26th Annual Honolulu Greek Festival

Fasulatha Salata: Imported Cannilini White Beans, Herbs, Tomato, Olive Oil & Lemon Juice. Served with Sliced Pita Bread.

The 26th Annual Greek Festival was held this past weekend, August 26 and 27, 2006 at Ala Moana Beach Park McCoy Pavillion. It’s sponsored by Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific.

As with any cultural event, there’s was a wonderful assortment of food to enjoy. There was also a variety of imported goods from Greece for sale such as clothes and accessories, jewelry, packaged grocery items and religious novelties to name a few.
Folks were entertained with live music and dance, as well as the Tavernas beverage and spirits tents.

Following is a glance of the food offered at various booths….

Baklava Gift Box

Mixed Pastry Box: Baklava Kourabietes, Melomakarona, Ravani, St. Constantine-Helen Baklava

Souvlaki: Grilled Pork Skewer marinated with Greek Herbs and Spices. Served with warm Pita Bread.

Humus (not Greek): Garbonzo Puree with Tahini & Spices. Served with Sliced Pita Bread.

Tzatziki: Sacked Home-made Yogurt, Cucumbers, Garlic, Olive Oil and Herbs. Served with Sliced Pita Bread.

Greek Salad: Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Onions, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese & Greek Dressing.

Greek Pasta Salad: Penne Pasta, Brocolli, Olives, Red/Green Peppers and Greek Dressing.

Dolmathes (Stuffed Grape Leaves), served with Tzatziki Sauce & Pita Bread.

We had a plate of Dolmathes, Tzakiki (with Pita Bread) and Spiced Greek Pork Kabobs.

Tzatziki is a wonderfully refreshing sauce, with it’s cool contrast of yogurt and cucumber along with the hearty pita bread. It’s a healthful and rejuvinating appetizer.

The Dolmathes has an intresting contrast of tang from the grape leaves wrapper, and a mildly spicey rice-based filling. The combination of this, along with the Tzatziki and Pita Bread sends your taste buds and senses in all directions. I really love it!

The Souvlaki was served piping hot straight off the grill. For Pork, it was surprisingly moist and tender. I couldn’t pinpoint the spices on it, but certainly was unique. I basically pulled a piece off the stick, wrapped it in a torn piece of the toasted pita bread and socked it down. Ono!

Festival Revelers enjoy dancing together to live Greek Music.

We also enjoyed several rounds of Hillas Greek Lager (beer). It’s rather smooth and crisp and worked well with our food. Live Greek music rounded out the experience, bringing us that much closer to feeling we were right on the streets of Athens.

It was a moderate crowd on the Saturday afternoon that we were there. This was the third consecutive year we attended this event, and as always, we had a great… errr.. “Greek” time!

Taste of Shirokiya

Maki and Nigiri Sushi Assortment Bento

You can’t help but go into sensory overload and bliss upon walking around the upper level food department at Shirokiya Ala Moana. It’s like being at a Japanese Festival every day of the year! As soon as you get up the escalator, the smell of tempura frying immediately hits you. Just in front of the escalator are Japanese housewares products, such as special knives, kitchen gadgets and utensils. Next to that are Japanese pharmeceuticals and personal care products, followed by a large snack section.

There’s also a Ramen station and self-serve buffet line in a separate room with various local and Japanese favorites.
My favorite area is where the many ready-to-eat bentos are. In the middle of the bento tables are a station where they prepare specials of the day and other freshly-prepared delicacies during the day.

These are just a small sample of the many oishii bentos available at this institution known as Shirokiya!…

Nishime and Okara (Soy Beans Meal)

Nigiri and Maki made with Big Eye Ahi

Okawa

L-R, Front to back row: Okinawan Yaki Soba, Kimpiri Combo (Gobo & Hasu), Nishime, Seki-Han, Gobo Kimpiri (Burdock), Hasu Kimpiri (Lotus Roots)

Sozai (similar to Andagi)

Assorted Tsukemono (pickled vegetables)

Mixed Bento. this photo is bad, but, at least you can see here how the many ala carte items are assembled together here in an all-in-one meal. There’s many different options to choose.

Fresh-made Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura

Shrimp Tempura being cooked in a wok

Shirokiya’s upper level is one of my favorite places to eat, not only in Ala Moana Shopping Center, but in all of Honolulu! Truly authentic Japanese cuisine (one of my favorite) at very reasonable prices. If you go there after 5pm, they mark down most bento items from about 10 to 50% off.

