Back from Aloha land.

Aloha cousins! I am back from paradise! Did you all miss me? xD
I just got back yesterday morning and am already back in the office slaving away. It's quite cold in Vancouver right now so I am nostalgic for the warm weather and beautiful beaches of Hawai'i. Maybe some food pics will cure my post holiday blues.

Da Poke Shack - 76-6246 Alii Dr
Kailua, HI

Yes, that is a bottle of beer next to the No Alcoholic Beverages Allowed sign. We like to live dangerously. (Not really, the shop owner said it was OK)

When in Hawai'i eat poke; lots and lots of poke. Poke is basically raw diced ahi tuna that is marinated in shoyu and served with rice. Our hotel in Kona was down the road from the famous Poke Shack and we ended up eating there 3 times during our stay. That green stuff is wakame or seaweed salad. I am seriously addicted to that stuff!!! Yume please teach me how to make it?

Basik Cafe - 75-5831 Kahakai Rd
Kailua-Kona, HI

Tried to balance out all the unhealthy eating and drinking with something healthy. This cafe served Acai berry smoothies and fruit bowls. So yummy, it was like eating red bean ice except it's not sweet.

Fish Hopper - 75-5683 Alii Dr
Kailua Kona, HI

Word of caution, don't eat beef on an island. Ok, Kobe beef in Japan is different, but seriously don't eat beef in Hawai'i. Mr. Nunu got the surf and turf and the beef tasted...odd. I had the swordfish instead and it was omg yummy!

Island Lava Java -  75-5799 Alii Dr Ste A1
Kailua Kona, HI

Their pastries and breads are made in house and their banana pancakes with macadamia nuts and COCONUT(!!!) syrup was so good I had them twice during my stay. Their eggs benedicts are served on a croissant instead of an English muffin and Mr. Nunu gives them his stamp of approval.

Big Island Grill - 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy
Kailua Kona, HI

"We are noodle folk, broth runs through our veins". Saimin is apparently Hawaii's answer to Japan's ramen and China's mein so of course we had to try it. It comprises of wheat egg noodles in a dashi broth with additions such as char siu, spam, egg, green onion, and wonton. It tastes quite interesting but won't replace ramen's place in my heart. In case you're wondering why the char siu is in a separate bowl it's because I don't eat pork xD

That concludes our Kona eats. Next up, Honolulu.

Morimoto's - 1775 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI

 Tuna and salmon tartare.

 Chef's sashimi plate

 Anchovy fondue dip thing

 Nigiri

 Surf and turf with curried lobster claw (upper right corner), beef medallions (upper left) and pork (lower left).

 Sweet potato cake and taro ice cream.

Ok, we are probably suckers but we went to Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's restaurant the night we arrived in Honolulu. We ordered the omakase, which means we were served the chef's creation, and a sashimi platter. I'm not gonna lie but the bill came out close to what we spend on groceries for a month -___-". Was it worth it? Nope, but it's a once in a lifetime kind of experience. The sashimi was seriously top notch, however, I feel the omakase at Octopus Garden was better both in quality and quantity.

L&L Drive Inn - everywhere

A visit to Hawai'i wouldn't be complete without a plated lunch from L&L. I met up with Kat of Mai-Kat Oshaberi on my second last day on the islands and she made my L&L dreams come true. She also drove me everywhere, listened to my whining, and fed me lots of yummy food. Thank you so much Kat!! The chicken katsu is so gooood!! The meat is pounded nice and thin and the coating is light and crispy!

 Nico's Pier 38 - 1133 N Nimitz Hwy
Honolulu, HI

This place is quite hidden to tourists. Their prices are pretty reasonable and my Ahi tuna with furikake crust was really good!!! Get the mussels instead of the clams.

Marukame - 2310 Kuhio Ave
Honolulu, HI

Assembly line udon that is really cheap ($3.75 a bowl!!!) and tasty! I don't even like eggs and I snarfled down their tempura half boiled egg.

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck - 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI

I will ask for Giovanni's shrimp scampi as my final meal. It is well worth the 1 hour drive from Honolulu. Just look at it! Garlicky buttery goodness. Ermahgerd, I am drooling just thinking about it right now.

And finally, the only form that Poi should ever come in. Fried poi mochi tastes just like Chinese sesame balls from dim sum.