It is often said that names match the personalities they accompany. Case in point: Cruella De Vil wasn’t exactly an admirable Disney character, was she? Well recently, I got to thinking that the same “rule” applies to restaurant names, as…
Ask any restaurant manager about the importance of serving specials on the menu, and they’ll probably tell you that those limited-time offers, weekly favorites and brand-new bites can be just as valuable as the signature dishes themselves. Not only do…
In Japanese culture, partaking in the hot pot style of cooking known as nabe is like carving out a bit of one’s day to spend with family and friends while sharing in a single nourishing pot of warmth — the…
When Franz Shiro Matsuo, known affectionately as “Mistah Saimin,” first opened Shiro’s Saimin Haven in 1969 at Aiea Bowl, to share his wildly delicious comfort foods, Hawaii’s diners instantly took to his creative renditions of saimin and other island favorites.…
Every morning at 4:30 a.m., restaurant owner and ahi wholesaler Sam Seo arrives at Hawaii Fish Auction Pier 38 to scope out fresh, supreme catches of the day. With more than 15 years of experience attending the auction, and 15…
A visit to Mimasuya Italiano of Kyoto on Kapiolani Boulevard is a chance to experience exquisitely prepared Italian cuisine, unveiled with the refined aesthetics of Japanese food presentation. Open since December 2012, this east-meets-west eatery is the first of Japanese…
This past week has been quite a scorcher, hasn’t it? When the sun is blazing and mugginess prevails, I know it’s ever so tempting to use any morsel of energy you have left to practically lunge toward the closest shave…
From the comfort-inducing plate lunches we pack up for the beach, to gourmet Pacific Rim meals we treat ourselves to on special occasions, it’s safe to say that fusion-filled fare is all around us here in the Islands. Even so,…
If you haven’t done so already, it’s worthwhile to join the throngs of patrons dining at Seafood Village. Located in Hyatt Regency Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue, the eatery exemplifies the thrill of Oahu’s resort hub, with personable service, an ornate…
When you think about it, cup-cakes are the perfect dessert. Each individually sized treat is just enough to give in to your sweet tooth without having to be rolled out of the bakery, Violet Beauregarde style. Specializing in masterfully crafted…