Spoonful Of Bliss

Editor Ellise Kakazu goes on a culinary adventure.

The travel bug has bit me, hard. Lately, all I have been daydreaming of is hopping on a plane and exploring exciting cities, like Paris.

While my fantasy isn’t too far fetched, I do not think I will be able to book a flight anytime soon. So in lieu of going on a dream vacay, I thought I would whisk my stomach away to foreign countries via steaming, delicious bowls of soup this week.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a Dining Out flight headed to spectacular destinations — don’t forget your spoons!

SAY OUI, OUI TO STEAKHOUSE

I hope to someday visit the City of Love to gaze upon the Eiffel Tower and dine on authentic French food. But in the meantime, I plan on indulging in dishes that make my taste buds think I am in another country. To start, I decided to drop by Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Waterfront Plaza to try its rendition of my absolute favorite savory treat — French onion soup.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s Onion Soup Au Gratin ($13)

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Served with a decadent ooey gooey blanket of Swiss cheese at its top, a bowl of Ruth’s Chris’ Onion Soup Au Gratin ($13) is made of a luxurious blend of beef stock, onions, sherry, herbs and spices. To top it off, the restaurant’s chef adds croutons to the mix, as the pieces of cubed bread soak in the soup’s seasonings perfectly.

Full of flavor, Onion Soup Au Gratin is a definite customer favorite and a great complement to any of Ruth’s Chris’ entrees, like its tender Filet.

So, next time you take a trip to Ruth’s Chris Steak House, sink your spoon into its lovely onion soup before feasting on any one of their dazzling meat or seafood offerings.

THE WORLD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

If you want to fill your culinary passport in one stop, you need to head down to Plantation Tavern in Kapolei, as the restaurant serves a melting pot of ethnic meals that are good for the body and soul.

Plantation Tavern’s hearty Portuguese Bean Soup ($7) PHOTO COURTESY PLANTATION TAVERN

Plantation Tavern offers a wide range of dining options on its menu — customers can find everything from Filipino and Hawaiian, to Portuguese and Japanese cuisine under its roof. According to owner Sunny Gilbert, the restaurant’s Especial Bagoong Fried Rice, Uncle Norm’s Poke Nachos, Plantation Style Kahumana Farms Organic Kale Salad and Portuguese Bean Soup ($7) are must-tries.

A hearty bowl of Plantation Tavern’s Portuguese Bean Soup contains celery, garlic, onions, tomato, Portuguese sausage, pork, cabbage, kidney beans, potato and elbow macaroni. All of these ingredients beautifully float in a rich broth that takes hours to perfect. “First we take ham hock and ham shank and make a stock out of it for four hours,” notes Gilbert.

“It is authentic to Plantation Portuguese cooking because we follow a recipe from our good friend chef John Peru of Portuguese heritage, who grew up on the Dole Pineapple Plantation,” she says. “Chef Peru and Chef Adam (Gilbert) worked together, and he shared this family recipe with us. The care and process that we take (to) build solid layers of flavor will transport you to the country kitchen that warms your heart with comfort food.”

When you get a chance to taste Plantation Tavern’s Portuguese Bean Soup, remember that it is filled with quality ingredients, history, culture and love.

“Our mission is to serve quality food from quality products that are sourced locally and organic as much as possible,” says Gilbert. “We strive to be community members (that) provide local people a place to meet and share meals with their loved ones.”

With a diverse menu, a passionate team and gostoso (Portuguese for tasty) food, Plantation Tavern should be on everyone’s must-visit list.

Food is a powerful vehicle that can take you to the other side of the world in just one bite (or in this case spoonful). So if you are like me and don’t have the time or ability to travel at the moment, remember a spoon or fork can be your ticket to a great escape — bon appetit!