SHABU SHABU HOUSE - HONOLULU, HAWAII

SHABU SHABU HOUSE

HONOLULU, HI

One of my Pal's is addicted to the Shabu Shabu House on Kapiolani. He invited me to lunch and offered to pay so I went. The restaurant is clean and the waitress was efficient and nice. We ordered a mixed plate of thinly sliced beef, shrimp, tofu, noodles and vegetables. The meal came with a bowl of rice and lots of fresh cut green onions on the side. Each seat at the counter has its own bowl of boiling water. You place the food into the hot water and it cooks. The problem for me that the hot water has no flavor and the food comes out bland. There are three types of sauces on the table to help kick up the flavor. None really hit the button with me. The portion of beef and shrimp was big for lunch but so was the price. At $19.99 it is a bit too expensive for lunch and too much food for me. I piled on the sauces and still couldn't find that flavor that my friend so loved. I then piled on some salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Got a little better, but still did not hit it on taste.

BRICK OVEN PIZZA - WAILUA, KAUAI

BRICK OVEN PIZZA

WAILUA, KAUAI

Just down the road from the beach shack is a pizza joint that I have always wanted to try. The original Brick Oven Pizza is in Kalaheo, Kauai. I have customers on Kauai that eat there and say they make a good pizza. When Keli said she wanted pizza for lunch I put the car in gear and headed for Brick Oven Pizza in Wailua. The menu states that the pizza's are hearth baked with a homemade touch. I couldn't see a hearth but the pizza oven in the kitchen looked like the ones you see in most pizza parlors. They serve three sizes of pizza here. 10", 12" and 15". Prices range from $11.50 for a small to $35.00 for a large. Toppings are pretty much standard.

We tried a medium UltiMeat ($23.65). The pizza is a thin crust which we really liked. They brush the crust with garlic butter which adds a little flavor and lots of fat. The UltiMeat includes homemade sauce which was good, sausage, pepperoni, lean beef, portuguese sausage, smoked ham, salami, pepperoni and bacon. We actually messed up and ordered the wrong pizza. We really wanted the Brick Oven Super that has all of the above plus veggies. Both the pizza and service were good. A bit expensive, but you are on Kauai. We will visit Brick Oven again and again.

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KAUAI PASTA COMPANY - KAPAA, KAUAI

KAUAI PASTA COMPANY

KAPAA, KAUAI

We love spending time at our beach shack on Kauai. The condo is located in Kapaa on the East Shore of the Island. Kapaa is a laid back down where shorts, slippers and a t-shirt often makes you over dressed. There are a lot of restaurants in town and we try to visit them all during our visits. Kauai Pasta was recommended by several locals. We drove by a few times and saw that it was a very bland looking space that looked unimpressive. I read quite a bit on Kauai restaurants and could not find any mention of this place in local tourist magazines or restaurant guides. To my surprise I found that they advertise very little if at all. With nowhere else to go on my Birthday we ventured into Kauai Pasta just looking for a good meal. We showed up around 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday night and were quickly greeted with two extra large smiles. The hostess welcomed us and then promptly sat us at a table in the newly enlarged space in the back of the restaurant. We loved the feel of the place and paintings of Italy that really lit up the walls. We were told that the Chef came from Roy's restaurant and was amazing. With that in mind, we began to order Family Style so that we could try different dishes. First order was the Garlic Herb Grilled Portabella Mushroom Salad ($9.95). This is a big salad that easily feeds two people. Local greens with fresh mozzarella cheese, vine ripened tomatoes, fire roasted peppers and a balsamic vinaigrette. This was yummy. The tomatoes were fresh and there was just enough mozzarella. The mushrooms were delicious but not enough to take over the dish. We shared a Margharita Pizza ($12.95). It was a bit bland and had way too much cheese. There was no sauce so the pie was a little dry and lacked flavor. For our main entree, we chose the Fresh Clam Linguini ($21.95). At this price I was expecting large fresh clams. Wow...how wrong was I. The clams were the smallest I had ever seen. Half the shells were empty and they had no taste. Furthermore, the menu described the dish as being fresh clams sauteed with garlic, basil, white wine, tomatoes and white sauce. I didn't think the white sauce would be heavy creme but it was. The dish was all creme and no clams. What a waste for $21.95. We ended the meal with an Apple Crusty with vanilla ice creme. This was a good dish but nothing to get excited about. The service was good and we enjoyed the place. Will return to give some of the other dishes a try. Maybe the homemade Lasagna or Veal Marsala. The wine was good at $8.00 per glass.

