On My Plate

Shave Ice at Tom's

When you're on Maui and it's burning hot, the best treat to cool you down is a large shave ice. Sure, you can find it everywhere and anywhere near the beach, but if you want an enjoyable experience, you need to be picky. The last thing you want is to bite into chunks of hard ice. And I'll admit this--that's the kind of shave ice I grew up on. Don't remember the place, but all I know is that my childhood shave ice was always teeth-numbing, crusty, and just not so good. The kind of yuckiness that turns you off from something for a long time. Yeah, I missed out.

But luckily, as an adult, I finally found places that do shave ice the right way. You'll know it at first bite--the ice so soft, so finely shaven, it's almost creamy. I haven't had much luck finding such shave ice perfection on Maui until I stopped here. Tom's Mini-Mart in Wailuku. I was on my way to visit my friend in Wai'ehu when my car buddies told me to stop, they were hungry. Here? I said. 'Cause if you don't look carefully, you'll quickly pass it by. And for years and years, I've passed this place by many times, never knowing that they even sold shave ice. So I was in for a nice surprise, and even better, an unforgettable treat.

This was the second shave ice we had that day

They offered a huge list of flavors, such as strawberry, liliko'i, vanilla, and lychee (and I'm told they even make their own syrups), but the one flavor that stood out for me was Melona. Never saw Melona offered before, and me and Melona, well, we go back a long way. Melona is this super addictive creamy popsicle from South Korea that you can get everywhere in Hawai'i. I just love the subtle melon flavor, and on shave ice, it's simply heavenly.

But back to the shave ice. For less than $3, they pile it on in a big cup. No wimpy paper cones here. And for $1 more you can get a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bottom. I always get the ice cream. Some of my friends find the idea of shave ice and ice cream weird, but together, and especially when the ice is shaved perfectly, the combination is amazing. To enjoy it best, use a straw, sister. Better than a milkshake, really.

They even carry Melona--this is the banana flavor, also very tasty!

If you like, you can even eat your shave ice inside the store. While you're at it, try them Maui hot dogs--I'm sure you'll be looking at them while you wait for your frozen treat to be assembled (and word on the street has it that their hot dogs here are to die for). When you finally get your shave ice here's what I recommend: leave the store and walk down the street on your right, all the way to the end of the road towards the ocean--there is a picnic table there. Savor. Take your time. Watch the waves. Ponder the public art. When done, toss your trash. And for best results, walk back to Tom's Mini-Mart. Repeat.

Tom’s Mini Mart, 372 Waiehu Beach Rd., Paukakalo, Maui. T: 808-244-2323

Montara Bistro, Part 2

A rack of lamb for a table of five... Just enough for a taste!

Dinner at the Montara Bistro is not a quiet affair. Not that the small restaurant is loud by any means, though you are in quarters small enough to hear your neighbor's conversation about the soup they're having. But that's just it. It's not quiet because you'll hear those murmurs, the mmmmm.... and the wow...... Tasty words, really. We arrived for dinner one late night--it was a night I'll never forget, a night that could have been a real downer but ended up being quite great. Let's just say I had just come back to the Bay Area after months away to find my world upside down. Like, I literally had gotten off the plane hours before and found a huge mess of things. So my friends came to rescue me and on the road, gave this restaurant a call, said, You got room? Well, we're coming.

While the most coveted dinner items were already 86'd, there were still some ingredients left to give us a taste of those fabulous entrees. So these plates pictured are not the full entree size, but rather tastes. The Herbed Australian Rack of Lamb ($25) arrived perfectly browned and so tender and flavorful, it changed my mind about rack of lamb (I'm really not much into anything lamb or anything gamey, so this was a huge deal). We fought over who got to chew on the bones. Yes, that good.

The Lemon and Herb Roasted 1/2 Chicken ($20) is another restaurant fave that was 86'd, but there were a few pieces left that we all got to try some. Now I rarely order chicken in a restaurant, but this is a dish that I would definitely get the next time. The skin was nice and crispy and the meat tasty with tinges of lemon and herb flavor, but not overpowering.

Little bites like this kept coming at us throughout the night

We had other bites throughout the night that were not necessarily on the menu. Asparagus spears wrapped in proscuitto. Fresh figs drizzled in balsamic vinegar. They went well with the wine that my friends poured for me throughout the evening.

And with all the tastes, we still had room for dessert. Out came a trio of items. Lemon curd and chocolate mousse in glass cups, topped with fresh berries. The lemon curd so tangy and thick, and amazing with blueberries. The chocolate mousse was rich and decadent, served with little shortbread bites, and lightened up just a tad with sliced strawberries and blackberries. There was also a delicious chocolate cake that I didn't get to photograph because it was attacked by a frenzy of forks.

By the end of the meal, my night was turned around completely. Food definitely has a unique way of making everything all better, of letting you forget all the storms. I had already thanked my friend numerous times for taking us to this place, and even better, for having an in with the chef. It's so nice to be taken care of. And I'm sure you will be too when you stop by for a meal, and even better, stay for a drink. Cause this is Montara. And life along the ocean here is meant to be enjoyed, savored at a slow pace.

