Eat This: Tripe alla Parmigiana at Cafe Julia

Let me just get this out of the way and say I’m not a huge fan of tripe. I didn’t grow up on it, but occasionally enjoy it in stew and pho. However, after eating this Tripe alla Parmigiana dish at Cafe Julia at YWCA recently, I have a whole new respect for the intestine.

Executive Chef Lance Kosaka, formerly of Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room, carefully cleans and cooks the tripe in a magical way that takes out most of the funk. The result is a tender, delicious, and “broke da mout” dish that I can only imagine would have been even better with a cold beer. Tripe in a rich tomato sauce and topped with cheese and a runny egg kept me going in for more. This day at lunch there were two other non-tripe eaters at the table, yet after trying this, we all agreed that it rocked. I would order it again in an instant.

Since opening in the YWCA late last year, and following the closure of the beloved Downtown @ the HiSAM, Cafe Julia has become a hot spot for lunch, pau hana, and weekend brunch. Chef Lance is doing the kind of food reminiscent of childhood days, but on an elevated level. Not to mention, the historic building in which the open-air restaurant is located offers a casual elegance to the ambiance.

If any of the pot pies happen to be on special, get it. I’m told its a rare site on the menu, so I couldn’t pass up devouring one a couple weeks ago. This was a Mexican-inspired interpretation with beef, beans and a whole lot of goodness in a crisp pastry. So good.

You can also find some great sandwiches here, like the Korean-Inspired Grilled Pork which was quite tasty.

Finally, if you have room for dessert, Chef Lance’s version of an ice cream sandwich is worth the calories. He’s making cookies just like his mom made them for him growing up. What’s not to love about that?!

Cafe Julia can get busy at lunch, so I strongly suggest making reservations, especially for larger parties. Check it out next time you find yourself hungry in downtown.

Cafe Julia at YWCA
1040 Richards Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone : 808-533-3334
Breakfast: Sunday only, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pau Hana: Wednesday – Friday, 4-9 p.m.
Parking: One hour validated parking for Alii Palace for diners. It is the closest and cheapest garage located off Alakea Street. Metered street parking is also available along Richards and King streets.
Follow the restaurant on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Lucky We Live Hawaii

Sometimes I take living in Hawaii for granted. Amazing sunsets like this remind me how lucky we truly are to live in paradise. As seen from the Sheraton Waikiki.

- NGK

Eat This: Shiroton Charsui Sibori Ramen at Shirokiya

I’m going to keep this post short and sweet. If you love ramen, then check out the Shirokiya Yataimura Quality Food Court the next time you’re at Ala Moana Center. Order the Shiroton Charsiu Sibori ramen (pictured above) from the place with the huge “Ramen Noodle” sign and enjoy. I’m addicted!

The delicious and cloudy pork broth is my favorite part of the experience, although the noodles are quite enjoyable too. There are a variety of different options to dress up your bowl of ramen depending on your mood that day. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I’ll admit I’m not a ramen expert by any means, but I know when I’ve discovered something that’s “broke da mout” and worthy of returning time and again to satisfy my noodle craving.

Bon appetit!

-NGK

Yataimura Quality Food Court at Shirokiya
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, #2250
Honolulu, HI 96841
Phone: 808-973-9111
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Most Memorable Meal of 2012: Tasting Menu at Vintage Cave Honolulu

Inside the Vintage Cave dining room which was built with more than 170,000 bricks from Pennsylvania and features original artwork by Picasso and many other artists worth millions.

I have to say 2012 was a hell of year filled with great eating! From Hawaii to Memphis and New York City, those who follow me on Foodspotting, Twitter, and Instagram know very well there was an abundance of deliciousness enjoyed at restaurants off all varieties. I’m sure the last 12 months were equally palate pleasing for you.

But for me, there was one meal that stood out from the rest and that was a 19 course gastronomic experience at the Vintage Cave Honolulu. Let me briefly explain why.

I first met Vintage Cave Executive Chef Chris Kajioka (pictured above with Pastry Chef Rachel Murai) a little more than two years ago when he was cooking at Roy’s Waikiki. Many friends spoke highly of his culinary talents and passion for his craft having worked at many fine restaurants across the U.S., including the three-star Michelin Per Se in New York City and one-star Michelin Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. I never had a chance to taste Kajioka’s food before he left Roy’s to return to San Francisco to cook at Aziza, but did have the opportunity to get to know the chef better on a trip to Chicago in 2010 to promote Hawaii. It was on that trip we dined at one of the best restaurants in the world, Alinea, and from there stayed in touch.

