Best Craft Beer > Honolulu Beerworks (Oahu)

Craft beer is just hitting the scene in Oahu. There are just a handful of local breweries (3 to date) that have popped out over the island over the past year. This one, Honolulu Beerworks, in Kaka'ako has done it right. They choose a good location (given the upcoming gentrified lofts), chose a modern-rustic open-air ambiance (which fits the local+urban scape well), created an appealing logo and brand, and most importantly they have good craft beer! 

Here are the beers I tried. Number 4 was my personal favorite. 

Of all the craft breweries on Oahu this is the most appealing for men and women and for locals and tourists alike--though I like that the crowd here is mainly locals. (I'll be posting on the other two craft breweries soon).

Side Street Inn Take-Out Box (Oahu)

Where even the styrofoam (save the earth folks!) take out boxes picture Diamond Head and say Aloha!

What's inside that box? Ono char siu, lop chong, and bacon fried rice from good ole Side Street Inn. (see previous blog post on Side Street.) And the left overs are just as good the next day. 

Starbucks Wine & Craft Beer

Yes it's true. Where Starbucks once was the poster child for a business model focused on doing one thing well, they are now shifting strategies and drawing up business during the after work hours by expanding their product line and enticing customers with a selection of familiar wines and regional craft beers. 

The beer selection echos availability from the local breweries thus encouraging customers to visit multiple Stsrbucks locations (or find their favorite branch). The Coppola Cab and Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay are solid choices, and I was quite impressed that Stsrbucks picked these up. The wine and beer are served with (free) Peppitos, which are essentially a tiny bowl of sunflower seeds coated with spices. 

Evening appetizers are served after 4pm with a menu catered to their customers' tastes (eg truffle popcorn for $2.45).

It should be noted that the after 4pm drink and food menu is limited to select Starbucks locations. When you find them you'll notice that the interior design is altered to incorporate a bar top and some high bar and stool options. Yet Starucks does a good job of maintaining it's distinct coffee shop feel--they found a magical way to keep it from turning into a happy hour bar scene. And I must say it's working; the company seems to be drawing in revenue during their low performing hours by expanding their brand to incorporate the known quantities of favored wined and beer labels. Pretty interesting model--let's see if lasts the test of time. 

Side note: the last photo shows how wireless charging stations for laptops and smart phones are integrated into their bar tops, small tables, communal table and high tops. So now with wine, beer and battery power, who wouldn't want to stop by after work?! They thought it all through. 

MW - 8 Course Tasting Menu

As mentioned in an earlier post, MW Restaurant is my favorite restaurant for Hawaiian food on Oahu. Michelle and Wade Ueoka, former chefs from Alan Wong's (turn husband-and-wife team), give a fresh spin on the traditional and make eating Hawaiian food interesting again. Here's their amazing 8 course menu in photos, which I do recommend ordering if it won't hurt your wallet:

A chilled uni flan with caviar. 

Bites of the most amazing power packed flavors--and my favorite course. 

Interesting textures that I'm 50-50 about; lobster and pretty leaves in a thick cornstarch broth. (Bad description, I know)

Seared Hudson Valley Foie gras atop short rib with black truffle potatoes (second favorite course for the deep and rich flavors).

Mochi crusted Opakapaka with what MW calls Korean and Japanese 'condiments.' (Homogeneous tasting, nothing really pops.)

Polenta and Washgyu beef. This combo worked well as a dish on its own, but it didn't seem to fit with the other 7 courses--too traditionally American, something from a Midwest steak house. (I wasn't stoked by the presentation of corn on top.)

Strawberry sorbet with elderberry flowers. (Pretty dish and layers of texture, but still expected a bit more from Michelle).

A bite of their Candy Bar dessert (like a gourmet snicker bar) paired with their Donuts dessert (mini malasadas), both a perfect way to end the evening. 

Overall: Each dish was well executed, as if prepared by Wade himself (whereas dishes from the regular menu seem prepared by the other chefs); and the service was attentive and knowledgable as always. 

Updates to the business: there's a private room for large parties (40-50 people), they now open for lunch, some days they only offer 5 course Prix fixe menus (other days 8 courses), they now offer Small Bites from 2-5 pm, and once a month on Sundays they serve Afternoon Tea with a Hawaiian twist (...which might just be the best afternoon tea on the island--I can't wait to try it!)

Bath and Body Works - The Hawaii Collection

This Spring 2015 Bath and Body Works has launched it's line of Hawaii inspired bath products. So whether you're a tourist trying to bottle up that joy from your last Hawaii vacation, someone prepping for an island visit, or a local who collects all-things-Hawaii, these new scents are sure to make you smile. There's a product line for each of the five popular islands. 