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CALIENTE DEL SOL MEXICAN CUISINE - HONOLULU, HAWAII

CALIENTE DEL SOL

INSPIRED MEXICAN CUISINE

HONOLULU, HAWAII

I visited Caliente Del Sol when it first opened in the Safeway Center on Kapahulu. After the first visit I vowed not to return. A year later we decided to give it another try during our shopping day at Safeway. The service was the same as I remember. A bit disorganized and confused. You order at a counter and then wait for them to call your name. The menu is very limited. There are tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and a taco salad. That is it. Makes it easy to order. I tried a shredded beef taco and shredded chicken taco with black beans and rice. First off the beans were not fully cooked and so bland that I could not eat them. The rice was undercooked too and had no taste. On to the tacos. The beef and chicken were actually pretty good. I had them with hard shells. The meats had good flavor. Ask for the red salsa they put on the burritos and throw this on the tacos. Adds some flavor. I took a few bites of a beef burrito. The burrito is stuffed with the same meat as the tacos and then filled with the tasteless and undercooked rice and beans. I would go back for the tacos only. Hard to believe this place has stayed in business.

UPDATE: 3/10 - This place went out of business. Look what I wrote above.

SONIC BURGER

SONIC BURGER

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

My only memory of eating at a Sonic Burger was at 2:00 am in the middle of nowhere in Alabama after enjoying a few beers with good friends. At the time, I thought that this was the best meal of my life. I was in heaven absorbing the cheeseburger and chili dog. While taking a cab in Orlando, we saw a Sonic Burger and decided to grab a quick lunch. The cab ride to Sonic was about $30. The meal for two was $16. The Sonic we visited was a drive up only with car hops delivering your food. To eat in, you go to the menu and order under a canopy. The menu board has a credit card slot and you pay right there. It is quick and easy. No cash exchanges hands. When your food is ready they bring it outside and serve it to you on a tray. I went for the Cheeseburger and footlong chili dog. Both were good, but not as good as 2:00 in the morning after a night of drinking.

THE CAPITAL GRILLE - ORLANDO, FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL GRILLE

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

After eating at Texas de Brazil in Orlando, the last thing I was thinking about was a steak dinner. We were invited by some good friends and business associates so what the heck lets do this. You cannot miss the Capital Grille when driving down Orlando's main drive near the Convention Center. The building is beautiful. We arrived to find the place packed with suits. This was a convention week and we were part of it. Despite the large crowd we were greeted nicely by the reception staff. Our party was found in the bar and we were quickly seated. The service started off good but went down a little due to the large crowd. There were times when we could not find our waiter. Especially when it was time to pay. The meal started with some fresh breads. I had a dark bread that was absolutely delicious. The Capital Grille is a classic steak house like Mortons or Ruth Chris. Elegantly styled eating space with class. I examined the menu to find a great selection of appetizers and sides. We did not order any appetizers but some looked great like the Wagyu Beef Capaccio, Lobster and Crab Cake, Pan Fried Calamari with Peppers and Fresh Oysters. Just not that hungry or I would have jumped on a few of these. I opted for a Caesar Salad. It was o.k. The dressing was a bit bland. For the entree, I chose the Bone in Rib Eye. They called it a Delmonico Steak. The steak was seasoned and cooked perfectly medium rare as requested. Good flavor. I liked it but could not finish the whole thing. We also tried the Creamed Spinach and Au Gratin Potatoes. This was a hearty portion of sliced potatoes layered with creme and a combination of cheeses. Topped with fried onions. I kept going back to the plate for more of these. They were awesome. I did not pay much attention to the prices but figure the steak was around $40.

TEXAS DE BRAZIL - ORLANDO, FLORIDA

TEXAS DE BRAZIL

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Hands down one of the best meals of my life. Texas de Brazil rocks. Great food and service.

