Monday, June 29, 2009

cpk & big city diner

How many times a day could you eat pizza? Me? nowadays maybe once, but in college, many times a day...even for breakfast. We would order pizza from a place called "2 for 1", you order a pizza (US$4) and you get the same type and size free.

Great for our budgets back then, and paired with a B&J wine cooler (do they still make those?). The next morning, since we had no microwave or toaster in our room, cold pizza for breakfast...ah, dorm life.

So, I re-lived that memory the other day, when I had leftover pizza for breakfast. The pizza was my leftover from the previous day's lunch. Spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, a thin crispy crust....yum!

When I worked for Lion Coffee, my supervisor said that you could tell if something was good if you ate/drank something cold that was supposed to be eaten/drunken when it was hot and it tasted good. A good pizza is definitely good cold.

Of course, my mom, not wanting me to have all bad calories from the beginning of the day and also freaking out because I was eating the pizza cold, gave me a third of a freshly ripened papaya....so sweet, so good!

That same day, I walked with my Aunty M to Ala Moana Shopping Center to have dinner at CPK.

CPK is one my favorites when I come home and I wished they had one in Osaka, I've heard they have one in Tokyo or Yokohama.

Anyway, we tried their new Moroccan chicken salad. Lots of Moroccan spiced chicken, fresh beets, avocado, hard boiled eggs, almonds, butternut squash and a champagne vinaigrette. Kind of like a Cobb salad, but with Moroccan spices and the light dressing. I liked it but my aunty thought it was a bit messy looking. Still it had fresh flavors and was delicious.

We also tried their Pear with Gorgonzola pizza. This is my Aunty's favorite. It was my first time to try it and it was good, lots of Gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, hazelnuts, pear and greens on top.

I also had a Guinness but wished the cup they served it in would have stayed cold longer.

Satoshi is here for a couple of days on business, poor guy, by the time he gets adjusted to the time he'll be back in Japan.

We didn't get to see each other much since he stayed in Waikiki to be near the office, but were able to get some of the family together for breakfast at Big City Diner on Saturday.

He had his favorite...loco moco...1/2 pound hamburger patty, with an over easy egg on top and fried rice...after taking his first bite he said, "now this is a loco moco!"...then ate it all.

I had the keiki (kid's) menu...big silver dollar pancakes with choice of bacon or link sausage, I chose bacon. I also added haupia (coconut) creme sauce.

They aren't joking when they say big silver dollar...those pancakes were actually normal sized and was just the right amount. You should have seen the adult sized pancakes...the size of the plate! Way too big and too much to eat...

Lots of food over the past couple of days, hope your weekend is going well.

18 comments:

Admin said...

Kat, I am suddenly reminded of something. Pizzas in Japan are very interesting. Some pizza parlors have unusual toppings like what I have in my blog here: http://asianfoodtrip.blogspot.com/2009/02/looks-good-enough-to-eat.html

K and S said...

Yes they do have some different toppings in Japan Mikuru, but seafood is pretty good on pizza :)

Take care.
Kat

Marie said...

Kat, just wanted to pipe up and say I'm loving your Hawaii posts as usual! And that loco moco looks like heaven. I think I've had the dish once and it wasn't great, so I have yet to experience the awesomeness that is good loco moco.

Anonymous said...

I really like CPK because it's probably the most consistent restaurant at Ala Moana, the others, ehh, not so much.

I also wanted to suggest that you check out the new French bakery in Manoa Marketplace called "Fendu Boulangerie." It's quite popular with the local foodies. I would be interested in hearing how you feel the quality compares to the bakeries in Japan.

K and S said...

Thanks Marie, I hope you get to try a "real" loco moco soon :)

Thanks Anon, I read about this bakery on another blog, will try it if I am in this area :)

Take care you two.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

Looks like you are eating very well! ;-) I am a CPK fan esp. their California BLT Pizza. I'll have to try the new salad.

K and S said...

somehow anything with bacon sounds delicious Deb :) if you try the salad will be interested in what you think :)

Take care.
Kat

Rowena said...

Now this is the kind of food that I've been waiting for. You can count me in for cold pizza anyday, but I think the best "pizza lovers" to ask would be Maddie and MrB...they ♥ it so much they'll lick the box that it was in.

I'm finally getting the chance to try the recipe you posted for the Earl Grey Tea milk jam! Will let you know how I fared.

OkiHwn said...

Which BCD did you eat at? And how much was the loco moco?

Rowena said...

I just had to come back to look at the eats again...wish I had hamburger in the fridge to make a loco moco. *sigh*

K and S said...

I hope you like the milk jam, Rowena. I hope you get a loco moco soon too :)

Nate, we went to the one near Pearlridge. The loco moco was US$8.99 and the fried rice was an extra US$1.49 (I think). Kind of pricey but Satoshi said it was better than having white rice.

Take care you two.
Kat

2kamuela47 said...

CPK and Big City Dinner two of my favorite places to eat. I just love it when you come back home for a visit. Take care!

Deb said...

you worked for LION?? wait until I tell BD:) it's the only thing on his list to bring back...the kona mac.

can't wait to hear and see the verdict on that rub - hope da taste equals da smell!

K and S said...

Thanks Laura :)

Yup, part-time, doing demos in stores, Deb. I always bring back vanilla mac for my friends and family in Japan. Keep you posted on the rub (probably won't be used till I go back to Japan).

Take care you two.
Kat

Jenster said...

I really like CPK, too, even though it's a chain. We have several in the Seattle area and the Pear and Gargonzola pizza is one of my favorites, too. It's delicious by itself, but I also appreciate the fact that they put some lightly seasoned greens on top of it, kind of like having a little salad with your pizza.

Your Hawaii food photos certainly make me homesick!

K and S said...

I'm glad I tried that pizza Jenster, it was really good! Sorry I'm making you homesick.

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

Wow, the variety of good food you have on this blog is great.

K and S said...

Thanks Des and thanks for stopping by :)

Take care.
Kat