Mochi Set

This mochi set combines so many of the things I love (sugar, Japanese design, pretty packaging) and trumpets what I call "the power of cute."

It looks like Hello Kitty herself designed these sweet treats and put them in gingham check baking cups.  When I was at the Japanese department store, Shirokiya, at the  Ala Moana  shopping center in Honolulu, there were beautiful packages like this filling refrigerated cases. 

The store is a truly a department store (see map) filled with stations selling accessories, paper goods, electronics, cosmetics and then an unbelievable selection of freshly prepared hot and cold dishes.  I was marveling at the sheer number of employees required to staff each station. 

While I have never been to Japan, it is not hard to see what a treasure Shirokiya would be to the Japanese living and working in Hawaii.  Every where you look, an authentic taste of Japan is at your finger tips.

Honolulu: Waikiki: Royal Hawaiian

Today's moment of delight is about location, location, location.  I knew that I wanted to go to a restaurant on Waikiki Beach to have dinner and watch the sun go down.  A friend had told me about the Barefoot Bar at Duke's Waikiki and although I loved the setting, menu and mood of the place (think "The Love Boat" meets Jimmy Buffet), but Corinne and I couldn't stand the volume of the live music.  She told me that she was sure we would like it at a place she had in mind, just down the beach.  I reluctantly gave up our coveted spots at Duke's, bought a t-shirt for Dan and followed Corinne down the strip.

Rule #1, always listen to Corinne.  She took me directly to the Royal Hawaiian and the photo above is the view from our table, and it's a great place to get a picture of Diamond Head.

We had this gorgeous, yet still beach-y and casual meal, in this perfect (and I mean perfect) beach side restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian.  The music was light and relaxing, we had a table closer to the ocean than I thought was possible and I loved it.  Plus, the hotel has a lot of history (Bing Crosby, Elvis) and it was fun strolling the shops in the lobby and the shades of pink Ladies Lounge (bathroom) with mirrors and sofas had a design and scale that was right out the movies.   

And I got my sunset.  The waitress knew we were there to see it from our beach table, so she made it easy for us to stay as long as we wanted.  You must, must, must make time to have a meal at  beach side restaurant in Waikiki, and if it is at all possible, head for the Royal Hawaiian, you'll love it.

Pearls in Paradise

Fresh coconut and fresh water pearls - I was in a tropical paradise, no doubt about it.  I have been organizing my photos lately and I realized that I hadn't shown you this gorgeous picture from my trip to Honolulu.  

Corinne and I were exploring the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and after drinking the coconut water out of this fresh coconut with a straw, the vendor cleaved it open and loosened the flesh so that we could eat it.  A few bites of fresh coconut was enough for me, but look how gorgeous it is held up again a display of pearls!

We bought a strand of the soft pink pearls and had a glorious time making jewelry with them.  Don't you love it?

Oahu Orchids

This little area of the orchid greenhouse looks like an opening scene for Fantasy Island, don't you think?  The mini-waterfall was charming and added moisture to the air.

After photographing orchids, we sat on a bench under an enormous tree and ate our lunch.  When traveling to a new city, investigate their gardens and see if it makes sense to add a stop on your itinerary.  A city can be so much more than shops, museums and restaurants - a few minutes in a butterfly garden just might add delight to your trip.

 

12 Days of Valentines Day: Day 6, Order Dessert!

Oh, come on, we're celebrating! Who doesn't need a slice of cake with pink icing?

I think that part of the 12 Days of Valentine's should be spending time with your friends. Call someone up and invite them out for coffee and cake. In the middle of catching up, you will both feel the love that makes Valentine's Day so important.

Happy Day 6: While you are ordering, get some cake!

This cake? Oh, this is the signature cake at The Royal Hawaiian resort on Waikiki. They describe it as "pink haupia cream layered between coconut-soaked sponge cake," - what a delight!

Honolulu: Neiman Marcus

During our pre-trip planning, my friend Corinne kept saying that we had to have lunch at Neiman Marcus. We had done this many times at home, so I figured it was more out of nostalgia than anything else.