If you like meat this is a dream restaurant. You are served unlimited portions of meat. Then more meat and then more meat. Balance out the meat with an incredible selection of salads, soups and sides and you have an experience - not a meal. Your evening at Texas de Brazil begins with a trip to a huge salad bar filled with high quality and delicious selections that include; Fresh salads, Buffalo Mozzerella, Potato Salad, Cold Brazilian Pasta Salad, Olives, Caramelized Sweet Onions, Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Beets, Harts of Palm, Artichoke Hearts, Grilled Peppers, Steamed Asparagus, Salami, French Cheeses, Rice, Black Beans, Sushi, Soups and more. Our entire table tried the Lobster Bisque Soup. It was awesome. You also get sides delivered to the table. They were all delicious. We tried the Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Brazilian Cheese Bread and Fried Bananas. The meat selections come to your table one, two, three and sometimes four at a time. The waiters bring huge skewers and cut you the portion size you request. Are you ready? Here is what was served: Seared Top Sirloin, Brazilian Sausage, Brazilian Picanha, Slow Roasted Lamb, Chicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon, Crispy Chicken Legs, Parmesan Crusted Pork Loin with Garlic, Flank Steak, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon, Bacon Wrapped Filet, Pork Ribs and Braised Beef Ribs. I loved the Filet and Sausage but everything was great. All of the meats are marinated and full of flavor. No bland food here. It is just amazing and never ending. To top it all off, Texas de Brazil has incredible quality dessert selections that are also included in the set price. Our table tried them all: Brazilian Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse Cake (my favorite), Key Lime Pie, Carrot Cake, Creme Brulee and a great Banana's Foster Pie. The price for all this is about $45 per person. Well worth the price for the quality, portions and assortment. There are several different Brazilian Steak House chains in America. I have now been to two and they were both excellent. This is a Taste of Hawaii favorite.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS - CHOP STEAK HOUSE

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

CHOP STEAK HOUSE

The Brilliance of the Seas has two "specialty dining" restaurants. One Steak House and one Italian Restaurant. We paid an additional $25 cover charge per person to dine at the steak house. The cover includes all the appetizers, sides, entrees and deserts that you can eat. The Chop Steak House is like a Ruth Chris or Morton's. They have your choice of starch, veggies and several types of steak. We chose the bone in ribeye and were not impressed with the taste. We actually ate very little on our plates.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

SOMEWHERE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Christmas on a cruise ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea is not like at home. It was a great time, but did not feel like Christmas. No complaints. We were blessed to enjoy this time together as a family. Seeing the Pyramids of Egypt, Ephesus and the House of Mary was a great Christmas present.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

SOMEWHERE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

ROYAL CARIBBEAN BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE

We enjoyed a great balcony stateroom aboard the Brilliance of the Seas. This ship is a huge floating hotel. Keli enjoyed the rock climbing wall and her bunk bed. The kids playroom was also a hit with Keli. She played with other children for several hours each day while we were at Sea. This gave Shirley and me time together seeing a show or playing in the casino. It was nice to spend some time reading on the balcony when weather was good. Not a bad day when you can read, eat, take a nap, eat again, see a show, gamble, sightsee and eat again. We had an incredible itinerary that included: Barcelona Spain, Ephesus Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Rhodes, Sardinia and Palma De La Mallorca. This was truly a trip of a lifetime.

EPHESUS TURKEY - THE STADIUM

EPHESUS, TURKEY

STADIUM

Saint John preached in this 25,000 seat stadium in Ephesus. Mark Anthony and Cleopatra walked along these marble streets.

EPHESUS, TURKEY

EPHESUS, TURKEY

Probably one of the most awesome places to visit on earth. This was a highlight of our cruise and will remain in our memories forever.

BARCELONA CITY TOUR

BARCELONA CITY TOUR

BARCELONA, SPAIN

We hopped aboard a double decker tour bus and enjoyed a two hour drive through the city of Barcelona. This is a great way to see the sights without taking a cab. I enjoyed seeing the Olympic Stadium and other venues that are at the top of a hill overlooking the city. There are hundreds of sidewalk cafe's all around the city. You can enjoy a coffee, soft drink, beer, wine and snacks or full meal while sitting outside watching the people go by. This is a great way to spend time.

BARCELONA TRAM RIDE

BARCELONA TRAM RIDE

BARCELONA, SPAIN

After being stranded by our cab driver, we found the only way off the mountain was by tram. The ride was quick, smooth and comfortable. We arrived at the base and caught a city bus to a location where we could catch a cab back to our hotel.

TOP OF BARCELONA

TOP OF BARCELONA

BARCELONA, SPAIN

We jumped in a Taxi and asked the driver to take us to the top of the city where a great cathedral sits. The driver who spoke almost no english sped us up the hill. When we arrived the area was almost empty of tourists. We asked the driver to stay and wait for us. He said he would be back in half hour in very broken english. We thought we agreed on a time and place. We entered a restaurant to enjoy some hot chocolate and a cold beer for Drew. We walked through the church and grounds and waited for our driver. And waited.....and waited.....

