Win-Spuntino – Kaimuki, HI

I’m still around! I think it’s time for a little break so I can focus on staying alive…lol. Last week was another whopper but I got through it, yay! Once this semester is over, I will go back to regular blogging again. I don’t know if I can take two classes in the same semester again. Or if I do, I should do it in Spring semester rather than Fall. I hope you are all doing great! I’ll do quick updates here and there as I can.

Here is one of them! A recent lunch I had from Win-Spuntino. Still a good deal but this dish is still way too rich. There’s a lot of oil so I spent my time trying to eat it…while also draining it. The amount of garlic is awesome and I love garlic. They usually serve their dishes with linguine which is what I prefer but this is the second time they ran out of linguine. I don’t get how – it’s their primary noodle and I was one of the first customers of the day.

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141013-02Shrimp Scampi – $11.25

 

Candi’s Cafe – Kalihi, HI

I am alive! I had two papers due this week so I really had to hunker down and get them done. I am happy to say I got both of them in and on time. I still have papers and presentations to prep for but I am going to give myself a little free time tonight. I’ll get down and dirty again tomorrow. Work is also nuts! It’s not a good combination. I’ve been told I look tired and I believe it. I hope you folks are prepared for the potential storm! This one felt like it really crept on us yeah? I think I’m pretty prepared. I do have to fill up gas but I’m afraid to check out the lines. I wish there were cameras all over so I coud look before leaving the house. I hope Hawaii doesn’t have much damage from this storm like the last two we were preparing for. Anyway, just wanted to share a review of Candi’s Cafe today. I’ve been dying to try them out, now that I have, I’m good. The staff there are super nice but the food was mediocre. Let me explain…

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141017-02Burger and Fries. My friend had this plate, she was not impressed. It was nice to see a hand formed patty but it was dry and not flavorful. What a shame…

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141017-04Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

This was my dish. Meh, it wasn’t great. The sauce was a bit rich. The shrimp had a bit of a freezer burn taste and they cut it into small chunks which I thought was hiding how little shrimp they give. What made it worst was the long wait we had! It was almost 30 minutes. I highly suggest you phone in orders early if you don’t want to wait. Limited parking too.

Liliha Bakery – Liliha, HI

I still haven’t checked out the Nimitz location and I’m not sure if I plan to anytime soon. I guess I’m gonna try to stay loyal to the original. I hardly get to eat at their diner but when I do, it’s always so nice. They just serve very simple comfort food. Nothing fancy but something about it is just so nice. One night, after running a ton of errands, I had very little options of what I could eat for dinner. I stumbled upon Liliha Bakery and they had just enough seats for us! It was fate. I didn’t get too many pictures but I will share my meal here!

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Famous Butter Rolls with their own jelly. This is the famous neon jelly I see in all the pictures. I don’t know if I was starving or what…but this tasted SO GOOD. I don’t even usually like jelly/jam but this was so ono. The freshly toasted buttery roll with the sweet (but not crazy sweet) jelly, I am salivating as we speak. I want to return back just to order a bunch of these to gobble down at home.

141011-02Here is what I got for dinner. Meat loaf with gravy, rice and tomato salad. Um, for those who go to Liliha Bakery – do they just throw a glob of mayonnaise onto the salad? Hahaha I know it wasn’t ranch but I’m a bit afraid to think it really was just a glob of mayonnaise (it was huh?).

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How was the meat loaf? I thought it was all right. Tasted very home cooked – nothing spectacular but edible. Do you know what I mean? I would definitely come back again! Wish I knew when their slow times for the diner was…

St. Louis Drive In – Kaimuki, HI

I’m happy to report that St. Louis Drive In has a green pass sign on their window. Does it make the place look any cleaner? Umm…I’ll let you be the judge…hehe. I gotta say, some of the best food comes from not so shiny places…unless I get sick – I’m fine with them. I didn’t have much options for food one day so I decided to clog my arteries all in one place. I ordered two plates from St. Louis for my day’s meals. Oh boy…I can say both had gravy so you already know what kind of food I went for…

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Loco Moco for breakfast. One burger patty, eggs over easy, gravy and rice. I think I missed the breakfast run so this was being served as a lunch plate, hence the mac salad.

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Onto my second meal…lol. This was roast pork with gravy. What can I say about this? Don’t get it. First thing, the pork slices are super fatty. I enjoy a bit of fat on meat but this was a bit ridiculous. And…a few slices were SUPER salty. Like so salty that it was bitter and I had to spit it out. I think this is the second time I’ve tried their roast pork and both times were duds. It’s really too bad.

Flowers

Hey y’all. Did you guys get the big downfall about an hour ago? Felt like it came outta nowhere yeah?? Today was Monday and it was pretty busy. I went into work on both Saturday and Sunday to get some work done and the no air conditioning did me more bad than good. I got nothing done! And look at me here tonight. I’ve done no homework tonight. I’ve mainly been prepping my old iPhone to give to my Dad. I’m a bit afraid of what he will do to it but it is time for him to move up and away from the flip phones. I had class tonight and we started watching a really interesting documentary, I was sad that class was over before the documentary ended! Who ever says they were sad class ended yeah?