Shirokiya at Ala Moana Center, upper level entrance

Shirokiya’s Ala Moana location is the last remaining in Hawaii. There used to be one in Pearlridge center in Aiea and on Maui in Kaahumanu Center, but those closed down. Shirokiya is now owned by a group of local investors, who bought the store from it’s parent company in Japan.

Andadogs Sighted!

In front of Ward Marukai’s 99 Cent Store (more like $1.49 Cent Store), an Andagi vendor selling Andadogs!….

On the left are Sata Andagi, just in front of it are Blueberry Andagi and Poi Andagi on the right. 8 for $5.00. 3 remaining Andadogs on the top. $2.00 each.

So I bought 4 Sata Andagi and 1 Andadog to try it out. Yum!

They’re kept in a basket at room temperature, so I took it home and blasted it in the toaster oven real quick. It’s a rather thin layer of Andagi batter, yet it compliments the hot dog perfectly. You really don’t need any ketchup or mustard with it. This is the perfect marriage of savory-sweet. I couldn’t determine the brand of Hot Dog, but it seemed to be better quality than the cheap Bar-S type brands. It’s the full dog too. Not cut in half like they do for fundraising at the festival. It really is ono!

That stand is there Monday thru Friday from 9am to 4pm (or until they sell-out).

Guess you don’t have to wait for the Okinawan Festival after all!

Tony Roma's… Famous for Burgers?!

You heard right. Burgers! Continuing on the quest for Hawaii’s “perfect” or “best” burger, I had to enter this Tony Roma’s “sleeper” menu item into the running.

Bacon Swiss Mushroom Burger Smothered with melted Swiss cheese, crisp bacon strips (opted out of my order) and sliced mushrooms. $7.99

When you think of baby back ribs, Tony’s Roma’s is arguably THE top-of-mind restaurant which comes to mind. Who would think they would have great burgers? Or steak? Or seafood? Well they sure do!

Speaking for the Waikiki location, they crank out consisently excellent dishes every single time. Not once have they flopped an order on us. Always grilled to smokey, seared perfection. Never over or under done.

Getting to the burgers here, the selection is fairly basic: Crispy Onion Burger, Bacon Swiss Burger, Bleu Cheese Burger, Cheesy Burger or the Roma Burger. All $7.99, except the Roma for $7.49. The patties are 100% ground chuck, and includes (very fresh) iceburg lettuce and tomato slices. Also included are a large side of excellent, home-cut fries (with some skin!), a dill pickle and serving of their also-excellent coleslaw. What a value! Try get that in “Paradise”… no way.

Let me tell you, after eating all that, you’ll be more stuffed than a Thanksgiving Turkey. lol

As usual, I chose the Mushroom Burger, sans the bacon. For me, the bacon takes away from the beefy flavor of the burger which defeats the purpose. Now this burger is huge, It’s juicy and the buttery sauteed mushrooms and swiss cheese just melt and marry together perfectly. The bun is your usual packaged variety, but it’s hearty and fresh. This order, the cook overlooked giving it a light toast, but usually they do that. That’s O.K.. it’s still good. I stay away from ketchup and mustard or special sauces (TR’s doesn’t acclaim to any one made for burgers), opting only for mayonnaise swiped on the bun. Simple.

The fries in this particular take-out order weren’t as fresh as they usually are (I placed this order just before closing), but they were still delicious. Usually their fries are done perfectly tender with a light golden brown exterior. That’s OK.. they redeemed themselves by giving me a slightly larger than usual portion (last batch of the night?). he he.

And who would expect a side order of ‘slaw with a burger? What a nice compliment to the burger’s savory heft. It also sort of buffers your palate, so every next bite of that juicy burger seems just like the first. Wonderful.

There should also be a rule that EVERY American sandwich and burger shop are REQUIRED to serve a dill pickle on the side. Along with that coleslaw, the pickle’s acidic tang also helps clear the taste buds, allowing you to savor the complex flavors involved.

Tony Roma’s knows their ribs, and they sure do know their burgers!

Take-out orders have a .75 cent packing fee. Worth it, considering their attention to details. Hot and cold items are carefully segregated and all the condiments and utensils you’ll need are supplied.

