Red Lobster-Honolulu

Red Lobster was a good choice. We decided on Red Lobster because we had a gift card. Along for the feast was Carissa's parents, brother and myself. We arrived for dinner and put out name in. They told us it would be around 20 minutes or so, which I didn't believe since there were a good 20+ people waiting outside. They do not take reservations or call-aheads, which is a bummer. After about 45 minutes we were asked if we wanted to squeeze into a booth, or wait for a table to open up. Now if I were about 100lbs lighter, I think the booth would have been "ok," but um yah, we waited this long, I think we can wait 5 more minutes for a table.
Our waiter was very friendly, and took our drink orders, brought us the drinks, then came back to get our food orders. After that, we got some hot biscuits from the oven. Very moist, cheesy and garlic-y. I ordered the choose 3- which I chose, fried shrimp, coconut shrimp, and wood grilled salmon ($22.99) Dinner came with a salad, and a side, I chose the baked potato (pictured above). Carissa decided on the "Ultimate Feast" which had a lobster tail, snow crab legs, Walt's fried shrimp, and shrimp scampi. She chose the mashed as her side. ($28.99). The food was really good. The crab was Carissa's favorite, and I really enjoyed the coconut shrimp. I would have to choose the fried shrimp at Bubba Gumps over RL, while the coconut shrimp here was better than Bubbas. Although the portions do not look very big, we all were very full walking out, and no one wanted dessert.
If you are going to dine here, please be prepared to wait, or come early to be seated right away.



1765 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 955-5656
Sun - Thurs: 11:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.
Fri - Sat: 11:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M.

Dong Yang Inn- Wahiawa

The best Meat-Jun you will ever eat.
When I lived on the mainland for college, this was the only food I missed (besides poke). I can make Chicken Katsu, loco moco, and other island favorites, but could never master the meat-jun like Dong Yangs. The sauce is awesome. It's better to eat there, where they give you chicken broth with your meal, as well as all the kim chee you want. Your plate also comes with potato-mac salad when you eat in. I remember eating here growing up and the plate of meat-jun was only $4.25, now it is $6.50 yet still a great price for a lot of food.
If you are ever in Wahiawa, or passing through, especially after the beach, stop in and order some meat jun, you will not be disappointed.

546 Olive Ave
Wahiawa, HI 96786
(808) 621-5031

Souvaly

Spicy.
Love Thai food. Can't wait to go to Thailand one day and enjoy some authentic dishes. My wife chose this place to celebrate her birthday. I had called for a reservation 4 days before, and we all looked forward to a new restaurant. The reservation was for 8pm. At 6 I got a call from them asking I we were still coming, because we should have been there at 5? Um, what? I told them no, it was suppose to be at 8pm, and they said that someone had written it down wrong. We still showed up at 8, and did not have any problems. We had a party of 8 and had ordered all sorts of different dishes. I started off with the fried calamari, which was very lightly breaded and deep fried. My wife chose the Island Curry (shown above) with chicken, medium spice. I had the fried chicken, very tasty with the same dipping sauce as the calamari. We also ordered some Pad Thai noodles (pictured below). I thought the food was very good, but was not thrilled with the service, as they really took their time to come by and see how we were doing. Sorta sucks when they automatically add the tip, due to the size of our party. Another thing I did not like is when they charge for every coke. Usually they tell you that there are no free refills on soft drinks. Nope, they just kept asking us if we wanted another one.
We probably will go back there, but I will stay away from the cokes!


803 Kam Highway
Pearl City, HI 96782
(808) 455-5888

You Hungry- Lunch Wagon

This white lunch wagon sits on the corner of South and Halekawila St. Prices range from $4.25 for a mini to $6.75 for a regular. I have tried both the garlic chicken (regular $5.75) and the garlic ahi with sweet wasabi sauce ($6.75). Your choice of brown or white rice, mac or toss salad, at no extra charge. There are many other things on the menu, like a Hawaiian Steak, pork adobo, hamburger steak, mushroom chicken, and fried poke, just to name a few.
The garlic ahi was great. Lightly breaded and fried, then covered with a sweet and spicy wasabi sauce then with black sesame seeds. The mac salad is sometimes pretty plain, with small bits of carrots and celery to add color. I think I will opt for the toss salad next time.
Sorry no picture, I was too hungry to take one, and when I figured out how much I liked it, it was too late. I will definitely go back and get a picture and phone number and update this blog.

If you are in the town area, I highly recommend trying out this little lunch stop.

