked Sweet and Smokey Ribs ($11.99 . The Pulled Pork was a little dry as was the Sliced Pork and Ribs. I added alot of BBQ Sauce to the Pulled Pork to give it some flavor. It was just o.k. The ribs were so dry that we didn't eat them. The corn and cole slaw were good. My girls had green beans and macaroni and cheese as side dishes. They were not impressed. While the food here was disappointing, the service was excellent. Judging by the way people were eating around us I am confident that Sonny's does a great job with the BBQ. Perhaps it was our choice of pork. Next time we will try the beef dishes. To stay with my diet, I only ate about 1/3 of the meat on my plate. This was enough for me.

SONNY'S REAL PIT BBQ

FLORIDA GATORS VS HAWAII

FLORIDA GATORS VS HAWAII WARRIORS

Saturday, August 30, 2008

We are off to Gainesville, Florida to see Hawaii play Florida in the "Swamp". Stay tuned for photos and updates.

HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY - HALEKULANI HOTEL

HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY

HALEKULANI HOTEL

On a warm sunny Hawaiian Sunday we decided to celebrate the Little League World Series victory over Mexico. The underdog kids from Waipahu, Hawaii are now World Champs. We ventured into Waikiki in search of an outdoor spot where we could enjoy the great weather and ocean view. After a nice walk we ended up at an old favorite where Shirley actually used to work at. The House without a Key at the Halekulani Hotel. The Halekulani is one of the nicest and most expensive hotels in Hawaii. It is located right on the beach. There are three restaurants here. The Five Star La Mer and the beautiful Orchids are the nicest. The House without a Key is a casual indoor/outdoor place where you can enjoy a cocktail, beautiful sunsets and one of the most famous hula shows in Hawaii. I like this place because it is casual and comfortable. The lunch menu includes appetizers, main course salads, sandwiches and entree's that include steak, fish, pasta and chicken. We started with the Spiced Island Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho ($9). Diced tomato, cucumber and onion in a tomato type sauce. Served chilled and topped with a grilled shrimp and tomato. It was good but a bit greasy. Our daughter enjoyed Pasta with Meat Sauce. She loved it and almost finished it all. My wife tried the Portobello Mushroom Club Sandwich ($16). The mushroom is marinated in Oregano and Garlic and served with roasted red peppers, provolone cheese and arugula on focaccia bread. It was served with a small salad and tomato and cucumber slices. The wife liked it. I enjoyed the Grilled Ahi Sandwich ($22.50). The Ahi is served on a brioche bun and topped with vine ripened tomatoes, asian slaw and wasabi Aioli. I asked for the Aioli on the side but the waiter failed to listen to this request. This fish was cooked perfectly medium rare and was delicious. The bun was a little greasy so I didn't eat half of it. The dish came with a small salad with minimal dressing. This was good. The House without a Key is a great place to enjoy a cocktail and afternoon sunset. The prices are pretty high for lunch or dinner.

Clink link below for another post on House without a Key:

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/07/house-without-key-halekulani-hotel.html

ZATARAIN'S RICE DISHES

ZATARAIN'S RICE DISHES

ZERO FAT

We are always looking for tasty and fat free side dishes. Now that Zatarain's has come out with Reduced Sodium versions of their most popular rice dishes we can enjoy these more often. We enjoy the Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, Dirty Rice and Black Beans and Rice with chicken, fish and steak entrees. The rice is easy to make. Add water, boil and simmer. Comes out perfect every time.

BISON STEAK DINNER

LOW FAT STEAK DINNER WITH BISON

Family BBQ on the Deck

Our family loves steak. Prior to going on the diet, we would enjoy nice beef filets topped with butter. Since those days are gone, we have added grass fed Bison steaks to the BBQ menu. Last night we enjoyed a Bison New York Steak cooked up on the grille. Bison cooks in about half the time of beef so you really need to watch it while cooking. The key is to not overcook the meat. If you overcook bison it gets quite tough and can taste like liver. Cooked perfectly medium rare is the way to go. I season the steaks with salt, pepper and garlic powder and then spray them with Pam Butter cooking spray (zero fat). This New York Bison steak was juicy and delicious. At about 10 grams of fat it is perfect for the diet. We served the Bison with Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice (Reduced Sodium Package) which has zero fat. Add fresh carrots, broccoli, zuccini and bell peppers cooked in Pam Cooking Spray and garlic. The entire meal has 10 grams of fat! This is a great meal and well below my goal of 15 grams of fat per meal.

GENKI SUSHI

GENKI SUSHI

HONOLULU, HI

One of my daughter's favorite places to eat is Genki Sushi. There are several in Honolulu. We normally go to the one on Kapahulu Avenue. Today we tried the Genki at Ward Centre. The Ward location is big and bright. The sushi comes around on a conveyor belt and you grab whatever looks good. I normally stick to the Ahi (tuna) and Ebi (shrimp) right now because of my diet. Our daughter loves the Tobikko (fish eggs) and California Rolls. One thing good about Genki is the price. You can enjoy sushi starting at $1.50. We tried the Garlic Ahi and it was good. My wife loves the Spicy Ahi too. The Unagi (Eel) is delicious for $3.00. My only complaint is that many of the items are soaked or topped with mayo. Genki also serves a lot of fried items such as Garlic Shrimp, Seafood Egg Roll, Tempura Shrimp and Vegetable Croguette and Fried Calamari. I stay away from these items but they look good. If you are looking for quick (provided there is no line) and affordable sushi Genki Sushi is a good bet.