Bath and Body Works finally made it to Hawaii (see Ala Moana and Pearl Ridge shopping malls on Oahu), so mainland folks no longer need to bring these products as omiyage when they visit friends and family in Oahu. That said, they'd make nice inter-island gifts!

DIY Candy Lei Kit

This year I'm making candy leis for our Father's Day celebration. In the past I would cut long strips of colored cellophane, scotch tape the seams around the candy, and cut and curl endless strips of ribbon. These days however DIY kits are sold to make the lei making process much quicker and easier. 

Island Heritage sells a DIY candy lei kit which includes 5 hibiscus printed cellophane tubes, 50 pre-cut matching ribbons, and 5 cardboard hibiscus gift tags ($12). Just fill the tube with your favorite candy, tie the knots, and wha-la you're done!

I bought three bags of mini sized candies--Almond Joy, MnMs, and the Mars Co variety pack. I chose these in part for the color variegation from the candy wrappers, and because Target had a sale--3 bags for $10. The process took 40 minutes to complete, mainly because I had to go back to triple knot the ties that were coming undone. 

The Lei Kit comes in different colors is sold at Longs, Walmart, Target and Don Quijote in Honolulu, craft and hobby stores on the outer islands and mainland, and online stores worldwide (search the key word:  "Island Heritage lei"). 

Happy Fathers Day, and aloha au ia 'oe to my own dad.

Jazz Festivals on Maui

1) Jazz Fest Maui - This year's annual Jazz Fest Maui focuses on Latin jazz. On Wednesday, July 1st at the Mc Coy Theater, jazz enthusiasts can participate in one or more of the following:

From 10am to 3pm attend Master Classes including a session on Afro-Cuban and Pan-American performance techniques for musicians, and pedagogical approaches for music instructors. $20 a session. 

Then starting at 7pm, the live jazz performances begin festuring Grammy Award winner Auturo O'Ferril, and other artists from the mainland and local islands. $35 and $45 a ticket.

For more info: 808.242.SHOW 

2) And don't forget the annual Maui Jazz and Blues Festival in the Fall (multiple islands): Sept 10-15, 2015. This is the big one! 

Lucky Belly (Oahu)

Open until midnight, this new-ish ramen shop is one of my favorites among the burgeoning restaurants in Oahu's pseudo-gentrified Chinatown (Livestock Tavern and Pig and the Lady are my other favorites). The menu is not limited to ramen of course, and I enjoyed the bento box, pork belly buns and side of dumplings. With brick walls, large open windows and hanging contemporary art by local artists, the small space has an industrial-urban feel. Expect a 45 minute wait during weekday peak lunch hours, and a 30 minute wait on weekends. Parking is available in the two pay parking lots, each a short block away. 

Lucky Belly

50 North Hotel Street

Honolulu Hi 96817

Honolulu Night Market at Kaka'ako (Oahu)

On the third Saturday of every month, hang with the locals at the open market filled with Hawaii based vendors (fashion, art, food), live music, entertainment, drinks, and even a kid zone. With the Kaka'ako arts district rising in local popularity, it can be a fun and free eve for the family. 

For more info: http://www.honolulunightmarket.com/

Starwood (SPG) offers Discounts on Airfare + Food (Oahu)

Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG), the hotel points reward system for ten chains (including the W Hotel, Westin, St Regis and Sheraton), offers the following discount for members (membership is free):

First, the hotel chain has partnered with Hawaiian Airlines offering $50-100 off flights from the mainland to the islands this summer and fall! See https://apps.hawaiianairlines.com/Affiliate/Booking.aspx for details. 

Second, whether you stay at these Honolulu properties or not, just show your membership card to receive discounts on food:

Kai Market (Sheraton Waikiki) - 15% off locally grown food and organic dishes in an outdoor patio atmosphere. 

Rum Fire (Sheraton Waikiki) - 15% off dishes and speciality cocktails including rum based drinks. 

Side Note: SPG points expire every 18 months so be sure to visit the Waikiki Sheraton or the Moana Surfrider (or their bars and restaurants) every now and then to keep your (free) membership active on Oahu. 

McD Asian American gift cards

The 2015 McDonalds gift cards feature Asian/Americans > plus a matching gift card holder. 

Blue Days (Oahu)

Whilst driving through the north eastern side of Oahu, learning of my cousins' favorite beach spots, I fell in love with this blue. 

