All things good in Hawaii and beyond

All things good in Hawaii and beyond http://nat808.posterous.com Most recent posts at All things good in Hawaii and beyond posterous.com Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:09:06 -0700 Untitled http://nat808.posterous.com/116850707 http://nat808.posterous.com/116850707

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:16:00 -0700 Marukame Udon http://nat808.posterous.com/marukame-udon http://nat808.posterous.com/marukame-udon

Most places serve packaged, pre-made udon, but not Marukame Udon. They make theirs from scratch, right before your eyes. Located on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki, you'd expect to pay Waikiki prices, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you view the menu board. All udons are under $6. Tempura and musubis are sold ala carte by the piece. Where else can you assemble your own side order of tempura?

Bukkake Udon ($3.75) with a side of veggie tempura ($1.50)

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Close up of the veggie tempura - if you want the most bang for your buck, get this tempura piece (the others are all $1.50 but the veggie tempura is the biggest)

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Niku Udon ($5.25)

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Marukame Udon
2310 Kuhio Avenue (between Nohonani and Nahua)
CASH ONLY

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:07:56 -0700 Eats from @xtremetacos http://nat808.posterous.com/eats-from-xtremetacos http://nat808.posterous.com/eats-from-xtremetacos

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Follow them on Twitter @xtremetacos for their location.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:06:00 -0700 Mongolian BBQ night @MCCSHawaii's Koa Malina (The Officer's Club at MCBH) http://nat808.posterous.com/mongolian-bbq-night-mccshawaiis-koa-malina-th http://nat808.posterous.com/mongolian-bbq-night-mccshawaiis-koa-malina-th

Every Wednesday and Friday evening is Mongolian BBQ night at the Officer's Club. Previously, Mongo night was held in the ballroom on the ground floor of the club. On March 30, they moved it to the main dining room on the top floor. It's a much better set up - nicer furniture, nicer view, nicer set up.

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Here's the main food area.

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First up - collect your noodles and veggies

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Then add your meat and/or seafood

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After your bowl is weighed (85 cents per ounce), you can add your sauces. Last night they debuted a new "mongolian BBQ" sauce, for those who'd rather leave the sauce-making to the experts. It turned out to be ono.

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The chefs stir fry your concoction right before your eyes.

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Here's the finished product.

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Every meal comes with unlimited white rice, fried rice, and dessert.

http://www.mccshawaii.com/kmdiningroom.shtml

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:25:50 -0700 The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong http://nat808.posterous.com/the-pineapple-room-by-alan-wong http://nat808.posterous.com/the-pineapple-room-by-alan-wong Over spring break I had the pleasure of taking my husband's niece out to lunch. We decided to go to the Pineapple Room since she had never been there before.

There many items on the menu that caught her eye, but she decided to try one of their signature items (the signature items are denoted by a pineapple next to it on the menu): The Pineapple Room Burger. She said it was the best burger she ever ate.

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I ordered my usual: the Tempura Battered Fresh Island Mahi Mahi sandwich. I love the Tsuyu dipping sauce that accompanies the sandwich, and i like how they slowly toast the bun.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:59:04 -0700 Fundraiser for #AlohaforJapan sponsored by @GoodtoGrill and Finance Factors http://nat808.posterous.com/fundraiser-for-alohaforjapan-sponsored-by-goo http://nat808.posterous.com/fundraiser-for-alohaforjapan-sponsored-by-goo Today I bought a plate from Good to Grill's downtown location to support their fundraising efforts. I'm not normally in downtown during the lunch hour but I came down special to support the cause.

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Here's the Korean chicken plate. Honestly, I'm not sure what makes the chicken "Korean". It resembled something more along the lines of teriyaki chicken. But regardless of the name, I liked the chicken. The sauce was sweet and the chicken was moist.

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The braised short ribs was a winner too. The meat was really tender and not too fatty. If I had to choose between the chicken and the beef, I would go for the braised beef (if I'm not trying to watch my waistline).

