Friday, March 25, 2011

Over the TOP at Top of Waikiki!

The Top of Waikiki.....maybe it wouldn't have been my first thought of a restaurant when picking a place to celebrate our anniversary.  I mean it's in Waikiki, it'll probably be filled with tourist, and it's been around for soo long, it's not the latest or the "it" place to check out!  AND, the be completely honest, most of what seem to be "tourist" restaurants serve food and their service in a common, washed out, or mediocre fashion. 
NOT ALL - just most to where I have been!
Let's face it!  It is really hard to find a restaurant that blows your mind...well, atleast that's what it is for me!!
BUT, if you know me, I'm down to checking out whatever seems interesting, and what the heck - it IS Hawaii's ONLY revolving restaurant!!  How could I pass that up!?!  Besides, we were already staying in Waikiki.... =P

Initially, our reservations were set for 6pm, but we ended up needing to push the time back.  When I called to do so, the lady on the other end was nice to make that change for us. 
It is when we get there that brought a red flag to my mind, should we have really come here!?!  We approach the hostess stand 10 minutes before our 7pm reservations, there are four people at the hostess stand.  As we walk up I notice the lady who looks to be the Head Hostess (as she has the pen in hand and list in front of her)doesn't smile.  At all.  The lady next to her greets us, nicely.  But naturally I walk up to the lady in the center, with the pen in her hand.  She looks up, still no smile, kinda scary, and I tell her our reservations info.  She tells us it will be one moment, still, no smile!  We proceed to have a seat to wait.  After about a couple of minutes, another hostess takes us to our seats.

We were greeted with a warm welcome from our server and also by his assistant.  He started off by recommendeding a wonderful bottle of wine based on what we both like.  He gave us a lot of time and offered food recommendations as well after explaining the specials which all seemed amazing.  I had a tough time thinking about what I wanted as there were many great sounding choices, so I asked him.  He replied back with a dish that would go wonderfully in taste with the wine we were having.  And, I agree it went perfectly together!


For our appetizer we chose to go with the Diver's Scallops garnished with bacon with a corn puree.  The taste really complimented each other and to my surprise the sauce was an excellent choice.  For dinner we decided on the snapper on a bed of udon noodles and the garlic rib eye.  Can we say YUUUMMMM!!!  The rib eye was cooked perfectly.  Charred just right and the meat was so tender and juicy that it melted in my mouth.  Add the wasabi garlic sauce to it and it is heaven!! 
The snapper was also cooked just right.  The taste of the sauce was light, yet extremely tasty!  I ate everything!!  Dessert was also nicely done, we had the Candy Bar.  A crispy chocolate ganache covering flourless chocolate cake layers, toffee, macadamia nuts, and candied ginger.  This was served with a sccop of vanilla gelato.  This was the perfect end to our amazing meal!!!

Service was great, food was amazing, and best of all the view of the city was clear and beautiful! 

I was proven wrong.  The Top of Waikiki is definitely far from mediocre and "touristy." 
It is OVER the top!!!  A place to most certainly check out!

*Happy Eating*

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Cupcake Devil

Now, I was never one who would say that I "LOVE" red velvet cupcakes.  For one thing it's a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting.  I could just make chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  What's the big hype!?! 
Boy, was I wrong!!  Recently I found one that I fell absolutely in love with!  I purchase mines at the Eden in Love Boutique located at Ward Center.  Don't get me wrong, after I tried this one from Eden in Love (from Hokulani Bakeshop), I was curious to try more.....not, all were as good!  Really, there are some terrible ones out there!!! 
The secret I feel is all about the cream cheese frosting...and how moist that cupcake is =)
This one particular baker gave me something to gauge on how I want my own Red Velvets to taste.  Still, even if I bake them, I won't fail to stop into Eden in Love to pick up one.....or two!!!

*Happy Eating*

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Can Can Orange Van

There is a van when you come through Paiwa street in Waipahu. You cannot miss it. It's as orange/yellow as the center median line on the road.
Its name is Triple RTs.
I've brought it up on conversation a couple of times, wanting to know what the story was. I found out: It's supposed to be good and known for their fried chicken.
So finally one day, I saved my appetite for this lunchwagon! As I approached this van the smell of fried chicken brought me back to when I was younger. Its the filipino way of frying their chicken. The smell is amazing! Ohh what comfort!
The menu extended beyond fried chicken: garlic chicken, hamburger, pancit, and so on. Thankfully its not an overwhelming menu. Still, it made me rethink what I wanted. I noticed the high school kids in front of me had ordered fried chicken or the garlic chicken. I figured what the heck! They're known for their fried chicken - so I'm gonna order that! Besides, the smell is too good to pass up!
A mini plate costs only $4 and a regular is $6! What a deal!!! And, don't worry portions even for a mini is pretty decent. Def worth it!!
So, if you ever venture to the west side, cruise on over on Paiwa Street (closer to Farrington Highway side), it's a lunchwagon to check out =)
Can't miss the orange van!

