this week

Friday afternoon we had the house inspected and the buyer was scheduled to walk through the property.

We came back after the time that it was all supposed to end, but the family was still there!

It was kind of a weird feeling sitting out front, watching others leave "your" home...

Hopefully the inspection results will be good.

Dinner was later than usual...I bought a pizza from Pieology (the line was krazy!) and tried the porter from Big Island Brewhaus (super chocolatey!)

Saturday, lunch out with BFF W at Taqueria El Ranchero.

First time trying chilaquiles...super spicy and delicious.

I hope W enjoyed her nachos.

Afterwards we made our last run to Paalaa Kai Bakery for the summer.

I picked up a malasada for my Sunday breakfast.

Sunday was super humid (again!)

I ran up to Aunty Kalei's for a cowgirl (POG (passion orange guava), pineapple, strawberry) shave ice and again added lemon peel...so good!

Sunday dinner (our last one for this summer) was at Vein in Kakaako.

Aunty M1 and W1 had their pork chop, which apparently is brined...unfortunately, this was way too salty for them (they think the cook added more salt when grilling).

My brother had their lamb chops...which he said was delicious but just had too little food.

Aunty M and I ordered the catch of the day which was Onaga (red snapper) with a yuzu (citron) beurre blanc (literally white butter) sauce.

Bummer that this fish was overcooked and hard.as.rock.

Since we had "complained" about this and that, dessert was on the house...their bread pudding.

Meh, I've had better...it could have been more custardy...

I'm glad we tried this place and thankful that Aunty M1 and W1 treated all of us...we all hope this restaurant will be able to survive...

Monday...rain, lots of rain...then sun and humidity!

BFF W had taken the day off, so after she did her errands, we had lunch at Big City Diner...$2 for cheese?!

It was still nice to get out even though it was raining.

Tuesday, I went to McCully Stamps & Coin, the owner bought some of the old coins that my parents had collected over the years.

He was so nice and a little TMI (too much info), showing me his lung cancer scar (gasp!)...still, I think he was fair and I'm glad we were able to sell these old coins.

Afterwards, I had intended to go to Target, but when I arrived, everyone in the parking lot warned me that their network was down so they were only taking cash.

Well, network down means that you can't access their app too, so no discounts either...boo! (1st world problems yeah?!)

Oh em gee I am addicted to shave ice with lemon peel...thank goodness Aunty Kalei's is open Tuesday-Thursday and the weekends.

Aloha Salads...hummus pita wrap for lunch

and the Goddess (mixed greens, almonds, papaya, avocado, green goddess dressing) plus I added chicken for dinner.

Wednesday...more rain!

Lunch from Flamingo's Express...I tried their mini teri chicken bento.

Teriyaki sauce a bit too sweet and goopy.

Glad I tried it but probably wouldn't get this again though...

Thursday, lunch with V at Senia.

V loves this place and was kind to take me there.

The chef from the original Vintage Cave, Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush (from French Laundry) serve creative dishes for lunch and dinner.

We had the 3 course...

Appetizer course...I chose the ham hock terrine...meaty! with a quail egg and puckery tomato sauce delicious!

V had their ahi tataki...she ate a couple of pieces but decided that the texture wasn't for her, so I was lucky to get to finish this for her.

Main course I chose the scallops with risotto and pickled daikon...delicious! nice sear on the scallops, not over cooked...this was nice with the harissa it was served with.

Creamy risotto and nicely pickled daikon.

V had their ahi burger...looks good yeah?!

Dessert course...I chose the carrot cake brown butter mochi...good especially with the cream cheese frosting!

V had the Senia cookie...a warmed peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla gelato.

It was nice to watch everyone (especially the prep staff) in the kitchen.

Friday, started out with a schnecken from Baker Dudes.

Schneckens (I like saying this word!) are literally snails in German...this was filled with lots of nuts and flaky! Bummed I found out about this place so late but look forward to checking them out the next time I am back.

After a trip to the bank to see if we could cash my parents travelers cheques we found stashed (we need to wait until they get authenticated as the bank they purchased the cheques from do not do business with the company anymore (boo! and they are located in the UK?!))...hopefully this will get sorted out by the time my brother moves (or we may just have to cut our losses)...

I then went to visit my mom and dad at their respective resting places...

Lunch from Mama Woo's...I've been wanting to try this place for some time...

The parking is nuts!

Luckily I found a stall on the street.

I had the kimbap, mandoo and fried chicken wing for lunch...the fried chicken wing was so good! crispy, sweet and savory.

The kimbap was good too.

For the next couple meals I'll be eating Mama Woo's Special...4 side dishes, kalbi, bbq beef, chicken (mandoo & chicken wing).

Because I didn't want rice, they gave me one more side dish.

Friday dinner we met Aunty M for pupus (caesar salad, octopus with arugula, garlic fries, crab artichoke dip)

And lilikoi mango cheesecake.

Saturday morning, we met up with relatives for breakfast at Liliha Nimitz...

I ordered the two eggs (over medium), portuguese sausage and potatoes.

The weather is still gross (humid)...I may need to make a shave ice run...

Flying out tomorrow....hope you have a nice weekend!

Senia
75 North King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.200.5412
Closed Sundays
Lunch: Tuesdays-Fridays 11:00-14:00
Dinner: Mondays-Saturdays 17:30-21:30

Baker Dudes
923 Alakea Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.597.4717
Closed Saturdays-Sundays
Hours: 6:30-16:00

Mama Woo's
2080 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.941.6262
Hours: 10:00-20:30

this week

Friday started off with this beautiful sunrise.

