LAVAIN BAKERY - CHOCOLATE CHIP AND WALNUT COOKIES

LAVAIN BAKERY

1484 THIRD AVE

NEW YORK

917-464-5578

https://levainbakery.com

www.facebook.com/LevainBakery/

www.instagram.com/levainbakery/?hl=en

www.yelp.com/biz/levain-bakery-new-york

Years ago I was in New York and my Wife called me and asked if I could go to Lavain Bakery and buy some cookies.  Evidently she had done her research and found that these were some of the best cookies on the planet.  While I had never heard of Lavain Bakery and didn't have much interest in going there, I grabbed a cab and headed there.  When we arrived I was shocked to find a line that seemed to be endless.  The cab came to a stop and I asked the driver to go forward so I could see how long the line was.  It went on and on so I told him to take me back to my hotel.  There was no way I was going to wait in that line in the cold.  Well that decision haunted me because for years my Wife still reminds me that I did not buy her Lavain cookies.  Last month she searched out for the recipe for the famous cookies and made her own version of the Lavain Chocolate Walnut cookies.  They were pretty terrible and I felt so bad because she tried so hard to replicate the recipe.  My Nephew is in New York so I texted him and asked if he could ship me a few of the Lavain cookies.  He was positive and said that he goes to Lavain weekly.  Being a young tech guy, he did not buy and ship the cookies to me.  He sent me a link to their website where you could buy the cookies online.  Brilliant.  I ordered the cookies and found that the shipping to Hawaii was just as much as the cookies.  I ordered anyway and they arrived the day before Thanksgiving which was perfect.  I was so excited to present the box of Lavain cookies to my Wife.  I hid the box and then brought it out after dinner and presented the world famous cookies to her with a smile.  She was thankful but said she would try them later as she was full.  What...I flew these in from New York and now you don't want to eat one.  She said later but I could not resist and had to try these cookies to see if they were really as good as all the hype and accolades.  I took a small bite and was not impressed.  She saw me and then came over and took a bite too.  She had a strange look and said they are supposed to be chewy with the chocolate melting.  We put the cookie into the microwave for 15 seconds and then took another bite.  I thought it was just ok and would not want to eat the entire cookie.  She took a bite and was crushed because it did not live up to her expectations.  In fact, she have away the cookies to her family on Thanksgiving day.

Perhaps it was because they were shipped to Hawaii and not fresh she said.  Then she said that she appreciates me buying the cookies but don't ever buy them again.  Oh well $98 down the drain.

 

 

LAVAIN BAKERY WORLD FAMOUS COOKIE

LAVAIN CHOCOLATE CHIP AND WALNUT COOKIES

FROM NEW YORK TO HONOLULU

 

HOAKALEI COUNTRY CLUB

LUNCH AND GOLF

Enjoyed a delicious lunch and a round of golf at Hoakalei.  I love this place.  The most beautiful clubhouse and best golf course on Oahu.  The Spicy Ahi Roll is one of the best in Honolulu.

The Korean Fried Chicken n' Cheese is out of this world strange but so delicious.  Never would have thought Chicken and Cheese would taste so good together.  The Caesar salad with Mahi Mahi was perfect with the freshest Mahi Mahi ever.  One of the best tasting pieces of fish ever on this blog.  What a way to start another terrible round of golf.  Boy do I suck at this game!

SPICY AHI ROLL

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN N' CHEESE

CAESAR SALAD WITH MAHI MAHI

THANKSGIVING GOLF WITH THE BOYS

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 Blessed to have a wonderful and loving family that I truly cherish.  Thankful for each day with them and

our dog Sunny who has brought more joy, happiness and love into our home than I could ever imagine.

Wishing everyone a very happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving!

THANKFUL!

OAHU COUNTRY CLUB

OAHU COUNTRY CLUB
150 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
HONOLULU, HI. 96817
808-595-6331
www.oahucountryclub.com

 Enjoyed a delicious dinner at the newly remodeled Oahu Country Club.  The Salmon was incredible.

