Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cafe Julia


Everyone (including myself) is always looking for the perfect breakfast/brunch place when the weekend comes around. I'm still searching for a place with great food plus bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary's. But, besides the alcoholic drinks, Cafe Julia is a must try, at least once. Food was great for us, but the service was incredibly lacking. It was a "weird" experience to say the least. I've heard that service is usually on-point, but this one Sunday, it was just off. If I ever do go back, I hope service will be better, because I have to admit, it is a beautiful place to casually enjoy lunch with the girls.

There is outside seating with umbrellas, and on a nice day, the warm sun shines down on a lovely little garden space. We decided to eat inside, though, which has high, white ceilings and a nice, open air breeze. Sit inside or out- both are great choices. Just a FYI- if you take your boyfriend, husband, or man friend, just beware, this is the YWCA (a membership organization supporting 2500 women and girls), so there will be a female-based clientele there.

We were seated, and our order was taken for drinks. When that finally came, we ordered our meals. I had spilled some coffee on our table shortly after, and ushered over our waitress (a tall middle-aged woman), who wiped it up with a towel. I asked her for a little bit more coffee, and she promptly asked me if we needed anything else......which seemed strange, since we were still waiting for our food! I was a little confused. Still waiting for our food 10 minutes later, our waitress came back over and handed us the check. I was even more confused! Brian finally caught her attention and she came over to ask us if something was wrong with the check. In the most awkward way ever, we replied that we didn't receive our food yet. She looked over at the cashier girl and mumbled something that blamed her for printing out the ticket so quickly, but our waitress was clearly befuddled as well! I don't know if she was all there that morning!

We finally got our food almost an hour later, and I admit it was tasty. But was it worth the uncomfortably-awkward hour wait? Don't know about that! It was a humorous situation in the end to say the least. Brian and I both thought about going up to the cashier girl and looking to her for answers on what the heck just happened, but we just walked out laughing. It was almost too ridiculous that all you could really do was furrow your brows, throw your hands up in baffled manner, and laugh! A perplexing experience for the books.

I think "theatrical" would have described this morning brunch the best.

Anyway, besides the entertainment, the food was again, great. I ordered the Special- a Croque Madame, which is an open-faced crunchy, ham and cheese sandwich topped with a sunny side egg and Béchamel sauce. It was deliciously-crunchy and cheesy and the egg was cooked perfectly. I also liked the Nalo Greens on the side with a light dressing. Was a nice combo of salad with the heavy carb meal.

Brian ordered the Corned Beef Hash and Eggs with white rice. His portion seemed much smaller than mine when it came out, plus it came with fried rice, not the white rice he ordered. Another mistake made by the waitress. On the bright side, he said the fried rice was really good and maybe one of the best he's ever had, thus, it happened to be a pleasant misstep. Thankfully. 

So, besides the weird situation with our waitress, food was delicious and ambiance was nice. Give this place a try...once. If you have a weird experience like we did, let me know in the comments section. I'd love to hear!
















...with "Spicy Ketchup" that Brian said tasted like JUST ketchup.




Sunday, March 24, 2013

Chain Gang


It's been really chilly and rainy in Hawaii lately, so this black and white combo sweater was a great buy. The first day of Spring was also just announced the other day, so it only felt appropriate to add just a bit of color pop to this otherwise simple and chic ensemble. Pink lips and a pink necklace did the trick!

Hopefully, these next coming days will warm up!








Bamboo Sky sweater and necklaces, white pants via Nasty Gal, old Aldo pumps






Thursday, March 21, 2013

Kiss My Grits


Southern fried food was never my thing. Not a huge fan of Popeye's or KFC or anything fried to say the least. But, I did buy a Living Social deal for Kiss My Grits a year ago, and it was expiring in a week. It was a great deal I couldn't pass up ($15 for $30), plus they had just recently opened when I first purchased it. You know me, I like to try anything new!

We showed up around 745pm (they close at 9am), and there were a few groups waiting outside. I didn't know this place was that popular, but it was crowded. When we finally got seated, the first thing that came out of our waitress' mouth was "Living Social deal?" I guess everyone else who had bought the deal and procrastinated were trying to use it before it expired too! After that, we started off with two Sweet Teas that came both in matching Mason Jars. Very cool.

