Thursday, March 7, 2013

Spicy!


This is one of my favorite outfits so far. I like the simplicity of it, the added gold accents, and it's red, my favorite color!

And, how rad are the accessories?! Blinged-out necklace from Homecoming Honolulu and high-shine "Kitt" boots by Dolce Vita, of course!

Btw, doesn't my pups make the ultimate accessory?! She's not the most photogenic, nor does she like the camera in her face, but she's my fluffy ball of happiness. Never disappoints putting a big smile on my face. Plus, she doesn't talk back!

Red dress from Bamboo Sky







Dolce Vita "Kitt"


Always wearing my trusty Ray Bans

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Tsunami Hawaii

Spam with crispy rice and quail egg!

I've always liked going to Tsunami's for drinks and their Poke Balls. Much of their other food items were mediocre and expensive in my opinion. Recently, I've been thoroughly impressed by their new menu. Earlier this year, Wade Ueoka, a former Alan Wong Chef, started as a dishwasher at Tsunami and eventually worked his way up to Executive Chef. Just this past February, he refreshed and revived Tsunami's menu, and boy, is it fresh. I have since started following them on Instagram (@tsunamihawaii), and am always salivating at the pictures they post, not to mention their list of Weekly Specials. They always sound delectable and unique, always with a special twist.

Finally, I got my Happy Hour crew together for a friend's job promotion celebration, and we ate and drank most of their new menu. I highly recommend their Miso Butterfish. We had two orders of it! Not the most glamorous-looking dish- very plain in comparison to the other dishes we ordered......but WOW, extremely tender and moist. So soft, it melted in our mouths. Other highly rated dishes? Hamachi and Ahi Poke with Avocado Salsa and Bubu Arare and their Spam with crispy rice and quail eggs. Amazing how Chef Wade used such a common food item like Spam and was able to create a high-class dish, in my opinion. Almost like an upscale Hawaiian breakfast!

I have to say, "Chef Wade and Tsunami, you did an amazing job." And they're are always posting new food items too! I still have to visit once again to try their Orange Dream Soju, Watermelon Soju with watermelon ice cubes (!!), or Ahi Poke Lumpia, or their Natto Bacon Pasta. And you know me, I'm not a huge Natto fan, but this sounds way too intriguing to pass up! And how's the last Special for this week- Thai Beef Tongue Salad?! Hey, you have to say, they have most definitely changed it up, that's for sure.

Oooh, and don't let me forget one of their Specials 2 weeks ago, Goose Pointe Oysters with a Shiso Menonette. All I know is I love oysters on the half shell, and I also love Shiso. Winner for me. Please bring this back, Tsunami's!

My only negative? The portions are small. Hard to split the Spam dish when we have a party of 6! Or the fresh Oysters when one order only comes with 3! Other than that, no complaints. Keep 'em coming with the new menu items!
 
So now, it's become a foodie joint as well. People aren't going just to drink and play darts anymore; they're going for the food. At least I am!

PS- Let's talk about parking. Sometimes you can find street parking right outside Tsunami's. Otherwise, park in the Easy Music Center for $2. Easy!


Hamachi and Ahi Poke layered goodness!

Miso Butterfish


Chips and Dip- a little on the spicy side

Kim Chee Fried Rice with Roast Duck, Bacon and Pork!


Tonkatsu


Monday, March 4, 2013

Punahou Carnival 2013!


February is known to be the month of love, but for us Punahou Alums, it is that time of year.....PUNAHOU CARNIVAL time! It's a huge occasion for us, and everyone is invited! Kids of all ages, families, adults, doesn't matter. As long as you are ready to nonstop eat more than your fair share of gyros/portuguese bean soup/teri burgers/malasadas, and have your luck at some EK Fernandez games, then that's all you need to enjoy! Read 2011 and 2012 here and here!

Hawaiian Plate!

Gyros! No onions, please!

First stop on the 2nd day!


Even Barack Obama showed up at his old Alma Mater...just kidding!

Tangelo and Lemon Sorbetto. Lemon was definitely winnahs!

Orange Dream and Berry Smoothies!

My second favorite- Portuguese Bean Soup!!! Loaded with lots of delicious gunk!

Always have to stop and get a haku lei or wrislet! This one fit my wrist perfectly and was so colorful. They said that if you refrigerate it, it will last up to a week!


Buttery corn


Teri Burger

So refreshing!

This picture doesn't do it justice. It is MUCH larger than a regular Haagen Dazs Bar, trust me.


Cannot leave without getting a bag full of MALASADAS.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Morning Glass Brunch/Lunch


I love taking friends to Morning Glass, either for lunch or their once-a-month Night Breakfast. This place is so casual, comfortable and they have great food and drink. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, the only thing is the place is small. But I guess that makes you appreciate it even more, right?

Check out more of my eats from various trips here. I recommend trying their Egg-A-Muffin if it's your first time. Their Tomato Jam is amazing. I've also tried their Grilled Gruyere with Prosciutto and Shimeji Mushrooms, which is another winning combo.

As for coffee, I love their Green Tea Latte and have also recently tried three of their Specials- Swamp Tea (Matcha Green Tea, 2 shots of Espresso, Vanilla Syrup and Milk), Chai Tea, and their amazingly refreshing Watermelon Fresca. All equally delicious, but all completely different, of course! I have yet to try their Vietnamese Style Iced Coffee and Espresso Soda, but am 100% sure it will be as delicious as everything else I've devoured here.

My only gripe (besides how small the place is!)? If you want your Swamp Tea iced, they charge you 50 cents for that.

Other than that, this is one of my favorite places to dine for lunch by myself or with friends. Such a delicious little gem!

Be on the lookout for their Ice Cream Sandwich Special too! Ginger Snap cookies with choice of cereal milk or caramelized banana- $4!

Green Tea Latte


Grilled Gruyere with Prosciutto


Special- Bacon, Avocado, Tomato

Mac N Cheese Pancakes (and Chai Tea not pictured) on Special for the day!! I'm a lucky girl! First seen at the Night Breakfast here!


Swamp Tea

Grilled Gruyere this time with Prosciutto AND Shimeji Mushrooms!

Egg-A-Muffin with salad and homemade pickles! Only $5.50!

Egg-A-Muffin is homemade english muffin, bacon, gruyere, tomato jam, arugula, and kalei egg over easy!

Watermelon Fresca with a hint of lime. So revitalizing! (This is a Special and not always offered)


Egg-A-Muffin on the go!