JAPANESE STYE SALMON

PORK CHOP

GNOCHI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASAH

BEET SALAD

CHARCUTERIE PLATTER

SPICY AHI 

AHI SASHIMI

BA-LE SPECIAL SANDWICH

BA-LE SANDWICH

333 WARD AVENUE

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-591-0935

www.yelp.com/biz/ba-le-sandwich-shop-honolulu-11

Ba-Le Sandwich is sometimes good, sometimes bad and this time GREAT!  Probably the best Banh Mi I have ever had at Ba-Le and believe me,  I have eaten dozens of them.  What made this one special is that everything was fresh.  First off the bread was perfect and soft on the inside with a light crunch on the outside.  The meats were fresh and the Pate was abundant and super fresh.  I think I just caught them on a good day when everything was made fresh this day.  Oh if only every Ba-Le Special Sandwich could taste like this.  Truly one of the best Banh Mi sandwiches I have ever eaten at Ba-Le.

BA-LE SPECIAL SANDWICH

 

BBQ CHICKEN

DINNER AT HOME

After the large Sous Vide Prime Rib dinner we wanted something more simple and light.  Made this absolutely delicious BBQ Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes.  I did a dry rub on the Chicken using Flavor God Hot Wings, Garlic Lovers and Chipotle Seasonings along with some Salt and Pepper.  Put the Chicken on the grill and then coated with BBQ Sauce.  For the Potatoes, I cut up a Red Onion, Bell Pepper and the Potatoes.  Coated with Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper and lots of chopped Garlic.  Baked at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  One of the best BBQ Chicken dinners ever.

BBQ CHICKEN WITH GARLIC ROASTED POTATOES

SOME OF THE BEST BBQ CHICKEN I HAVE EVER MADE

 

SOUS VIDE PRIME RIB

DINNER AT HOME

I don't think we will ever cook another Prime Rib in the oven.  The Sous Vide method is the only way to go if you ask me.  Cooks the beef to perfection without any worries or frustration of having under or overcooked pieces.  Every slice is perfectly cooked and delicious.  We Sous Vide the Prime Rib for 8 hours at 136 degrees after seasoning, searing and vacuum sealing. Used the juices to make a Au Jus while we finished the Prime Rib in the oven at 400 degrees for around 10 minutes to create a bit of a crust.

This dinner was so delicious and satisfying.  Served with Smashed Parmesan Potatoes and Broccolini.

SOUS VIDE PRIME RIB

FRENCH CUT THE PRIME RIB

SEASON WITH SALT, PEPPER AND GARLIC

TRUSS THE PRIME RIB

SEAR ON ALL SIDES

VACUUM SEAL

SOUS VIDE AT 136 DEGREES FOR 8 HOURS

FULLY COOKED PRIME RIB

WHIPPED EGG TO COAT PRIME RIB BEFORE SEASONING AGAIN

SALT, PEPPER AND ROSEMARY GO ON THE PRIME RIB

PRIME RIB JUICES, GARLIC, ROSEMARY, SHALLOTS.  DEGLAZE WITH WINE OR STOCK.  STRAIN AND YOU HAVE AU JUS

PRIME RIB GOES IN 400 DEGREE OVEN TO CRISP AND BROWN A BIT

PERFECT SOUS VIDE PRIME RIB

PRIME RIB WITH AU JUS

SOUS VIDE PRIME RIB ON THE LANAI

THE SURFING PIG HAWAII

THE SURFING PIG HAWAII

3605 WAIALAE AVE

HONOLULU, HI 96816

808-744-1992

https://thesurfingpighawaii.com

www.yelp.com/biz/the-surfing-pig-hawaii-honolulu

www.facebook.com/thesurfingpighawaii/

www.instagram.com/thesurfingpighawaii/?hl=en

Ventured out under COVID-19 to find The Surfing Pig busy with customers.  Our temperatures were taken before being seating along with contact tracing info on our group.  We were socially distanced to an area where just the three of us sat.  Service was excellent with our table being served by the bartender.  I had the Street Tacos ($19) which I thought were overpriced and tasteless.  The Fish Taco was all batter and the batter was soggy and not crunchy.  The Kalua Pork Taco was dry and pretty tasteless.  Cannot believe this is Award Winning Pork.  The Shrimp Taco was probably best of the three but only after I covered it in their homemade Chipotle Sauce which is good.  My Daughter enjoyed the Loco Moco ($18.50) which she ordered because the menu said it was made with Sticky Rice.  The rice was regular rice so this was a bit of a disappointment.  The Burger Patty however had good flavor and she liked it.  My Wife enjoyed the Porchetta Salad ($12) which she said lacked Porchetta.  While the food did not wow us we were happy with the service and even happier to be out supporting local restaurants during these messed up times.