So what'd we eat? I surely didn't want chicken, and was looking at their Pimiento Grilled Cheese, but that seemed so unauthentic and boring. I could get Grilled Cheese anywhere. I asked our waitress what she recommended- some highlights of their menu. She mentioned the Dixie Chicken if I wanted something more along the lines of Breakfast (comes with a scrambled egg), or the Meat-In-3 with Ribs/Catfish/Chicken, or the Catfish Plate which was her favorite. And of course, how could you go wrong with Chicken and Waffles!?

I gave in and settled on the Dixie Chicken. I know, I know, Fried Chicken...but I figured I had to try something really Southern-Authentic! Brian settled on the Chicken and Waffles, and boy, when that thing showed up, it was GIGANTIC. Let me just say that if you order this, please make sure you are hungry and have a big appetite...or definitely, share. I also wanted to try their Smoky Mac N Cheese that our waitress said we "MUST" try, and of course, I can never pass up Mac N Cheese! I wanted to also get some sides of Hushpuppies and Candied Yams, but we passed on those to save some room for dessert. I heard the Bread Pudding was delectable topped with Bourbon sauce. Mmmm!

So, to be completely honest, I wasn't looking forward to this. All I could think was "fried food," but in the end, everything turned out to be really amazing. The portions were large, and you definitely got your money's worth. The Dixie Chicken was a good choice. Chicken was moist and the sauce was so creamy! My favorite, though, was their Smoky Mac N Cheese. AMAZING. One of the best I've had. Comes topped with crunchy Onion Rings and a big 'ol spoon dropped right in there, pointing to the heavens. Brian also loved the Chicken and Waffles. I must say, my favorite part of that dish was the waffles! Slightly crispy on the outside and mighty soft and chewy on the inside! Spread with butter, douse with syrup, and you got dessert right there!

Ok, so maybe we had two desserts. The waffles and then came the Bread Pudding I wanted to try, equipped with lots of whipped cream! Soft, buttery, with big chunks of pound cake and buttermilk biscuits. Loved that there was a hint of cinnamon and also raisins, and then my favorite, the bourbon sauce. That really made it!

Just wanted to say a small snippet for the service. We didn't get our waitress' name, but I have to say she was one of the best! She was patient, enthusiastic, and walked us through the menu. She gave us extra sauce, explained what a "cathead biscuit" is, and refilled our Sweet Tea constantly. And even though we were the last patrons, and we could tell the staff was tired, she never rushed us. Service was excellent here! 

All in all, I have to say, this Living Social deal outing was a major success. Turned out to be quite the little gem tucked away in Puck's Alley. I highly recommend if you are craving some downright delicious Fried Chicken, Waffles and Sweet Tea!




























What makes this place special and different from any other restaurant, Southern or not? Everything here is made from scratch "From the pork sausage, to the cathead biscuits, and every last delicious dessert."



Dixie Chicken!


Smoky Mac N Cheese topped with onions!

SO cheesy!


Chicken and Waffles!

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy- one side comes with the Chicken and Waffles!




Dessert #1!

Dessert #2: Bread Pudding!

Bathroom Key

We shut the place down! Too much food.




Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Valentine's Day 2013

Bamboo Sky lace bike shorts

Check out my Valentine's Day "Day" outfit below! I had a very pleasant day filled with lots of Hallmark cards sent from friends near and far, good food, great views, amazing company, and to top it off, ended with some night golf (aka Glow Golf)! It was unlike any of my other Vdays to date- one for the books.

Lots of kisses and lace on this special day...in a different way! xoxo










Wildfox tunic tank via Bamboo Sky













Monday, March 11, 2013

Dash UPDATED!

Red Gummy Bear and Oysters to start!

Last time I was at Dash, I had their delicious Chicken Bao Sliders and their infamous Yukari Chicken with Green Tea Waffles. Recently I've been going back to hang out, chill out, drink and play some darts with friends. It really is the ultimate "chill" spot. Besides Home Bar, I really enjoy coming here. Read my first and second review!

Check out some of my new favorites below!

They were out of my usual Ume Chiso Mojito, so I tried their Red Gummy Bear and Dashtini. For the rest of the night, the Dashtinis kept flowing!

As for food, their Oysters on the 1/2 shell are amazing with citrus oroshi, tobiko, jalapeno masago, and spicy ponzu- the ultimate raw oyster with an asian twist. Other favorites include their Chicken Bao Sliders and the Hamachi Carpa-Trio. I would most definitely get their Trio again. Highly recommend.

Dashtini








Dash's Poutine



Hamachi Carpa-Trio- Hamachi made three different ways! All were amazing.

Homemade Kettle Chips

Original Dynamite Chicken