CAFE O'LEI - THE DUNES AT MAUI LANI

CAFE O'LEI

THE DUNES AT MAUI LANI

Located on the 18th hole of the Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course in Kahului, Maui, Cafe O'lei is a hidden gem. If a friend hadn't recommend we eat there I would have never found this great spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We arrived for lunch and the receptionist quickly seated us on the outside lanai overlooking a small pond on the 18th hole. The view was excellent. Service was also great as the host-waiter was professional, courteous and fast. My guests enjoyed the daily special plate lunch. At $6.95 it is a bargain. The waiter said that the special changes everyday. This day it was grilled chicken breast with fresh vegetables served with fried rice and a ceasar salad. Both of my guests loved the food. I enjoyed a fresh seared ahi salad. A perfect piece of fresh ahi tuna seared rare and served on a huge bed of fresh greens and vegetables. The salad was covered with fried noodles which I pushed to the side. At $13.95 it was a bit expensive but worth it. I cannot wait to return to Cafe O'Lei to try some of the other dishes. The restaurant was very busy during lunch and everything coming out of the kitchen looked great. I really wanted to try the fresh lettuce wraps that were being served to the table next to us. The crowd was part local and part tourist. From people drinking beer and champagne to business lunch people like us.

RUM FIRE AT THE SHERATON WAIKIKI

    RUM FIRE WAIKIKI

RUM FIRE

SHERATON WAIKIKI

I don't venture out much but when I do the Rum Fire Waikiki is one of my favorite spots. This awesome indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar is located directly in front of the ocean. It has a nice indoor bar area plus a lanai and outside patio area complete with fire pits and oversized seats. We have sat outside on both my visits. It can be a little hot before the sun goes down but the view and bikinis going by non stop make it the perfect place to sit. As the sun sets the fire pits are lit and the real fun begins. People of all ages go here. Locals and tourists, celebrities and movie stars have been seen here. I have seen famous people on both my visits. Also enjoyed a photo shoot with an amazing model. Rum Fire gets it right for Waikiki. There is good food, a great view and great people watching. As we were sitting in our pit area several people asked if they could join us. We went from three people to seven in our pit very quickly. Made some new friends and enjoyed every minute.

We ate some Edamame which is served with a spicy sauce. It was great. Also enjoyed the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos (shown above). They were good. Other menu items include; Crab Cakes, Ahi Poke Tacos, Baby Back Ribs, Sashimi, Lettuce Wraps and more. The food is presented well. I love this place for the atmosphere and great people watching. Can't wait to return.

Click links below to view updated posts on Rum Fire Waikiki;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2024/01/rum-fire-waikiki.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2023/10/rum-fire-waikiki.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2022/04/rum-fire-waikiki.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2019/07/rum-fire-waikiki.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2017/12/rum-fire-waikiki.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2010/08/rum-fire-sheraton-waikiki.html

LOW FAT BREAKFAST BURRITO

SOUTHWESTERN

STYLE EGG BEATERS

I love breakfast burritos on weekends.

Thanks to Egg Beaters we now can enjoy our burritos and still stay "low fat". Southwestern Style Egg Beaters are made with real eggs yet contain only 1.5 grams of fat and 40 calories per serving (1/4 cup). The egg product has red and green peppers, onions and spices already in the mix. I saute additional fresh onions, bell peppers and jalapenos in some Pam cooking spray. Then add the Egg Beaters and serve on a nice whole wheat tortilla. Add some hot salsa, taco sauce or green chili for even more flavor and no additional fat. I sometimes lay down a layer of zero fat Zesty refried beans on the tortilla and then add the eggs.

LOW FAT CHICKEN & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADA

LOW FAT CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS

Made this one up and it was terrific. Started by chopping up some onion, green and red bell pepper. Saute in Pam cooking spray. Add one can of rinsed black beans to mixture. Cook two boneless and skinless chicken breasts on grille. When they are cooked let them cool down and then shred the chicken by hand in strips. Add the shredded chicken to the beans, onions and bell pepper mixture. Add two tablespoons of low fat sour creme. Heat all ingredients until warm. Throw in some chopped cilantro. Warm one can of Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce in a saucepan. Dip corn tortilla in sauce until plyable. Place tortilla on baking dish and fill with chicken mixture. Add low fat mexican cheese mixture and roll tortilla. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and top with low fat cheese. Bake in oven 10-15 minutes in a 350 degree pre-heated oven. Cook until cheese is melted. Top with a little lettuce for crunch and olive and tomato for looks. You can add low fat sour creme on top if you want. I topped mine off with the Safeway Green Chili Salsa and some canned Jalapeno's. The Green Chili Salsa adds a ton of flavor and zero fat.