Then when we walked onto the open air balcony, it became clear that we weren't just there for the popovers. Our table had a view of the ocean!

If you are ever in Honolulu on vacation, brush the sand off your feet, put on a cute sundress and make reservations for lunch at the Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana. It's the best girl lunch ever. Shown here is my "Grilled Lemon Shrimp with Romaine Hearts, quinoa, goat cheese, asparagus, tomato and mint." Yep, I wanted to stay all day.

Honolulu: Farmers Market

It exceeded my imagination. I knew that I wanted to visit a local farmers market when I was in Hawaii; I could see the tropical fruits stacked on tables in my mind.

When I visited the Kapi o lani Community College's farmers market (http://kapiolani.hawaii.edu/object/farmersmarket.html)on Saturday, the sights and sounds of this bustling market were a cook's dream come true.

I saw beautiful pink and black Hawaiian salt for sale. One vendor specialized in local honey and had sample tray with tiny drops of each flavor honey for shoppers to sample. The "hibiscus honey" stands out in my mind. And look at these gorgeous papaya!

I took pictures, sampled pineapple cake and sipped an icy made-while-you-wait Ginger Lemon Basil Cooler. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning. The next time you are on vacation (with access to a kitchen), try to visit the farmers market. Fresh never tasted so good.

Honolulu: Q-Pot

My oh my, are these necklaces cute! I discovered a store in Honolulu's Ala Moana mall that is pushing the boundaries of what a "charm" on a necklace should be. This Japanese store is called Q-Pot (http://www.q-pot.jp/eng/brand-items/necklace.html) and you really should check it out.

The store sells tiny French pastries, macaroons and scoops of ice cream as pendants on necklaces. They are sooooo cute. I've never seen anything like it and, as a sugar lover, I wholeheartedly approve.

The sales girl was modeling their latest creation - tiny hamburger necklaces where each charm is a layer that stacks on the next - bottom bun, beef patty, tomato, cheese...whatever you want on it. No joke! It's cute, but it can't compare with a tiny pink macaroon.

There is only one shop in the United States (and apparently they don't sell online) but you can email: qpot-alamoana@lyrausa.com or call the store at (808) 955-9330 for sales inquiries.

Honolulu: Hiking

Are you up for a hike? I wasn't when I realized that this famous "Koko Crater Trail" has 1,048 steps to the top! But I can show you what's possible on this gorgeous island; feel free to send me pictures from the top.

Apparently the railroad tie trail is the remains of a funicular track that carried men and supplies up to a radar facility on top of the crater during World War II. The view is said to be spectacular and is a fun milestone activity for those who like a physical challenge on their vacation.

Honolulu: Whole Bead Show

Didn't I have fun? The 17th Annual Honolulu Bead Show (whole bead.com) coincided with my trip to Hawaii. This is what you call having the moon and stars align.

My friend Corinne is new to jewelry making (her specialty is sea glass) and we had so much fun looking at the beads, findings and inspiration pieces at the show.

I found some beautiful shell charms and whipped up this beautiful charm necklace and have already worn it to dinner on this trip! I love to make a piece of jewelry and wear it immediately. This is what I call "shell chic!"

Honolulu: Chai's Island Bistro

We had a lovely dinner at Chai's Island Bistro (chaisislandbistro.com) on a steamy Honolulu night. A cruise ship in the harbor was a magnetic pulling groups of two and three vacationers past our table and back to the ship. Every grouping I saw was casually strolling the shopping plaza, and then I noticed that they would eventually arc and be pulled onto the same path toward the ship. A floating city ready to take them to the next port overnight. Fascinating.

I had a nice bright salad of mesclun greens with roasted beets, carrot wisps and a balsamic vinaigrette. Dinner was wok-seared jumbo black prawns in a spicy ginger sauce with Asian vegetables and Jasmine rice. Yum! Part of the fun of dining at Chai's was looking at the wall of celebrities that had been there over the years: Justin Timberlake, Michael Caine, Billy Baldwin, Mick Fleetwood and Kathy Ireland. No celebrity sightings on our night, but it was fun to look. Ahhhh, the fun of dinner on vacation.

