The Counter-Kahala

The Counter to me, is an upscale burger joint. Located at Kahala Mall, right across from Chillis, this new burger place was crowded. We put our names in, and had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. While we were waiting, they gave us all an "order sheet" for the BYOB (Build Your Own Burger) section. You start off with choosing Beef, Turkey, Veggie, or Grilled Chicken. From there you pick the size, 1/3, 2/3, or 1lb. Starting at $8.95, and up from there. You choose 1 cheese, anything from Gruyere to Tillamook Cheddar, and any other selection sets you back another buck. Moving on to toppings. You can choose up to 4, from Red Onions, Jalepenos, sprouts, to then the "premium toppings" which all are $1 more. Things like Honey Cured Bacon, or even Kim Chee. Next was a sauce, they had a lot to choose from, 18 to be exact. Teriyaki, Honey Mustard, and even plain Mayo. So the burger I built was Beef (of course) the 2/3 patty ($10.95) then I had Horseradish Cheddar cheese, red onions, dill pickle chips, grilled onions, and grilled pineapple. For my sauce, roasted garlic Aioli, on top of a hamburger bun. We also ordered some Fried Dill Pickle chips ($4.95) and Sweet Potato Fries ($4.95). The fried pickles were good, but very small portion, the fries were awesome and came with plenty to share.

Below is a picture of my burger. It was ordered Medium Well. Grilled onion and melted cheese on top, the red onions, pickles on the bottom. I had already removed the grilled pineapple and ate it on the side.


They had other things to choose from, such as ordering your burger/chicken/veggie as a "bowl." This would be on a bed of baby greens, no bun. Also had BLT, Ham & Swiss ($7.50) a Loco Moco, some desserts, a very good looking peanut butter shake, but we were too full to try anything else.

We were all very pleased with our visit to The Counter, and look forward to stopping back in to try other things on the menu.

The Counter
4211 Waialae Ave E-1
Honolulu, HI 96816
808.739.5100
thecounterburger.com

Summer Frappe

After enjoying a Saturday morning walking through ChinaTown, picking up fresh vegetables, and other little eats, my wife and I stumbled onto Summer Frappe. I walked right past it, headed to pick up some manapua and pork hash for my dad. We then walked back to the window and gazed at all the fresh fruit in the glass case.
Since my wife spent a year of school in the Philippines, her first instinct was to see if they sold a green mango smoothie. She likes them sour. I looked at all the pictures on the wall from pineapple to avacado, and even jackfruit. No green Mango.
All smoothies ranging from $3.50 to $4.50. I thought, why not, let's give it a try. When there was no picture of a green mango smoothie, I asked the lady if she could make one. "No problem" she said as she walked in the back to get a nice fresh, green mango. She then asked if she wanted it really sour, or with some sweetness. My wife, not liking too much sugar, said, very little sweet. The lady making the drink asked if we had ever been to the Philippines, as most of the people who ask for green mango, are her Filipino customers. I told her that I didn't but my wife had. Within 2 minutes the drink was done, and it was just what my wife thought it would be. The drink had a nice sour taste of green mango, with a small hint of sweetness. Too sour for me, but my wife liked it.
We will definately be back to Summer Frappe, when we are in ChinaTown again.

82 N Pauahi St
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 772-9291

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.