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The Little Oven

Jun15

Can I start this post off with a “lol”?  It sounds terrible but The Little Oven remains ever as mysterious as ever.  For those who don’t know of The Little Oven, they were a small little bakery/dessert place.  When they had first opened a few years ago, they received nothing but acclaim.  Why?  Because they make amazing desserts!  I was a frequent customer and then the shop suddenly disappeared.  Well, their storefront always remained but they never opened their doors again.  While I understand circumstances change, what bothered me most was the lack of communication.  They have a webpage, twitter, instagram and a facebook!   They could have even gone old school and posted a sign on their door!  So the fans soon became angry and start posted one star reviews on Yelp – it really made me sad to see.  Their food deserves five stars for sure.

Well about 6 months ago, a miracle happened!  The Little Oven posted a new update and opened their doors for service once again.  I was ecstatic!  My friend and I headed over and got a seat at the counter and anxiously waited for our desserts.  The staff was exactly the same, even the waiter!  In fact, I couldn’t believe he recognized us!  Let me share some pictures from that night…

Coffee Cake

Coffee Cake

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Sweet E’s Cafe

Jun13

I love breakfast food, don’t you??  That would explain why I have posted breakfast two days in a row.  I really wish McDonald’s would carry breakfast all day long, I bet they would make so much more money.  I’d take their breakfast platters over the other food anytime.  Sweet E’s Cafe is a cute little breakfast/brunch place located in Kapahulu.  It’s a nice place to eat but it is very busy and their parking lot is very very limited.  I had to parallel park on the street which I hate doing but it was well worth the effort!  On to the pictures!

Corned Beef Hash Eggs Benedict

Corned Beef Hash Eggs Benedict

What can I say? I'm a sucker for runny yolks...this was delicious! And you can definitely tell the corned beef hash was homemade.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for runny yolks…this was delicious! And you can definitely tell the corned beef hash was homemade.

Stuffed...

Stuffed…

French...

French…

Toast!! Star of the meal and it was heavenly. This one is the blueberry cream cheese stuffed french toast with fresh fruits.

Toast!! Star of the meal and it was heavenly. This one is the blueberry cream cheese stuffed french toast with fresh fruits.

This meal was a winner all around.  Homemade corned beef hash, how often do you find that in a restaurant?  The stuffed french toast?  I don’t even like french toast and I loved this dish.  I can’t wait to get back here to try more food, I just gotta get out here on a random weekday so it’s not so busy.  Definitely try this place out.

 

 

 

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Eggs ‘n Things – Ala Moana

Jun12

Eggs ‘n Things has been a breakfast institution in Hawai’i for years.  Unfortunately, I never got a chance to try them in Waikiki.  I hate to admit it but it takes a lot for me to try a place if they do not have good parking – I guess I could never make the jump.  They did however open a new location in Ala Moana about 6-7 months ago and I had to give it a try!  I saw that the reviews on Yelp were pretty bad against this place but I still wanted to try it myself!  While my experience wasn’t bad, it definitely was not good.  The prices for this place are expensive for the same portion and quality as other breakfast joints.

Waffle with Strawberry Whip Cream w/ Nuts - $12.75 (!)

Waffle with Strawberry Whip Cream w/ Nuts – $12.75 (!)

Corned Beef Hash ($9.95), nothing special - not worth the price

Corned Beef Hash ($9.95), nothing special – not worth the price

Sunrise Chicken (?) - the dish was okay, pricey

Sunrise Chicken (?) – the dish was okay, pricey

All in all, it was a pretty lackluster meal.  There were a lot of Japanese tourists around so maybe it is more of a tourist trap.  The food quality was not bad for my visit (although reviewers on Yelp might differ in opinion on their food) – I just don’t think it’s worth the price.

 

 

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La Cucina Ristorante Italiana

Jun10

When La Cucina Ristorante Italiana was opening up, I got really excited.  A lot of people in Hawaii are excited for an Olive Garden to open up in Hawaii but I don’t see what the big deal is.  The first time I got to try Olive Garden, I was super excited and thought everything was great!  Now that I’ve been to Olive Garden a few times, I am no longer a fan.  The last meal I had there was terrible and I will never forget it.

Anyhow, La Cucina Ristorante Italiana is very busy and they do not take reservations for less than 4 people.  This restaurant is also a one man kitchen so the wait for food takes a bit longer.  It’s a small space and there are only two tables against the wall that seat 2.  I went on a weekday right at 5:30 pm and got a table, thank god!  By the way, the street parking fronting these shops open up at 5:30 pm as well…I lurked around the corner until it was 5:30 pm exactly and made a run for it…lol.  Ohhh let’s get to the food pictures!

As Ina Garten would say, GOOD Olive OIl and Balsamic Vinegar for your bread

As Ina Garten would say, GOOD Olive OIl and Balsamic Vinegar for your bread

My attempt at an arty shot of water. This is the bottle they leave at your table for water refills. Love it.

This is the bottle they leave at your table for water refills. Love it.

Crostini Al Porcini - A nice slice of melted mozzarella lays hidden underneath a mixture of porcini mushrooms, basil and truffle oil. Delicious!

Crostini Al Porcini – A nice slice of melted mozzarella lays hidden underneath a mixture of porcini mushrooms, basil and truffle oil. Delicious!

Trenette Aragosta - it usually comes with tagliolini but I really wanted to try the trenette style pasta. It was a great choice.

Trenette Aragosta – it usually comes with tagliolini but I really wanted to try the trenette style pasta. It was a great choice.

I always try to get a fork shot of the noodles. Delicious looking right?

I always try to get a fork shot of the noodles. Delicious looking right?

