Kona Kai Omakase

I wasn't lying when I said to look forward to Kona Kai's Omakase! It is an amazing 14 dish Omakase to receive. I think they would've kept serving us more, but I was so stuffed that we told them to stop. It seemed like the good stuff kept coming towards the end, but I was glad they served Otoro for our third course!

Price? I'd estimate it to be $150-200 depending on how many dishes you can put in your tummy!

Umeshu on the rocks and Chrysanthemum Sake ($30 per SMALL bottle)

1st dish: Moi with ponzu, negi, oroshi, and dried miso

Baby Calamari stuffed with blue crab and drizzled with unagi sauce- one of Kona Kai's most popular dishes

Two buttery pieces of OTORO!!!

Hirame, Tai with smoked rainbow trout caviar. Amazing smoky flavor adds some real depth to the fish.

Shima Aji, Hamachi

I requested Engawa to be added into our Omakase. One per person. I wish they seared it a bit more. When served with a slight sear like this, it has a more snappy and crunchy texture. When seared more, it is melt-in-your-mouth. It was perfect at Gaku- see HERE.

Moi (not pictured because I ate it already!), Salmon with white kelp and sesame seed

Hokkaido Scallop (Hotate) with yuzu, kosho, salt and lemon- One of my favorites! Ultra tender, sweet. The citrus-y Yuzu adds so much flavor to it, and actually enhances the sweetness. Pictured on the right is Snow Crab with Kani Miso.

South African Rock Lobster- another one of Kona Kai's popular dishes.

Botan Ebi with Uni, Ao Ebi with flying fish roe, and Langoustine with dried Ume.

Katsuo and Mirugai

Washington State Oysters- baked and raw

Ikura marinated in Dashi, Ankimo, and Santa Barbara Uni. Ikura was amazing. Pops the second you put it in your mouth, and the dashi marination makes it ultra smoky, salty, and sweet all in one!

Kinmedai (not pictured because I ate it!), Isaki, and Nodoguro

Omakase comes with a scoop of ice cream- choose from Green Tea, Coffee or Mac Nut

Arancino Di Mare's Uni Pasta!

I've been on a search for the best Uni Pasta recently. Read my first Uni Pasta experience HERE at Taormina, and then my second HERE at Onda Pasta @ Taste Table. Both were delicious, but unique all on their own. Taormina's was the ultimate in creamy and rich, while Onda was on the lighter side, and sprinkled with red and yellow sweet baby tomatoes. Onda also boasts their homemade pasta which was perfectly al dente.

Finally I was able to make it to Arancino Di Mare's again to try their version of Uni Pasta and compare. Verdict? Well, Arancino's falls right in the middle of Taormina and Onda, and is my favorite. The pasta was moist and lightly oiled with big chunks of Uni on top. To me, I believe they probably gave the most Uni out of all 3 places. The taste was so on point- light, mild, and sweet. The Uni flavor was not overpowering, whereas I found it to be stronger at Taormina. It was also SO sweet! I'm definitely coming back for this!

The only thing I could balk at is the price. At $28 a pop for Uni Pasta, it is certainly on the pricier side. Total bill for 2 Iced Teas, Funghi Risotto, and Uni Pasta came out to $62, and that was before tip! Definitely an expensive Waikiki lunch!!

Another thing I worry about when Uni is involved is how consistent it will be, time after time. Since Uni has two extremes- it can be extremely BAD or extremely GREAT depending on the freshness- I hope that it will be just as great next time I come and dish out 30 bucks for Uni Pasta. So far, I've read nothing but good reviews on Yelp, so I'm very hopeful! I've dined at Arancino a number of times, and have never had a bad experience. I'm so excited to make reservations at the new Arancino at Kahala Hotel soon, so be on the lookout for that review! As for now, you can read my previous posts on Arancino Di Mare and its sister, Arancino on Beachwalk HERE. 

The Funghi Risotto is poured into a Parmegiano Reggiano Cheese block. Cheese is then smushed around and melted into the Risotto. Delicious!!! Check out the vid below!

Arancino's Lunch Special- Read my post on that HERE! Price has gone up from $10 Kama'aina to $12, but still JUST as good! They have also added more choices to the menu!

Yakiniku Don-Day

Second time at Don-Day. Ordered Pork Belly and Marinated Kalbi ala carte

I've been so spoiled by Japanese Yakiniku (insert Heijouen) that I forgot about Korean Yakiniku! This isn't All You Can Eat- it's better. Since being spoiled by the service, quality of meat, and outdoor ambiance of Don-Day, I can't seem to go back to those All You Can Eat places anymore. Not that they aren't good, but the quality of meat at Don-Day is so top notch.

