by Mark on March 31, 2007
It has been couple of years since I last came to eat at Auntie Pastos. This Italian restaurant is located on the corner of Beretania and Pensacola streets, near Safeway. I have known this place ever since my college days in 2000. Ed Wary, who is the owner of this establishment, was a guest speaker at one of my Travel Industry Management classes. Ed was a very powerful speaker in terms of dictating what he provides and serves at his restaurant. I still remember that his stock delivery time was about the same time when his restaurant opened at night. This was to attract customers with the great smell of fresh herbs, etc… Back in the old days, he didn’t have a menu but a chalk board. Why? Hey, menus cost money. To become a successful restaurateur, you need to cut cost where it’s unnecessary especially if you are a start-up and provide a product that is good for returnees.
Anyway, we enjoyed the hussle and bussle atmosphere here on this busy Friday night. We ordered 3 dishes: (1) Caprese – oven roasted plum tomatoes with fresh mozzarella & basil oil. (2) Seafood Pasta – clams, mussels, fish, calamari in spicy tomato sauce. (3) Eggplant Parmesan – thick slices of pan-roasted eggplant with white wine, lots of cheese and tomato sauce.
by Mark on March 28, 2007
Ever heard of gyoza omelette? Well this is sort of like it because we mixed the gyoza meat together with beaten eggs and cooked it like a omelette. We also added a sweet-n-sour sauce on top of it. It’s pretty good.
by Mark on March 25, 2007
This Sunday, we went to Home Depot and found really beautiful flowers at their garden corner. Never knew that they carry a wide variety of flowers like their giant home furnishing collection. You will find practically anything in there.
by Mark on March 18, 2007
John Howard returned to the island after a long gone in the mainland. Here in Hawaii, we celebrate returns with a bbq party. Sorry no photos of bbq this time but some photos at Joji’s friend’s house in Aina Haina. Luckily, there was a yard where we were able to bbq and keep everyone waiting for the kalbi, fish, sausage, chicken, and lamb. We also had beef-stew, sushi, and other dishes…
At the end, the king had to fall asleep and peacefully we found the true secret of John!
by Mark on March 15, 2007
Sorry for the long absence once again… As promised I have taken this photo but didn’t exactly have the time (what a lame excuse, yeah, yeah, yeah… can’t surf, etc…) to crop the photo and post to this blog.
Anyway, this is Shoyu Chicken which I cooked last night. This is a common dish here in Hawaii and many take-out joints offer this delicious dish. Basically, the sauce is a combination of shoyu, sugar, and water boiled all together with chicken thighs, garlic, ginger, black pepper. My recipe is also adding 2 other ingredients: star anese seeds and Thai chili sauce. These 2 ingredients kick-up the taste and satisfaction. Try it!
by Mark on March 14, 2007
This is an easy and delicious pasta dish. Thinly slice the garlics and stir-fry with chopped chicken breast, salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. At the same time, boil your pasta. When the chicken is almost done, add the sliced sun dried tomatoes and heat it for a while. When your pasta is cooked, drain out the liquid and mix together with the chicken and add parsley for garnish. Next to it is cabbage and bacon soup.
I have something cooking now for tomorrow’s dinner. See you tomorrow.
by Mark on March 13, 2007
Ever since Downtown’s Great Harvest stopped serving Peet’s Coffee, I have been visiting Honolulu Coffee inside Bishop Square ASB tower. I really enjoy their pastry selections especially their Banana Bread with walnuts. They are moist and not too sweet. It’s a winner if you can get together with their Kona blend coffee. Honolulu Coffee is by far much better than Starbucks. Coffee and pastries are well presented and they taste natural; not dry and crumbs falling all over the place.
by Mark on March 12, 2007
What in the world is that title? That translates to stirred shrimp and chive rice noodle.
by Mark on March 11, 2007
That’s how long it has been since I last surfed here on Oahu. It has been more than 3-4 months, and it was great to paddle out to Pops. Weather was sunny and absolutely gorgeous. Was happy to see some old timers – Blake, Craig, Yoshi, Chie, Yasu, Suzuki-san, Earl, Emory, Gordon, and Fritz. One of them asked me if I got a divorce because it was nostalgic to see me in the waters.
I was surprised to see Fritz because it has been more than 5 years since I saw him surf in the waters. We used to hang out at the Waikiki beach and surf Canoes/Queens a lot.
Also, today we celebrated Shane’s 10th birthday party at Ice Palace in Aiea. Happy Birthday Shane!!
We had a gift certificate for Sam Choy’s in Kapahulu Avenue so ventured to this famous island style restaurant. Sam Choy is a local phenomenon chef who grew up here and currently has restaurants on Oahu as well as in Guam. Unlike Emeril Laggasse’s famous “Bam!â€, Sam is known for his “It’s Unbelievable!â€
Sam Choy’s is located on the 2nd floor above Hee Hing restaurant.
Portrait of Sam Choy and Emiko. Nice collection of awards and arts are decorated throughout the restaurant.
They even have a bar.
A light candle with a night of lychee martini.
Island style ahi poke.
Lobster risotto.
Garlic jumbo shrimp with wasabi udon noodles.