GOOD EATS: SEATTLE EDITION

 

from left to right: Sushi from Musashi's // Croque Madame from Boat Street Cafe // Zoe Waffle from Itadakimasu // Caribbean Roast from Paseo // Spicy salmon roll and Las Vegas roll from Wasabi Bistro // Fish tacos and chips from Agua Verde 

COOKING 101

I can't cook, but I'm slowly trying to teach myself. Here are some past meals I "cooked". 

GOOD EATS

 

from left to right: Multiple Orgasm (chocolate, coffee, and oreo ice cream cake) and mochi ice cream from Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts // Acai Bowl from Island Vintage Coffee // Swedish meatballs from IKEA // Pho from Pho Than Brothers // Chirashi Bowl from Musashi's // Duck sliders from Tilth // Korean BBQ from The Grill King Korean Cuisine and BBQ // Kitsune udon and tempura from U:Don

GOOD EATS

 

from left to right: Chicken with black bean sauce from Jun Bo // Green tea bubble tea from Bee's Dessert House // Bulgogi Bowl from Asahi Grill // "Naked" Spicy ahi musubi from Off the Wall // Guri guri ice cream from Samurai // Lilikoi pudding from Mariposa

GOOD EATS

 

 

from left to right: Spicy ahi w/ truffle oil from Michi's Cooking Fresh For You // Mango habanero-lime popsicle from Ono Pops // Hot Pot from Sweet Home Cafe // Garlic sesame soybeans from Foodland // Loco moco and chicken katsu plate from Grace's Inn // Strawberry milk chocolate mochi from Made in Hawaii Foods

GOOD EATS

 

from left to right:  Irish Car Bomb sundae from REAL a gastropub // Udon from Hinone Mizunone. // Acai bowls from Lanikai Juice // Asian pear mojito from Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ // Ahi wonton nachos from Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ // French dip sandwich from Henry Loui's

KRAZY FOR KOKO HEAD?

Even though I've done the Koko Head Trail three times before I always find myself questioning why I am doing it and this time was no exception.  It also could have been that I had been out late the night  before and had barely slept and was a bit dehydrated.  Incidentally, it was my bizzaro state of mind that thought it would be a great idea to go hiking the next day.  Why I decided to do Koko Head is beyond me.  At least I had my booze crew along with me to tackle the death stairs together (except I was the only one feeling the after effects of the night before).  This trail is definitely a mind over matter march to the top.  The first half is a breeze but then the tracks suddenly turn into an almost straight vertical arch.  It's like being on the ultimate StairMasters that's out to kick your butt and boy it did.  But, I made it and my legs felt like jelly but the view at the top makes it all worth it in the end.  The great thing about this hike is that it's very short and anybody of all fitness levels can do it.  A lot of people use the stairs as a work out and sometimes I'll see people going up and down multiple times while I'm there.  There's one guy who even goes back down the stairs backwards.  Crazy.  Afterwards we ate at Teddy's Bigger Burgers, my favorite burger joint on the east side of the island and the only way to refuel after a hike.  

GOOD EATS

 

from left to right: Pesto chicken pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. // Taiwanese shave ice with matcha green tea ice cream and tapioca from Coffee or Tea? // Spicy Ahi pokebowl from Pa'ina Cafe. // Tan Tan Ramen from Daiichi Noodles Cafe. // Lilikoi and guava shave ice from Keneke's. // Watermelon soju from Duck Butt Cafe. 

Let's face it, eating healthy during the summer really sucks.  Especially since I'm gonna miss all of my favorite restaurants when I'm away that I'm trying to eat out whenever I can.  Seriously, all my money goes towards food.  But I've been exercising consistently (running and lifting twice a week, hiking on weekends, and I'm starting to pick up tennis again) so I do deserve to indulge a little every now and then.  Okay, I've been eating a lot.  But hey, at least my stomach is happy. 

A SWEET REUNION

A few days ago I had a mini reunion with some high school friends at the restaurant Shokudo.  It was a good time catching up with some of my favorite people in the world.  For dessert we all shared some Honey Toast, which is by far one of the sweetest creations ever.  It's french toast bits topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled generously with honey.  So simple yet so delicious.  Afterwards, a few of us decided to continue the night over to Shirokiya at their new beer garden.  $1 for a glass of beer or $4 for a pitcher.  Say what?!  I think it's becoming my new favorite night spot. 

YOGURSTORY

I ate lunch today with Mel at Yogurstory.  It's a cute new cafe/restaurant that's opened up near Ala Moana.  Note to self, remember to get the Dulce de Leche waffles again.  So good! 

MEATY MUSK

It is becoming a tradition for a couple of friends and I to dine out on Wednesdays.  Nothing too fancy.  We usually pick new restaurants someone has been dying to try and will ensure that our tummy's are full of delicious food.  This week we went to Sikdorak for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and it did not disappoint.  For $19.95 per person how can you go wrong?  This is the only time I fill up on my meat eating and I don't have an ounce of remorse.  Between three people, we could barely finish the first meat tray and endless banchan that were brought out.  After dinner we decided to catch a movie - Haywire. Confusing movie, but a lot of female butt kicking which provided some entertainment.  End result, not too shabby.  Then we went to Dave and Buster's and won on Deal or No Deal.  Great way to top off a successful night. 

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY

To celebrate Chinese New Year, my family went to Chinatown to eat shabu shabu.  The owner of the restaurant we ate at was a friendly, old Taiwanese man who only spoke Mandarin.  He came by our table often to check up with us even though neither of us could understand each other.  He kept offering us free wine (which my dad gladly took) and at one point he made a toast to the entire restaurant, shouting out "Happy New Year!"  Amazing.  While we were there we could also hear a Chinese Lion dance group practicing in the building next door.  The rhythmic beating of the drums was a nice touch to a night of celebrating our heritage.  I hope the new year brings everyone love, happiness, and good health!