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Good to Grill serves these plates at their downtown location on a daily basis, so come down and check them out. They are located in the space formerly occupied by Liberty Grill on Bishop Street (just makai of the S. Beretania intersection).

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:44:35 -0700 Pizza and more at Shakey's http://nat808.posterous.com/pizza-and-more-at-shakeys http://nat808.posterous.com/pizza-and-more-at-shakeys The Shakey's Special: salami, pepperoni, Italian sausage, seasoned ground beef, mushrooms and black olives on a thin crust.

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The 8-piece golden fried chicken with Mojo's.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:27:00 -0700 Lunch from @shogunai_tacos http://nat808.posterous.com/lunch-from-shogunaitacos http://nat808.posterous.com/lunch-from-shogunaitacos

I rarely eat lunch away from the office, but today I had a training class in downtown, and on the way to my car I spotted Shogunai Taco truck. My plan to eat lunch at home failed. This is the "Osaka, Jo, Japanese Taco". $6.50. Pork marinated in ginger, shoyu, garlic, and lemon with their special Shogunai Sauce and sprinkled with furikake. The flavors that stood out were the ginger and the bean sprouts. I could barely see or detect the furikake (did they forget?). At first glance, $6.50 may sound expensive for a taco, but this taco is definitely a meal in itself and has the same amount of pork that you would find on a Hawaiian Plate (if not more). I personally prefer the smaller tacos that places like Gogi Korean BBQ Taco Truck and T.A.S.T.E. serve.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:39:00 -0700 Lunch at Minato Japanese Restaurant http://nat808.posterous.com/lunch-at-minato-japanese-restaurant http://nat808.posterous.com/lunch-at-minato-japanese-restaurant

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I love going to Minato Japanese Restaurant for lunch. You cannot beat the prices and the food is oishi.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:15:57 -0700 Moon over Ala Moana/ Kewalo Basin (3/20/2011) http://nat808.posterous.com/moon-over-ala-moana-kewalo-basin-3202011 http://nat808.posterous.com/moon-over-ala-moana-kewalo-basin-3202011 I awoke at 5:15 am Sunday morning to the moon shining brightly into our condo, so I got up and took this picture from our living room.

This weekend the moon is supposed to be situated closer to Earth than it's ever been for the past 18 years.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:56:02 -0700 Yotteko-Ya http://nat808.posterous.com/yotteko-ya http://nat808.posterous.com/yotteko-ya I went to Yotekko-Ya two days in a row and loved every bite of it!

My friend ordered the fried rice with dry curry. Their fried rice is not soggy or oily. Generous portions.

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The paitan is hearty and supposedly good for you. Their chashu melts in your mouth! Make sure you ask for the Japanese style noodles. Firm and chewy.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:48:52 -0700 TheInfinity Edge Pool @SheratonWaikiki at sunset http://nat808.posterous.com/theinfinity-edge-pool-sheratonwaikiki-at-suns http://nat808.posterous.com/theinfinity-edge-pool-sheratonwaikiki-at-suns I stopped to take this picture before having dinner at Kai Market at the Sheraton. You can barely tell where the pool ends and the ocean begins. I would highly recommend dining at Kai Market right at sunset. You'll be treated to a double feature of a beautiful sunset and delicious island cuisine.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:19:00 -0800 Honolulu Burger Company http://nat808.posterous.com/honolulu-burger-company http://nat808.posterous.com/honolulu-burger-company

I love the burgers and truffle fries from Honolulu Burger Company. The burger is not overcooked and not undercooked. The mushrooms in the "Mushroom Mushroom Burgers" are sauteed in Waianae's Naked Cow Dairy garlic herb butter - so ono.

Truffle Fries - a must-have!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:31:28 -0800 Kaneohe Marine Base Hawaii http://nat808.posterous.com/kaneohe-marine-base-hawaii http://nat808.posterous.com/kaneohe-marine-base-hawaii The Marines are lucky to have exclusive access to this

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:45:57 -0800 Have you ever seen so many boats in the water? http://nat808.posterous.com/have-you-ever-seen-so-many-boats-in-the-water http://nat808.posterous.com/have-you-ever-seen-so-many-boats-in-the-water Because of the tsunami warning, which was generated after the tragic 8.9 earthquake in Japan, many boat owners took their boats to sea.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:00:00 -0800 Izakaya Gazen http://nat808.posterous.com/izakaya-gazen http://nat808.posterous.com/izakaya-gazen

The first thing we noticed when we entered the restaurant was that there were a lot of Japanese nationals/tourists - that is always a very good sign.

