Fresh Oysters on the Half Shell

Now, would ya look at those babies! Mom and Dad asked for one order of oysters at Sushi King. They slurped it up, and Mom proclaimed them delicious with a slight "MmMmMM." Dad said they were good, but would have liked the traditional lemon/tabasco combo better.

To each their own!

Tae's Teppanyaki

I had bought some groupons on VoteOnDeals.com for Tae's a long time ago. I didn't realize it was almost a year ago and they were going to expire by Sept 1! So, here I was with two $5 for $10 worth or Steak Rolls! Had to use 'em FAST. My foodie friend, Chris, had told me about Tae's awhile back, so of course, I took him, the perfect person to use my groupons on. I knew he would enjoy it.

Well, I have to say I was a bit skeptical about Tae's. I like steak, but I always feel like restaurants don't do a great job preparing it. It's either really dry, chewy or cooked way too rare for me. I've only had great steak twice- that would be my dad's steak, and this year's past Fourth of July Party where my parents' best friends brought over Hy's filets to grill. It was the most tender pieces of steak I've ever had. Thus, I find it hard for any other piece of steak to compare.

Anyway, I had Yelped Tae's earlier just to see what else was on their menu. There were Steak Roll pictures galore, but Pork/Beef Sukiyaki seemed to be a favorite among customers as well. I love Sukiyaki!! And it sure looked delicious topped with a big sunny side egg plopped on top! So when I finally met Chris for lunch, I asked him about the Sukiyaki, and he agreed it was indeed delicious, and that he wanted to order that instead. We asked the lady taking our order if we could possibly order the Sukiyaki instead of Steak Rolls. She had to ask, but they said it was fine!!! Awesome!!! I ordered the Beef Sukiyaki, and Chris had the Pork Sukiyaki.

(I guess I will have to try their famous Steak Rolls another time...)

Five minutes later, our plate lunches came out. We feasted on our Sukiyaki, while doing what we foodies do second best (what we do the best is EAT...duh!)- talking about more food and restaurants!

Would I be back? OF COURSE. Chris and I met on a Saturday for lunch, and I was so sad they are closed on Sundays, because I would've definitely been back the following day! The beef was tender and moist cooked in a tasty sauce. It even came with Ponzu on the side, though you didn't even need it. And the egg...perfectly cooked just the way I like it. Not runny and uncooked; but "over medium"- a crumbly yolk with still some ooze to it. It also came with two scoops of rice. I love this...no need to mess around with a thick mayo-y potato or mac salad. Yes, just two scoops rice and the beef sukiyaki. Sensational!

Parking! Almost forgot. That's a bit tricky here, but the food is so worth it, I'll find a way! There's a small parking lot in the back of the restaurant for 6 cars, but it's basically 3 stalls. Another 3 cars have to double park behind the first 3. Found it strange a couple people asked if we had "so and so" car, but realized why when we finished lunch and walked outside to the parking lot. There's also two spaces right in front of the restaurant that are usually filled...though you could get lucky that day! Also, Tae's is located across the street from Don Quijote, so there's lots of street parking around. Here's an insider tip though- Park in Don Quijote's second parking lot and just walk over to Tae's. Don't park in the main DQ lot, but the one across the street- it's closer to Tae's. Shh, keep this a secret though!

5 item menu and
Small little window to order.

Then, feel free to sit down anywhere.
AC included! WOO!

Tae's "parking lot"

Coffee or Tea?

The title should really say, Jasmine Green Milk Tea or Watermelon Juice? I wanted to just post a quick pic of the two drinks I picked up the other day from Coffee or Tea? Located in Mccully Shopping Center, I always stop here after eating my favorite Ramen at Yotteko Ya. I got the Super Jumbo size of my favorite Jasmine Green Milk Tea (hold the Boba), and also decided on ordering their Grande-size Watermelon Juice. Hey, I wanted to try it; it sounded delicious, especially having just come from the beach. Well, indeed it was. Refreshing, sweet, with a bit of watermelon pulp. When you see the sign up for their Special Watermelon Juice, order up! It's a Seasonal Specialty!

Tango Cafe

I've been hearing a lot about Tango lately. I went there for lunch a couple years ago (I had their famous Risotto), and wasn't impressed. Wanting to give it a second chance, I took my friend Chad there for lunch. We arrived around 1pm, and was easily sat down. I've heard if you go during peak times, you will definitely have to wait. There was also a lot of hype over their variety of eggs benedict (Traditional, Loco Moco, Smoked Salmon, Crab Hash) only served at Breakfast, but I thought I would sacrifice that for not having to wait for a table.

Service was fast and great. Chad and I started off with Italian Sodas- I had peach and he had passion fruit. It was also served with milk, in case you wanted to make it an Italian Cream Soda. About half way through, I poured in some milk... "Interesting," I thought. I think it was better without the milk! Our lunch came a bit after that, and in the end, I wasn't impressed once again. Chad had their Special of the Day- Crab Cake Sand, while I wanted to try their Chef's Famous Gravlox Open-Faced Sand. Gravlox is a salt-cured salmon. If you like smoked salmon, it's worth a try, though for me, I still prefer Smoked Salmon. The Gravlox seemed a bit too raw and mushy for my liking. It was also a damn hard sandwich to eat! I even asked our waiter, John, how the heck most people eat that thing! Most people use a fork and knife, like I did, though, everything just fell off and it all became one big mess! Not my most gracious moment, I must say! I'm sure you could also just pick the dang thing up and eat it like a hot dog!