Don-Day is located in the parking lot of Keeaumoku Korean Supermarket, Fatboy's and Menchanko-Tei. You can't miss them- Don-Day is the outside seating restaurant that is lit up with Christmas lights at night! I love it!! Not only is it pretty, but the weather is absolutely perfect right now, and you don't walk out smelling like Yakiniku.

Another thing I love- the Pork Belly aka Samgyeopsal Gui! It is ultra-tender and tasty on its own- no need sauce. You also don't need to worry about grilling it perfectly, because the waiters and waitresses do it for you! I was really amazed by the A+ service there- attentive and great multi-taskers!!

After going there twice (in one week), I highly recommend their Pork Belly, Kim Chee Fried Rice AND taking a Korean with you (Thank you, Brian!! You are the master of good Korean food!). Trust me, they know their stuff! If you go with one other person, Combo A is the perfect thing to choose. Comes with a ton of food for only $50. First time I went, we got Combo A with fresh Pork Belly (they also have Herb Wine marinated Pork Belly), Brisket, Tongue, Seafood Soybean Pot (or choice of Fried Mandoo), and Tofu Soup. Yes, seriously all of this for $50. PLUS the Banchan!! Trust me, you walk out full!

And then if you're in the mood for alcoholic beverages, they have Hite (of course!) and a variety of different flavored Sojus. We tried Strawberry and Lychee. Yep, you also walk out stumbling!

The second time we went, I really wanted to try their Kalbi and Kim Chee Pancake after reading good things about both on Yelp. After that, I decided Combo A is a much better value for your money than ordering ala carte. Kalbi was ok, and Pancake, I'd definitely pass on next time. Too much batter, and not crunchy. I even put some slices on the grill to crisp up, but I've had better elsewhere.

Verdict? Highly recommend! Pork Belly, Kim Chee Fried Rice, Soju, outdoor seating, good price, great service- what more can you ask for?!

PS- My new favorite thing to do? Put some Kim Chee on the grill! Comes out hot, a little crispy, and spicy! Yum!

Beautiful and relaxing outside seating area! You can also sit inside with AC if you prefer that instead.

Combo A

Such service. Forget having to cut your own meat!

Kim Chee Fried Rice!

Seafood Soybean Pot

Tofu Soup

One of my favorite side dishes- Steamed Egg! And you can always ask for more for free!

Our leftover meat waiting to be grilled

Kim Chee Pancake

Don-Day at night!

Soju flavors!

PraDUH!

 I recently saw this Made In Hell-A "Praduh" T-shirt, and just had to have it. Bamboo Sky was sold out, so I ordered directly from the company. Took more than a week and a half to receive it, but I finally got my hands on it! Picturing what I would wear with it for weeks, I chose this infamous Zara zigzag skort and a Express cardigan for a simple look. I wanted the Praduh shirt to stand out the most. Duh!

Bamboo Sky necklace

Zara lace-up heels and my best accessory, my Lab!

Kona Kai UPDATED!

Bintoro Ponzu. Always a MUST for me when I go to Kona Kai.

You have to bear with me. These delicious Kona Kai pics are from awhile back, BUT please check back soon for a post on Kona Kai's Omakase! I would highly recommend the Omakase to try at least once. You won't regret it. It was so damn good that we went back for a second time in the same week!

Also, please be aware that Kona Kai has since moved to Waialae Ave since my first post HERE.

So how do I rate Kona Kai against other sushi joints? Well, I would have to say that Gaku and Kona Kai are my top 2. To me, I think it is the closest to Japan sushi you will ever get. Always fresh and the flavor combinations are top notch. I always "oooh and ahhh" when I first bite into the Otoro.

My only gripe is that Kona Kai is not cheap. You are paying for high grade fish and other cuts, but trust me, it is SO worth it! You know that it's good when I go TWICE in one week!

Don't forget to call ahead for reservations- it is a smaller restaurant!

Stay tuned for MORE Kona Kai coming up next!

Another time and another order of Bintoro Ponzu

Soft Shell Crab Roll with Ahi, Salmon, and Hamachi on top!

Gyutan

Blue Tama Roll- Unagi, Blue Crab, Tamago, Aioli, and Unagi Sauce

South African Rock Lobster- SO small but a must try.

Spicy Ahi Poke Chips! Probably the most delicious and least expensive dish on the menu. $6!!

Baby Calamari stuffed with Blue Crab and topped with Unagi Sauce. This is one of my favorites!!!

Oysters on the half shell!

Seafood Dynamite

Agedashi

Ankimo

Blue Crab, Marinated Ikura, Toro and Maguro

Coffee and Green Tea ice cream to end!