The Fashionably-Forward Foodie

Monday, July 23, 2012

Kimukatsu

Food Display outside of restaurant

Since Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin was about to close, some friends and I decided to try the new Kimukatsu. Opening only a few doors away from Moose Mcgillycuddy's in the Waikiki Joy Hotel on Lewers, once you walk in, it's a totally different vibe from the loud and noisy street. Calming, tranquil and slightly on the darker, more romantic side, we were one of the few locals it seemed.

I loved how they had a basket under the chairs to store your purse, and the place seemed really clean. The waiters seemed knowledgeable on the katsu, but all spoke with a Japanese accent.

I don't know if I would go back (it was expensive for small katsu!), but it was definitely worth tasting a different take on Katsu. For me, regular katsu is on the boring side, so I loved the different toppings and sauces to choose from.

Forgot to mention earlier, but Kimukatsu is not only different in their different sauces and toppings, but the Katsu is extra juicy and tender from the 25 layers of thin pork cutlet strips. Now, this, is what people come here to try!

Some details you should know:
1. Original, Cheese and Black Pepper Katsu are all $19 each.
2. Special Katsu: Demi-Glace Cheese, Nanban (topped with tartar sauce), and Okonomiyaki are $22 each.
3. Value Combos: 3 flavors for 2 people $39, 4 flavors for 3 people $52, 5 flavors for 4 people $64, and 6 flavors for 5 people $76. The Rice set is not included in any of these combos.

PS- We parked in the Royal Hawaiian and walked over. Get your ticket validated at Starbucks or the ABC store before you leave! SHHH!

See the baskets under the tables for your belongings?

Unlimited Shredded Cabbage with sauce- their version of salad

Rice is ala carte for the value combos- You can order a $4 rice set. Set includes Rice, Miso Soup and Japanese Pickle. Order the rice early, because it is all made to order and takes 15 minutes. Very fresh!

Original, Okonomiyaki and Demi-Glace Cheese

Black Pepper Katsu

I thought the Original Katsu was too bland, so we ordered the Garlic Butter sauce to go with it! Other sauces include Ume Shiso Ponzu, Salt and Spring Onion, Grated Daikon, Yuzu and Ponzu.

25 layers

Japanese Panna Cotta with Kinako! I tried a spoonful, and it was deliciously creamy and tasty with the Kinako. If you like Kinako, you should definitely get this!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Kats Sushi

Who can deny All You Can Eat Sushi for $22.95 per person? Especially when the fish is fresh! I SURE CAN'T! So I had to try Kats Sushi.

Located on King Street, with it's own parking lot in the back of the Lexus Dealership, Kats is a very tiny restaurant. I would recommend highly calling ahead to make reservations even if it's just for two people. Street parking after 6pm is free and there's a lot of spaces around, or if you park in their lot, don't forget to slip $2 into the pay box before you eat.

I like Kats. Their menu is limited, but for 23 bucks, how can you complain!? There's only one sushi chef and one waitress, but sushi comes out surprisingly lightning fast! You also must eat everything you previously ordered in order to ask for more sushi. If you leave your rice or any sushi, you'll be charged!

House rules are pretty simple eh? Only one recommendation from me- take your time while you eat. Don't rush like I did and get full fast. Take advantage of the great deal on hand!

PS- it's BYOB. But if you're like me, I'd rather save all that stomach room for the sushi ;)

Now to the SUSHI! OISHII!

Spicy Ahi, Spicy Unagi, Hawaiian (Ahi, Avocado, Sprouts, Shiso), Ume, Spicy Hamachi

Ikura and Salmon Skin handrolls! Salmon Skin was one of my faves- very tasty combo with the sprouts and shiso leaf!

Salmon, Hamachi, Maguro, and Unagi

American Apparel tank, House of Aria lace bralette and necklaces, Asos leopard belt, Bamboo Sky neon skirt, Steve Madden booties!

Necklaces via House of Aria

Asos leopard belt, vintage gray cardigan

Necklaces via House of Aria

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Summer Prints

I love the bold colors and print on my new Bamboo Sky skirt. I couldn't wait to wear it out! Just so happened that it was hanging next to what I like to call an "old/new" item. That means I bought it awhile back (old) but haven't had the chance to wear it yet (new). My light chiffon gray top with beaded accents seemed to go perfectly together, plus I love the different textures on each- beads and crochet. Very fun!!

Bamboo Sky top, skirt and stud earrings

Sam Edelman spiked heels

Saturday, July 14, 2012

REAL a gastropub

Happy Hour from 2-6pm!

Gastropubs are the new "in" thing here in Hawaii. They're popping up everywhere. First there was Dash, then there was Pint + Jigger and now, I introduce to you, REAL.

So, you may ask, "I don't get the name." Because well.....I didn't get it for awhile either. But I think there should be a comma in there somewhere....just sayin'...

REAL, a gastropub.

Now that we're past that, we can get to the good stuff. If you remember the old Tropics, you remember how ghetto and dingy the place used to be. Don't get me wrong, I'm so sad Tropics closed down. They had THE BEST Tortilla Soup I've ever had. No joke. Taco Tuesdays at Tropics was where it was at, people!!!

Anyway, my point was that REAL really did the place up nice. Very nicely cleaned up, a bit crowded inside, but they still have that upstairs area open. Trust me, though, SIT DOWNSTAIRS. The service goes down a couple notches when you sit up there. We had a nice lady who was very attentive when we were downstairs, but moved upstairs because we had so many people in our party. Long story short, we regretted moving up there because our waitress was awful.

As for food, we almost tried the whole menu! Our waitress (downstairs) suggested the Grilled Cheese, stating that it was her favorite, but we passed on that and ordered Deviled Eggs, Lobster Cream Corn, Garlic Candied Bacon, Duck Confit Corn Dogs, and Poutine. Eventually our friends ordered other things later, but I didn't try any of that. I can, however, vouch for everything we ate.......except the Poutine. It wasn't one of my favorites.

Deviled Eggs were delicious with the bacon bits on top, but FYI, you only get 4 per order. I loved the crunchiness of the Garlic Candied Bacon, but again, it's a small order. The Lobster Cream Corn was rich and creamy and had big chunks of lobster in there. I really enjoyed that! No skimping there! My favorite, however, was the Duck Confit Corn Dogs. I don't really like the gaminess of Duck usually, but the duck in here was more like Kalua Pig!!! It went so well with the homemade cranberry-onion compote that also came with the dish. I highly recommend! Next time I'm back, I'll try their Grilled Cheese.

Drinks? Beer? Well, they are definitely stocked well on beer (bottled and on tap), but for ladies who prefer "girly" drinks (like myself), you won't get that here. It ain't no Pint + Jigger where you order Mango Mint Martinis all night. They do have a fully stocked bar, so you can get simple drinks like a Dirty Martini or Screwdriver. But come on, we're not at the nightclub.

Verdict? Out of all of these gastropubs, I like Pint + Jigger the best- for their food, drinks and space. Dash is next- A LOT of space, food is good, drinks good. And REAL? I like their selection of food. I'd go back for the food for sure. The amount of space in there is just too small! Plus, even if you go early (we went around 6pm), all tables were taken except ONE. Lastly, no love for the ladies who don't drink beer! I'd love to see some specialty cocktails added. That would be nice.