I can’t wait to get back to this restaurant and try more dishes.  I gotta admit, the difficulty in getting a table has prevented me from returning as of yet.  If you’re going to take your guest to any Italian restaurant in Hawaii, you need to get them to this restaurant.  I really want to try their Osso Buco but have read that you need to order this ahead of time and I assume they will only put in this order if you have a reservation.  So when you get together a table of four, do it!

 

 

 

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Hot Woks Cool Sushi in Chicago

Jun6

I have been to Chicago twice in the past 2 years and may be going again near the end of the summer.  The first trip?  Strictly vacation.  I had a great time, the weather was brisk and I really got a feel for Chicago.  The second time was this past February to accompany my cousin to her Pharmacy School interview.  While this trip was unplanned, it could not have been more perfect!  One thing I have wanted to see in all my life was snow and this trip provided that.  Not only did I get to see and touch snow, on one of my last days, I actually got to see snow fall from the sky.  It really was a dream come true.  I’m sure I’ll post the snow pictures soon after this post.  It was pretty funny because when we checked into the hotel, I was told that it was a weird winter for Chicago and that this was the first snow they had all year!  Absolutely magical for this Hawaii girl.

Anyhow, I wanted to share some pictures from this restaurant with you.  I went to this restaurant on both trips and plan to go back if I go again!  When I look up the reviews for Hot Woks Cool Sushi, they are pretty mediocre.  This restaurant is also located right across the street from Cloud Gate so it is probably considered a tourist trap.  I don’t mind though – I’ve enjoyed both meals I had.

Tuna Avocado Salad - amazing dressing!

Tuna Avocado Salad – amazing dressing!

Caterpillar - Signature Sushi Roll

Harajuku – Signature Sushi Roll

These rolls include yellow tail, seared albacore, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro with orange and black tobikko outer covering.

These rolls include yellow tail, seared albacore, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro with orange and black tobikko outer covering.

HOT WOKS Noodles

HOT WOKS Noodles

House specialty. Stir-fry with chicken, shrimp, spinach noodles & mixed vegetables in sweet/tangy sauce. Includes jalapeno peppers.

House specialty. Stir-fry with chicken, shrimp, spinach noodles & mixed vegetables in sweet/tangy sauce. Includes jalapeno peppers.

I also appreciate this restaurant for their clean bathrooms!  After exploring Cloud Gate and the park, it’s nice to settle into a warm and cozy restaurant for some good food and a restroom break.  I think I’ve had good food for both visits, nothing to complain about.  Check them out if you are out in Chicago!

 

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Salt – bar & kitchen

Jun5

Disclaimer: Super old review and pictures.  Okay maybe not super old but I am pretty sure these pictures are at least 2 years old. If you have followed me at all, you know that I used to run a food blog and well, I haven’t updated that in years as well.  I’ve been more active on Yelp for sure.  Anyhow, this is a review of Salt – bar & kitchen.  I went to this restaurant when it was fairly new and I understand the menu has undergone some changes since then, but good food lasts the test of time!

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Fois Gras - so good yet so bad

Fois Gras – so good yet so bad

I can't remember what this was! Looks like grapefruit and raw fish - it wasn't very memorable as you can see

I can’t remember what this was! Looks like grapefruit and raw fish – it wasn’t very memorable as you can see

House Charcuterie Platter

House Charcuterie Platter – includes Head Cheese!

Pork Stuffed Calamari

Pork Stuffed Calamari

Bread Pudding (french toast, tarragon anglaise, kula strawberries)

Bread Pudding (french toast, tarragon anglaise, kula strawberries)

Salt provided a good experience.  We went fairly early so there weren’t a lot of customers yet.  The food was good but nothing was so good that made me want to rush back here to dine again (which I haven’t).  I’d say the best dish of the night was the bread pudding.  I mean, I don’t even like bread pudding and this dish blew me away.  And tarragon, who knew it would work so well with this bread pudding?  It was amazing.  My friend went back to this restaurant not too long ago and I heard that this dessert is no longer on the menu.  Now I’m bummed and definitely won’t be rushing back.

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Bichiumaya in Shinjuku

Jun3

Before I made the trip out to Japan, I had to do a lot of research on Japanese eateries!  The research definitely yielded some great rewards but in the end, I was unable to find a few due to the fact that I don’t know a lot of Japanese and being unfamiliar with the area.  One of my first meals in Japan was located right in my neighborhood, Shinjuku.  I found Bichiumaya thanks to the Tokyo Cuisine Guide.  His blog is so useful for us tourists – he shows a lot of pictures and tells you what you should order.  If I hadn’t read his entry, I would never have been able to eat what I ate there!

SURUMEIKA NO BUTTER SHOYU YAKI (Grilled squid with butter and soy sauce)

SURUMEIKA NO BUTTER SHOYU YAKI (Grilled squid with butter and soy sauce)

NEGI KAKE TSUKIMI NIKUTAM (Okonomiyaki with green onions & fried egg)

NEGI KAKE TSUKIMI NIKUTAM (Okonomiyaki with green onions & fried egg)

MOCHI CHEESE NIKUTAMA (Okonomiyaki with cheese & sticky rice cake)

MOCHI CHEESE NIKUTAMA (Okonomiyaki with cheese & sticky rice cake)

This was one of the best meals we had in Japan.  We didn’t realize how big the portions would be and had to get a take-out bag.  I felt so bad especially since I read that you aren’t supposed to do take-out in Japan.  The squid was the best squid I have ever tasted.  Perfect seasoning and oh so tender.  The egg in the second picture was really one egg that had two yolks!  I was amazed by that.  Wonderful food and start to my trip in Japan.

Shinjuku, Japan – April 2012

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