Honolulu: Bird of Paradise

It's is easy to remember that I'm in "paradise" when I routinely see the exotic flower "Bird of Paradise" on my morning walk. Large healthy shrubs bloom along the paths here as part of the landscaping. It's lovely!

I haven't identified all of the flora yet, but there is an "Orchid Tree" blooming near my friend's place and when the breeze blows, the air smell so sweet!

Honolulu: Coconut Water

You know how the coconut water craze has taken expanded the shelves of the "healthy drinks" section of the supermarket? Vitamin water, fruit juices and now coconut water tempt us all, athletes or not.

Well, there may be something to all the buzz about coconut water, which is said to contain healthy compounds that can aid in restoring hydration, regulating body temperature and the like. Well, I spent 2 hours at the Honolulu at the swap meet in 86 degrees and did surprisingly well.

Could it have been the coconut water I drank directly from THIS coconut? One of the vendors was popping open the base of fresh coconuts, inserting a straw and letting the customers drink the coconut water inside. When you had drained it, he took the coconut back and cleaved it open with a bayonet - no joke. You can see the gorgeous flesh inside, which he loosens for patrons to eat, by running a special knife around the perimeter.

I liked drinking the coconut water, but frankly the raw white flesh was a little indigestible. When it comes to eating, I will stick to the flaked and fabulous coconut from the store.

But I did feel fabulous while I walked the perimeter of the Aloha Bowl shopping for Hawaiian trinkets and treasures. Was the coconut water the secret to my hot weather stamina? In the name of research, we've decided to buy a bottle of coconut water for me a the supermarket to take along with us to the beach. Bring on the sun!

Honolulu: Hawaiian Sun Juice Cans

Guess who is going to make gorgeous flower arrangements?! I imagined that I could find some pretty soda pop cans in Hawaii, but these cans by Hawaiian Sun exceeded my expectations! I will bring them home empty (thank you flat rate shipping boxes!) and use them this Spring and Summer as vases for flower arrangements. I can not wait!

I bought six 6-packs and we are having fun tasting all the flavors. Pineapple Orange is a favorite. have you ever brought home a beautiful bottle or can from a trip?

Honolulu: Honolulu Cookie Company

Yes, I am doing a lot of "research" for you and tasting everything that looks delicious and unusual for you. Enter stage left: The Honolulu Cookie Company.

Imagine tropical shortbread in the shape of a pineapple, possibly dipped in chocolate. Wow. I cruised the sample bar and can say that "Pineapple Macadamia" and "Lilikoi Mango (it's pink!) were my favorites. My friend has a "frequent shopper" card here so I know that I will get to come back!

If you order online (www.HonoluluCookie.com) I would get the "No Ka Oi (meaning the very best) Pineapple Wrap Box" - it holds one of each of the 15 flavors!

Honolulu: Roy's in Waikiki

It was my first dinner on Oahu and my friend had arranged for us to meet up with 2 of her friends at Roy's.

"Roy, the famous Hawaiian chef that I saw cook on Top Chef Masters - that Roy?!". Yep.

I was over the moon. I had been joking that my favorite foods are shrimp, rice, pineapple, coffee and coconut, so Hawaii was the bullseye in my culinary map.

I am eating local! The salad had Kula butter leaf lettuce, Big Island goat cheese, bacon, Tempura onions from Eva, with local papaya and a curry yuzu vinaigrette. It was light and delicious, although next time I would get the dressing on the side.

The entree (and part of the meal I had difficulty making conversation through because I was completely entranced by the dish!) was Jumbo Shrimp Roasted in butter served with Avocado and Eggplant risotto with a Tomato Lime broth. Roy, you are a genius!

Aloha from Honolulu!

Pinch me! I am visiting friends in Honolulu and THIS is the view when we are out enjoying the day and "running errands". Can you believe it? I took this photo from a moving car and grabbed a little bit of paradise to show you on this first day.

Do you have any favorite places on Oahu? Please share them with me here. Mahalo, which is the Hawaiian word for thank you.