Fusion

Meeting with chefs P & p tonight (along with The Cat), trying to get a business plan out for them. Dinner was my suggestion, Angelo Pietro (1585 Kapiolani Boulevard). One of the first Italian/Japanese pasta restaurants on the islands. Yes, another Kapiolani Boulevard  eatery.

This was the menu that had the nattō and bacon pasta, so The Mouse was pretty excited to eat here. This restaurant is also one of the first restaurants to introduce asian salad dressings.

Salad Dressings

To try, ordered two salads:

Tofu Salad

Rainbow Salad

The ginger dressing went well with the tofu salad, the original and sesame and miso dressings went well with the rainbow salad (which was strings of raw potato, carrots, and turnips). The Cat’s business partner and the chefs were not too fond of tofu nor the raw potato, that’s okay, more for me.

There were two dishes that I wanted to try off the menu, natto and bacon, and pickled mustard greens (takana) and bacon. Asked if they could do a natto and takana pasta if I sacrificed the bacon. They agreed.

Natto and Takana Pasta

Pasta topped with natto, takana, nori (dried seaweed), and crispy won ton strips. I know, me not  taking bacon, but I was interested in the other flavors. Not to worry, it won’t happen  too often (so mark your calendar).

I thought it was good. Just as good as my homemade version (see here). One sock off. The pasta needed  just a tad bit more moisture, so  a shake of the sesame ginger dressing and it’s all good.

Not sure if The Cat’s business partner or the chefs will return, but I will.

Pasta with Asian ingredients. Not sure I would call it fusion, definitely food without borders.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Soup & Salad

Met one of our mentors for lunch today at his private club. The main dining room was closed for a “princess party”, had to eat poolside (poor us ).

The Cat and I both had the salad trio.

Salad Trio

Tossed salad, ahi Niçoise, and crab and broccoli. Nice and “summery”.

I also had the Gazpacho.

Gazpacho

Think V-8 juice but crunchy. Hee hee.

A nice and light lunch. Only problem was two hours later, I was hungry again.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Cold Pasta

Yes, cold pasta. Not pasta salad, cold pasta, intentionally.

The Cat treated the people who helped to get her through tax season yesterday. Mimasuya Italiano of Kyoto (1341 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawai`i), because it was walking distance from the office.

I studied the menu before going over. I had in mind a cold pasta dish. A quick Google search turned up very little about “cold pasta”, there were a lot of pasta salad dishes, but no “cold pasta”. I was intrigued.

Prosciutto Caesar’s Salad
Romaine lettuce,parmesan and prosciutto served with Mimasuya Caesar’s dressing

The plan was to order a salad and the “cold pasta” skipping an entrée. Prosciutto and anchovies? The Mouse was in salty heaven. My only wish was that there was more salad. It was good.

“ Mimasuya ” Chilled Fedelini
Fedelini, procciuto, grilled eggplant served with chilled tomato sauce

I think I was intrigued because of the cold udon I experienced a couple of days ago. This was also pretty good. I’m surprised that I’m taking a liking to cold noodles (more horizon expansion exercises). My only suggestion would be to grill the eggplant more. To me, there could have been more of a smokiness to the eggplant (don’t be timid, grill it!). I wanted to see grill marks. Other than that, I would order this again. Not often mind you, but definitely a consideration.

First cold udon, now cold pasta, who would’ve thunk?

Thanks to The Cat.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse.

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Eating Event I

On Tuesday, we met up with Chefs P & p for dinner. The Cat was trying to find a noodle place that was suitable for all of us. It seems like Asian noodle dishes like ramen, pho, mein, etc. are not the chefs first choices (they’re French after all). Romano’s Macaroni Grill at the mall was chosen as a compromise (location, food, etc.).

Appetizers included fried calamari (sorry, no picture), Caesar salad (family style),

Caesar Salad

stuffed mushrooms,

Stuffed Mushrooms

and deep-fried macaroni and cheese balls.

Deep-Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

The mac and cheese balls were accompanied with a truffle dip (the stuff on the left of the balls). The mushrooms were stuffed with hot Italian sausage, goat cheese, spinach, and breadcrumbs. I thought it was the best appetizer of the night. The chefs like the mac and cheese balls, go figure.

Because of all the appetizers, I opted for the market chop salad.

Market Chop Salad

Romaine lettuce, roast turkey, pepperoni, provolone, artichoke, balsamic vinaigrette, and pumpkin seeds. Truth be told, I could distinguish any of the ingredients listed (except for the provolone). Still, it was tasty.

The Cat ordered her standby dish.

Eggplant Parmesan

Comes with capellini pomodoro. She was already full from eating the appetizers and took a sizable portion home.

In the end, Chefs gave me a cookbook.

Cookbook

They said now I can start cooking. Wha?!! You mean natto and sardine pasta is not cuisine? Apparently they think my hodge podge style needs some help (they’re both classically trained).  Thanks for the book chefs (heh heh). It was nice of them, and I probably will get some inspiration from it, but following recipes, what an interesting concept … nah.

As the title implies, there is a short series of eating events in the very near future. Stay tuned.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse.

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I Needed This

Not too much to write about today. Stayed in all day.

This past week, the weather has been cold, wet, and pretty dreary.  I shouldn’t complain, I’m sure other people are having it much worse, but I’m a tropical mouse.

Today’s dinner was partly to clean out the refrig, and partly to forget the weather.

Mouse Salad

Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, and canned tuna. I was missing the olives, green beans, and hard boiled egg (which I’m not fond of anyway). Dressed with raspberry vinaigrette.

The salad didn’t chase the weather away, it did make my stomach happy.

Have to hurry with this post, the lights are flickering.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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