All-Dessert Party!

Are you a dessert enthusiast? If you said yes, it is not surprising - most people are. Take my friend Melanie for example: she not only excels at consuming desserts, but is also a talented baker. In fact, she spends her birthday month baking a different delicacy almost every night. Luckily for her, none of the calorie laden sweetness seem to affect her figure.  

I Love My Lemon Tree

One of my long-standing garden related wishes was to have a couple of citrus trees. Most of all I wanted a lemon tree. About seven years ago my wish came true: my parents gave me a Meyer lemon tree as a birthday gift. I planted it happily and waited for the fruit. Three years the tree stood there not giving me a single lemon. I guess citrus trees need time to acclimate to new surroundings. 

Waimanalo Pumpkin Patch

It is October and with that of course comes Halloween. Last Sunday we went over to the pumpkin patch in Waimanalo to have some harvest fun and pick up a few (more) pumpkins. 

Chili Pepper Wreaths

When thinking of the Southwestern United States, one of the first images that comes to mind is chili peppers. Indeed these red, green or yellow little peppers pop up in not only food, but local decorating.  Aren't they pretty?

Chowning's Tavern - Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is an impeccably restored historical town in Virginia.  It served as Virginia's capital in the years both preceding and proceeding the Revolutionary War (1699-1780). Today, it is a tourist destination where people young and old can learn about colonial times, talk to guides and craftsmen in period costumes, and of course spend money on everything from souvenirs to dinner. 

After a long day of touring the town, you can reserve a table at one of the historic restaurants.  We chose Chowning's Tavern for our dinner, and had a lovely colonial meal in a beautifully furnished period restaurant with even some musical entertainment.

New York City, French Food and Italian Opera

Last night, in search of some late dinner, we happened upon a restaurant called Papillon, on East 54th Street. As we entered, the Maitre'D asked us if we would like to sit downstairs, or "upstairs where the opera singing is"?  Of course we had to chose the opera.

Tips for a Successful Herb Garden

Those of you who like cooking (or eating great food, for that matter), will appreciate the great flavors fresh herbs provide.  Running to the supermarket for fresh herbs every time you need a bit just to spice up a recipe can be a drag. There is also the problem of what to do with the rest of the herbs, once you have used enough for your particular dish.  The solution to the fresh herb dilemma is easy: plant an herb garden.

Soufflé time!

A little while ago I found this recipe at zencancook.com and decided to give it a try.  It is a Grand Marnier Soufflé, baked in an orange.  Since this is my first attempt at baking soufflé, I enlisted the help of my friend Melanie.

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Whole Foods Kailua

We had to wait for what seems like an eternity (though it was only about four years), but finally Whole Foods Market Kailua has opened its doors.  I could not help myself and visited the first day. There were extreme crowds, of course, yet I managed to spend a happy half-hour shopping and emerged $120 poorer.  The second day they were open (yesterday), somehow I found myself there again, this time accompanying a friend.  We ordered a sandwich to share for lunch and while we were waiting I took these pictures.  There was again quite the crowd so I mostly tried to shoot over people's heads.  

The store is beautiful with lots of local touches.  Many Hawaii products too, and nice produce, though I think I will keep visiting the neighboring Thursday night market for that.

Prima

Last night I went out to dinner with my friends at Prima.  This was my first time at this relatively newly-opened restaurant, so I thought a review is in order.  Prima is located near Foodland in Kailua town. They have both indoor and outdoor seating.  We chose to sit outside, and liked it, even though it looked directly at the parking lot. I was not too impressed by the decor, bland modern restaurant look.  

The food, however, was very good.  We have tried quite a few items on the menu, and while the portions are tiny, most of the dishes were excellent.  My three favorites were:

Maitake mushroom, pickled hon shimeji, cremini, cauliflower puree

 Fennel Panna Cotta, fennel stem marmalade, coffee salt

Tea at the Moana

Yesterday I wrote about Ti, so it is fitting that today's topic would be Tea.  Particularly since I spent yesterday afternoon at the Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel on Waikiki Beach, having afternoon tea with a good friend. The Moana is my favorite place in Hawaii for afternoon tea.  It is impossible to find a nicer setting. The Moana is the oldest hotel on Waikiki Beach, a stunning white structure on Kalakaua Avenue.

The entrance of the hotel