TURKEY MEATLOAF

TURKEY MEATLOAF

Wow is this good. My wife found the recipe on the internet and now this is a family favorite. We gave a loaf to a good friend and he said it was the best meatloaf he has had in years. Recipe is from the Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

3 cups chopped onions (we used Maui Onions)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

3/4 cup chicken stock

1 1/2 teaspoons tomato plaste

5 pounds ground turkey breast

1 1/2 cups plain dry bread crumbs

3 large eggs, beaten and 3/4 cups of ketchup. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the onions, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme until translucent, but not browned, approx. 15 minutes (we added some bell pepper too). Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste and mix well. allow to cool to room temperature. Combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, and onion mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into rectangular loaf on an ungreased sheet pan. Spread Ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until internal temp is 160 degrees and turkey is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven under the meatloaf will keep the top from cracking.

Click link below to view an update and revised version of this Turkey Meatloaf recipe;

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2015/05/turkey-meatloaf.html

ASSAGGIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

ASSAGGIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

Honolulu, HI

Located in the lower level of Ala Moana Mall, Assaggio's is a local favorite for Italian food. I have been there many times and always liked the food. When friends invited us for dinner at Assaggio's, I didn't know if I could stick to my low fat diet. After studying the extensive menu that includes pasta, fresh fish, steak, veal and seafood I settled in on one of my all time favorites. The home made cold Antipasto salad ($8,90) as an appetizer. This salad includes Prosciutto, Salami, Cheese, Anchovies, Marinated Vegetables and Olives over a bed of romaine lettuce with home made vinaigrette dressing. Since we were sharing this salad, I ate only the lettuce, vegetables and anchovies. The dressing and marinated vegetables are fantastic. Others at the table enjoyed crab cakes, fried calamari, garlic bread and fresh clams scampi style ($12.90). All of the appetizers were served with a small amount of the marinated veggies which I devoured. They are great. I did not eat any of the fried foods or garlic bread but did consume a few of the fresh clams. They were big, thick and perfectly cooked in white wine, garlic, olive oil and butter. I avoided the sauce and just went for the clams. Could be the best fresh clams in Hawaii. At this point I was getting full and probably could have went home satisfied. Since everyone was ordering an entree I decided to go with the Linguine Vegetable. This is mixed fresh vegetables sauteed with olive oil and garlic and served with a light tomato sauce. I ordered a small portion ($15.90) which is not small at all. It is a big plate full of pasta that probably could have served two. I ordered the dish "spicy" too. The pasta was cooked to perfection and spiced perfectly for my taste. The sauce was delicious and the fresh vegetables were cut thick and still a little crunchy. There were a lot of onions in the sauce. This was great because I love sauteed onions. This dinner was simply perfect. Probably had a little over the 15 gram of fat allowed on the diet but was worth it. Others at the table enjoyed the same dish and loved it. Our friends enjoyed the Pan

Grilled Scallop and Jumbo Shrimp dish and the Ossu Bucco. I give Assaggio's the big thumbs up for Italian food in Hawaii. A few side notes. We had a table for eight which was located in a small room set up for larger parties. This room has no atmosphere and is out of the main eating area. Our dinner ran several hours as we were enjoying some wine and waiting for one of our friends to arrive. Before our entree's arrived the manager approached our table and politely requested that our table move to the main dining area so they could accommodate a large group of 26 people. She offered us a bottle of wine for the inconvenience. We moved to a great and larger table in the main dining room. The staff quickly moved all of our drinks and appetizers. The manager was there to make sure we were happy. Everyone was happy with the move. Our entrees came quickly and the manager offered everyone at the table a free dessert. I passed on the dessert but did enjoy the free bottle of vino.

LOW FAT GRILL PARTY

LOW FAT DINNER PARTY AT HOME

Last night we hosted a small dinner party to show our friends how eating low fat could be fun and delicious at the same time. The entire meal was cooked right at the table on a Japanese style grill pan. We feasted on fresh Mahi Mahi, Wagu Beef from Japan, Chicken and a variety of fresh vegetables including garlic and balsamic marinated Portabello Mushrooms, Asparagus, Maui Onions, Napa Cabbage, Bean Sprouts, Bell Peppers, Zuccini and Eggplant. All cooked with Pam Butter cooking spray that has zero fat. The meal included a Japanese Batayaki dipping sauce that really kicked up the flavor without adding fat. Everyone at the table took turns cooking the various meat, fish, chicken and vegetables. This kept the table "alive" and made for a great evening of fun.