Finally we asked the bartender to call our driver as he had left his card. She would not make the call and instructed a waiter not to call for us. A bus came by and we could not communicate with the driver. We waited some more. Finally I asked another girl at a ticket window how we could get off the mountain and down into the city of Barcelona. She said in very broken english that there was a tram right behind us. None of us had even noticed the tram. We bought tickets and made it down in minutes. Never did see that driver again. My advice when visiting Barcelona is to take a Spanish book or some language classes and speak their language instead of trying to get them to speak English.

CATHEDRAL BARCELONA

CATHEDRAL BARCELONA

BARCELONA, SPAIN

PARK GUELL - BARCELONA, SPAIN

PARK GUELL

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Keli was so excited to visit this park in Barcelona. She had seen it many times in a movie by the Cheeta Girls or some other girl group. Keli described the entire area to us before we got here. Here main goal was to touch the sculpture of the large lizard that is near the entrance. The park was created by famed architect Gaudi and was the place of his home for many years. We toured his home and walked the grounds overlooking the city.

BARCELONA DELI

BARCELONA DELI

BARCELONA, SPAIN

We were told that many homes in Europe do not have refrigerators. Most families visit the market, butcher and deli each day to purchase food for the daily meals. We were amazed with the number of fish shops, meat shops, vegetable stands and deli's that are all over the city. Some of the best and freshest ingredients in the world. I walked into this deli and was in pure heaven. Wanted to sample everything!

BARCELONA DELI VIDEO

GAUIDI RESTAURANT - BARCELONA, SPAIN

GAUDI RESTAURANT

BARCELONA, SPAIN

We found a little neighborhood restaurant, coffee house/bar right around the corner from our Barcelona apartment. There are hundreds of these type of restaurants all over the city. While Keli dined on traditional eggs and bacon, we decided to try the Paella. This is a rice dish served with seafood. The dish was a bit bland and was very light on the seafood. Most people in Spain do not eat this for breakfast, but we just had to try it while we were in Barcelona. It was nice to sit and watch the locals enjoy their coffee before work. There is a lot of smoking in Barcelona. We found it difficult to stay in this place because everyone around us was smoking. We would have eaten outside but it was a little too cold. Most restaurants in the city have tons of outdoor seating. The entire city is filled with outdoor cafe's. Would love to visit here during the warmer months. The people of Barcelona are not early risers. Most shops do not open until 9:00/10:00 am. The streets are completely empty from 7:00 to 8:30 am. This is a really nice time to walk around. The language here is Spanish. We found that most people working in the restaurants, cab drivers and vendors do not speak too much english. You definitely want to bring a Spanish book or study the language before coming to Barcelona. The people are friendly but can only do so much if they do not understand you. The currency of Barcelona is the Euro. We found the best way to obtain Euro's was from standard ATM machines.

ORIO RESTAURANT, BARCELONA, SPAIN

ORIO RESTAURANT

BARCELONA, SPAIN

While taking a stroll in the rain trough the charming Gothic section of Barcelona we stubbled upon a Tapa Bar that featured seafood. The place looked clean and fresh so we entered and sat at one of the large communal type tables in the middle of the space. Along the bar there were dozens of small size plates of food to sample. The waiter explained that it was ($1.95 Euro's) each for a plate. Kind of like going out for Genki Sushi in Honolulu but instead of counting the plates these folks count the toothpicks. We tried a variety of seafood toppings placed on a nice piece of french bread. I liked the tuna with pimento best. The Chorizo Sausage was good and so was the tuna with fried leeks. One with hot peppers, anchovie and olive was good too. Keli liked the simple salami with cheese best. We ate until we were full but were not totally impressed with the flavors. Everything is served with bread so you get full quite quickly. The waiter was friendly and gladly served a Spanish Champagne that was great. One of the reasons we ended up eating here is that it was one of the only restaurants open around 12:00 pm. Most restaurants don't open for lunch until 1:30. We had picked the oldest restaurant in Barcelona to dine at this day, but it turned out they did not open until 1:30. My girls wanted to eat NOW as they did not have dinner the night before. We also found that restaurants open around 8:30 for dinner. Typical dinner time is 9:00 to 11:00 pm which is our family sleep time. We ended up missing dinner today because the girls fell asleep. This was good because we all need a good rest after our adventure to get here.