Montara Bistro, 8465 Cabrillo Hwy, Montara, CA. T: 650-728-2433

Montara Bistro, Part 1

If you're driving down the Cabrillo Highway towards Half Moon Bay, be sure to stop by the Montara Bistro. Located in a lovely little house-like building right off the main road, the restaurant is small yet heartwarming, and the staff is super friendly. The food is simply delicious, the perfect stop before kayaking up at Moss Beach or trekking beyond. Simply slow down, or as their menu says, "Experience your food, don't just eat it."

It was a gloomy day as we drove down the coast, and we were uber-hungry, so we stopped here for an unforgettable lunch. Our companion knew exactly what to order for us, and as everything sounded really good on the menu, this inside knowledge was extremely helpful. We settled on the Kobe Burger ($8.95), Fish Tacos with Salmon ($9), Fish Tacos with Halibut ($9) and BBQ Spice Rubbed Ribs ($8.50). A killer meal for a party of four.

The burger was simply heavenly, the Kobe beef super tender and the patty thick and large, measuring in at 8 ounces. We got it with a nice hunk of cheddar melted on top. The bun was nice and crisp and the vegetables very fresh. The burger went nicely with a side of Garlic & Rosemary Roasted Fingerling Potatoes ($5).

Halibut Fish Tacos

We couldn't decide which of the fish tacos we liked best. They were both really good, the fish very fresh and cooked perfectly so that each bite was still moist and flavorful. Each taco was so generously filled with fish and just the right amount of tropical fruit salsa that you really needed a fork and knife to eat it up. The halibut was light and tender while the salmon was stronger in flavor and meatier. Being a salmon-girl myself, I adored the salmon tacos, and didn't even bother to share with my companions--well, just barely.

Salmon Fish Tacos, my favorite

Meet me at Gerry's

Nothing beats an empty bar at 5pm on a weekday...

When I asked my travel-hopping brother to meet me at a bar in Union City, this San Francisco resident immediately told me, "Bar + Union City? Uhhhh... No thanks, sis!" Well, it's too bad, 'cause he's missing out. In fact, I didn't even really want to tell anyone about this place, because then it wouldn't be such my secret anymore. But word got out inevitably to some friends and now these East Bay-ers have already made this bar their regular hangout. Hmph. Easy trek for them. Well folks, at least save me a seat the next time I'm in the area.

Gerry's Grill is a well-known restaurant chain in the Philippines. At least, this is what I'm told (hey, I've never been). The Union City location is the first in the U.S., and there'll soon be more. The restaurant is located in the huge shopping and entertainment complex called Union Landing in the middle of Union City, a you-can't-miss-it-spot off the 880. The restaurant itself is a bit hidden--just look for Cold Stone Creamery and you'll see the place on the right. Looks unassuming except for the large amounts of people that are waiting outside for a table during peak hours. So be wise and go early, and then sit at the bar for happy hour. It's definitely more enjoyable than being seated at the tables in the back. 'Cause nothing's really happening in the back. And believe me, at the bar, you will enjoy yourself.

Sisig sans egg--ooh, crooked shot, sorry

Better than anything

The perfect remedy for when you're under the weather

The only thing better than just any ol' care package, is a care package from Hawai'i. And this is what I got the other day: an 8 ounce bag of Licorice Lemon Peel. It's the perfect thing for a sore throat. Just peel off a piece and stick it on your tongue, savor it like a cough drop until it slowly dissolves. The sweet sour lemon-licorice flavor does wonders for soothing aches and for perking up the palate. My bag is already halfway gone, and after a weekend of this, I already feel so much better!  Guess I can always call up Kane'ohe for more?

Rainbow Crack Seed, 45-480 Kane'ohe Bay Drive, Kane'ohe, HI T: 808-235-5553

Home sick

I close my weary eyes and see this... All better?

Home. Sick. Literally. Cannot get out of bed home sick. But also, definitely, the other kind: homesick. Right now, craving a bowl of Dry Mein from Sam Sato's in Wailuku, Maui. What I wouldn't give to be able to eat this every single morning again. Delicious noodles cooked perfectly with just the right amount of pork, green onions and bean sprouts, served along side a cup of hot broth. Some pour the broth over the noodles to make it moist; others dip their noodles into the broth; and yet others simply sip. I do a little bit of everything. Even better, a side dish of hot mustard to awaken the palate. The dry mein comes in four sizes: Small ($4) or Large ($4.75). Also, Double ($6.30) if you're really hungry (and I've been known to scarf that huge bowl down in desperate times) or even Super Dry with vegetables ($5.50) . Pictured above is the Large size, a good amount if you want to get other things like their famous Manju (60 cents each), a Japanese pastry filled with azuki bean or sweetened lima bean; Anpan, a sugary Japanese donut; or anything off of their full breakfast and lunch menu from a side of Portuguese sausage to sunny-side up eggs to teriyaki beef sandwich and fries. Don't miss out on their other homestyle noodle dishes such as saimin ($3.75-$5.25) and chow fun ($4-$5).