Anyway, as I mentioned – last week was the anniversary of my mom’s passing. I drove out to Kaneohe in the morning and bought her some nice flowers. It was a nice trip and it was nice visiting her and putting out the flowers. I forgot about the wetness of Kaneohe and walked around in slippers, big mistake. I got back to work at a pretty good time, I didn’t have traffic both ways! Well, I hope you folks have a great week!

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Cafe Miro – Waialae, HI

What is up with Halloween costumes? I really wanted to find some costumes for Frozen but they only make them for kids! Okay, I know it was a kid movie but the characters are all women! Then finally I see adult costumes for Frozen and…umm…they’re adult costumes if you get my drift. Why? Let’s not even get into how all womens halloween costumes are so…ADULT. Anyway, so I’ll have to change my course and do something else. I might shoot for Minnie Mouse. Did you know Disney only makes kids costumes? I think they are missing a major market!

This weekend was hot yah? When is the autumn coming for us? I want rain and cold weather! Cold weather for Hawaii anyway. Next week is gonna be killer. I might just turn into a hermit because of what I have due coming up! Things should loosen up after October, a bit! This is gonna be a graphic heavy post. Cafe Miro is one of my favorite restaurant in Hawaii. A bit of a hidden gem and so great. The food and service, can’t be beat. It’s a cute little Japanese French restaurant. Let’s get to the food!

141006-01Here is the complimentary amuse-bouche (they change it up). It was a cold paprika soup. The flavor was good – tasted like fresh bell pepper. Was it the favorite of the night? No. Would I order it if it were on the menu, no. But if you like cold soups and bell pepper, this is perfect for you.

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Chef’s Appetizer Tasting Plate – this comes with the Prix Fixe Menu (3 Course). You all have to try this appetizer! It’s legit!

141006-03Devilled Egg with an olive and prosciutto on top – this was alright. Not great, not the best.

141006-04Crab Croquette. This was good! Look at all the flakes of crab in there, it’s served on top of a tomato marinara type sauce. It was good but not my favorite of the dish.

141006-05You had me at herb butter sauce, Oyster. It was good, I wish oysters didn’t shrink when cooked! I love oysters.

141006-06This is why I need to post quicker because I totally forgot what this dish is. It’s a cold one and gelatinous. Shrimp based gelatin on the bottom, a cauliflower (I believe?) puree layer (thankfully it didn’t taste like cauliflower) and an edamame on top. This was one real interesting dish. You know what the shrimp gelatin reminded me of? The flavor of shrimp chips – the ones that look like small crinkle fries. I don’t think I appreciated it that night as much as I do now….because I would love to try it again!

141006-07LOBSTER. Okay, so the prix fixe menus all come with appetizers but you are able to upgrade your appetizer by paying a bit extra. Kristian went for the Roasted Spiny Lobster Tail with Nantua Sauce which cost $8.oo extra, I’d say it was worth the extra $8! He loved it.

141006-08Rib Eye Steak with Red Wine Mustard Sauce with Maui Onions. This was Kristian’s dish, I’m starting to wonder if he substituted the sauce because he loves teriyaki sauce. Please do let me know Kristian if you see this. He was head over hills for this steak! I got to taste a bit and yeah, I would be too!

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141006-10Roasted Rack of Lamb with Shiitake Mushroom and Mint Sauce – oh my gosh. It was so good! Sorry for those who don’t like rare meat, I enjoy seeing blood in mine! You are welcome to add a 3rd chop if you want to for either $7 or $8. I was fine with the normal portion. Was perfect!

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And of course, you end the meal with dessert! We decided to try two different ones just for fun. This is the assorted cheese and walnut raisin bread. It was okay, I wouldn’t get it again.

141006-12I would get this one again! Kona Coffee Ice Cream, Creme Brulee, Japanese Cheesecake – WHO WOULDN’T WANT THIS??

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Ono Korean BBQ – Kalihi, HI

How did I not know about this new Korean BBQ joint opening up in K-town?? I was on the hunt for dinner one night and found this place last week. It’s called Ono Korean BBQ and they opened up in Palama Supermarket’s old location. That shopping center is really opening up some great food joints with more to come. I saw a sign for a new Chinese dim sum take-out place coming soon. Anyway, Ono Korean BBQ is a lot like Yummy’s in terms of take-out plates. They have a very clean store with nice seats and tables. They also have more soup options even though I still went for the Yuk Gae Jang. The prices are a bit higher than Yummy’s but I believe they give great portions and the quality is there. I only had a soup this time but I do plan to return soon and will share more then.

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Yuk Gae Jang – $10.99 (with rice and 4 vegetables, you can get the soup on its own for cheaper)
Although it is bright red, it was not spicy at all. They even asked if I wanted it spicy and I said yes, lol.

141001-02It’s the little touches that count. I appreciate them wrapping up the soup container in it’s own bag to prevent spillage.

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141001-04From left to right:
Mayonnaise Potatoes – The potatoes are cooked great. The seasoning is sweeter and not as garlicky as I would like. I wouldn’t get it again.
Choy Sum – Definite favorite of the 4. Cooked perfectly and tastes great.
Bean Sprouts – Nothing special, a bit bland.
Cucumber Kimchee – I didn’t like this initially but grew to like it. It is marinated with slivers of onion and carrots.

141001-05The soup – one of the best I have had. I was never a fan of yuk gae jang before but this one was great. Also, they give you so much stuff! Very generous portions.