Sunday, March 28, 2010

BURGERS ON THE EDGE - HONOLULU, HAWAII

BURGERS ON THE EDGE
HONOLULU, HI

I have avoided eating at Burgers on the Edge due to my on and off again dieting. For over a year, I have drove by the place thinking about those big juicy burgers. When my daughter said she wanted a burger for lunch, I gave in and finally tried this place. When you enter you are given a menu and a pencil. The menu allows you to mark off what you want on your burger. You can choose from a 1/3 or 1/2 pound Wagyu Kobe Style or 100% Premium Ground Chuck burger. The you choose the cheese; cheddar, provolone, Danish Havarti, Parmesan, Pepper Jack, Swiss, Mozzarella or Bleu Cheese. Then you pick a sauce from a list of about 12. The sauces include Jalapeno Ketchup, BBQ, Marinara, Teriyaki, Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Ranch and Basil Pesto. Then you choose the toppings (4 included with burger). There are the regular lettuce, tomato, onion and more like a fried egg, grilled ham, roasted peppers, bacon, mushrooms, caramelized apples and grilled pineapple to name a few. Choose a bun from white or whole wheat and you have your customized Burger on the Edge. We went with a 1/3 pound Wagyu Beef Burger ($7.99) with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion with jalapeno ketchup. My daughter took one bite and said "delicious". I took a bite and agreed. This was a very good burger. We tried the Sweet Potato Fries ($4.89). These are fried Sweet Potato gut thin and crunchy. They are good but expensive. My daughter ate the entire burger. Not a thread of evidence left on her plate. I finished too and was very full. The burgers here are good but a bit expensive. Lunch for two with drinks was $25. UPDATE 2012 - OUT OF BUSINESS.
 
BURGERS ON THE EDGE


















Saturday, March 20, 2010

ISLANDER ON THE BEACH - KAUAI BEACH SHACK

THE VIEW FROM CONDO LANAI AT ISLANDER ON THE BEACH

KAUAI BEACH SHACK
KAPAA, KAUAI

Waking up to a Hawaiian sunrise at our Beach Shack on Kauai. While the place has not been a good investment, it is pure heaven to stay here and just relax. This is the view from our lanai.


FUNDRAISER DINNER FOR CHARLES DJOU


FUNDRAISER DINNER FOR CHARLES DJOU
DREW, SHIRLEY AND KELI'S HOUSE

We were happy to host a fundraiser dinner for City Councilman and Congressional Candidate Charles Djou at our home last week. The candidate and his wife Stacy joined our family and forty friends for a great dinner catered by Kahai Street Kitchen. Shirley did an incredible job hosting the party and also made some great appetizers. Shirley made home made Crab Cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, Pasta Salad and a Ham and Cheese in puff pastry. In addition, we served several different fresh poke dishes and a variety of cheeses. For the main courses, Kahai Street Kitchen prepared Sauteed Opakapaka with a Miso Creme Sauce and Rayu Drizzle with Tobiko Caviar Garnish, Bake Boneless Chicken with Boursin Cheese Creme Sauce, Braised Boneless Short Ribs w/Vegetable Demi Glaze and a Kalua Pork and Okinawan Sweet Potato Mini Cake with Lomi Tomato Salsa and Hoisin Aioli. Kahai Street did a great job and everyone said they loved the food. To compliment the great food, we served a Wild Horse Merlot, Rock n' Vine Cabernet and a Four Vines Naked Chardonnay. For dessert, we went all out and served the famous Pyramid Cakes from JJ's Bistro. This was quite the night and the largest party we have ever hosted at our house. My thanks to Shirley and everyone who came out to support Charles.



Thursday, March 18, 2010

THE FISH HOPPER - KAILUA KONA





























THE FISH HOPPER
KAILUA KONA, HI

Boy am I glad my friend Doug suggested we meet at the Fish Hopper for lunch this week. With only one day in Kona on business, it was nice to have a great lunch before leaving the Big Island. The Fish Hopper is located right on the main drag in Kailua Kona just across from the ocean. The restaurant is all open air and staffed by a very courteous group of servers. We enjoyed a cup of Clam Chowder ($4.95) that was actually really good. It was a thick base filled with nice pieces of clams. Better than expected. I was blown away with my fish dish. Fresh Walu with Scallops ($16.95). While a bit expensive for lunch, the dish was prepared perfectly. The fish was fantastic and the scallops were cooked to perfection. They cut like butter. I really enjoyed the purple sweet potatoes with fresh corn and onion. This really complimented the dish and put it over the top. My friend enjoyed the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi ($14.95). Large pieces of fresh Mahi Mahi with a Mango/Papaya Relish. He said it was delicious. I really liked the Fish Hopper and cannot wait to return with a big appetite.