Posted in Buffet, Dinner, Food, Japanese, tagged Buffet, Food on November 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Last night’s dinner. The Cat’s friend’s last night before going home. Buffet night. Shutting up now.
Sign
Ikura and Uni Gunkan Maki
Chawanmushi (steamed custard (savory))
The Mouse’s “Salad”
Shrimp Tempura with Radish and Green Onion Dipping Sauce
“Japanese Style” Fruit Cocktail
Pumpkin Flavored Mochi
Big Yum
Enjoy. Eat well.
The Mouse
Posted in Food, tagged Downbeat Diner, Food, lunch, scrambled eggs, vegan chili, Vegetarian Chili on November 29, 2014| 1 Comment »
Yesterday’s lunch, back at Downbeat Diner. Kind of a “strange” place (in a good way). Part “greasy” spoon, part hipster lounge, part neighborhood central. Cool upholstery. Plus they don’t rush you out, I can read and chill without bother.
Looking out from the inside
Yesterday’s server.
Uhm, okay?
Maybe it was the big-ish pink bow on her head, made me think of Hello Kitty (I don’t think it was the neon pink hair nor the ink). 🙂
I was curious about their vegan chili.
Vegan Chili Bowl with Brown Rice
Of course I had to have a side.
Scrambled Eggs
The chili was good, nice heat, balanced spice. Definitely top five chili  here. Sorry, Zippy’s Vegetarian Chili is still my #1, mayonnaise and all.
Getting off the subject. Had a long-ish “discussion” with my cuz B about mayonnaise in the recipe (this is coming from  a woman who likes sour cream on top of her chili).
Enjoy. Eat well.
The Mouse
Posted in Food, Holiday, tagged Chinese cuisine, Food, roast duck, roast pork, Stuffed Mushrooms on November 28, 2014| 1 Comment »
“Thanksgiving dinner” with her peeps (including the one that’s visiting).
Roast Duck
Stuffed Bell Pepper
Stuffed Mushrooms
Roast Pork and Shrimp
Chestnuts, Persimmons, and Pears
Guava Chiffon Cake
Notice anything missing? Turkey? Stuffing? Pumpkin pie? 364 days out of the year, I would have fully enjoyed this spread. But yesterday, and only yesterday, have to have turkey with all the accoutrements. Call it tradition, culture, something. Everyone was happy.
Enjoy. Eat well.
The Mouse
Posted in Food, Holiday, tagged Food, Holiday on November 27, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Due to a snafu in logistics, The Mouse got to spend turkey day by himself. Lunch at the local chain “diner/coffee shop”.
Zippy’s
The Cat and our cuz B are probably going to gag, but I like Zippy’s, can always find something to eat. In fact, I consider their menu a part of the “Hawaii Regional Cuisine” movement. Not  the use of locally sourced ingredients part, the representing of the many cultural influences part that kind of makes our food a “melting pot” part. But that’s just me.
Anyway, my food.
Vegetarian Chili with Brown Rice
In my opinion, one of the best chili made here. Not talking about “authenticity” (rumor has it one of  the ingredients is mayonnaise), but tasty “local” fare. Plus there’s corn and mushrooms in the chili.
Roast Turkey Plate with Mashed Potato
I think the mash potato was “real”, it was “lumpy” (I happen to like “lumpy” mash potato).
Cranberry Sauce
Nothing fancy, straight from the can (a good  thing).
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
If you look closely, there’s a thin layer of chocolate between the crust and filling, nice touch.
I’ll post what The Cat had for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. It’s kinda a good thing about the schedule mix-up (for Thanksgiving anyway).
Hope your holiday was a good one (if you celebrate).
Enjoy. Eat well.
The Mouse
Posted in Field Trip, Food, tagged Food, travel on November 27, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Or is it “staycation”? Whatever, turned out an epic day for The Mouse.
The Cat’s visitor is still here. She goes back home Sunday. It was her idea to visit Kualoa Ranch on the windward side. During World War II, there was a small air strip and a defensive bunker. Location has been used for several movies needing “greenery”. Jurassic Park and Godzilla to name a few.
We were supposed to take an ATV tour to some of the movie locations but at the last-minute, the friend got scared, The Cat and friend took an alternate bus tour while The Mouse was left to “carry on”. First time for an old mouse to experience an ATV.
Ready for the Apocalypse
After a jerky start, started to get the hang of it, and actually, while not totally comfortable on it, really enjoyed the adventure.
Godzilla Footprints
Close-up
Our guide said the “print” used to be deeper, but the cows (it is a “working” ranch) kept getting stuck in it.
“Lost” Location
“Lost” Submarine Prop
“Jurassic Tree”
The trunk used to be bigger, a Japanese film crew needed firewood and of all the trees in the area, cut that one (faceplant).
Fresh Mac Nuts
My opinion, the fresh, raw mac nuts taste better than the roasted.
Kissing Gorilla Rock
It you squint, you might be able to make out two gorillas, facing each other, about to kiss. The consensus was the rock on the left looked more like a baboon, Rafiki came to mind.
The cattle on the ranch is grass-fed, hormone/antibiotic/steroid free. I was going to try a Kualoa beef burger at their cafeteria, but The Cat had other plans.
Stopped in Haleiwa for late lunch. Still had burger on the mind.
The Mouse’s Burger
The Friend’s Crabmeat and Avocado Salad
The Cat’s Grilled Mahi Plate
No comment on the food or service. Next time I’m in the area, I going for the Kualoa beef burger.
Still a fun day, The Mouse got to imagine himself in a Mad Max movie, a zombie fighter, or an alligator hunter. Ah the dreams of Walter Mitty. 🙂
Enjoy. Eat well.
The Mouse
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