A great burger is certainly a matter of personal taste and timing, as to how great your appetite is at that very moment. So why would this be a contender to be named “Hawaii’s best”? Well, based on simplicity, flavor, freshness, portion, value and ambiance, TR’s burgers has all the right stuff.

Tony Roma’s Waikiki – 1972 Kalakaua Ave.

Beside their excellent food, what I love about Tony Roma’s is their cozy Tavern-like ambiance their restaurants have. The Waikiki location is small and therefore usually at full capacity.

The Kahala location closed this past March after a long run there. The only other full-service TR restaurant on Oahu is located in Aiea, across the street from Anna Millers near Pearlridge. They also recently opened a Tony Roma’s Express in Ala Moana Shopping Center’s food court.
www.TonyRomas.com

Baked or Steamed at Island Manapua Factory

Steamed Pork Manapua (white bun) .85 cents and Baked Charsiu Manapua (brown bun) .95 cents *open image in new window for full-size view

When it comes to baked Manapua, Island Manapua Factory is the first place that comes to mind for many. I must admit, I prefer the traditional steamed white bun variety, but when it comes to IMF, the baked version can’t be beat.

The Charsiu filling taste slightly sweeter than the pork in the steamed version, with an adequate filling-to-bun ratio. It also has a hint of spice that I can’t really pinpoint, but it’s there.

The bun is soft with a slight chew and mild “crusty” flavor on the outside. It’s yellow color makes one think it’s “buttery”, but it’s actually just a slightly sweet, mostly neutral flavor.

If pork/charsiu Manapua isn’t your thing, IMF also offers a variety Manapua filling options such as Curry Chicken, Black Bean Shrimp, Vegetarian, Lup Chong, Breakfast and Custard to name a few.

They also have the other usual Dim Sum such as Pork Hash, Rice Cake and Half Moon (.50 cents/ea.), plus many more Chinese favorites available for catering and take-out.

Island Manapua Factory
Manoa Marketplace
2752 Woodlawn Dr. #5-113
(808) 988-5441

Kalihi
811 Gulick Ave.
(808) 847-2677

Honolulu Advertiser review

Burgers 'n Fries at Dukes Waikiki

Duke’s Beachside Burger – $7.50 (shown with Beach Fries, sold separately) If you prefer, you an opt for the Cheddar Burger for just 50 cents more. *Open this image in new window for full-size view

In most cases dining out, it’s not just the dish by itself, but the entire experience that makes the food either just plain ole’ good or truly GREAT. Ever heard someone say “food just tastes better when you’re eating it on the beach”? Well, Duke’s takes the burger experience to a whole nother level in that regard.

Duke’s Beachside Burger shines in every way a burger should: a 1/2 lb., house-made Angus Beef patty perfectly flame-grilled to a succulent and juicy finish, with a flavorful charred outer crust. The crispy Manoa Lettuce and other veggies couldn’t be fresher, while the sesame bun is perfectly toasted on the inside, helping to bring out the flavor of everything in it. Absolutely flawless.

So what else makes this the perfect burger? Well, you can order it with these great Beach Fries!…

Duke’s Beach Fries – $2.95

These waffle-cut gems are served heaped on a plate and are practically a meal in themselves. Thick-cut, tender inside, golden-brown-delicious out. There’s a nice spice to them, similar to those “box guys” seasoned curly fries.

Along with the great Beachside Burger and Beach Fries you get a million-dollar view!…

How can a burger (or life in general) get any better than when you have da’ aunties playing Hawaiian music Kanikapila-style for you!..

Not only that, you have some of Hawaii’s top musicians performing live concerts right on the Duke’s beach lanai for you at no extra charge!…

Kapena (shown here) performs every Saturday from 4pm-6pm and Henry Kapono performs every Sunday from 4pm-6pm

What’s great about Duke’s, which is operated by TS restaurants is that their food and service is consistently EXCELLENT.

The ambiance and fun of Waikiki Beach, combined with great food, music and nice blend of tourists and kama’aiana, make Duke’s Burger and Fries arguably the BEST Hawaii has to offer!

Duke’s Neon Sign greets you in the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, which is located between the Moana Surfrider and Royal Hawaiian Hotel (da’ Pink one).

www.DukesWaikiki.com

Great Hawaiian Hot Dog Co.

