The other day, my cousin's wife, who is visiting Hawaii now, contacted me for lunch.She said she was interested in trying SOUL, which was a good thing because I too was interested after seeing the photos on Ono Kine Grindz's blog and Tasty Island's post.
We shared the Carolina Pulled Pork Adobo Sandwich--tender pulled pork marinated in a vinegary barbecue sauce topped with their buttermilk cilantro cole slaw on a roll.
The pork adobo, which I know is supposed to be vinegary, was just a bit too puckery for my liking, plus the roll got really soggy from the cole slaw.
We also shared the BBQ Spareribs Plate--4 pork ribs, with Ma'o collard greens, cornbread, buttermilk cilantro cole slaw, vegetarian chili. This is a great plate to get "a taste" of many of their dishes.
I'm not sure if the style of barbecuing was responsible, but the ribs were kind of on the dry side and even if they were tasty, we would've enjoyed them more if they were "fall off the bone tender".
I loved their vegetarian chili though, it had lots of bold flavors and a hint of heat.
The sweet cornbread and Southern sweet iced tea helped to cool things down.
The cole slaw was different, it wasn't creamy it was a little smokey, I enjoyed it, especially with all that cilantro in it.
It was my first time eating collard greens, I liked it and thought the texture and taste was similar to spinach.
We had a nice chat and ate almost everything on our plates! (though I did bring home some leftover slaw)
(If I get another chance on this trip home, I'd like to try some other items, like their chicken!)
Of course, even after a very filling lunch, we still had room for dessert, so we drove down the street to Waiola Shave Ice where we sat and chatted some more.
It was a beautiful sunny Hawaiian day out and I hope my cousin's wife had a nice time, I know I did. (Thank you!)
Soul
3040 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone:808.735.SOUL (7685)
UPDATE: Soul closed as of 7/2012, but is scheduled to relocate to another location soon!
Hmmm . . . veeeery interesting! And it's on Waialae . . . I like that.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun lunch. I have been meaning to try that place but haven't done it yet. Now I know what to order and what not to. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo nice to read about you getting together with kin and checking out the eats. That pork adobo sandwich...OMG!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, collard greens on offer at a Hawaii eatery? How awesome that another delicious "soulful" cuisine is making it there! Sounds a lovely adventure (I'm with Rowena on the pork adobo sandwich - YUM!)
ReplyDeleteTheir food is good Jalna, hope you get a chance to try :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can go together Debinhawaii :)
Hopefully giving you some ideas to try Rowena :)
Take care everyone.
Kat
"The sweet cornbread and Southern sweet iced tea..." Now you're speaking my language! I'm still recovering from the 2 gallons of sweet tea that my hubs bought me last week.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked the collard greens. That's a staple at my house at Thanksgiving. My mom boils a ham hock for about 90 minutes until it falls off the bone. Then she throws in fresh chopped collard greens and simmers for another 30 minutes or so. Yum! I'll take some of that shaved ice too!
Jude, There is a farm called Ma'o which grows all sorts of greens and veggies for restaurants and retail here :)
ReplyDeleteHe he I remember that 2 gallon tweet Pocky! I hope you are not still drinking it ;)
Take care you two!
Kat
There is always room for shave ice! I really miss getting my shave ice in Hawaii with a scoop of ice cream and azuki beans. You can get shave ice on the mainland during the summer but it doesn't come with the ice cream or beans. That's another thing I always get when I visit family on Oahu, with some li hing syrup on top.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we can get them with beans or ice cream in Japan Jenster! I hope you get a chance to visit Hawaii soon :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
That's another place we've been eyeing out since it opened because it's at the bottom of St Louis Heights. I'm amazed you beat me to it coming all the way from Japan when it's just down the street from my house! Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteLOL Rick, I have less time home than you :) I hope you get a chance to go.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat