A Proper Send-Off

A while back, The Cat was named an executor of one of her client’s estates. He was an ex-pat living abroad (that used to live here). Yesterday, a group of his friends brought a part of his ashes back to SPAM land for his send-off (a portion stayed in Australia).

Since The Cat didn’t really know the client on a personal level, The Cat was a little perplexed about the memorial dinner.

By serendipitous coincidence, The Cat made reservations at Michel’s at the Colony Surf. Turns out the client, R, loved France and French food.

The Place

Near one of R’s favorites spots, Diamond Head.

Since the group was relatively large (fifteen), individual ordering could be prohibitive and cumbersome, went with chef’s choice for the table.

Amuse Bouche

Ahi tartare, shiso leaf, caviar. Nom! The Mouse’s only “complaint” (and totally not in the spirit of an “amuse bouche”), The Mouse wanted more. Sigh. Hee hee.

Lobster Bisque

Menu description: Served for over 40 years at Michel’s with fresh Maine lobster meat flamed in Cognac at your table.

The Requisite “Flamed”

 

Caesar Salad

Menu description: Hirabara baby romaine & hearts of palm, tossed tableside in our classic creamy dressing, anchovy filets served upon request.

The picture is prior to The Mouse’s request of more anchovies. Server was kind enough to “load up” The Mouse’s plate. Dragons breathe fire, The Mouse breathes anchovy breath. Hee hee. Haaaaah!

Fish Course

Salmon, tomato coulis, tomato confit, asparagus, angel hair pasta. Well prepared.

Palate Refresher

Kalamansi sorbetto with blueberry. Happy.

Meat Course

Venison, mashed potato, mushroom risotto, foie gras. I think the sauce had blueberries in it. Socks off nom.

So, everyone else’s plate was a stacked presentation, The Mouse’s looked a little deconstructed. But, The Mouse had the biggest foie gras piece. What does the soccer announcer say? SCOOOOOOOOOOOOORE! 🙂

Dessert

Chef H procured fresh peaches and made Peach Melba. Peaches, vanilla ice cream, raspberries, whipped cream, amaretto. A nice ending to an awesome dinner. Chef even gave us the leftover peaches to take home.

Thanks Chef H, we will be back.

All R’s Australian friends felt the dinner was a perfect send-off.

The Mouse was fully satisfied and satiated.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Bash the Ornament

Appears to be a campus tradition.

Sponsored by the Administration (The Brothers)

Pick an ornament off the tree.

Chance ‘um

One of the brothers helps to break the ornament.

A Tenner

Take the money inside.

Buffet Lunch

Also sponsored by the administration of brothers.

Potato salad, fried rice, squash casserole, fruit, fish, chicken.

Chocolate Raspberry Cake

The Mouse was still full at dinner.

Celery Tops on Buttered Bread

Crunch, crunch, chew, chew. 🙂

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Chef’s Tasting Dinner

As promised Friday’s “destination”.

Chef W (the “student”) cooking for Chef P (the “teacher”).

Chef W’s sandbox, territory, “house”

The normal beginnings.

Chopsticks,Bread and “Spread”

Chef P was late. The Cat and The Mouse were waiting, and waiting, and waiting …

Server came and took back the bread and would bring it back later, warmed. Aww!

I guess we looked starved, Chef W sent this out to “keep us occupied”.

A little something something

Prosciutto, olives, artichoke, goat cheese, and greens. Nom!

And Nom Naan Bread!

Nom times 2! I think naan bread is now one of The Cat’s favorite.

Finally, after Chef P arrives, the “real” eating begins.

We interrupt this program to insert this disclaimer. While The Mouse got some of the description, he didn’t get it all so some of the text description is lacking. But … as they say … a picture is worth a thousand words. So …

We now return to our regular programming. Thank you.

Wine.

Chef P’s choice

First course.

Hamachi Carpaccio

Pickled Watermelon Turnip, micro greens, and caviar! First time trying for The Cat and The Mouse. Yum!

Second course.

Foie Gras on Smashed Okinawan Potato, Mac Nut Sprinkle and Micro Greens, Balsamic Trails

OMG! Nom to the nth power. The “student” is a master.

Third course.

Kahala Resort Bouillabaisse

Fish, shrimp, clam, mussel. Happy.

Fourth course.

Opakapaka, Grilled Shrimp, Tomato Relish, Grilled Frisee, Orange and Balsamic Reduction

Okay, getting full, but it’s just a little bite. Plus, Chef W went through the trouble, so … twist my arm. 🙂

Fifth course.

Wagyu Beef, Kabocha Squash, Ali’i Mushroom, Asparagus

Twist my arm some more. Loosen belt, quietly belch. Hee hee.

Close Up

Tea.

Peppermint Tea

To help digestion (sorry TMI).

Dessert(s).

For the b-day “boy”

Too funny. Chef W misspelled his teacher’s name. Maybe it was on purpose (just kidding).

For the Table

Pineapple, Lilikoi? and Guava? Sorbet
Fresh Berries

Much Mahalo Chef W. Awesome experience!

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Happy B-Day Dr. V

I’m was kind of reluctant to post these pictures. Due to operator error, most of the pictures, except for the last one were taken without flash. As a result, the pictures have a slight reddish tinge to them. Kind of looks like old photographs, the retro look. Maybe they’re not so bad after all.

Last weekend, one of our mentors, Dr. V, celebrated his xxth birthday, and we were invited.

Birthday Table Display

Most, if not all of the items, represent good wishes for the person. I don’t know what each item specifically means.

Table Setting

Appetizer.

Spring Roll and Calamari Tempura

The Cat usually doesn’t like fried foods too much but she was digging the calamari tempura.

Winter Melon Soup

 

Steamed Whole Fish, Chinese Style

The fish, kumuor goat fish, was selected partly because of its red skin.

Crispy Skinned Chicken

Crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the outside. Yum.

The next course came in two parts.

Sesame Pastry

Stir-Fried Beef and Green Onions

Combine the two and you get

Beef and Onion Sliders in Sesame Pastry

This was my favorite. A touch of hot bean paste and it would have been perfect. As such, the socks almost came off.

Braised Pork Hock with Shanghai Cabbage

At this point in time I was too full try this. We took some leftovers to The Cat’s cousin who loved it.

Shanghai Style Noodles

For long life.

Dinner ended with Dr. V’s aunt making steamed buns that look like peaches filled with lotus seed paste. This is where I realized I was taking pictures without flash. The last picture is with flash. Sigh.

Stuffed Steamed Buns

Happy B-Day Dr. V. Wishing you health, prosperity, longevity, and happiness.

Enjoy.

The Mouse

 

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