THINLY SLICED BEEF

PLACE SOME BUTTER IN THE PAN AND COOK AWAY

SLICED VEGETABLES, FISH AND BEEF

ONIONS, ASPARAGUS AND BELL PEPPERS

NEW BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

LOW FAT BREAKFAST

NEW BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

One of the keys to enjoying and staying on a low fat diet is eating a nutritional and low fat breakfast.  In my case it is a very low fat breakfast.  The only fat consumed is from a small amount of 2% milk that is poured over the Special K with Red Berries.  This is a delicious cereal that has zero fat and only 110 calories.  I enjoy a small 5.5 oz can of V8 Vegetable juice that has zero fat too.  The V8 also helps my vitamins go down smoother than drinking just water.  This breakfast fills me up and reduces the craving to eat before lunch time.  If I get hungry before lunch I eat some kind of fresh fruit.                                                                                 

LOW FAT SALSA

LOW FAT SALSA

I discovered this delicious dish by accident. I had made a fresh summer salad using chopped red onion, red and green bell peppers, celery, garbanzo beans and cilantro. We enjoyed these fresh veggies and beans with a low fat balsamic dressing. The following day a guest came over and rather than serve the same salad, I poured a cup of Safeway Select Salsa Verde over all the beans and veggies. One taste and I knew I had a family hit. This salsa is awesome. My friend could not get enough of it. He devoured it and asked for more. I love this dish too. It is not only good as a dip with reduced fat chips but also great on chicken and fish right off the grille. Low fat and super good.

LOW FAT TACO AND TOSTADA ALTERNATIVES

LOW FAT TACOS AND TOSTADAS

We love Mexican food more than most anything.  When I downloaded the nutritional chart for taco bell and other Mexican restaurants I was amazed how much fat was in the food.  Using nutritional labels as our guide I have been able to create some good tacos, burritos, enchiladas and tostadas by using low fat ingredients.  For taco's we use a whole wheat soft tortilla or a store bought hard tortilla shell.  You need to be very careful when choosing a store bought shell.  The fat content varies from brand to brand.  We bake the shells rather than fry them in oil.  This adds no fat to the taco.  We found one at Safeway that has only 1 gram of fat per shell.  Fill this with ground turkey meat with no fat taco seasoning and then top with low or non fat cheese and salsa.  Makes a good taco.  For tostadas, I take Rosarito Zesty Salsa beans (0 fat) and saute onions, garlic, jalepeno and bell pepper.  Mix it all up and add in about 1/4 cup of La Victoria Salsa Brava Hot Sauce.  Spread this on chips or a baked corn tortilla.  Top the tortilla with lettuce, low fat cheese, onions, tomato and cilantro for a great tostada.  I post the enchilada recipe later.

                                           

LOW FAT BURGER ALTERNATIVE

BISON,  TURKEY AND BOCA BURGERS

Who doesn't crave a big fat burger on a warm summer or winter day.  I sure do.  When the burger urge comes I now turn to Bison, Turkey and Boca Burgers.  The Bison (Buffalo) burgers are the best but have the highest fat content at 15 grams.  Add the bun at 4 grams and you are over the 15 grams of fat limit but what the heck.  The bison burgers we buy are a full 1/3 pound of meat.  I can be satisfied by only eating half.  These burgers are great.  To lower the fat content I also use ground turkey which has about 5 grams of fat per burger.  Add the bun at 4 grams and you have a burger under 10 grams of fat.  If you really want to be low fat use the Boca Burgers.  These meatless burgers are made with vegetables and only have 1 gram of fat per patty.  Add the bun and you have a burger that is only 5 grams of fat.  I load my burgers with relish, ketchup, mustard, onions, lettuce and tomato.  All which are no fat.  Last night we enjoyed the Bison burgers and they were delicious.  Eating only half of the burger was satisfying but I went ahead and finished the second half too.  

LOW FAT TURKEY HOT DOG

LOW FAT HOT DOGS

Me and my daughter love hot dogs.  In the past it was a treat to enjoy a hot dog during our weekend trips to Costco.  But at over 40 grams of fat, the Costco dogs are not on my diet.  I searched several supermarkets for low fat hot dogs.  You really need to read the labels closely.  Some so called reduced or low fat dogs are still very high in fat content.  I decided to try turkey dogs because they are low fat.  Beware.  Not all turkey dogs are low...low fat.  Just because the label says turkey dog does not mean you are getting the lowest fat dog.  You need to get the Oscar Mayer 98% fat free dogs.  These dogs have only 1 gram of fat!  Add the bun with 3 grams of fat and you have a hot dog with only 4 grams of fat.  Compare this to the 35 gram of fat Costco dog.  I load my turkey dog with mustard, relish and onions and get the satisfaction of eating a hot dog.  Note:  When you order the chicken caesar salad at Costco beware.  The salad has 45 grams of fat.

LOW FAT PIZZA ALTERNATIVE

LOW FAT PIZZA ALTERNATIVE

DINNER AT HOME

We found a great way to enjoy pizza without all of the fat and calories.  This dish can be made at home in under 15 minutes.  You simply take a Flat Out Multi-Grain wrap (2.5 grams of fat) and top it with my homemade pasta sauce (0 grams of fat)

and throw on some Saregento reduced fat 4 cheese Italian cheese (4.5 grams of fat in 1/4 cup).

