Nanzan Giro Giro

After years of wanting to attend one of Nanzan Giro Giro's prix fixe dinners, it finally happened. Foodie friend, Chris, came home for a weekend, and I knew this was the perfect time. For $50 and another $8 for dessert, you have to really appreciate this kind of meal for the price. Thankfully, we both share the same love for food and good company.

Things you must know:
1. It is imperative to make reservations ahead of time. There are two seatings- 6pm and 8pm, closed Mondays.
2. Nanzan Giro Giro is a Japanese Kaiseki restaurant. This means that dinner is served in many small courses with fine detail to flavor and presentation. It is almost ceremonial, and I was afraid to dig in as I didn't want to offend anyone. Everyone is very formal, and gives a rehearsed description of each dish before serving.
3. Parking- If you have reserved seating for the 6pm time, go a bit earlier and you can park around the restaurant. It is on the corner of Pensacola and Kona Street. If you go to the later seating, there is only street parking.
4. The menu changes on a monthly basis.
5. Seven courses for $50 and dessert for $8. Dessert is an optional.

Verdict? With drinks, tax, and tip, we paid $85 per person. For that amount, I did not think it was worth it when the main course was Unagi Dashimaki...that you can get at almost any Japanese restaurant! Not to mention how delicious, larger-portioned, and inexpensive it was at Tokkuri Tei (see here).

Maybe I went during an off month, or maybe it was an off day, but I was not impressed for the price. I do agree that you are paying for the experience, but I'm not convinced the experience was worth it. The taste was there in some dishes, but not all.

What I actually did really enjoy was the liquor! How predictable of me, huh? I started off with the White Peach Sake, which was deliciously light, but then quickly moved to the Bijoufu Yuzu (Yuzu Sake). My goodness, the Yuzu sake is amazingly-delicious. Sweet, powerful flavor. If you like citrus, you will love this drink. Sip it by itself for very sweet, or have it on the rocks with soda for a bubblier libation. Trust me, this is so deadly! Thinking I could drink this all day/every day, I asked where I could purchase it. Unfortunately, only Nanzan and and YuZu carry this gem.

I think everyone should definitely give this place a try. I know many people that love this place and go back each month to try the new menu. I say, go, and let me know what you think!

Restaurant is literally a box with windows. Seating surrounding the preparation.

The Chef himself

White Peach Sake with soda on the rocks

Steamed Monchong, Takenoko, Kinome, Kahuku Corn Sauce and Arugula Sauce, Sweet Vinegared Paprika

Green Peas and Crab Fritter Zucchini Tempura, Crab Miso, Clam White Miso Soup, Karashi

Cured Ahi, Tai, Trout Roe, Shiso, Wasabi, Corn Sprouts, Snow Pea Sprouts, Radish Sprouts, Soybean Sprouts Sauce

Grilled Yuan Hamachi, Udon, Men-tsuyu, Vinegared Cucumber and Sesame Seeds, Myoga Daikon Oroshi Ponzu Ginger Ichimi

Pork and Gobo Katsu, Karashi, Eggplant, Sesame Vinegar, Myoga, Yuba, Wakame, Shrimp Sunomono

Yuzu Sake with soda on the rocks

Microgreen, Foie Gras Sauce, Narazuke, Unagi Dashimaki, Potato

Yuzu Sake

Duck and Uni Don, Onion Yakidare, Nori, Wasabi. Broth on the left: Tai Broth, Fried Tofu, Mituba, Ginger

Duck and Uni Don

Gateau Chocolat/Strawberry Custard/Nuts, Lime Macaron, Jasmine Ice Cream/Honey Whip. The Jasmine Ice Cream and Honey Whip was AMAZING.

Perfect ending with Green Tea.

Heijouen

 I cannot rave about this place enough. This has become my favorite Japanese Yakiniku place in Honolulu, and with that said, Yakiniku was not even a favorite of mine before! Heijouen has changed that for me.

Located in Kapahulu, Heijouen opened a little over 6 months ago. Eating here happened on accident. A friend and I were actually on our way to eat at Gazen, but they were so crowded and the wait would be long. Coming down Kaimuki Ave from Kapiolani, we spotted a new restaurant on the corner. An old Shabu Shabu place used to be there but closed down pretty quickly. My friend, Todd, and I are always down to try new places, so we stopped in. We were literally the only other people in there besides another party of two. We didn't know what we were in for.

Well, Hallelujah, thank goodness we gave this place a try! The most quality meat, good service, and parking is easy (stalls in back of the restaurant). Todd and I had over $100 bill between us that night, but we enjoyed it by eating and drinking the night away. You're going to have to shell out the money, but trust me, it's oh so worth it! Since that first time, I've been back at least 3 more times, and I crave it on a weekly basis.

Here's what I've tried so far: (everything is good!!)
Fine Kalbi
Fine Harami
Fine Loin
Beef Tongue (thin and thick cut)
Pork Neck
Fine Outer Skirt
Shrimp
Veggies
Choregi Salad
Assorted Namul
Seafood Jigae
and...YAKI CAKE!