In future trips to the Bay Area, we made Aziza a regular stop to see how Kajioka was doing enjoying many great meals there. About a year later, I learned that he was returning to the Ritz-Carlton to team up once again with Ron Siegel at Parallel 37. After a short stint there, Kajioka made the decision to return home after getting married with no firm job in place.

That got many Hawaii foodies excited with anticipation at what Kajioka might have in store. In the end, he landed the Executive Chef position at The Vintage Cave and has assembled a team that’s doing some amazing things in the kitchen and using some of the best ingredients from Hawaii and around the world.

The result, in my opinion, is a dining experience that rivals any Michelin-starred restaurant in the country in terms of culinary creativity, service, and ambiance. Those who ask me what eating there is like, I can only describe it as “theater on a plate” featuring skillful, modern cooking techniques and delicious flavors honoring Asia, Europe, and beyond. It’s the kind of place where it’s quality over quantity, but after 19 courses that range from one to three bites, you leave satisfied and transformed at how delicious food can be.

That seems like enough of my raving in this post. Let me let the pictures speak for themselves. I was fortunate to be hosted to two tastings prior to the restaurant’s opening in December. The following photos (and this video by Mari Taketa of Nonstop Honolulu) are of a special media dinner served on November 30 featuring a total of 30 delicious bites.

For $295/person (exclusive of tax, gratuity, and wine pairings), the tasting menu is a creative and dazzling feast for the senses.

OYSTER hibiscus shiso ginger

sweet smoked PAIN AU LAIT

fish skin CRACKER black bean clam lime

MERINGUE tomato basil

vanilla bean macaroon CAVIAR

cold smoked TORO red onion jicama
KONA KAMPACHI lemon radish shiso
UNI ham film black truffle
AMA EBI fennel
AJI smoked onion pear

HAKUREI TURNIP asian pear yogurt sumac

golden osetra CAVIAR smoked tuna gel

HOKKAIDO IKURA potato green apple cress

charred CABBAGE leaves miso konbu dill anchovy
(One of my favorite dishes.)

jidori EGG YOLK celery root truffle ham parmesan
(Another of my favorite dishes.)

FOIE GRAS maple syrup corn blueberries celery

japan AMADAI kabocha pickled garlic escabeche

PORK BELLY & NECK berbere jus kale chips

bread from CHRIS SY white soy wakame
(We’ve become big fans of Chris’ Breadshop artisan breads.)

HIRABARA FARMS pineapple vinegar

BEEF from sylvia prizant spinach sunchoke charred scallion sancho pepper
(Quite possibly the best beef I’ve ever tasted!)

onion rice PORRIDGE samoan crab white truffle
(This dish reminded me of grandma’s jook on steroids. Delicious!)

SHIO KOJI ice cream
(This was my first time having a savory ice cream. Oishi!)

blackberry sorbet PEPPERED BEET AIR mascapone sponge
(As one who loves beets, this was an amazing dessert!)

CHOCOLATE GANACHE charred pineapple aged balsamic sesame

CANELE rum glace
(I’m told the only place in Hawaii doing canales.)

BLACK TRUFFLE macaroons

My apologies for forgetting what this one was called, but delicious!

RASPBERRY meringue

GRAPE and finger lime
(An explosion of deliciousness in your mouth!)

Having eaten at the Cave three times now, the question everyones asks me is “Is it worth the money?” My quick answer is “It depends.” While pricey at $295/person, if you’re they type that will travel to the world for a great meal, this is certainly a must experience. And think about it, you don’t have to factor in the air, hotel and ground transportation into the equation. It’s definitely a meal worth saving up for that special occasion.

If you’re idea of a great meal is quantity versus quality and you’re not into art and theater on the plate, I’d take you’re money elsewhere. Buy that iPad instead or go enjoy your favorite restaurant a bunch of times. Just being honest here as you’ll probably think it’s overpriced and not worth the experience.

If Kajioka and his team continue to do what they are doing, I can see this restaurant becoming a destination for many across the globe. Will it become one of the best restaurants in the country never to earn a Michelin star (since Hawaii doesn’t get rated)? Only time will tell. But knowing Kajioka, he’s going to continue pushing himself (only 29 years old) and his young team and that’s a good thing for Hawaii.

