GREAT EATS HAWAII: April 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016

DORAKU

1009 KAPIOLANI BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-591-0101

HOURS: Monday thru Thursday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

www.dorakusushi.com

www.facebook.com/DorakuKakaako

Had to put up another post on Doraku on Kapiolani. Once again a great meal that left us all very full and very happy. Doraku which translated means the road or path to pleasure was exactly that. Pure pleasure enjoying some of my favorite foods. Always start with the Hamachi Carpaccio ($13.50) The thin slices of fish with slices of Jalapeño and Red and Green Onion is so light and literally melts in your mouth. The Ponzu Sauce and Chili Oil add layers of flavor that make this dish disappear in seconds. Next up is one of my favorite dishes. Hamachi Kama ($15.95) which is the fish cheek grilled and served with Ponzu Sauce and Chili Daikon Radish. We pour the Ponzu Sauce over the cheek and spread the Radish over it too. Then dig into the firm white fish that is so delicious. The crispy skin adds more flavor and texture. There is quite a bit of fish on the bone. More than you would expect. So delicious. Yummy!!!! The Pork Belly Yaki Soba ($11.95) with cubes of Pork Belly, Soba Noodles, Cabbage, Mushrooms and soft boiled egg was delicious. Loved the egg over the noodles. My Daughter loved the Miso Soup which was served with the Pork Belly Yaki Soba as a lunch entree. The God of Fire Roll ($12.50) is one of my favorite sushi rolls with its spicy Ahi, Jalapeño and Habanero Tobiko. Great flavors and a nice kick of heat. The Shogun Roll ($13.50) was so fresh and delicious that my eyes rolled with each bite. The Crab and Avocado with a hint of crispy garlic is amazing. I could eat this every single day. The Brownie Tempura ($7.50) is nice but I don't like fried brownies. Would prefer a non-Tempura Brownie but the ice cream was delicious. All of my reviews of Doraku are the same. Great food and one of my favorite places to eat. Great service on this day from Stephanie who was busy with a lot of tables but always had time to check on us, smile and make sure we were happy.

Click links below for previous posts on Doraku;

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/09/doraku-revisited.html

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/06/doraku-kakaako-honolulu.html

DORAKU

DORAKU ON KAPIOLANI

ENTRANCE TO DORAKU WHERE YOU WILL FIND INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING

DORAKU IS THE ROAD TO FOOD HAPPINESS

LOVE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF DORAKU

NICE BAR WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY A DRINK AND THE FULL MENU

LOVE THE DECOR

THE HISTORY OF DORAKU

DORAKU MENU

DORAKU PLACE SETTING

DORAKU - THE ROAD OR PATH TO HAPPINESS

WATER SERVED IN BOTTLES

HAMACHI CARPACCIO

MISO SOUP

HAMACHI KAMA WITH PONZU SAUCE

HAMACHI KAMA

THE HAMACHI CHEEK IS FILLED WITH DELICIOUS WHITE MEAT

PORK BELLY YAKI SOBA

PORK BELLY, SOBA NOODLES AND EGG

GOD OF FIRE ROLL (FRONT) - SHOGUN ROLL (BACK)

GOD OF FIRE ROLL

SHOGUN ROLL

BROWNIE TEMPURA

LUCY'S LAB CREAMERY

435 KAMAKEE STREET

HONOLULU, HI 96814

HOURS: Monday thru Thursday 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Saturday 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Sunday 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM

www.lucyslabcreamery.com

www.facebook.com/lucyslabcreamery

I must have passed Lucy's Lab Creamery dozens of times over the past year while driving down Kamakee Street. Always have wanted to pop in and see what this place is all about. Finally had the chance one evening so we found parking and entered to find two happy and smiling employees who were serving up scoops to a small group of people. We looked at the display case on the right side of the counter and were quite surprised to see Corn, Nutella, Honey Lavender and Cola flavors to name a few. The gals at the counter quickly asked us if we would like to try any flavors. "Is this all you have I asked?" I was feeling maybe Mint Chocolate or Rocky Road. The girl explained that these are the flavors for the month and that they can change monthly. I went for a standard cone and one scoop of Brownie Batter Ice Cream. They charge by the ounce so when they make your scoop you can tell them to go larger or smaller or add additional scoops. My scoop cost around $4. I liked the consistency of the ice cream and the flavor was just ok. Corn and Lavender Ice Cream does not appeal to me so I think Baskin Robbins is still my "go to" ice cream place. My Daughter loved her Nutella scoop with Fruit Loops and Sprinkles. I like this place because it is a small business that is bringing something different to Hawaii. Who can complain about a cute little boutique creamery in the heart of Honolulu. Love it!

LUCY'S LAB CREAMERY -NUTELLA ICE CREAM WITH FRUIT LOOPS AND SPRINKLES

LUCY'S LAB CREAMERY ON KAMAKEE STREET

SMALL LITTLE ICE CREAM SHOP

DISPLAY CASE SHOWS WHAT IS AVAILABLE THAT DAY

SCOOPS ARE $1 PER OUNCE

PICK YOUR CONE - SIZE - FLAVOR - TOPPINGS

PAN LE CREME

ICE CREAM WRAPPED IN SWEET BREAD

FLAVORS ARE OFF THE WALL DIFFERENT

THIS IS REALLY AN ICE CREAM LAB

I WAS NOT FEELING CORN ICE CREAM ON THIS NIGHT

ONE SCOOP OF BROWNIE BATTER ICE CREAM FOR ME. THE WEIGH IN WAS ABOUT 4 OUNCES

BROWNIE BATTER SCOOP

Saturday, April 23, 2016

TREETOPS RESTAURANT

3737 MANOA ROAD

HONOLULU, HI 96822

808-988-6839

HOURS: Daily 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

www.manoatreetops.wix.com

After being closed for a year, Treetops Restaurant reopened under the direction of a new Chef who honed his skills at Roy's Restaurant and Tiki's Grill and Bar. Decided to go back into Manoa Valley and give the place a try. I love the valley even on rainy days like this one. What I remember about Treetops during my visit here in 2009 was an old worn out restaurant that looked like a dining hall. Thought I would walk in and see a remarkable makeover that transformed this beautiful location into something worthy of the valley. Surprised to see that it looked pretty much the same. What was different though was the service on this day. Greeted by a smiling hostess that offered us indoor or outdoor seating and then served by a great waitress named Tina. We checked out the buffet which at $15.95 is a steal in Hawaii but opted to order off the menu. I went with Manoa's Best Shrimp Plate ($13) with the Burning Tree House (very spicy) sauce. Not bad. I liked the sauce and the fact that it was all over the rice too. Heat level was a bit lower than I expected. Served with fresh greens.

My Daughter went for the Chicken Wings ($9) which are served with thin and crispy French Fries. We both liked the fries. The Chicken Wings were also pretty good. Kind of thick breading and they packed a nice punch of heat. The Wings were hotter than we expected. Again not bad. What was great was the service as our waitress and a helper returned to the table multiple times to fill our waters and ask if everything was ok. We had waited a few minutes for our food and our waitress (Tina) brought over a small bowl of fruit and apologized for the wait. Did not seem like a long wait to me but we accepted the fruit and loved it. Fresh Pineapple, Strawberries, Cantaloup and Oranges. Perfect appetizer to sit back enjoy while looking at all of the trees. So nice to sit outside with the rain coming down and cool breeze flowing over us. Just a nice place to be. After lunch we walked downstairs and discovered a small snack shop, gift shop and seating area that was filled with some amazing Hawaiian paintings. Highly recommend you stop in and view the artwork. I like Treetops but just wish someone could do a makeover on the place and give it an update that would truly take advantage of the valley views and make this place a destination for tourists and locals alike.

Click link below to view previous post on Treetops Restaurant;

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2009/09/treetops-at-paradise-park.html