Homemade Tofu Sampler - sample all 3 of their homemade tofu. I liked the Kurogoma (sesame seed flavor) and Sukui (soy milk) the best.

Ahi and Avocado Summer Roll - the menu says it's the most popular dish among women. I don't know why. And as a woman, it was not my favorite dish of the evening.

Gazen Style Deep Fried Chicken with Homemade Sauce - one of my favorite dishes of the evening.

Garlic Shrimp - these were pretty good.

Ahi Carpaccio - If I had to do it again I probably wouldn't order this one.

Miso Butterfish - delightful. The miso flavor was not overly strong. The fish was very tender and flaky.

Grilled Salmon Roll - I normally don't like sushi with mayo in it (such as the California Roll), but this one was yummy

I can't remember the exact name of this dish but it was agedashi style mochi balls. Just imagine agedashi tofu, but instead of tofu, it's mochi. I was skeptical at first, but ended up liking it a lot.

Izakaya Gazen

2840 Kapiolani Blvd

737-0230

Free parking; reservations recommended

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:30:00 -0800 Adopt a duckie for @ucpaofhi for a chance to win a Staycation at @MarriottHawaii or a trip to Vegas via @vacationshawaii http://nat808.posterous.com/adopt-a-duckie-for-ucpaofhi-for-a-chance-to-w http://nat808.posterous.com/adopt-a-duckie-for-ucpaofhi-for-a-chance-to-w

Mccully_duck_race_poster

UCPA of Hawaii is part of a nationwide network that provides education programs and supports research in cerebral palsy. All proceeds stay in Hawaii to help the families affected by cerebral palsy.

UCPA of Hawaii's biggest fundraiser is the annual Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race, held each year in March. Thousands of rubber duckies will be launched at 1:23 p.m. and will race down the Ala Wai Canal. The top 50 rubber duckies, and the last place duck, will win prizes for their adoptive parents - will one of those lucky winners be you?

Please support this great organization by adopting a duckie, or two, or ten. The more duckies you adopt, the greater your chances are of winning one of 51 fabulous prizes.

As part of the festivities, UCP is also hosting three Zumba classes, to be held at McCully Shopping Center on the morning of March 12, 2011, starting at 8:30 am.

A big mahalo to all of UCP's sponsors, volunteers, and donators for making this annual event possible.

For more information on this organization, visit our website at www.ucpahi.org.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:58:35 -0800 Cafe Kaila - Homestyle cooking http://nat808.posterous.com/cafe-kaila-homestyle-cooking http://nat808.posterous.com/cafe-kaila-homestyle-cooking Cafe Kaila is one of our favorite places for breakfast. There is plenty of parking, the staff is friendly, and the food is good. The restaurant is small, therefore if you want to avoid the crowds, go before 8am on the weekends.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:41:43 -0800 Rubber Duckies http://nat808.posterous.com/rubber-duckies http://nat808.posterous.com/rubber-duckies My rubber duckies have been training hard for this month's Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race. Come down and watch them race on Saturday March 26. Many ducks still need to be adopted in order to race. Can you help?

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0800 First Stop - Zippys http://nat808.posterous.com/first-stop-zippys http://nat808.posterous.com/first-stop-zippys

I went to college on the mainland. When I returned to the islands for summer, Christmas, and Spring break, the first stop upon arrival was always Zippys. Although my college days are long gone, I still like to go to Zippys for a quick, hot meal. What I like about Zippys is that there is always something for everyone at Zippys.

My husband loves their fried chicken plate

I love their saimin (with a side order of fries, which you can see in the background).

We both love their jello parfait :)

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/5AqqWHdpk0W5 nat808 nat808