Sprinkle on some crushed oregano and pop in the oven until the cheese in melted and the sides of the wrap are golden brown.  My daughter loves pepperoni pizza and so do I.  We add Hormel turkey pepperoni sometimes.  17 pieces of turkey pepperoni only adds 4 grams of fat and 70 calories.  You only use about 10 pieces on each pizza.  These pizzas are really good.  Thin crisp crust.  Great for appetizer or main dish.  You can top the pizzas with just about anything.  I like to add some grilled onions and canned mushrooms to the pizza.  Cooking note:  bake the wrap in the oven for a few minutes to get it crispy.  Then add the sauce and toppings and pop back in the oven to melt the cheese.

KINCAID'S FISH, CHOP & STEAKHOUSE

KINCAID'S FISH CHOP AND STEAKHOUSE

HONOLULU, HAWAII

I have always like Kincaid's and was curious how I would do there now that I am on a low fat diet. The clam chowder, pea salad, bacon wrapped kobe meatloaf, BBQ tuna club, crab cakes and baby back ribs were all things I cannot order. After I studied the menu it came down to the fresh fish selections. The lunch menu had fresh Ahi Tuna, Opakapaka and Mahi Mahi served with a variety of creme sauces. I opted for the Ahi Tuna with horseradish crust. I told the server that I did not want the sauce or mashed potatoes that came with the entree. Just the fish and vegetables. The meal was delicious even though the vegetables were a little too greasy. The Ahi was cooked perfectly and the horseradish crust gave it some flavor. My only problem with the dish was the price. It was $21 for lunch. Other fresh fish items ranged from $19 to $22. When you consider this does not include a salad or anything else it is just too expensive. We had a table with a nice view of the harbor, good service and good food. It was only the price that would keep me from coming back again for lunch. You can order other entree's that range from $10 for Crispy Fish Tacos to $17 for the crab cakes. If you add a salad or dessert, you can easily spend $35 for lunch here. Kincaid's has a great happy hour from 4-7. You can get drink specials and half price appetizers during happy hour. This is a good deal for the food.

Click links below to view more posts on Kincaid's;

https://www.greateatshawaii.com/2011/02/kincaids-fish-chop-steakhouse.html

https://www.greateatshawaii.com/2010/10/kincaids-fish-chop-steakhouse.html

12 POUNDS GONE

LOST 12 POUNDS

After almost two months on the diet I have lost 12 pounds.  Going for another 8 pounds and will continue on diet for another few months or more.  The shirt and shorts I am wearing are size MEDIUM.  

LOW FAT DIET - IT WORK'S!

LOW FAT = LOOSE POUNDS

The low fat diet continues to work.  I have shed almost 10 pounds now.  My clothes feel better and looser and I feel great.  The low fat life is not too difficult.  They key is to eat breakfast to get your metabolism going in the morning.  I have a bowl of Special K cereal and small glass of V8 Juice to start my day.  On weekends I may enjoy a egg burrito using Egg Beaters (Zero fat) and a whole wheat tortilla.  The Egg Beaters are the Southwestern style and they are delicious.  Top with some fat free salsa and you have a great dish.  I use a lot of salsas for flavor.  Discovered a great dish by accident using a green chili salsa made by Safeway.  I made a salad using red onion, green and red bell peppers, garbanzo beans and cilantro.  I then poured the green salsa into it and mixed.  It was delicious.  I enjoy this salsa with low fat tortilla chips.  We eat more fish and veggies.  Also have turkey hot dogs that are only 1 gram of fat per dog.  This totally satisfies my cravings for hot dogs and is very low fat.  When I get hungry for a burger we opt for the Boca Veggie Burgers or turkey burgers with fat free cheese.  I also have Bison (Buffalo) burgers, hot dogs and steaks.  Bison has less fat and calories than beef, chicken and fish.  It is a bit expensive but allows you to have the dogs, burgers and steaks and still keep the fat down.  Our tacos are now made with ground turkey and topped with low fat cheese.  We bake our taco and tostada shells in the oven to reduce fat.  When eating out I opt for fresh fish and veggies.  I have no craving for fried food right now.  I have replaced chips, cookies and candy for snacking with fresh fruit.  I have been out to several restaurants this past week with clients.  I have not had too much of a problem finding low fat meals.  It just takes a little time to go through the menu.  

DIET UPDATE

DIET UPDATE

It's Working

After two weeks I have shed 7 pounds.  I am using the Alli program which was recently FDA Approved.  The program is part medicine and part exercise and just good basic eating habits.