What I was impressed with was their dessert! I almost wanted to order the dessert first because it sounded so delicious! We (or should I say, I) ordered their Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream. It was so delectable!!! And Cinnamon Ice Cream, need I say more!? The Crumble had a pure balance of sweet and tart with a bit of crunch, that went perfectly with the slightly spicy and creamy ice cream. This is a must-get!

Some other details- Parking is located in the Hokua Parking Structure. Just remember to get it validated! Also, different menu items for different parts of the day- different menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Mon-Fri 7 am - 10 am

Mon-Sun 11 am - 4:30 pm

Mon-Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm

Sat-Sun 8 am - 10:30 am

If I ever decide to go again, I'd definitely want to try their Benedicts, Swedish Pancakes (Plattar), or their Lobster Ravioli.

This is what happens when you add the milk to your Italian Soda...

Crab Cake Sand- Friday Special

Gravlox Open-Faced Sandwich-
Boursin Cheese spread!

It's a colorful piece of art, but very hard to eat!!

Strawberry Mango Crumble with Cinnamon Ice Cream!!!!!
Big chunks of strawberry and mango.....YUM!

Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha (HOPA)

Ran a few errands around town today, but stopped by Foodland Farms on the way home. It was blistering humid and hot, and I was so thirsty. I needed something cool and refreshing!! Passed by Uncle Clay's in the Aina Haina Shopping Center, and immediately turned around to find a space. Heard and read about Doe Fang (a childhood favorite for getting li hing mui stuff and icee) closing down, and original owners opening up a new and improved Uncle Clay's. I wanted to see what the hype was about!

Walked in and was immediately greeted by friendly smiles, and guess who, Uncle Clay, himself! He introduced himself, introduced the staff and his nephew and partner, Bronson, and continued to ask me how I heard about it. Uncle Clay asked if I knew he was the old Doe Fang, and I said I did, though I admitted I had not been back since Elementary school! He then proceeded to ask how old I was, and was shocked to hear that I wasn't 16. I get this all the time. I sure hope I will appreciate it when I'm older...

Anyway, there was only a small menu, though I was pleasantly surprised with what I got. I decided on a small bowl of HOPA Sunshine (like a P.O.G.- Passion Orange Guava) and Pineapple flavor with "Dream Sauce." It was definitely everything I could have asked for and more- really refreshing, creamy, plus the HOPA Sunshine and Pineapple flavoring seemed to have been made out of fresh fruits. There were remnants of pulp! The HOPA had strawberry seeds it looked like, and of course, pineapple pulp. Basically it was fresh fruit syrup! You don't find that just anywhere! Also, shocked to see the price. $3.50. THREE FIFTY for all of that?! Cheapest Shave Ice Bowl I've EVER had. And another plus, shave ice was so thin and soft. One of the best texture shave ice and flavoring I've tried so far. Pineapple is probably my favorite flavor here- tastes like you're eating a fresh, super sweet pineapple.

Another plus? Lots of parking!!!

PS- I didn't get to snap any other pictures besides my own shave ice, because of the big greeting I got when I walked in. Trust me, go see for yourself!

Can you see the little bits of seed and pineapple pulp?
So fresh!

Four Things That I'm Loving At The Moment

I've been wanting to get myself another Chinese Lucky Plant since I left my last at my Aunty and Uncle's in Redwood City three and half years ago. Dad had bought me two things in my first week of college- a Chinese Lucky Plant from SF Chinatown, and.....Pepper Spray. Thankfully, I didn't have to use the Pepper Spray once during my whole college career, however, that Lucky Plant thrived and thrived in my heat-filled room. It reminded me of myself. I felt I left college a grown young lady ready to dive into the world. 

Ever since leaving it up in Nor Cal, I've wanted another to grow and thrive here in Hawaii. Just my luck (no pun intended!), I found the perfect one last weekend at the Made In Hawaii Show! This one actually isn't the original Lucky Plant you're probably thinking of; this is the Chinese Lucky Lotus. This Lotus comes directly from China and is only grown there, while the original Chinese Lucky Plant grows in all of Asia- China, Philippines etc. It is especially lucky and special because 5 branches (looks like 4 below, but one other is hiding!) sprouted from just one lotus stalk. 

I've been nurturing my baby all day...even bought it some new rocks today!

Love the monochromatic tones of blue here.

My first Antipasto platter!
Cheese from bottom up: Boursin (my favorite!),
Boscetto Al Tartufo (has bits of truffle in it),
Goat Cheese, Gourmandise Kirsch (tastes like almonds to me...), and Hickory Smoked Le Fume.
Also on the plate- a mix of marinated mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes,
marinated mix of olives, salami and prosciutto.
Apothic Red Wine to accompany. 

I've been on a froyo streak lately!!
Plus all of the bright colors are so pretty.
Helps to think that summer hasn't passed yet...

Via Veneto Italian Ice

Saw the Via Veneto Italian Ice cart at the "Made in Hawaii Products Show" today, and was craving their Guava flavored italian ice. If you remember, I originally found them at Ala Moana Beach Park, one blistering hot day. Via Veneto to the rescue!!!

I'm not a big fan of Guava Juice, but this Guava Italian Ice is so lovely and light. I recommend this flavor!

Guava and Lychee!