In the culinary world of highly coveted Michelin stars, “Three stars reward exceptional cuisine where diners eat extremely well, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients. Worth a special journey.” Vintage Cave certainly has the philosophy and the resources to continue striving for this kind of distinction. It has definitely been a treat eating there and I hope I have the chance to do so again in 2013.

Happy New Year to you all and here’s to many more delicious meals with family and friends.

Aloha,
Nathan

Vintage Cave Honolulu
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, #2250
Honolulu, HI 96814
(located in the basement of Shirokiya at Ala Moana Center)
Phone: 808-441-1744
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m.; Closed Sundays
Note: Vintage Cave gives priority seating in its bar lounge and dining room to members before the general public. Reservations are required and limited.

“Clear Your Sinus” Hot Horseradish From Safeway

While enjoying a beautiful piece of my father-in-law’s prime rib on Christmas Day, someone suggested trying it with a little horseradish “in the bottle over there” from Safeway. They were pointing to the devil in the bottle pictured above.

I was warned that it was hot, but I’ve had potent horseradish before so I didn’t think that innocent bottle could contain something too strong. Boy was I wrong.

My first taste of this wasn’t pretty. I choked, allowed the potency to clear my sinuses, then teared up like a little girl at a Justin Bieber concert. Whoa did that burn. But damn was it good! So I went in again and enjoyed the experience a few more times. It was a great accompaniment to the beef. Delicious!

If you like horseradish and you like it HOT, I highly recommend you try this brand/bottle from Safeway. Don’t say you weren’t warned. It’s addicting.

An Odd and Delicious Gift For Home Cooks

With only six more days until Christmas, if you’re still trying to figure out what to get for that special someone, hard to shop for family member or friend, let me offer you this recommendation: Chicken Fried Mix from Y. Hata & Co. Value Store on Sand Island Access Road.

I’m dead serious.

A family member introduced us to this wonder flour several years ago. I’m not sure what’s in it, but it makes homemade fried chicken crisp, flavorful and delicious. But don’t let the name on the label fool you. We’ve tried this magical seasoned flour on pan fried pork chops, sauteed fish, and use it as a substitute for all-purpose flour when trying to get fancy with vegetables at home. The results are ono pork chops (almost like Side Street Inn in terms of flavor), a nice crisp coating on fish, and enhanced flavor all around.

I’m curious to find out what’s in the mix since it’s so delicious. The label doesn’t disclose the ingredients, but the display in the store says it’s from McCormick’s. There doesn’t seem to be MSG in it, because I don’t get tired or swell up after eating it. If you happen to be reading this and know, please leave a comment.

Long story short, if you want to get a versatile and delicious gift for that person who’s impossible to shop for, consider this awesome Chicken Fried Mix seasoned flour from Y. Hata & Co.

Every home kitchen should have this in the pantry. In the immortal words of Aunty Marialani, “Go check ‘em now, go check ‘em now, go check ‘em now, go!”

Happy Holidays!

Y. Hata & Co. Value Store
285 Sand Island Access Road
Honolulu, HI 96819
808-447-4100

Eat This: Belly Bowl at Lucky Belly

One of the things I love about working in downtown Honolulu is the endless choices of restaurants available for lunch. A welcome addition to the neighborhood is Lucky Belly, a ramen joint that opened in June in the old Mini Garden space on N. Hotel Street. I visited a couple weeks after it opened, so yes, this post is loooooong overdue.

The signature Belly Bowl (pictured above) is worth the visit and the calories for $12. Delicious pork belly, smoked bacon, and sausage await you along side a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg and vegetable garnishes. It’s a delicious and satisfying bowl that will have you coming back for more.

The menu also features a veggie only ramen, as well as a spicy Kim Chee version, in addition to appetizers like Pork Belly Bao Buns and the delicious Braised Brisket Sandwich, which I also highly recommend.

Did I mention there also a late night window serving a limited menu till early morning? I hear it’s ideal for the late night pau hana crowd.

If you’re downtown and looking for some good grub in a hip place, this is your restaurant. The restaurant gets busy for lunch and the wait can be long, so come early or take advantage of the communal table by the door or seating at the bar.

Lucky Belly
50 N. Hotel Street (corner of Smith Street)
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-531-1888
Hours: Monday – Saturday, Lunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Dinner: 5 p.m. – midnight; “The Window” open Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 – 2:30 a.m.