ORIO RESTAURANT - BARCELONA, SPAIN

SAGRADA FAMILIA - BARCELONA, SPAIN

SAGRADA FAMILIA

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Barcelona's most famous architect named Gaudi designed but not complete this great structure. He was hit by a trolly car and died during it's construction. Barcelona is filled with beautiful buildings that are both modern and old. The streets are clean and are filled with sidewalk cafe's. A great place to sit, drink, eat and people watch.

6 HOURS ON THE RUNWAY - HEATHROW AIRPORT

6 HOURS ON THE RUNWAY

HEATHROW AIRPORT, LONDON

Delayed overnight in Los Angeles was heaven compared to what we endured in London. We arrived after a 10 1/2 hour flight to snowfall and and an airport that perhaps is not prepared too well for snow. After being huddled up in a small lounge we were told that our flight was delayed because of the snow. We waited over an hour and then were placed on buses to drive to the plane which was not near the terminal. When we departed the bus, it was snowing. We had to walk up stairs to the plane in the snow. Keli liked this but it was cold. We stuck our tongues out to catch the snow and had some fun. We got settled in to our seats and found that we were surrounded by a certain ethnic group that loved to talk loud amongst each other. They had a dozen children and just had to scream across the isles to talk. After a while the pilot came on the intercom and announced that we would be delayed one hour so they plane could be de-iced. I tried to sleep but a two year old in front of me was hanging off the back of his seat screaming. The lady behind seemed happy to continually grab my seat back and bounce me around a bit. Our one hour delay soon turned to two. Then three, then four, then five hours. Thankfully the crew busted out free wine and beer. The loud got louder and the quiet got drunk. We learned the life stories of the people in back of us and a little bit about the drug cartel in Mexico that forced our friends on the other side of the isle to move to Arizona. Everyone was yapping in a dozen different languages. The bathrooms ran out of water, the wine ran out and there was no food. After six hours of this crap the plane finally departed for Barcelona. SIX HOURS ON THE RUNWAY GOING NOWHERE. Got to hand it to the British Airlines crew. They were really relaxed and treated everyone well. They kept the booze flowing until they were completely out of stock. The flight to Barcelona was two hours. We arrived after midnight and got to our hotel around 2:00 am.

BRIDGE BAR - HEATHROW AIRPORT, LONDON

BRIDGE BAR

HEATHROW AIRPORT, LONDON

Heathrow Airport in London is a very busy place. Travelers from all over the world make their way through this international hub. Unlike most airports, Heathrow really controls when you go to your gate. They do not post the gate numbers for flights until the flight is actually boarding. This keeps everyone in the main lounge area. Everyone is eating, drinking or just looking at the boards waiting for their flight number and gate to show up. When it is time for your plane to board, the gate number appears. The lounge area is large with a mall of stores and restaurants. We opted for one of the only sit down restaurants in the lounge. It is called the Bridge Bar in Terminal 3. The place was crowded with travelers enjoying a pint of beer or a quick meal. We sat near the bar area and quickly learned that there is no waiter to take your order. You need to go up to the bar and order. Then someone brings the food to your table. I had the house specialty which is fish and chips ($10.45 Euro's). This was a big chunk of beer battered fish served with fries and smashed peas. The fish was actually good and so were the peas. Shirley and a BLT ($5.95 Euro's) which was not too good she said. Keli had a ham and cheese sandwich and seemed to like it. I tried a pint of Carling beer ($3.10 Euro's). It was cold and refreshing. Tasted pretty good too.

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DELAYED IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES DELAY

THE TWO DAY FLIGHT TO BARCELONA

Five hour flight to Los Angeles was smooth and uneventful. Upon arrival in L.A., we were told that our connection to New York was cancelled. The gate agent attempted to book us on a flight out the next morning and then in the middle of doing this decided he had to go somewhere else. He handed us off to the gal next to him who quickly explained that there was a flight out tomorrow she could put us on standby. It was around 1o:00 pm. We were tired and decided to pull our thoughts together in the American Airlines lounge. We sat down very relaxed and asked ourselves what we were going to do. Sleep in the airport and go for the standby flight to New York (which may be cancelled again) or attempt something else. Shirley approached the agent in the lounge and explained that we needed to get to Barcelona. I sat back with Keli and enjoyed a glass of wine and some complimentary sandwiches, cheese and crackers. After about two hours were were first booked on an Air France flight the next morning. Then that flight was not available so they switched us to British Airways flying into London. No guarantees we were told, just be at the terminal first thing in the morning. We left the airport and grabbed a shuttle to the Crown Plaza Hotel. Arrived after midnight to a clean room and slept. We were the very first in line (waited 5 hours) at British Airlines. We were ticketed and got our seats for London. I grabbed a couple of Carne Asada Taco's from the El Paseo Cafe stand above the ticketing counter. Two tacos ($7.80) were quite good. I ate them while standing over our bags at the ticket counter. After a few more hours waiting we were finally in the air for over 10 hours. When we arrived in London, snow was falling and the airport was going into cancellation mode. We had over six hours layover and decided to enjoy lunch in a British Pub.