Old Spaghetti Factory-Honolulu

Located in Ward Warehouse all the way at the end near Kincades. Fairly cheap prices and lots taste. I know there are many people who don't like eating here, but the wait is usually less than 15 minutes, and the food comes out pretty quickly. Plus, where else can you eat in a trolley car?
Hot fresh from the oven bread is served while waiting for your food. Salad is always fresh, (although iceberg lettuce) and order it with the creamy pesto dressing. I do tend to try and order different things when going places, but this place I always order the exact same thing. The pictures says it all, the Manager's Special $9 (choose 2) I opt for the meat sauce and brown butter mizithra cheese. Mix it up and enjoy. My wife ordered the Spinach tortellini with Alfredo sauce $9 (hat shaped pasta stuffed with meat and cheese, swimming in alfredo sauce). My sister in law went for the Spaghetti with browned butter and Mizithra cheese $8.20. If you are really hungry you can get a larger portion of spaghetti and more sauce for $1.95 more. Ask for the hearty meal. They offer a "complete meal" by adding a drink and some spumoni for dessert. Only $2.75 more. Not too bad.

If you are in town and not sure where to eat, give this place a chance.


Old Spaghetti Factory
1050 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96814
P:808.591.2513
Dinner menu link here.

Boston's Pizza-Kapolei

If you love pizza, do not eat here. Let me repeat that, DO NOT EAT HERE. Poor service, poor quality, very dry pizza dough and very expensive. Hmm, "home of Hawaii's largest slice" Yes, you do get a quarter of the pizza when you order a slice, but a 2 topping slice will cost you $6.25- I can get a good plate lunch or better combo meal for that price. It is a big piece, but when you bite into it, it is a big piece of crap. Tons of oil.

I will not eat here again, I hope no one ever eats here again, and so they would close and put something worthwhile in their spot.

Curry house- Ala Moana Shopping Center

Hot rice and curry. Sounds good huh? Now add your choice of chicken, beef, fish, crab, etc. All can be found at the Curry house. Plate is first loaded with rice, very HOT white rice, then covered with your choice of meat. My favorite is the fried chicken (or katsu) the covered with the spicy curry and lastly cheddar cheese on top. I never thought I would like the cheese, but it really brings out the flavors. That plate will run you $6.25. Eat in or take out, it is just as good. Do be careful if you eat in the restaurant, that plate comes out super hot. Give it a couple of minutes before diving in. I know it will be hard to restrain, but believe me, your tongue and roof of your mouth will thank me.

I would have to recommend this place for curry. A great comfort food.

Many locations to choose from- I just happen to work near Ala Moana.

(McCully, Ala Moana, Puck's Alley and Pearl Kai)

1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI, 96814
(808) 949-4590

Makino Chaya-Aloha Tower Marketplace

Cool breezes, open air seating, and tons of food. Select from salad and sushi station (30 types), hot food station which included bbq chicken, Wa-gyu Steak or burgers from Japan, a tempura line with shrimp, and veggie plus fried oysters,and shumai. Desserts which have a chocolate fountain for fruits and creme puffs, and more. An amazing variety of seafood, including Alaskan king crab, half-shell oysters, snow crab legs, dungeness crab, shrimp cocktail, sashimi, and miso butterfish. There is even a crepe station with fruits, whipped creme, chocolate and anything else you would want in your crepe.

Many people have put down this Makino in favor of another one, I have only been to this one, and the now closed Mililani site. Yes, there are a lot of people, parking is valet, or self park (during the day), which is free with validation from the restaurant. Over all the food is good. I normally eat lots of sushi, tempura, and the Wa-gyu steak. I can get my moneys worth on sushi alone.

If you are looking for a great lunch place check out this Makino Chaya- "Itadakimasu!"