The key is to reduce the amount of fat you consume.  The drug also helps to block fat from entering the body.  When you buy the program (On Sale for $50), you get a 90 day supply of pills. and several books that outline how the program works.  I found the books to be very helpful but also went online to do a lot of research on the program.  I was shocked to learn the fat content of many of my favorite foods.  With this diet you need to keep your total fat content under 45 grams per  day or 15 grams per meal.  On many days, I keep my fat content to under 20 grams per day!  This means eating more fruits and vegetables plus limiting the amount of meat and dairy products you eat.  The side effect of the Alli pill is that if you eat too much fat you will crap your pants quickly and sometimes unexpectedly.  If that isn't a reason to stay away from fat I don't know what is.  With that on my mind, I take extra care to read labels and search out healthy options while dining out.  Our eating lifestyle has changed, but we have actually been loving the meals.  It is now fun to be creative in the kitchen.  We enjoy steak, chicken, fish, enchiladas and most everything else on this diet.  We cut out all the butter, sauces, creams and high fat products and replaced them with low fat alternatives.  I even downloaded nutritional guides for all of the fast food restaurants that we eat at.  I was amazed to see the fat and calorie content of some of my favorite foods.  Did you know that the worst fast food place by far is Quizno's.  Yes.  There sandwiches are loaded with fat and calories.  The Tuna Melt alone has 175 grams of fat and over 2000 calories.  That is one sandwich.  When dining out I use my nutrition guides to help me order.  If nothing meets my criteria.  Under 15 grams of fat, I do not  order it.  The same goes for our home cooked meals.  We limit the fat to under 15 grams.  So far...so good.  When I get the urge for a burger, we make a veggie burger and load it with onions, tomato, lettuce and zero calorie relish.  We use low or fat free cheese and cook more with Pam rather than butter or olive oil.  In addition to watching the fat intake, I have been exercising daily for 30-45 minutes.  I have more energy and feel better now.  I have no problem with the diet and want to continue for as long as possible.

DREW GOES ON LOW FAT DIET

LOOKING A LITTLE CHUBBY HERE WITH JIM NABORS

DREW'S NEW LOW FAT DIET

June 2008

Well, all the eating out has caught up with me.  Gained too much weight.  Went on a low fat diet two weeks ago.  This means that I have not been out to many restaurants lately.  I will be blogging about the diet in the days and weeks to come.  So far I have dropped 5 pounds.  Eating really good and healthy meals that contain very little fat content.  When dining out I have been sticking to vegetables, fish and of course the Subway subs that contain less than 5 grams of fat and are around 300 calories.  When you load these subs up with fresh veggies the are quite filling.

More to come

UPDATE 2024

Struggled with my weight for another 14 years and finally found something that worked.

Went from 190 pounds to 160 pounds on a low carb diet.  Click link below.

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2020/11/7-day-diet-attempt.html

ANTHONY'S PIER 66 - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

ANTHONY'S PIER 66

Seattle, Washington

After a great meal at Elliott's we tried another recommended seafood restaurant in Seattle.  Located on the water on Pier 66 is Anthony's.  There are three levels of restaurants here.  The bottom floor is self service and less expensive.  The middle is moderate sit down and the top level called Pier 66 is fine dining with a great view of the harbor.

We opted for the fine dining and were seated next to a huge window with a great view.  Our waiter started the evening as a star.  Doing everything right.  By the end of our dinner he was loosing focus and not up to par.  We started with what else - Oysters.  One dozen which were quickly followed by another dozen.  We tried a combination of Seattle, Canadian and Alaskan oysters.  Each had a little different taste, but all were good.  Our daughter Keli went crazy over them and began eating them like cookies.  Surprisingly, the menu is filled with Hawaii names and variations such as Hawaiian Ahi Nachos, Waikiki Coconut Prawns and Hawaiian style poke.  Maybe the chef spent some time on the Islands.  I tried the clam chowder.  It was probably the worst of the three we tried in Seattle.  Not bad though.  Shirley thought the same about the chowder and said the Ceasar Salad was fair and nothing special.  I tried the Northwest Duet which is fresh pacific king salmon and fresh halibut.  They were both delicious and served fresh snap peas and mashed potatoes.  Our experience at Anthony's was good but nowhere near Elliott's.  Wish we would have gone back to Elliott's.

ELLIOTT'S OYSTER HOUSE - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

ELLIOTT'S OYSTER HOUSE

Seattle, Washington

We got a great tip from the hotel manager where we were staying in Seattle.  When we asked where to go for good seafood, she recommended Elliott's on Pier 56.  Wow...was she right.  This place got it all right.  Atmosphere, service and food.  We arrived for our 6:30 p.m. reservation and the bar and restaurant were already packed.  They have the best oyster bar I have ever seen.  Dozens of different oysters displayed on ice in front of a small bar.  Everything FRESH.  We were seated at a nice table overlooking the boat docks.  Great people watching as there were several large parties going out on the boats.  With the dinner menu you are given a separate menu of fresh oysters.  I have never seen so many different types of oysters.  I thought about ordering six to start because I don't eat a lot of oysters.  We opted for a dozen of the best.  At $23 it was a bit expensive to me.  When the platter of oysters arrived I thought we would never finish them.  After one bite, they were flying off the plate.  To our surprise, our 7 year old daughter was now a "oyster monster".  She devoured the things one after another.  The dozen was gone in minutes.  They were by far the best oysters we have ever had.  Up there with the ACME Oyster House in New Orleans.  What a way to start the meal. I started with a cup of calm chowder.  It was very good, but not as good as Pike Place Chowder.   Keli enjoyed a nice dish of fresh salmon with asparagus.  It was cooked perfectly and very good.  Shirley had Clam Linguini with Pesto served with asparagus.  I had the Alaskan King Crab legs with...you guessed it asparagus.  The asparagus in Seattle is great.  So fresh and tasty.  My Crab Legs also came with a huge pile of the best mashed potatoes I have ever had.  Don't know what they put in them but they were fantastic.  The crab legs were huge and very sweet and delicious.  Shirley enjoyed the Clam Linguini but thought it was a bit bland.  The clams were very small at consumed mostly by Keli.  Our little girl is a clam and oyster eater to the max.  This dinner was a bit expensive but worth every penny.  A great evening on the water.  Our table was located near the open kitchen where you could hear everything the cooks were saying and doing.  Probably one of the most professional and organized kitchens I have ever seen.  As orders were barked out the staff would respond "yes chef".  Everything moved quickly in a manner that is rarely seen or heard in kitchens.  Fantastic crew in the kitchen.  Our waiter explained that most of the staff had been there for ten or fifteen years working together.  It really showed here.  Don't miss Elliott's Oysters when you are in Seattle.