I have so many great memories of this restaurant, early morning eats with my parents and if I can wake them up that early, my girlfriends. Early because if you don't make it there before 8am, you'll be waiting a long time, usually almost an hour. (And good luck finding parking). But alas, I am here in the Bay Area. And while I can't have any dry mein today, perhaps a steaming bowl of wor gau gee mein would be the next best thing, my O'ahu buddy insists. He already tried finding a place near me that would deliver such a soothing dish, but so far no luck. (Maybe Kane'ohe can deliver to me?) Guess I'll be opening up a can of Progresso!

Now back to that earlier thought: what I wouldn't give to eat at Sam Sato's every single morning.... Hmmm... Let's just say I might be working on it. Or maybe that's just the cold medicine talking?

Sam Sato's, 1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, Maui. T: (808) 244-7124

Falling in love at Mama's

When you're surrounded by love, sometimes you can't help but be hit by cupid too. Here's how it happened. Two of my dear friends happened to be on Maui the same time as me, and we were trying to find a free evening where we could get together for dinner and drinks. Finally, we settled on Mama's Fish House, located at Ku'au Cove near the town of Pa'ia. Very close for both of us, as we were both staying along the north shore. Dinner reservations were for 5:30pm. But then this is what my friend told me: Come to Ku'au Cove at 4:15pm. There's going to be a ceremony on the beach. Then she hung up. I was like, Wha? Who? Ceremony?!

And somehow I knew what was up. I brought two lei for the couple and lugged along my dSLR. I wore a fancy dress. And when I showed up on the beach, I was right. My two dear friends were getting married! Nobody knew a thing. The only other guests were her brother and sister-in-law, who lives nearby. We all were pretty shocked, but also very excited for them.

The newlyweds and I had just come from another friend's wedding on O'ahu. So it seemed like the love bug was spreading and effecting everyone. As for moi? Well, that is not this story (or this blog for that matter). I can tell you that I played wedding photographer and the next day, chauffeur, for the newlyweds, and even more food and imbibing followed. I felt like such a wedding crasher, but at the same time, grateful to have been a part of the memorable day.

So to continue, this story is about the food. Once the couple signed the documents and we said goodbye to the officiator, we crossed the beach and had a wedding feast at Mama's. Yes, it certainly was quite a meal. The best word to describe the evening: giddy. We all were.

Honey, I'm so better off without you

Stand back peeps, this is my honey now!

There's something to be said how food can make everything all better. In my case, four months ago, I was heartbroken in a crazy city that never sleeps. I had been living in said city for many months without really having much time to enjoy the nightlife, yet alone the food. Yeah, kind of hard to believe, but that's just the way it was. So one night my girl dragged me out to, well, go out, and after enjoying the Strip for most of the night we were hungry, but didn't want anything from our usual haunts. So after driving aimlessly around in 100 degree weather, we ended up in Chinatown. Yup, Forget it, Jake.... and everything. That was the plan.

If you have never been to Vegas' Chinatown, it's essentially several blocks of strip malls off of Spring Mountain Road, not too far from the infamous Strip. My girl took me to a favorite spot of hers, Sake House Ichiza. Talk about feeling like coming home. At 2am, the place was still jammed pack with people. Tiny tables and booths along the wall, along with the tiny sushi bar were filled with lively conversation in English and Japanese; people were imbibing sake of all persuasions, and enjoying yakitori, noodle soups, and sushi rolls. The place smelled so delicious. We found a spot at the sushi bar and proceeded to order a bunch of tasty dishes.

If this is what Japan is like, then I am totally there. Those were my new thoughts as we perused the menu and studied the specials on board hand-written in Japanese. But this post is not about what we ate from the full-fledged menu, packed with rice and noodle dishes, small deep-fried and stir-fried treats, skewers galore, salad, and of course, sushi. This post is about the one thing I ordered off of the hand-written menu. Honey Toast. It was three bucks or something. And although I really don't have a sweet tooth, at that point, I was craving something super sickeningly sweet. You know, to knock out everything, um, bitter. The waitress could not stop raving about our order, and assured us we would not regret the decision.

And she was right. Two super thick slices of sweet egg-like bread arrived with crusts on, stacked so the dish almost looked like half a loaf of bread had been simply heaped onto a plate. The middle was hollowed out slightly, and filling the center were gobs of warm honey, drenching the bread completely, oozing down the sides. And also in the center, a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with more honey.

Let's just say by first bite, I was like, Wha, who, honey? Who, wha broken heart? Suddenly, no more. All gone. Just totally immersed in this deep dish, so heartwarming and homey, sweet and soothing, it was like coming back to myself again. Grounded. Yeah, I'm sure the sake also had something to do with it, but it really was this innocent-looking dish that called my name, and suddenly, So long dude, I'm done with you.

So now, four months later, I've been thinking a lot about this dish. Mostly because I know soon I will be back in said city and happily enjoying it again. So wonderful to find hidden gems like this place, I almost don't want to share it. But after learning that the place really does know a thing or two about love, or something like that, I simply had to share. But please, get your own, honey.

Sake House Ichiza, 4335 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 205, Las Vegas, NV. T: 702-367-3151.