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Tag Archives: featured_eating

FUUD: Hanaki in Manoa Marketplace

by Catherine Toth on April 1, 2011 in Food, Musings, The Daily Dish

Last year my parents debated between Waioli Tea Room and Hanaki, both in Manoa, for our annual Christmas Eve dinner.

Waioli won out for two reasons: 1) My mom had always wanted to eat there and 2) Hanaki, we had heard, was different.

The restaurant tucked in the back of Manoa Marketplace was once a favorite spot for my family, back when it offered a Japanese buffet.

But recently it changed, adopting the whole hot pot trend we’ve been seeing lately.

And I wasn’t sure what to expect.

So on my birthday, my parents decided to take me to Hanaki — to check it out. And let’s just say, I’m going again next week.

Here’s what my birthday dinner looked like:

Hanaki, Manoa Marketplace, 2756 Woodlawn Dr. Phone: (808) 988-1551

Comments { 22 }

FUUD: Cafe Sistina on King Street

by Catherine Toth on March 11, 2011 in Musings, The Daily Dish

Who would have thought a meat lasagna and ragu bolognese would have been our last meals?

It almost was, had that 8.9-magnitude earthquake off Honshu, Japan generated a destructive tsunami that hit our Islands. (Luckily, it wasn’t too bad. Surges caused extensive damage to piers and boats docked at Keehi Small Boat Harbor and flooding on the Big Island and Maui.)

We had just been served our entrees when I got a text message about the earthquake, then reported as a 7.9-magnitude. I immediately got on Twitter and started posting whatever I could find online.

Then the earthquake magnitude was upgraded. Then we heard a tsunami hit the Japan coastline. Then we saw the video of the wave — and we knew this might be bad.

We inhaled the tirimisu, cleared the check and bolted out of the restaurant to pack and evacuate.

So here’s what was “almost” my last meal:

Cafe Sistina, 1314 S. King St. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:30-9:30 p.m. weekdays, 5:30-930 p.m. weekends. Phone: (808) 596-0061

Comments { 4 }

FUUD: Jose's Mexican Cafe & Cantina

by Catherine Toth on February 25, 2011 in Food, Musings, The Daily Dish

By about the fifth mile, I knew exactly what I wanted.

An icy margarita. In a pitcher.

So the plan was, after we survived the eight-mile Great Aloha Run on Monday, we were heading to Jose’s Mexican Cafe & Cantina in Kaimuki for margaritas. I mean, lunch.

So here’s what we ate:

Jose’s Mexican Cafe & Cantina, 1134 Koko Head Ave. Lunch hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: (808) 732-1833

Comments { 6 }

FUUD: Azul at Ko Olina

by Catherine Toth on February 11, 2011 in Food, Musings, The Daily Dish

If you think there’s no place to eat on Oahu’s West Side, 1) you haven’t been there lately and 2) you certainly haven’t been to Azul at the Ihilani.

This award-winning signature restaurant on the property of JW Marriott’s luxurious resort at Ko Olina employs a farm-to-table approach to fine dining. Vegetables are locally sourced (and often organic) from nearby Mao Organic Farms and others in Waimanalo. Fish are selected from day boats and short-trip long-line boats from Honolulu, Kauai and the Big Island. And all of the beef on the menu are organic and hormone-free.

And did I mention the extensive wine list, with more than 250 labels from all over the world?

Here’s what we ate on a recent trip to Azul:

Azul, 92-1001 Olani St., Ihilani, Ko Olina. Hours: Dinner and wine bar, 6-9 p.m. daily. Phone: 808) 679-0079

Comments { 10 }

FUUD: Sorabol the best Korean eats?

by Catherine Toth on January 7, 2011 in Food, Musings, The Daily Dish

I love Korean food.

You name it, I’ll probably eat it.

And it’s not because I watch Korean dramas. (I don’t.) And it’s not because I love spicy foods. (I do, but my stomach doesn’t.)

It’s the big, robust, no-shame flavors of this cuisine that make it one of my favorites.

So I’m always looking for the restaurant that’s going to serve me the best.

I’ve asked my friends — virtual and real-life ones — what Korean restaurants rank in their Top 3. Consistently, Sorabol Korean Restaurant on Keeaumoku Street make the list. Sometimes at the top, sometimes rounding out the three.

The thing is — and I can already hear the hush of shock — I have never been there. Never. I’ve wanted to — and I’ve been asked to go, especially by my girlfriend, Luana, who can’t seem to live without Korean food — but I just never went. Mostly because I have hole-in-the-wall mainstays that I’m loyal to. And mostly because I didn’t buy the hype.

So the other day, I caved. (Well, and I was craving meat juhn.) So I went.

Here’s what our recent visit looked like:

Agree? Or got a better Korean place for me to try? Post your favorites here. I’m all ears!

Sorabol Korean Restaurant,, 805 Keeaumoku St. Phone: 808-947-3113.

805 Keeaumoku St
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 947-3113

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To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

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