Heathrow Airport is filled with people from all over the world. People watching at its best here.

TEQUILERIA AT HONOLULU AIRPORT

TEQUILERIA RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA

You can imagine my surprise when we stumbled upon a Tequileria (Taco Stand) at the Honolulu airport. The placed looked nice and clean so we went in searching for a good Mexican meal before our takeoff to Barcelona. The restaurant overlooks the terminal and many airplanes can be seen from the window. The menu is very limited. Only about 10 or so items total. I asked for chips and salsa and was politely told that it would cost $10. No chips for me. I ordered the Chicken Enchilada Verde which is the house specialty. Two pretty bland chicken tacos served with a green salsa, rice and beans ($12.99). The dish had no cheese which I thought was different. The rice was like Uncle Bens and the Beans were canned. Keli tried the Chicken Quesadillas. These were large chicken and cheese filled tortillas served with some sour creme and frozen quacamole ($11.49). Way too much cheese in these things. Should have just ordered a cold beer here. They looked good and refreshing.

D.K STEAK HOUSE - HONOLULU, HAWAII

D.K STEAK HOUSE

MARRIOTT HOTEL

HONOLULU, HI

Morton's, Ruth Chris, Wolfgangs......who serves the best steak in Hawaii? After trying them all several times, the verdict is in. The winner is D.K STEAK HOUSE. I have been here many times and twice in the last two weeks. I mixed it up with a visit to Ruth Chris in between my last two visits. While Ruth Chris is good, it does not compare with D.K. The dry aged Paniolo Rib Eye is the most flavorful piece of meat on the Island. Hands down winner. The bomb.

When you enter D.K you are always greeted by smiling employees who quickly seat you. The wait staff is professional. I was seated at the bar waiting for my guests. I ordered a glass of chardonnay. When I took a few drinks of the wine, I made a face because the wine did not taste good. Without hesitation one of the waiters standing in the well asked me how the wine was. I said terrible. He quickly instructed the bartender to give me another drink on the house. I had a cold beer. Back to the steak. There are some very good appetizers on the D.K menu. I love the Black and Blue Ahi ($12.95). Rare seared ahi tuna dusted with cajun spices and served with and hot and spicy mustard sauce. The Steakhouse Crab Cakes are also very good. My problem is that the steak is so big I never have room for appetizers or sides here. I did enjoy the "Ultimate" Caesar Salad as it is called on the menu ($5.95 half order). This is a good Caesar served cold and crisp with shaved parmesan-reggiano cheese on top. We had a plate of anchovies on the side. The Entree menu is quite extensive and features dry aged steaks that are aged 30 days at the restaurant. You can go surf and turf at D.K. They have shrimp, lobster and crab combination plates. The Surf and Turf dinners include soup or salad, vegetable and choice of potato. Prices range from $45 to $65 for the complete meal. Our entire table of four opted for the 22 oz. Paniolo Rib Eye ($39.95). The steak is prepared with a dry rub and served on the bone. The steak comes with two large pieces of grilled Maui onions and creme corn. The flavor is off the hook. The steak cuts like butter and then the flavors explode in your mouth. The combination of the steak, dry rub and Maui onion is heavenly. Every time I eat this steak I don't want to stop. The taste is that good. I have never finished an entire rib eye here. Always take half home. Our entire table was impressed with the rib eye. All four said it was the best steak they have ever eaten. As we completed our meal, the Manager (Ivy) greeted our table and sent over some complimentary home made brownies. Nice finish to a fantastic meal.

TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE.

ANNIVERSARY DINNER

ANNIVERSARY DINNER

DECEMBER 8, 2009

AT HOME WITH KELI

We celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary with a quiet dinner at home. This is exactly what we wanted. A relaxing night with family and good food. Shirley did a great job with the lobster tail. It was cooked perfectly and delicious. Our sides included glazed carrots with thyme and sage, lima beans with bacon and shallots and a taboule salad with cucumber, tomato and parsley. I am so blessed to have a wife for 11 years and a beautiful daughter that is the center of our lives.