PIKE PLACE CHOWDER - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

PIKE PLACE CHOWDER

Seattle, Washington

On a cold and rainy June day in Seattle we set out to warm up with a nice bowl of chowder.  Thank goodness we saw a small ad that described a small place with award winning chowder.  Pike Place Chowder is a gem in the Emerald City.  We arrived as the small five table restaurant was just about to open and were the first customers of the day.  We ordered the New England style Clam Chowder which was voted the "Nations Best" at the Great Chowder Cookoff in Newport, Road Island.  The chowder was great, creamy and full of good size clams.  Shirley tried the Seafood Bisque which included Nortwest halibut, salmon, calamari with Oregon Bay shrimp in a creamy tomato-pesto broth.  It was also very good.  To top off the lunch we shared a Dungeness Crab Roll.  This was awesome.  Nothing but crab, a tiny bit of mayonnaise and lettuce served on a fresh baguette with cocktail sauce.  Fresh and delicious.  I highly recommend Pike Place Chowder.  It is located on a small side street about a block from Pike Place Market.

BIG CITY DINER

BIG CITY DINER

Honolulu, HI

We have been to Big City Diner many times.  It is a favorite local restaurant located in Kaimuki.  Shirley loves the BBQ Ribs served with Guava BBQ sauce.  A big slab is served with rice and your choice of soup or salad.  At $21.99 it is about the most expensive item on the menu.  The big slab will feed at least two people and we usually end up taking some home.  I like the Kimchee Fried Rice at $9.99.  This huge plate of rice also serves 2-3 people easy.  I tried the Big Burger with cheddar cheese, carmalized onions, bacon and avocado.  Only finished half.  It was good and served with choice of fries, soup or salad for $10.99.  My friend enjoyed the Pulehu Steak with Grilled Onions and Mushrooms.  Kind of expensive at $20.99 but he loved it.  The Monster Meatloaf  is also good for $10.49.  Served with Marsala Mushroom & Roasted Garlic Sauce.  Keli likes the Soybeans served with Hawaiian Spice Sauce.  Big City also serves great and big salads and sandwiches.  I also like the Big City Chili.  

LAS PINATAS OF MAUI MEXICAN FOOD

LAS PINATAS OF MAUI

Kahului, Maui

I was very happy when one of my friends asked to meet him for lunch at Las Pinatas on Maui.  I hadn't visited Las Pinatas for several years and was eager to go back for another taste.  When I arrived, I found that the place had doubled in size since the last time I was there.  The large open and clean space is decorated with pinatas hanging from the ceiling.  You order at the counter and then take your food to a table.  There is a pretty good salsa bar in the sitting area.  Filled with at least four different types of salsa, jalapeno's, cilantro and onions.  The salsas vary in heat from mild to very hot with habanero peppers.  I ordered two tacos.  One chicken crispy and one carne asada.  The chicken was moist and flavorful.  The carne asada was served on two tortillas which was a bit filling.  The meat is served with guacamole, lettuce and a little fresh tomato, onion and cilantro.  Both tacos were good.  Best I have had on Maui so far.  My friend had a chicken enchilada and a taco.  He said it was great.  You will find lots of Mexican favorites at Las Pinatas.  I saw a lot of people eating the burritos.  They are big and stuffed with Chicken, pork, steak, fish or pollo asado.  The "Kitchen Sink" burritos are huge and range from $8.00 to $10.00.  My two tacos were $3.42 and $4.00.  They do charge extra for the chips and salsa bar.  I am looking forward to going back to this place.

