Oahu

Sept 5, 2014

Cindy and I headed out in the morning to see more of the Island we didn’t get to the day before.  We had set out to see the Island the day before but needed to come back for lunch and to get ready for the Food and Wine event in the evening.  Today, we had the old day, so we went back to where we left off and drove.  I know I have done this drive before and there were things that I remembered and then there were things I didn’t.

All in all, a great day with many great sites.  I was glad that we got out of Waikiki, it isn’t representative of Hawaii’s.  Paradise Island doesn’t but Hawaii’s natural beauty makes you think if it did, it would look like this.

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Sept 4th, 2014

Me and Cindy in Honolulu magazine

What a night of eating, not to mention drinking and people watching.  It got a little surreal coming face to face with big name chefs who I have seen on TV time and time again including Top Chef, Iron Chef and various cooking shows.  I saw Ming Tsai, Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, Nancy Sliverton, Tom Doublass, Chef Thieery Rautureau, Charles Phan, Iron Chef Morimoto, Top Chef Master’s Art Smith.

Chef Roy Yamguchi saw me and “You are hot?”  I was surprised he said that and then he repeated it.  I laughed and said Very Hot.  He meant it literally, we had walked to the event and it was quite warm, I was sweaty.  FunfortunateI found the Ichiban beer with frozen foam and a corner that had AC.  I was  cool in no time!

Cindy and I were photographed by the local press and appeared in the Honolulu Magazine!

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Pork Belly Bao

September 4, 2014

My friend Cindy and I didn’t want to spend the entire day driving, we had a Food and Wine event at 5PM so we decided to find a lunch place.  I had found a place on Yelp called the Lucky Belly.  It was located in Honolulu’s Chinatown.

We went for lunch and loved it.  The place was small, cozy, trendy and the food and service were excellent.

We ordered Pork Belly Bao, Chicken Karaage Sandwich and Shrimp Gyoza.  Both Cindy and I were very impressed!  Maybe we will sneak in another meal there.

Afterwards we walked around the Chinatown local market.

We returned to the same place two days later after hiking.  We again ordered Pork Belly Bao and then we followed that up with Kim Chi and Shrimp ramen.  The restaurant is as good as it was the first time.

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September 4, 2014

I woke up early in the morning and took a long walk.  Last time I was in Waikiki was around 1990. when I took my parents to Hawaii using Frequent Flyer points.  I was doing a lot of travelling in the late 80’s and had been to Hawaii many times on business.  Waikiki has changed a lot since my last visit. The International market which sold tacky Hawaiian tourist gifts is gone (making room for a SACS fifth avenue) and there is a significant increase in upscale retail and chain restaurants.

After my walk, it was off to drive around the Island.   A few scenic stops before and after Hanauma Bay.  This was a change that was for the better, they have implemented educational videos which make it clear not to disturb the coral reefs and marine life.

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