Portuguese Sausage Spam

Coming soon to Hawaii markets only > Portuguese Sausage flavored spam. Must admit this is a pretty ingenious idea, even for me a non-spam lover. 

I turned on the radio this week and heard the latest radio commercial: "Spam can....spam can..." 

Next to bacon it's funny how this beloved "food" product has grown it's own cult following. I'm reminded of the varied spam paraphernalia sold at Target and the annual Spam festival in Honolulu, to the famous Ed Ruscha 1967 painting that comments on Spam's presence in mainstream American households during the wartime era. And it's interesting how a "can of spam" (noun) has morphed over the years into "Spam can..." (pronoun + verb) and how it has remained a staple part of American food and pop culture for nearly a century. 

(To own your own can of spam check out this month's sale at Costco in Hawaii and the mainland...with a limit of two, ha ha)

Bacon Fat (a poem)

"Bacon Fat" by Juliet S.K. Lee

 

After frying thick strips of flaccid bacon to a brittle crisp,

my mother drained the cooled leftover fat standing

in the pan into a small Mayonnaise jar that sat on

the counter upon a bamboo tray near the stove along side

the salt, pepper, MSG, shoyu, and sugar, ingredients

she used for cooking and seasoning meals. Passionate

about replenishing it, the oil never grew old or rancid,

the top layer coagulating into a thick white band, the rest

of the liquid slow swirling the charred bacon bits,

like mote, the heavier particles settling to the bottom,

darkening the glass. Fried the eggs, Portuguese sausages,

ham, Spam, bologna, this fat. We lobbed spoonfuls of it

on meat loaf. Foods larded over like this, browned well.

Was appealing, too, because of money saved. How it pleased

the buds of taste.

Hawaii Art Deco Exhibit (Oahu)

Through one of my favorite Honolulu Museum of Art exhibits, I was reminded of the ways in which the Art Deco movement extended beyond the mainland and influenced the production of visual and material culture in Hawaii. One can readily see Art Deco touches on honolulu building exteriors, vintage print advertisements, and era furniture pieces. But it's influence on fine art, and paintings in particular, is less readily recognizable. As I walked through this exhibit I found that artists from this era portrayed a romanticized notion of Hawaii utilizing troupes of 'conquest' and 'the exotic,' while drawing upon the stylistic curves, movements and techniques akin to the period. 

Despite the problematic colonialist narratives that were perpetuated through many of the pieces, the exhibit did well to provide a balanced view of the relationship between the subject and subjectors during the early 1900s. This exhibit was one of the Museum's finest and certainly one worth visiting. 

At the end of the exhibit visitors can pick up a map and self-guided Art Deco architectural tour of Oahu, something I found to be a nice touch to extend ones Hawaii Art Deco experience beyond the exhibit walls. Afterall, Honolulu herself is a living museum. 

Honolulu Museum of Art

900 South Beretania Street

Honolulu HI 96814

Best Loco Moco in the US (San Francisco)

Imagine a perfectly poached egg nestled atop a bed of steamed Kalua pork enclosed by a breaded onion ring that garnishes a deep and richly flavored truffle beef patty surrounded by black rice with spam. One word description: to-die-for! (does that count as one word?!)

Butterfly (restaurant) at Pier 33 in San Francisco is hands down the best place for Loco Mocos on or off the island. They serve Nuevo-Hawaiian dishes, a nice spin on typical local dishes that actually turned out spectacular. 

I was there with a local friend (from Hawaii) and even she agreed that the flavor combos were amazing. [The photo above was taken after bites were eaten and the egg yolk broken]. (Im not even that crazy about loco mocos and Im thinking of heading back here just to order this again!)

The other dish I recommend is the lychee shave ice. We were skeptical about ordering it because we figured the ice wouldn't be shaved fine like in Hawaii. And while we were right about that, we were even more blown away by the flavors in that bowl--the texture of the ice ended up working very well. 

Butterfly | Pier 33, San Francisco CA

(Take the BART to the Embarcadero stop (across the Ferry Building) and hop on the MUNI trolley ($2.50) line F, and get off at Pier 33. Butterfly is right across from the F stop).

Livestock Tavern - Farm to Table (Oahu)

One of my favorite newbie restaurants on Oahu, Livestock Tavern is a Farm-to-Table concept which opened in November on Hotel Street in the Chinatown district. The food is prepared well and the flavors are balanced. Presentation and service is good. And a seasonal menu will keep customers returning on a regular basis. 