*Happy Eating*
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Panya Delight


Its kind of an outrage, no Yelp button for Panya in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki!!!
That means I can't write a review or climb the social ladder of Yelp!

Lol - all joking aside... I have to say today I ordered the Smoked Kalua Pig sandwich on lightly toasted white bread....Wow! It was good! I never thought kalua pig with cabbage would make a mighty tasty sandwich! Don't worry its not at all watery, so your bread is safe from sogginess!
All of the desserts I've tried have been delicious. Today I decided to go light, so I got the Japanese Cheesecake....the sauce that goes with it just makes it soo yummy! Mmmmm!

All the times I've ever gone to this location I've experienced nice,friendly service. I don't know names yet, but they're usually there in the afternoon. I have heard of incompetant service coming out of there in the past.....thankfully not me! ")

If you're ever in Waikiki swing in. Order a sandwich combo (they have kamaaina specials), get a fresh squeezed pineapple apple ginger lemon juice or a double apple (a pretty popular drink, a bit to tart for my cheeks), and dessert....your tummy will thank you!

*Happy Eating*
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Thursday, March 3, 2011

It's Girls Day and Pearl City Foodland Rocks!

Today is Girl's Day! YAAAY! For those who are wondering what that would mean - its hina-matsuri known as Japanese celebration for girls day! I may not be Japanese, but growing up in Hawaii we celebrated it. When we were younger the boys in class would put our chairs up and girls stood in line first for everything... it was nice!!

So in honor of this wonderful occassion celebrating girls, we invited our friends to have dinner at our home. My first guests (besides family) - so I'm pretty excited. The theme of course is Japanese.

For dinner we have a menu of shrimp and veggie tempura, stuffed tonkatsu, spicy tuna sushi, bacon asparagus (yes, they serve that in Japan), and honey toast with ice cream for dessert (just like Shokudo...or we hope)!

Let me tell you why Foodland in Pearl City rocks. I wanted to make this honey toast dessert. Pretty bad. But. Looking for a loaf of uncut bread is tough! We looked and called a couple of places and no luck. It was coming to a fail... but my friend (who also rocks) asked a gentleman who worked in Foodland if he could suggest somewhere. A few minutes later he found us in an aisle and offered for their bakery to bake us one. Really!?! That would be amazing! The lady in the bakery was soo helpful and extremely friendly. We don't mind waiting 20 minutes at all for what we want!!
We ordered two and they didn't mind at all! She even told us next time that we can call it in no problem!

We are soo pleased with their services. Ill keep coming here. And. When I know I want fresh bread, I know where to go!

Thanks Foodland Pearl City - You Rock! Super excited for tonight!

HAPPY GIRLS DAY <3
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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Neiman Marcus' Mariposa


Salmon Spaghettini
The Sunday before the Great Aloha Run we were running around in town and figured we would go to Pineapple Room for lunch.  Little did I know, they close in the middle of the day.  If this is not always true, they were on that day.  Maybe because it was a Sunday?
So we decided to try out Neiman Marcus' Mariposa.  We kept hearing about this place and a few of my friends have mentioned how much they really enjoy their food. 
With the hunger that had built up throughout the day, this would be a treat! 

Let me just say on a side note, I had called to see if they were open and would be able to accomodate the two of us.  It is now 2:30pm and the gentleman on the other line, told us they were currently closed, but that they would serve the afternoon menu after 3....So I wanted to clarify, (I'm sorry but I like to double check) and asked him if they were going to be open at 3.  He replies, "After 3."  What that really means?  I have no idea....  I thought it was the same thing.  Guess not!

By this time, I am starving and could eat anything.  We were greeted by a friendly server who was attentive and offered good service.  I say good, because as the meal went on and he picked up a few extra tables service became weak.  My first disappointment was that while waiting for our food to come out, about 25 minutes (we were the third table in the restaurant when we arrived and the first ones for the "afternoon menu"), I turned around and saw that the family who had ordered after us had gotten their food, and she was eating the same item I had ordered!  The second was that finally after getting our food, my Salmon Spaghettini and my Bf's French Dip was only okay!!  It was not worth the wait at all!!

After all that I did decide to order a dessert - what the heck!  It was the chocolate creme brulee with a caramel popcorn garnish.  It was interesting with the popcorn, but it was all tasty.  That I must say was the best part of the meal!

Would I go back....not anytime soon... And if you do go, don't order what we had!
I do have to ask though...I wonder if people actually enjoy the food at Mariposa, or is it just because it's in Neiman Marcus???