Jean-Georges

Address: 1 Central Park West, New York

http://www.jean-georges.com/

Phone: 212-299-3900

To celebrate my 30^th Birthday, Gan brought me to Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s NYC flagship restaurant, Jean-Georges in Trump International Hotel and Tower for dinner. Since Jean-Georges is one of the three restaurants in NYC awarded with a 3 Michelin star (Michelin guide is one of my food bibles in case you haven’t noticed), I was really excited about eating there.

My first impression of the restaurant was not too good. I thought the hostesses were not the most helpful and friendly people. But lucky for us, our waiter, Sandy, was very pleasant.

After analyzing the menu for a bit, Gan and I decided to go with the Chef Tasting Menu. I chose the Classic Jean-Georges Tasting Menu while Gan went with the Spring Tasting Menu. We later conclude that I had chosen the more “masculine” tasting menu (where the dishes were heavier) while Gan chose the lighter, more “girly” tasting menu. Very Funny!

Overall we thought the tasting menu was not bad, with some hits and misses. We thought the non-meat dishes were done amazingly- the ingredients were very fresh and the sauces and seasoning were absolutely remarkable. We especially LOVE the Turbot with Chateau Chalon Sauce, Green Asparagus with Morels and Asparagus Juice, and Sashimi of Madai with Muscat Grapes and Herbal Emulsion. We didn’t like the meat dishes that much- the lamb lacked seasoning and the squab was too chewy. Desserts too were not particularly exciting; I did not even care to finish the desserts.

If I go back to the restaurant again, I would probably order seafood and skip the meat and desserts. It was a very nice dinner but I think I like Le Bernardin better.

We originally wanted the Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Alsace but it was not available. The sommelier recommended Domaine Weinbach's Muscat Reserve which was fruity and delicious.

Classic Egg Caviar (Jean-Georges Menu)

Egg Toast, Caviar and Dill (Spring Menu)

Sea Scallops, Caramelized Cauliflower, Caper-Raisin Emulsion (Jean-Georges Menu)

Sashimi of Madai, Muscat Grapes with Herbal Emulsion (Spring Menu)

Gan enjoying one of his favorite dish - Green Asparagus with Morels and Asparagus Juice (Spring Menu)

My favorite dish -- Turbot with Chateau Chalon sauce (Jean-Georges Menu)

Lobster Tartine, Lemongrass and Fenugreek broth, Pea Shoots (Jean-Georges Menu)

Butter Poached Maine Lobster, Ramp Ravioli, Bacon Vinaigrette (Spring Menu)

Broiled Squab, Onion Compote, Corn Pancake with Foie Gras (Jean-Georges Menu)

Assorted flavor Marshmallows

After the dinner - Thank you Gan for the wonderful birthday treat!

Hoku's

Address: 5000 Kahala Ave Honolulu, Hawaii

http://www.kahalaresort.com/dining/hoku.cfm

Phone: 808-739-8780

To me, Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Oahu is one of those fusion restaurants that sound promising, but failed to really impress. Don’t get me wrong, the food was good and the restaurant serves a good mix of local Hawaiian dishes with touches of Asian and European ingredients and techniques. But for the price they charge and the best restaurant in Hawaii awards they received over the years, I expected more than what was presented.

There are a couple of memorable dishes though. We thought the tandoori bread (the restaurant has its own tandoori oven) was fantastic especially with the ahi tuna dipping sauce, and the soy glazed pork belly appetizer was one of the best we have tasted. On the other hand, entrées we ordered- the sous vide lamb and eastern black cod were average and not inspiring.

To be fair, maybe we didn't enjoy the dinner at Hoku's as much because of our jet lag. We arrived in Oahu just a few hours before the dinner and we have chosen this restaurant because it is located at the hotel where we were staying. But even with that, I feel that this may be a good restaurant to go to for its wonderful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean (from every table) and probably not so much for its food.

Tandoori bread with butter or ahi tuna dipping sauce. The Ahi tuna dipping sauce was something new for us and it was very good.

Here's me eating my 2nd tandoori bread (or was it the 3rd?)

Ahi Tuna sushi appetizer

Foie Gras and Duck appetizer - Duck Breast, Tatsoi, Ka'u Orange Marmalade and Reduction, Hawaiian Sweet Bread

Sushi and Sashimi platter - Ahi and Hamachi sashimi, Unagi, Ahi and Shrimp Nigri sushi, Spicy Tuna and California Roll

Soy Glazed Pork Bellywith Beluga Lentils, Tomato Salad, Asian Gremolata. The pork belly was crispy on the outside and tender/juicy on the inside, and the beluga lentils and tomato salad goes really well with the meat

Sous Vide Lamb with Southeast Asia spiced, Pickled Vegetables, Saffron Curry, Toasted Flat Bread

Eastern Black Cod with Sesame Ginger, Swiss Chard, Cremini Mushroom & Frisee, Truffle Kabayaki Sauce

Waiola Shave Ice

Address: 2135 Waiola Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii

Phone: 808-949-2269

Like Matsumoto, Waiola Shave Ice is very popular among locals and tourists and is famous for serving the best ice. The store is located close to Waikiki beach.

Waiola's rainbow shave ice

Matsumoto Shave Ice

Address: 66-087 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Hawaii

http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com

Phone: 808-637-4827

Shave ice is absolutely the highlight of our trip to Oahu. Nothing makes us happier than enjoying a cone of shave ice after a hike up the Diamond Head crater or after sunbathing at the beach. I love the classic and colorful rainbow “snowcone” shave ice while Gan loves to try out different types of syrups such as coconut, Li Hing Mui (salty dry plum) and Lychee. Matsumoto at Haleiwa is the oldest shaved ice place on the island and in my opinion, has the best overall tasting shave ice; Waiola (see my separate post on Waiola) at Kapahulu has the best ice -it is so fine that it almost tastes like sorbet! Excellent dessert for hot summer days!

My favorite - rainbow shave ice!!

Rainbow Drive In

Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii

Phone: 808-737-0177

I have a theory. The reason why people from Hawaii are much nicer and happier is because of plate lunch places such as Rainbow Drive in, L&L Drive in, Zippy’s etc. What is not to be happy about? A lunch plate with kalbi, mahi-mahi, macaroni salad for less than 10 bucks - affordable, got all the carbs and protein you need for the day, and delicious! You can find unusual (to the mainlanders) but very local dish such as loco moco, chili rice, ahi poke etc and also interesting drinks call slush float, which is pretty much an Icee + float.

Rainbow Drive In which is located near Waikiki at Kapahulu is one of our favorite plate lunch places in Oahu. We like it better because it is still very “mom and pop”, with only one branch, compared to L&L and Zippy’s which are everywhere. Drive ins are the quintessential cheap eats on the island and a must try if it is your first time there. Just don’t expect nice ambience and clean eating area.

Classic menu board with list of plate lunches

lunch plate with teriyaki beef, mahi-mahi, macaroni salad and rice

Slush float, lunch plate and chili rice