The Yaki Cake is pound cake to be grilled and then eaten with ice cream swirled with caramel on top. This was SO good that we had 2 orders of this at my most recent visit.

Now, trust me on this, Heijouen (pronounced HEY-JOO-EN) is notches above Gyukaku and I've heard better than Hiroshi Yakiniku. This is a must try. You will not regret it!

Assorted Namul- the dark brown one is my favorite!

Look at the marbling on that!

Thin cut beef tongue, plus MUST HAVE toppings- ponzu and garlic butter (to melt on the grill)

All fine beef plus pork neck

Delicious and refreshing salad with spicy salad dressing (not too spicy, I loved it!)- Choregi Salad

A must, every time.

Ponzu

Special meat that day. Grill and then cut. Preserves the juices!

Seafood Jigae

Dessert Special! If they have this, you MUST MUST order it! It is essentially just poundcake to grill with vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel. Absolutely amazing.

Finished product. Ready to eat!!

Coral Red

I've always been on the lookout for the perfect coral-red pants. Ones that fit my legs just right, and ones that don't stretch out after wearing them. These BDG jeans from Urban Outfitters are perfect and my new obsession, and I can't wait to pair them with more outfits! For now, I wanted to wear this new Bamboo Sky studded white blazer with these pants for a clean look. I've also been into these old Aldo pumps lately. They were literally in the box for over a year before I just brought them out, but I've realized that they match with just about everything! I like the crisp look that these babies bring to every outfit.

Izakaya Naru

Natto on Ice Cream

Hey guys, I'M BACK! I took a small hiatus, but I'm back and better than ever. Hopefully all of you have found me- I'm still The Fashionably-Forward Foodie; just add THE to my outdated fashionablyforwardfoodie.com. Don't go back to my old stomping grounds- there's nothing there except godaddy.com trying to steal my foot traffic!

Anyway, I thought I'd start back up by posting on an izakaya located in Honolulu. Izakaya Naru is situated right on South King Street between Glazer's Coffee and Shabu Shabu King. It's a teeny tiny place that has about 3-4 small tables and a bar seating 4 people (tightly). You should definitely make reservations before coming or you may wait a good hour to eat. I went with 3 good friends, 2 of which said that Naru is one of their favorite restaurants! I, of course, wanted to come with them since they know what's good!

Menu items that stood out? Well, between the 4 of us, we had quite a lot to eat that night! I love that my friends can EAT! While they started out with beer, I wanted to try their infamous Awamori. Hard to find in Hawaii, plus they had about 5 different flavors to choose from and even a sampler if you wanted to try more than one. I went with that- Shiso, Pineapple, and Kona Coffee. Pineapple was definitely the sweetest and I could taste the Pineapple the most. My favorite out of the three. As for the main eats, I highly recommend the Bacon and Spinach Salad with Poached Egg (mix egg into salad and eat!), Beef Tongue with Ponzu and Daikon (which was deliciously tender), Taco Rice in Hot Stone Pot, and also the Homemade Soba Noodles with Pork Belly.

As for dessert, well......I couldn't make up my mind. I wanted to try the Baguette stuffed with ice cream.....I love Creme Bruleé (Crema Catalana)......and the Natto with Ice Cream was definitely a yes. I couldn't choose just one, so we went with all three! All were great. Natto with Ice Cream you must try. Not only unique, but where else can you try this, right?! Second best was the Baguette, however I could have done without the Crema Catalana.

Verdict? Much, much different than your typical izakaya with subtle hints of Okinawan cuisine. My usual favorite is Gazen, but I like the variety here at Naru. Next time I'm here, I'm ordering their Mozuku (marinated seaweed), Shoyu Pork Belly, and homemade Peanut tofu (Jimami)!

PS- Parking. You can either park in the Sushi King lot or find street parking around there.

Shout out to my good friends, Shin and Mieko, for showing me the ropes at Naru and feeding me oh-so-well that night! Let's do it again, soon!

Flavored Awamori

Shiso, Pineapple and Kona Coffee Awamori! Pineapple was definitely my favorite. Sweet and flavorful!

Tako Wasabi

Bacon and Spinach Salad with Poached Egg. DELICIOUS!

Salmon and Ahi Carpaccio- Special for the day

Beef Tongue

Gyoza Pizza

Taco Rice served.......wait for it...

.......Stir it up in hot stone pot, and VOÍLA! Crispy Taco Rice!

"Edamame Catcher!" So fun. Put on glove, and grab as much edamame as you can!

Homemade Noodle Okinawan Soba with Shoyu Pork Belly. This was one of my favorites!

Dessert #1- Ice Cream and Natto- yep, you read that right! Natto on ice cream with Graham Crackers! Actually, very yummy.

Dessert #2 in the making- Crema Catalana. A simple Creme Bruleé.

Thick Caramel brittle, creamy filling.

Dessert #3- Baguette stuffed with Vanilla Ice Cream!