Today we stopped by the Great Hawaiian Company’s cart at Hilo Hattie’s Nimitz Hwy. location to try out their Sirloin Steak Hot Dog for the first time.

The Sirloin Steak Dog shown before all the final condiments are put on. The white sauce is their famous Garlic Sauce. The yellow is cheese . The portions of these two toppings are quite generous. Sorry for the overexposed shot, but I was in a rush to put on the condiments and let the next person go.

Self serve condiments that I’ve opted for here include Japaneno Peppers, Sauerkraut, Onions and Relish. As you can see, it measures about 7″.

The choice at this cart is simple: Choose either the Sirloin Steak Dog or the Smokie (made with Pork), then you will be asked which you’d like to have on that: Secret Garlic Sauce, Spicy Garlic Sauce and/or Melted Cheese. I went with the staffer’s recommendation of Secret Garlic Sauce and Cheese. The dog by itself is $4.00, or you can order the combo for $5.50, which includes a cold canned drink and bag of chips of your choice.

Here’s the Sirloin Steak Dog, cut in half to reveal the texture of the sausage and the white “Secret Garlic Sauce”

After you receive your dog, you finish topping it yourself at the condiment station next to the window. The usuals are there, along with a Thai Chili Sauce, BBQ Sauce and Squeeze Cheese.

Above the condiment station is a guide on how to build these custom dogs using the various condiments and toppings available:

• THE TAI KWON DOG: Secret Spicy Garlic Sauce, Kim Chee, Ketchup, Mustard, Jalapenos, Onions.
• The ALL AMERICAN: Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Onions.
• THE BACKWOODS DOG: Secret Spicy Garlic Sauce, Bacon, BBQ Sauce, Relish
• THE NEW YORKER: Mustard, Sauerkraut,
• THE WORKS: Secret Garlic Sauce, Bacon, Kim Chee & EVERYTHING ELSE
• THE REAL PANIOLO: Bacon, Guava Jelly , Japenos
• THE BIG KAHUNA: Secret Garlic Sauce, Bacon, Ketchup, Mustard, Squeeze Cheese, Thai Chili Sauce, Sauerkraut, Jalapenos, Relish, Onions

So how is it?

I’m not sure if I put too much condiments on it (which I actually held back more than usual), but I could barely taste the secret garlic sauce. Odd, considering how generous of a portion was laid on. The sauce itself has a slight garlic flavor, but not as intense as I expected; more like a lightly flavored mayonnaise. I also don’t think it needed the cheeze (wiz?), as the garlic sauce added enough extra “thickness” (and extra calories/fat) to the package.

The sausage wasn’t as beefy as I thought it would be either, considering its name, and was more soft than crunchy. The bun is your typical off-the-shelf sesame seed variety.

Overall, it sort of was a homogenous “this is a pretty good hot dog” experience, but neither the dog nor the sauce made a selling point on their own terms.

I need to return and try the pork-based SMOKIE, which is touted as having a “snap” to it. Next time, without no other topping or condiments but the secret garlic sauce.

Great Hawaiian Hot Dog Co. cart, located at the street level entrance (where bus depot is) at Hilo Hattie on Nimitz Hwy. (adjacent to Zippy’s and City Mill). Service on our visit was excellent. Other cart locations around Honolulu listed on their website.

www.GreatHawaiian.com

Big Island Candies Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

L-R: Dark Dipped Coffee, White Dipped Chocolate & the original Chocolate-dipped Hawaiian Shortbread Cookies

These gems could easily be nominated contenders as the best shortbread cookies in the world. Seriously. They’re so addictingly-delicious, it’s really hard to eat only one. You have to eat at least three or more to satisfy the ensuing craving. More than any words can describe. You just have to get yourself some and try it.

Being individually-wrapped, they have an amazing freshness to them, as if they were just packed yesterday, contrary to their pre-wrapped packaging. The chopped Macadamia Nuts, along with the high quality flavored chocolate-dipped coating is absolutely the perfect cookie experience.

The new Dark Dipped Coffee variety is just as great as the original milk chocolate version. Absolutely perfect.

If you’re ever so lucky to receive a box of these as Omiyage (as we have here), consider yourself blessed. Truly one of the greatest products proudly made in Hawaii.

www.BigIslandCandies.com

Rating by Raveable