LOCO MOCO

THE SURFING PIG HAWAII

THE SURFING PIG HAWAII MENU

PORCHETTA SALAD

STREET TACOS

CHIPOTLE HOT SAUCE WAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE MEAL

ALL YOU CAN EAT PRIME RIB, MASHED POTATOES AND VEGGIES FOR $40

 

AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS

DINNER AT HOME

Finally have a Buffalo Chicken Wing recipe down that I like.  I use a dry rub prior to placing the Wings into the Air Fryer.  Flavor God Hot Wings, Garlic Lovers and Ghost Seasonings combined with Franks Red Hot Original Seasoning Blend.  I coat the Wings in these spices along with a little Cooking Spray.

Place in Air Fryer and cook for 25 minutes at 380 degrees.  Turn the Wings halfway through the cooking process to crisp both sides.  While the Wings are cooking I mix Franks Hot Sauce with Butter and heat.

When the Wings are cooked and golden brown I toss them in the Hot Sauce and Butter.  Amazing Wings!

AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS

 

ASSAGGIO KAHALA BISTRO

ASSAGGIO KAHALA BISTRO

4346 WAILAE AVENUE

HONOLULU, HI 96816

808-732-1011

HOURS:  Monday thru Thursday/Sunday 11AM - 2:30PM / 4:30PM - 9PM

                 Friday and Saturday 11AM - 2:30PM / 4:30 - 9:30PM

http://assaggiohawaii.co/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=135

www.yelp.com/biz/assaggio-bistro-honolulu

www.facebook.com/pages/Assagios-Kahala/121282511721097

www.instagram.com/explore/locations/283421/assagios-kahala

We decided to stay close to home and go out for a Date Night.  Ended up at Assagio's in Kahala.

Normally we enjoy the large pasta dishes here but for some reason we were not that hungry and wanted to keep it light.  Went for just a few appetizers and you know what, it was very satisfying and filling.

Started with the Cold Antipasta Salad which is one of our favorite salads on the Island.  Love the Pickled Vegetables, Anchovies and Cheese in this salad. Next up were the Steamed Clams which I also love.  Tired the Hot Seafood Antipasto for the first time.  Shrimp, Clams, Calamari and Mussels in a very light and spicy Tomato Sauce.  Not bad.  

Click links below to view previous posts on Assaggio Kahala Bistro;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2019/11/assaggio-kahala-bistro.html

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2015/01/assagios-kahala-bistro.html

COLD ANTIPASTO SALAD

STEAMED CLAMS

HOT SEAFOOD ANTIPASTO

GUIEB CAFE - TURKEY AND HAM

GUIEB CAFE

1311 KING STREET, SUITE F06

HONOLULU, HI 96817
808-913-2131
HOURS:  Monday Thru Saturday 6AM - 3PM
www.guiebscatering.com
www.yelp.com/biz/guieb-cafe-honolulu
www.facebook.com/guiebscatering/
www.instagram.com/guiebscatering/?hl=en

I was not craving a Thanksgiving meal but when I saw Guieb Cafe had this Turkey and Ham lunch for $16, I just had to give it a try.  Wow...I was blown away by the great flavors.  The Turkey was moist and I loved the Dressing and Gravy.  The Ham was thick and full of flavor.  Even the Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes were delicious.  This lunch was a real treat.  I only ate about half but wanted to finish it all. 

Click link below to view lots more Guieb Cafe meals;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2020/05/guieb-cafe.html 

TURKEY AND HAM HOLIDAY COMBO

CRUNCHY BEEF TACOS

DINNER AT HOME

We did Taco Tuesday on Wednesday because I made a Pizza Quesadilla as an appetizer on Tuesday.

The Quesadilla filled us up so we had no room for the Tacos I had prepped.  These Beef Tacos are some of my favorite Tacos ever.  The flavors are amazing and my Wife has the Taco Shell frying mastered for the perfect Crunchy Taco.  This is definitely a Great Eats Hawaii favorite!

CRUNCHY BEEF TACOS

TACO WEDNESDAY ON THE LANAI

CRUNCHY BEEF TACO PERFECTION

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE TACOS

TACO PERFECTION