It was a fun afternoon meeting with up with KT to try some of the dishes:

Salad with persimmon, humboldt fog goat cheese, beets and watermelon radish $9 (it was an okay dish, expected more persimmon and less frisée lettuce)

Buratta, figs, pesto and arugula (very fresh Buratta, nice pesto, loved it) $12

Braised Beef Tongue Sandwhich with thick cut fries (was surprisingly tender and prepared like a French dip Sandwhich; a popular dish among locals)

The bourbon lobster tail with scalloped potatoes and wilted greens sounded good, but ordered the Tavern Burger with bacon onion marmalade, gruyere, tomatoes on a fresh baked kaiser bun instead. $14 (a pretty good gourmet buger for Oahu.)

We had no room for dessert. While I was there more for the conversation than food, I would certainly return again to Livestock.  And with their steady hand at preparing solid American dishes I expect them to stick around for a long while. 

Note: Reservations are needed for the main dining room (photo above) but walk ins are welcome for their bar section which serves a full menu. The place gets crowded very quickly. 

Parking: Two paid parking lots located one block north and east of the restaurant. Street parking is difficult. 

49 N Hotel Street, Honolulu HI

808.537.2577

Aloha Hello Kitty (Oahu)

Every year Sanrio comes out with a new Aloha Kitty (aloha = hello...kitty). Here's the latest in the collection > a tanned HK with a Hawaii surf board. 

There's a super huge HK at costco for $14 but this one had it's bow ripped off + it was too huge a carry-on piece for the airplane. 

Amazing...she turned 40 this year and doesn't look a day older! (except this picture where she could use some moisturizer for those dry cracks,)

Young, old, men, women, Asian American, non-Asian American (wait, she's a dyed blond)...HK remains a beloved figure in our lives. 

Fresh Poke Bowl - Ono Seafood (Oahu)

I love taking local friends to spots they've never tried. Ono Seafood is a Kaimuki hole-in-the-wall joint that offers generous scoops of poke (various types/flavors to choose from) atop a bowl of brown or white rice for $7. Located on the bottom corner of this Kapahulu apartment building it's easy to miss (look for the bright green-ish paint) but hard to leave once you take a bite. Locals love the big portions of fish and rice. There's also fridge with some to-go things for a snack

Ono Seafood

747 Kapahulu, Honolulu HI

9a-6p

Local Chocolatier - Chocole'a (Oahu)

This year we started out the New Year eating mochi--chocolate covered mochi, that is. Chocole'a, which opened a month ago in Manoa, offers an assortment of handcrafted chocolate pieces crafted by the local guys in the back and the warm gals manning the store front. After trying a variety of their pieces (and buying some for friends and family) we concluded that the ones with strawberry and/or orange mochi in the middle is the store's forte. Pieces range around $2.25/each. 

I also thought the bags of chocolate covered pineapple, mango and Mac nuts were reasonably priced. I especially liked the freshness of the Mac nuts--no more boxes of Hawaiian Host for me. 

The store is located in Manoa town's main intersection. The store is cozy, the ingredients fresh and the branding and packaging finessed. If you're looking to support local female owned businesses and wanting a special treat for yourself or others, check out this new joint that's a bit off the beaten path yet close enough to town. 

Dominoes Train Game

The official name of the game is "Mexican  Train." I failed to find any background info on how or why the game is tied to the people of Mexico and am uncomfortable with the game name. Yet the game was, however, the "game of the year" among my extended family which each aunt, uncle, cousin and grandchild hooked (and family members running to the stores to get their own set). A game for all ages, it adds a twist to regular domino play by adding a level of strategy and some extra rules to make for a couple hours of family fun. ($49.99 at Target)

Tournament of Roses Parade

This year's theme, "Inspiring Stories," was one of my Rose Bowl parade favorites. With Hawaii raised Richard Chienen as the first Asian American President of the Tournament of Roses Parade, participants included the Maui High School Marching band, the Dole corporation's Sweepstakes Award winning float (photo above from the TV), colorfully dressed horses and paniolo riders from Hawaii, and Chienen's family decked in leis riding a classic American car. 

I appreciate the movement toward telling diverse stories of courage and inspiration through floats honoring the Japanese American 442 Regimental Battalion, the establishment of the first Sikh community, POWs, athletes who overcame medical hardships, medical doctors who died while serving those with Ebola, and more. 

What a nice way to kick off 2015. HNY!!

Hawaii's Marcus Mariota - Rose Bowl Game

Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota leads Oregon in today's Rose Bowl game against Florida State. Mariota, the first football player from Hawaii to win the Heisman, says "Ohana means family--that's it right there." Florida State was slated to win but Oregon is currently in the far lead.