HAWAII FOOTBALL TAILGATE PARTY - DEC 5, 2009

ALOHA STADIUM

DEC 5, 2009

HAWAII VS WISCONSIN

We lost the game 51 to 10 but had a great time in the parking lot. How can you go wrong with lobster tails, beef skewers and champagne. The food was delicious.

U.H. TAILGATE PARTY

ASSAGGIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO - HONOLULU, HAWAII

ASSAGGIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO

HONOLULU, HI

Assaggio is probably one of the best and most consistent Italian restaurants in Hawaii.

I have eaten here dozen of times and really never had a bad meal. The service is always good and the portions are huge. Most entree's run around $16 to $19 bucks for a large portion. I usually opt for the Boneless Julienne Chicken with vegetables served over linguine ($19). I ask for the spicy garlic marinara sauce. It is delicious. We also enjoy the cold Antipasti salad ($9) on every visit. This is a nice salad topped with prosciutto, salami, cheese, picked vegetables, peppers, olives and anchovies. The salad is big and can serve two to three people. The Home Made Vinaigrette dressing is delicious and a perfect compliment to the salad. Shirley always gets the Seafood Combination ($23 Large). Clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari served over a bed of linguine. I have also had some of the best steamed clams here. Fresh Clams Scampi Style goes for $13. Our friend tried the Sicilian Chicken ($17 small). Boneless chicken thighs, pan fried in olive oil and garlic, with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and a light white wine sauce. Served with roasted potatoes. This looked great and our friend said it was delicious.

Our friend Arlene who was enjoying her 71st Birthday enjoyed the Chicken Alla Saltimbocca Romano ($18 small). Boneless chicken breast lightly breaded pan fried in olive oil and then topped with spinach, melted mozzarella cheese, prosciutto ham in a mushroom white wine butter sauce. The Assaggio menu is large and includes everything Italian including steak and veal dishes. There is no pizza.  The wine list is very affordable with most bottles around $30. Assaggio is a sure bet for a good meal at affordable prices. TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE.

HAWAII VS NAVY - TAILGATE PARTY

HAWAII VS NAVY

TAILGATE PARTY

ALOHA STADIUM

You could feel the excitement in the air at this years Hawaii vs Navy Football Game.

Our little tailgate party started off the day with good food and good friends. The menu on this clear and sunny 80 degree day in November consisted of Drew's (now famous) Spicy Chile,

BBQ Pork Ribs, Hot Wings, Spicy Sausage, BBQ Char Siu, Grilled Spicy Shrimp, Fresh Fruit Salad, Shrimp, Crab Salad w/Mango, Sushi Platter and Home Made Apple Pie and Cranberry Bread. Food was great, but the game was better. Hawaii beat Navy 24-17 in one of the best games I have ever seen at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii's defense came to play and impressed everyone who had almost given up on them. GO BOWS!

THANKSGIVING 2009

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

THANKSGIVING 2009

HIMALAYAN KITCHEN

HIMALAYAN KITCHEN

HONOLULU, HI

While eating our takeout BBQ from the new Hog Island BBQ joint, a young waiter or manager from an adjoining restaurant approached our table and offered us his business card. He said that we should try Himalayan Kitchen sometime. Since we were not eating the BBQ due to poor taste, I asked to see a menu. Authentic Nepali and Indian Cuisine it proclaimed. Traditional Tandoori Clay Oven cooking, Naan Breads, Curries and lots of Vegetarian Dishes. Since we ate a little of the BBQ I ordered a couple appetizers just to sample the flavors. We had the Naan Bread with garlic and jalapenos, Samosa and a chicken and vegetable dish. The Naan Bread was delicious and served with a cilantro and mint dipping sauce. The bread was spicy and cooked to perfection. The Samosa was like a large Won Ton filled with potatoes, chick peas and curry. It was awesome. The three appetizers cost $20. I would go back here for another order of these. The other dish was also very good, but we were so full we could not eat much. I am going back here again and will try some entree dishes and get better descriptions of the food.

FIVE PALMS - WAILEA MAUI

FIVE PALMS

WAILEA, MAUI

I have been lucky to dine at the Five Palms dozens of times over the past years. It is my #1 spot for lunch with customers on Maui. My friends and I call this place the "Secret Spot" because it is located in a condo complex on one of the most beautiful beaches on Maui. The restaurant is indoor/outdoor (we always sit outdoors) overlooking a beautiful beach and Molokini. In the winter you can watch the humpback whales while enjoying a cold beer. I have had most things on the menu here. My friends say the breakfast is the best on Maui. It is very good. Lunch last week was incredible. I ordered the corn beef sandwich with braised cabbage and swiss cheese. This was hands down one of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life. Watch the video. I don't want to write about this thing. I just want to go back to Maui and order another one.

