Sunday, January 30, 2011

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal from McDonald's

I used a coupon this morning to try the new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal from McDonald's.  It was crazy in the Palolo McDonald's at about 945am this Sunday morning.

The oatmeal is served in a bowl and appears to have all the fresh fruits already mixed into the oatmeal when I received it.  While I love the fresh fruit (mainly apples) in the oatmeal, I think overall it's too sweet for me.  Perhaps it's the maple flavor, but the raisins also taste very sweet.  It also seems to be more fruit than oatmeal.

After eating my oatmeal, I had my fruit & yogurt parfait.  Believe it or not, I think the oatmeal was a little sweeter than the parfait.

I would prefer the oatmeal to be less sweet with more oatmeal.  The maple might even be better if left separately so it can be added to taste. 

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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Chinese New Year #ILoveChinatown Party in Chinatown Honolulu

We went for a walk through the Chinatown Block Party tonight.  I had a black sugar jin dui & a peanutbutter crepe.

When we left at around 9p, the festivities were still going strong.  If your in the neighborhood, go check it out! 

#End
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Rick Nakama (R) GRI SFR SRES
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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Curry Broth Shabu Shabu at Sweet Home Cafe

A few days ago we were hungry early.   Like 430pm early so we went to Sweet Home Cafe for an early dinner because if you go anytime after 530pm, there is usually a line of people waiting.  When we got there at 445, there was no need to wait!  :)

This is the first time we tried the curry broth.  It was spicy and has a slight coconuty flavor.  It tastes like a Vietnamese style curry.  I really liked the flavor and it goes very well with rice if you don't want to get too much meat or vegetables to shabu shabu with.

We ended up coming home with about 60 ounces of curry broth because they offer to pack it up for you to take home.  I am almost certain they added more to it too, but I'm not complaining. 

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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Kissaten Cafe in Hawaiki Tower #FB

We stopped for lunch at Kissaten Cafe, a new Japanese coffee bar that opened up recently in the Hawaiki Tower.  It's a very cool looking place that's easily accessible from the street as long as you aren't driving.  They are on the Northeast corner of the building, visible from the sidewalk.
Kissaten Cafe (HTTP://KissatenCafe.com/) is open 24 hours.  I'm very impressed with this.  While I admit that I don't spend many nights out past 10pm anymore, I always wished for a 24 hour cafe around town and actually thought I wanted to open one (still do actually).  I'm not sure if they have any parking arrangements within the building, but there are metered street stalls right outside their doorstep.
Their website only has their drink menu, but they do serve sandwiches, soups and salads during lunch (the time we visited).  They mentioned that they also serve breakfast, but I don't know what is on their breakfast menu.
Since Kissaten Cafe calls itself "kissaten", a Japanese coffee shop, I felt it necessary to sample the quality of their americano even though I've already had one at home and a second at Barnes and Nobles just prior to arriving at Kissaten Cafe.  I had a solo americano and it was good.  I think they may be using Waialua coffee, but I am not certain.  Perhaps it's just a custom blend.  The other drinks at our table were a peach iced tea and a strawberry cream soda; both were good.
The lunch selection isn't very vast, but there were enough appetizing sounding items to choose from.  We ordered a Pulled Chicken Sandwich (the last order available), a Kissaten Melt sandwich, a Kissaten Salad and a Hamakua Tomato Bisque.
The Pulled Chicken Sandwich was served with a small cup of the Hamakua Tomato Bisque and some dipping sauce.  It tasted like a slightly vinegary "adobo" or a barbeque chicken.  I was good and I'm certain I'd eat it again.
The Kissaten Melt is a panini type grilled ham and cheese.  This was served with a little side of greens.  This tasted good and had a nice mustard dressing in the sandwich.  Definitely would eat this again.
The Hamakua Tomato Bisque is what I ordered along with the Kissaten House Salad.  The bisque exploded with sweet tomato flavors and went very well as a dip for the Kissaten Melt and the roll that was served with it.  The salad was nicely seasoned with a house soy dressing.  Paper thin slices of asparagus gave this salad an added flair.  I'd eat these again, but I would also like to try their Potato Leek Soup on my next visit.
I didn't test the wifi this time but that isn't really a big deal for me since I usually use my own internet connection anyway.  The seating appears to be ample with lots of seating for laptop users that don't necessarily want to sit at a regular table.  I did not notice any outlets to plug into, but I didn't really look for any.
Depending on how their food menu evolves and what is on it in the late night hours, I could see this cafe becoming a popular spot to lounge and meetup (tweetup) with friends for late night coffee and chit chat.  I certainly would've been here nightly if I was still out and about in the middle of the night, but those days are long gone for me (for now).  Who knows, I just may change my whole schedule just to take advantage of this 24 hour espresso bar!  ;)
@RickNakama


Le Crepe Cafe in Manoa #FB


This afternoon we stopped at Le Crepe Cafe in Manoa to pick up a couple of dessert crepes to go along with the Hamakua Mushroom Pizza we picked up for dinner at Fendu Boulangerie.

The inside of Le Crepe Cafe is very nicely decorated to feel like you're in France.  While I've never been to France, this is what it makes me feel like.  At least it sort of makes me feel like I'm in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

My tweeted photo, "picking up desserts (@ Le Crepe Cafe)" http://picplz.com/Vt89

They were out of strawberries this afternoon so we had them substituted with blueberries in both of our crepes.  Kelli chose the "Romeo & Juliet ".  It is described as strawberries, bananas & Nutella.
My tweeted photo, "the Romeo & Juliet w/Blueberry instead of Strawberries (@ Le Crepe Cafe)" http://picplz.com/Vt9s

I had the "Honey Lovers", honey, strawberries & bananas.
My tweeted photo, "Honey Lover's w/ Blueberries instead of Strawberries (@ Le Crepe Cafe)" http://picplz.com/Vt96

@RickNakama

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Blue Truck Teppanyaki Juicy Steak Plate #FB

*Trying to post again because of the annoying Android GMail App failure that keeps dropping my photo attachments!*

This afternoon we stopped to pick up dinner from the Blue Truck Teppanyaki food truck.  We usually see this truck parked here in the afternoons, but this was the first time we stopped to buy dinner there.

There isn't a lot to choose from.  I think it was just a choice of steak, chicken, hamburger steak or "steak rolls" for main plates.  There are also some vegetable side orders that you can order.

We ordered 2 "Juicy Steak Plates" ($7) & a side order of eggplant ($2). The steak was ok.  It wasn't the most tender steak that I've ever had, but it wasn't necessarily tough.  The steak is served with steamed white rice, grilled round onion, grilled zucchini, corn and some teriyaki sauce in a little dipping cup.   

I hear the hamburger steak is the best in the world here so I think I will try it the next visit.

@RickNakama

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Blue Truck Teppanyaki Juicy Steak Plate #FB

This afternoon we stopped to pick up dinner from the Blue Truck Teppanyaki food truck.  We usually see this truck parked here in the afternoons, but this was the first time we stopped to buy dinner there.

There isn't a lot to choose from.  I think it was just a choice of steak, chicken, hamburger steak or "steak rolls" for main plates.  There are also some vegetable side orders that you can order.

We ordered 2 "Juicy Steak Plates" ($7) & a side order of eggplant ($2). The steak was ok.  It wasn't the most tender steak that I've ever had, but it wasn't necessarily tough.  The steak is served with steamed white rice, grilled round onion, grilled zucchini, corn and some teriyaki sauce in a little dipping cup.   

I hear the hamburger steak is the best in the world here so I think I will try it the next visit.

@RickNakama

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