Bought some items from Nagoya Bakery...egg tart (super flaky crust!) and coconut cross raisin bread (the bread is huge, so I had this for 2 meals, not much coconut but still delicious)

Solo pupu party dinner...Uproll Cafe's sexy salmon salad, Foodland's Kolohe Mix and Underwood's Rose Bubbles.

Saturday, lunch from Taqueria El Ranchero.

I tried their tamales.

Living the sheltered food life that I have, it was my first time to try tamales.

Shredded meat is wrapped in a corn "dough" then steamed in a corn leaf.

I bought one pork and one chicken.

I also brought home a little of their housemade pico de gallo to put on the tamales.

I enjoyed these...the ratio of "dough" to meat was balanced, the pico de gallo added a nice kick.

I'm glad I tried these.

In the afternoon, we met with the Realtor to fill out some paperwork.

Sunday, major heat and humidity!

I think the weather dude said that we've been having high heat and humidity every day of September! ack!

At one point in the afternoon, I couldn't stand the heat and ran up to Aunty Kalei's to get some shave ice.

Tropical Summer (pineapple, coconut, watermelon) plus lemon peel...so good and took our minds off of the heat for a bit.

It was my first time trying this place and I'm glad I did!

I like how Aunty Kalei, puts the shave ice into a styrofoam bowl with a cover for take out...not ecologically friendly, but was super appreciated since I drove up myself and couldn't hold anything on the ride home.

Just before going to Sunday dinner, we purged some of our board games by giving them to the library.

Sunday dinner at Aunty M's...pot roast, salad, 3-bean salad

Dessert was from Flamingo's Express.

They are known for their banana pie, but I was too scared to try it, so I played it safe and bought their apple.

It was so good, flaky crust, lots of apple, not too sweet.

Monday, still hot and humid...gah!

Lunch from La Tour Cafe...pepperoni hand pie.

I had wanted to try their beef curry one, but they had sold out.

This was flaky and delicious...it was just too hot to eat something like this on a hot and humid day though.

Lychee Mango with Lemon Peel shave ice...the day before, Aunty Kalei made a mistake with our order, so she gave us the one she made as a mistake.

She insisted on the making the order right and that she wouldn't take money for it (I did sneak some $$ into her tip jar though).

She also told me, "just keep the shave ice in the freezer and take this out when you are watching your Korean dramas"...sorry, Aunty, but I don't watch K-dramas.

Still, this was perfect with all the krazy heat and humidity we've been having.

Dinner was La Tour's buffalo chicken salad...enough for 2 meals!

Spicy chicken, olives, roasted corn, red onion, bleu cheese dressing...love!

Tuesday, Aunty M1 adopted our dining table. (thank you!)

Thankful for all the meals, conversations this table has seen.

After the movers left with the table, I brought more things to JCCH.

Lunch from Shaloha...shawarma sandwich (grilled chicken, hummus and veggies in a pita).

I like how HUGE these sandwiches are...enough for 2 meals!

Wednesday, doughnuts from Donut King.

Love their chocolate coconut cake donut and tried their blueberry cake donut.

The blueberry was kind of "fake" tasting, but super moist!

I got carded at Tamura's!

It felt WAY nicer than being asked if I qualify for the "senior discount" or being called "ma'am".

Can't wait to try this porter and cola!

Thursday dinner from Hughley's Southern Cuisine.

I tried their 1/2 rack, collards, baked beans and corn bread.

So good! Their corn bread is super buttery! And their ribs are fall off the bone tender.

I'm glad I tried this place and wouldn't mind going back for their brisket.

So that was kind of my week...

My time in Hawaii is winding down, the heat and humidity still haven't stopped, though I do see more "Fall-like" weather (rain).

Hoping it is cooler where you are, have a nice weekend.

Nagoya Bakery
98-042 Kamehameha Highway
Aiea, Hawaii
Phone: 808.484.9999
Hours: 8:00-17:00

Aunty Kalei's Shave Ice
2321 Auhuhu Street
Pearl City, Hawaii
Phone: 808.343.8289
Closed Mondays & Fridays
Hours: 13:00-17:00

Flamingo's Express
98-820 Moanalua Road
Aiea, Hawaii
Phone: 808.376.8388
Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 7:30-20:00, Sundays 7:30-15:00

Hughley's Southern Cuisine
99-080 Kauhale Street
Aiea, Hawaii
Phone: 808.380.4200
Closed Mondays
Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays 11:00-20:00, Sundays 13:00-18:00

palisades drive-inn

Sunday started off with this beautiful sunrise. Loved how it lit up the sky. The birds were chirping. It was the making of a beautiful but hot Hawaiian day.

Lunch was from Palisades Drive-Inn. This is just up the street from where I grew up.

I think these are the original owners of the restaurant, though I'm not too sure (there was a burger place here previously during my elementary years).

Dad had the mini shrimp curry. Lots of shrimp and big veggies. The curry wasn't too spicy, but just right.

I had the mini sweet-sour spareribs. These spareribs were more fatty than I'm used to, and the sauce was a little more gingery. I guess when your mom and grandma makes "the best" spareribs, nothing can really come close.

Anyway, we were both rather disappointed because the rice was really mushy and it wasn't because there was gravy on it either. Oh well, for US $9.84 tax included for the two plates, I guess you cannot really complain. Plus, service was at the speed of light.

Palisades Drive-Inn
2321 Auhuhu Street
Pearl City, Oahu
Phone: 808.456.4888
Monday-Saturday 10:00-20:30, Sunday 8:30-20:30

p.s. Happy Girl's Day!