Makino Chaya
Aloha Tower Marketplace
808-585-6360

D.K.'s Steakhouse-Marriot Hotel

30 Day Dry Aged Steaks. D.K.'s is located in the Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort up on the third floor. When calling for reservations, the earliest time we were given was 8P.m. on a Friday night. When we got there, many tables were vacant, as the set our table of four. We all sat down and started to take a look at the menu. A round of water came out, and my buddy immediately ordered the Monster Shrimp Scampi ($12.95). He was told by our waiter that it only came with 3 shrimp, and so a second order was placed. At the time the waiter came back with our drinks, we placed our orders. The two guys ordered the 22oz Bone-in Rib eye ($42.95) and added the "complete meal" ($8.95)which gave us a choice of soup or Caesar Salad, Vegetable du jour and a choice of Potato Soufflé or Steamed White Rice. We both got the salad, and Potato Souffle. The girls ordered the 14oz T-Bone as well as the complete meal. Warm bread was brought to the table along with butter that has cayenne pepper and tarragon infused in the butter.
After salads and soups were eaten, the steaks came out shortly after. Followed immediately by our potato stouffle and steamed vegetables. Chef recommends that the steaks be cooked medium rare (not my normal temperature, but I thought I better go with it, since it's a $43 steak). The Rib eyes came out Med. Rare, and the girls ordered the T-bones Medium. All came out prepared as ordered. The rib eyes, seemed as though they were "charred" as to keep the meat inside tender. I had a hard time cutting the meat as it seemed raw inside to me, awesome flavor, would have liked a less charred piece. The T-bones both looked awesome and cooked to perfection. Potato stouffle was made with garlic mashed potatoes, then placed into a baking dish, covered with Parmesan cheese and rebaked. To me, very dry, I would have liked just plain garlic mashed potatoes. The veggies were awesome, with string beans, green and white, as well as baby carrots. Perfect tenderness and crunch.
The desserts ordered was the chocolate-chocolate decadence cake (7.95) the Chocolate chip bread pudding ($7.95) as well as a Mango sorbet ($5.95). No dessert for me, I finished my steak! The cake was warm and gooey, with rich chocolate ice cream. The bread pudding was warm, very moist and gooey, more than my buddy liked. He is more of a fan of a dense cake. It was covered with a scoop vanilla bean ice cream. I was not offered a chance to try the mango sorbet. :( Oh the Monster shrimp. Um, they never came out. I'm not sure what happened, but when we started eating the steaks, we told the waiter to cancel the shrimp. He apologised but we were not given an excuse to why we never got our appetizer. Oh well.
I personally thought it was one of the best steaks I had ever had. My friends, and wife thought their steaks was good, but thought I had cooked some better ones on my grill at home. When asked the question...DK or RC (Ruth Chris). I would have to say, Ruth Chris. That sizzle and butter... mmmmm, but that is for another entry.

D.K.Steak House
2552 Kalakaua Ave.
Waikiki, HI 96822
808.931.6280

Dinner nightly from 5:30pm-10:00pm

Did the valet parking-cost me $12.00, and that is after validation from the restaurant.

Mililani Golf Course Restaurant

"ADOBO"
MMM What you see is a picture of a Kim Chee-Adobo Omelet. One of the greatest and tastiest omelets you will ever enjoy. The golf course not only has omelets, but other breakfast meals, such as waffles and the normal eggs, bacon, and rice, but also serves lunch and dinner. Lunches could be a plate lunch with their also famous "Hawaiian Steak" which is awesome, or club sandwiches with waffle fries. Prices are a bit steep, with the omelet going for $9.25, but easily could be shared by my wife and I. They have dinner buffets that change weekly, from a Hawaiian Night with Kalua pig, poi, long rice, to an Alaskan King Crab night, and even Puerto Rican night with pastele’s, gandule rice, bacalao salad. Service and touch and go. Sometimes we get served right away and food comes out quickly, other times, we are sitting there drinking 2 and 3 cups of coffee until we order our food. I think now that we hit up the golf-course a couple of times a month, they know us and we are served faster than before...either that or they have better servers now. All in all, if you never have had an adobo omelet (with or without kim chee) you need to try the Mililani Golf Course.

Side note: They also have fresh fish for poke, sashimi which you can purchase for take home. Also make pupu platters and lots of Filipino food. The Hawaiian Steak can also be purchased raw and ready for your grill at home. Just get one more pound then you think you will need. We always end up eating more of the steak than anything else at our cookouts.

95-176 Kuahelani Ave
808-625-2256
Daily 6a-8p

Ahi and Vegetable-Fort Street Mall, Honolulu

Ahi and Vegetable is located right across from HPU main building directly on Fort Street Mall. It is a small "hole in the wall" place, where if you are not looking for it, you will miss it. Look for the picture menu posted outside of the door. There's approximately 10 tables (2-4 person) for those wanting to eat-in, but you are guaranteed to find a line when ordering your meal. If possible get your food to go, find a nice bench or office lunchroom and enjoy.

Made famous by their Spicy Ahi vegetable salad. A generous helping of lettuce, some sliced carrots and cucumbers, topped with a nice size portion of spicy ahi. Served with their traditional mild dressing, this salad is a treat. Can also be ordered with plain ahi, poke, salmon, etc. All salads can be ordered with rice instead. Sushi rice, white or brown. Extra rice is given upon request. The price-$7. Not a bad deal. If you wish to order the "set" you can get your ahi-bowl, a small salad and miso soup for a couple bucks more. They also have a teriyaki chicken bowl with a small salad for 7 bucks.

Those were the two items I have tried. It's hard for me to move away from the spicy ahi salad and try something else.

Info:
1126 Fort St Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 599-3500
M-F only- lunch hours.