Click links below to view updated posts on Las Pinatas of Maui;  

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2022/11/las-pinatas-of-maui.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2022/05/las-pinatas-of-maui.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2019/04/las-pinatas-of-maui.html

MARCO'S DELI - KAHULUI, MAUI

MARCO'S GRILL AND DELI

Kahului, Maui

I have been eating at Marco's for what seems over ten years.  This is a favorite meeting place for clients on Maui.  Whether it is breakfast or lunch, you can always get a good meal and good service at Marco's.  It is probably one of the most consistently good restaurants in Hawaii.  At breakfast I always order the granola with fruit.  It is a huge serving of granola along with bananas and berries.  You can have it served with milk or yogurt.  I go for the milk.  My friend always gets the eggs benedict which he says is the best on Maui.  For lunch, I have tried pasta, sandwiches, fresh fish.  This last visit I enjoyed a half order of the Penne Pasta with red sauce.  It was perfectly spiced with red pepper flakes and loaded with fresh ricotta cheese.  The half order at around $8 was huge.  I only finished half.  My other friend enjoyed a huge double decker BLT.  He said it was awesome.  Others at the table enjoyed a fresh fish sandwich and a sausage and peppers sandwich.  There were no complaints.  Only silence as everyone enjoyed their meal.  You cannot go wrong at Marco's.  The portions are large.  The prices are reasonable.  The service is good.

MICHELINOS CAFE OLE' - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

MICHELINOS CAFE OLE'

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas is one of the best places to eat and visit in all of Texas.  The city has done a terrific job landscaping and designing the Riverwalk.  The area is clean, safe and beautiful.  It is like being transformed out of the city and into the canals of venice.  The canals are lined on both sides with a variety of bars and restaurants.  Lucky for me there were  lots of Mexican restaurants to choose from.  I didn't do any research on which one was best.  Just did a quick eye review of the ambiance, seating and menu.  As I took a quiet early evening stroll along the river, I saw a nice shady area with people eating and drinking.  Since I was running solo, I decided to try the place just because there was a semi secluded dining area that allowed you to see all the activity on the river without being right out on the river.  Boy was I lucky.  This place was great.  I ordered the combination platter that included a chicken enchilada, beef taco and chicken chalupa.  The price including rice and beans was $12.99.  Throw in a few Coor's Light brews and I was out of the place for $25.  The chicken was probably one of the best I have ever tasted.  It was marinated in tomatos and green chili's and spices.  The chalupa turned out to be a tostada with beans, chicken, lettuce and tomato.  This was the best I have had in ages.  Loaded with great flavor.  Like Los Barrios, the beef taco was ground beef that was a bit wet.  In fact, the taco bottom fell out when I tried to eat it.  The waitress came by several times to see if I was finished.  I kept telling her no because I wanted to take my time and enjoy the food and scenery on the river.  After finishing almost everything on the plate including the beans and rice, I finally gave up my plate.  

MICHELINOS CAFE IS LOCATED ON THE RIVER WALK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LOS BARRIOS - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LOS BARRIOS 

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

After seeing the Battle of the Puffy Taco's on The Food Network, I had to visit Los Barrios when I visited San Antonio, Texas.  Los Barrios won the competition versus Bobby Flay.  I did my research, wrote down the address and phone number and ventured from my hotel to find a cab driver who could find the place.  I told the first cab driver to take me to Los Barrios and without hesitation he said o.k. and told me the food was great there.  I had no idea where we were going  or how far it was.  We got on the freeway and traveled a few miles towards the airport.  Then we took an exit that led into a not so great neighborhood and traveled through a residential/light commercial neighborhood in the middle of what to me was nowhere.  There was a paint store on one corner a auto mechanic across the street and then the huge sign that announced we had arrived at Los Barrios.  The cab drive one way was $15.  I asked the cab driver if it would be easy to catch a cab back to the hotel after lunch.  He said that he would wait for me without charge.  I arrived just before 11:00 a.m. and thought that the place would be closed until 11:00.  To my surprise the place was open and already filling up on one side of the restaurant.  The reception area of the restaurant was turned into a shrine of flowers and photographs of the founder of the restaurant.  Sadly, she was murdered just a few days before my visit.  You could tell the staff was in grief, but they proudly and efficiently kept the business going despite their great loss.  I was quickly served hot chips and a hot salsa that kept me drinking water and thirsting for more of the heat.  The menu at Los Barrios has all the Mexican favorites; tacos, enchiladas, chalupa's, burritos, fajitas, tamales as well as continental cuisine that includes steaks, fish, shrimp and chicken dishes with a Mexican flare.  I opted for the lunch special which included a chicken enchilada, chicken puffy taco and beans and rice.  All for $5.25.  That is it $5.25.  My cab fare was more expensive than the meal.  The enchilada was great.  The chicken puffy taco was also terrific.  The taco was served on a deep fried corn  tortilla then topped with seasoned shredded chicken, lettuce and tomato.  Simple and delicious.  I could not leave without trying the beef puffy taco so I ordered one on the side for $2.50.   I was expecting shredded beef but was surprised to see ground beef in the taco.  The beef was a little watery but had some taste.  I would suggest the chicken puffy taco over the beef.  All in all I loved Los Barrios and can't wait to return someday.  

MY FIRST EVER PUFFY TACO AT LOS BARRIOS

LOS BARRIOS MEXICAN CUISINE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IS HOME TO THE PUFFY TACO