A trip to Maui must include a trip to the "Secret Spot". The food, view and service are all great.

WATCH THE VIDEO

HOG ISLAND BBQ - HONOLULU, HAWAII

HOG ISLAND BBQ

HONOLULU, HI

Hawaii really needs a good BBQ restaurant. After 20 years here, I have not found a place for bbq brisket, pulled pork or ribs that would make me go back a second time. When Hog Island BBQ opened just minutes from our house I was excited. I had read several reviews that proclaimed Hog Island as the best BBQ in Hawaii. Four star ratings for food, service, ambiance and value. After reading this we had to try it. First off this is not really a restaurant. Rather a cramped counter with a small wood smoker sitting behind you. There are not seats, no waiters and no beer. Hog Island is basically a take-out window with seating upstairs on a deck. We ordered the Beef Brisket Plate Meal ($8.25). Wood fired Beef Brisket with choice of two sides. I opted for the Pitmaster's Baked Beans which are dried beans soaked over night and then slow cooked with homemade bbq sauce along with brisket and pulled pork bark. My other side was the Cole Slaw w/dried cranberries. Review: the Brisket was a bit dry and lacked a lot of flavor. I dipped the brisket into the bbq sauce and this really helped the flavor. There is a certain spice in the rub that I cannot pick out, but it does not do well with my taste buds. This flavor overwhelms the beef. The sauce is good. The beans were a bit bland and the cole slaw was very good. We also tried a full rack of Baby Back Ribs ($24.75). These ribs are dry rubbed with a spice mixture that includes 29 herbs and spices and then are slow cooked for 12 hours. The verdict on these was mixed. The two children dining loved them. The parents could not eat more than one rib each. The ribs were dry and had that one spice that I don't like. Even dipping them in the bbq sauce didn't save these ribs. Costco ribs are better I am very sad to say. We tried the Chef's Scallop Potatoes with the ribs. Fresh potatoes thinly sliced and then slow cooked for over 2 hours with cream and a blend of 23 spices. To my surprise they use "no cheese" in the potatoes. I liked the Scalloped Potatoes, but would not make a special trip to eat them. Hog Island also sells BBQ Sandwiches; Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chicken Breast and a Philly Style Beef Brisket. These run around $7 to $9. Will try the pulled pork on my next visit.

Dining here is nice because you take your food upstairs to a rooftop deck. There are about four tables.

KELI THIRD GRADE

KELI IS OFF TO THIRD GRADE

HONOLULU, HAWAII

When we first brought Keli home from the hospital after being born, everyone that saw her told us to enjoy every moment of her childhood because it goes by so fast. How right they are. Eight years seems like an instant and here we are taking her off to Third Grade class.

HAWAII' I PONO' I

HAWAI' I PONO 'I

OFFICIAL SONG OF THE STATE OF HAWAII

STAN SHERIFF CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

HONOLULU, HI

We caught this rendition of the Hawaii State Song at a recent University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Game at the the Stan Sheriff Center. This 13 year old did a nice job.

Hawai 'I Pono 'I was written by King David Kalakaua and is played at most sporting events along with our National Anthem.

Hawaii ponoi Nana ikou, mai

kalani Alii, ke Alii

Makua Lani e Kamehameha e

Na kaua e pale Me ka i he

Translation:

Hawaii's own true sons, be loyal to your chief

Your country's liege and lord, the Alii

Father above us all, Kamehameha

Who guarded in the war with this ihe

Alii (ah-lee-ee) sovereign

ihe (ee-hay) spear

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR

HONOLULU, HAWAII

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WIND BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WIND BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR

VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WIND BAR

NOODLE ASIA - VENETIAN HOTEL, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

NOODLE ASIA

VENETIAN HOTEL

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

LA SALSA CANTINA - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

LA SALSA CANTINA

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

We were cruising through the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas looking for something to eat for lunch. As we turned a corner I saw Mexican food and had to go in.

I tried the Chicken Enchiladas and my friend had the Burrito. Both were huge and pretty good but the prices were high. About $15 each. The four salsa's with chips was a great side for $5.

CARNEVINO RESTAURANT - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

CARNEVINO - PART 2

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Click link below to view Carnevion Part 1;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2009/09/carnevino_21.html