ughh deliciousness

So I realized my food banner above was lacking. And to be honest it was really annoying me. Plus, i discovered this very stretchy layout template that has allowed me to break the awkward alignment rules (in your face, Dave and the internet).

I don't really know where I was going with that thought. But moving on! I decided to chronicle previous eats that I have photographed and shared on Facebook but was forced to spare details because... well.. people usually fill themselves with intense hate when you go into detail about how delicious something was (gee, makes you wonder how this blog will ever become a success, right?).

SO HERE IS A FUN FACT. I really (bleep)ing love hamburgers. I don't know why; I just like the taste of beef! Although the Kua'aina Burger in Ward Centre isn't exactly as great as it's Haleiwa counterpart, I'm never disappointed with the size and flavor of the meal.

Top: 1/3 lb Hamburger with grilled onions. Below: 1/3 lb Cheeseburger with Provolone. Large basket of fries on the side!

Offered in third-pound and half-pound patties, these burgers are always juicy and filling. I love that the veggies are always so fresh! Even the lettuce is always leafy, they always cut off the stiff stalk of it. If Haleiwa wasn't so inconvenient I would go there everyday!

For our one year anniversary, Kenji and I got breakfast at Lulu's Restaurant in Waikiki. I got the Magnum P.I. Burger, which ended up being 10x bigger and more delicious than I had anticipated.

It came with this amazing veggie salad! I wish I could remember what the dressing was called. Anyway! We went to the beach after and I totally kanak'd on the beach. Ended up with slight sunburn.

That's all for burger photos. Sorry that I'm lacking. Still getting into the habit of taking photos of everything and trying to compile it into something tangible.

THINGS I WANT TO EAT RIGHT NOW

So I have this awful tendency to shop for groceries when I'm absolutely starving. Although I obsessively think of food, the whole brainstorming process doesn't start until I feel that itch in my belly. Because of this, I become incredibly indecisive. And the supermarket is the worst place to be. I find myself pacing the aisles, pausing in front of cans of sauces, marinades, frozen dinners, often overwhelmed by the number of choices I have. But then I end up making something I've grown accustomed to, never really branching out and making new things.

Well hopefully after this post things will change.

Truth be told, despite the fact that I often consider myself quite the connoisseur of international cuisine, I still tend to eat the same dishes, the same meals. I suppose that I've convinced myself that because I've eaten agedashi tofu so many times, I can tell exactly how it should taste and have created these false expectations in my mind. I'm getting off track here, but you know what I'm trying to say.

1. Chocolate dipped bacon



Sara Jayne Photography

Don't get me wrong. I am not a real big chocolate eater. I've always seen it as sort of a savory snack, far from the typical Hershey's bar or mocha frappe. It's apparent that most of the world is a big fan of cocoa and refined sugar so it's no surprise that someone decided to start dipping things in it. Fondue, anyone?

There's something incredibly intriguing about dipping bacon into chocolate. Not only will there be a contrast in flavors, salty versus sweet, but the oilyness of the bacon would probably (i'd imagine) create a melt-in-your-mouth feeling. Plus, who doesn't love pig fat anyway?

I've read a number of recipes to make it and it's really not that difficult. I guess I just haven't felt adventurous enough to finally go through with it!

2. Jelly fish

The last time I went to Japan was nearly seven years ago. I remember sitting at the table just after New Years with my family around when my grandmother presented us with a salad. Garnished at the very top was shiny, slimy, and sliding down the lettuce leaves. "Gerri-fishu" my grandmother enunciated to my brother and I, to which we both pursed our lips and shook our heads in silence.

I really regret not eating it.

I want to try it cured, but my understanding is that most jellyfish that is marketed is already processed, otherwise it cannot be consumed. My curiosity kills me! Does it taste like fish? Like the sea? Perhaps its own distinct, unusual flavor? I must know! I cannot seem to find it here in Hawaii and perhaps what little kanji I know fails me, but hopefully I can cross this off my "Must Eat" list.

3. Olive Garden



OKAY OKAY I KNOW. THIS ISN'T A REAL FOOD. But effing-A man, they play the commercials here in Hawaii all the time and we don't have one here! I want to eat EVERYTHING, I don't even care if it sucks. I just need to get it out of my system.

4. Pad Thai



I love Thai food. I can't get enough of it, really. But despite the numerous visits to Bangkok Chef in Nu'uanu or Chiang Mai in Moili'ili, I have never tried pad thai. Perhaps it's because it reminds me of an omelet of thai foods, a mish-mash of various dishes and flavors. And because they're a real family style restaurant like most Asian cuisines are, I can't imagine sharing something like that and eating something else too. Maybe I'm over-thinking the dish, but I'm desperate to try it now. I'll just have to make a mental note to remind them no shrimp!

Okay I'm kind of tired of talking about food for today. More updates to come!

so the first real food post

I guess if you know me, you probably know that I have some serious obsession with food. Yes, I'm guilty of being a glutton and I'm perfectly fine with that! Although I haven't quite mastered the craft of cooking on my own you can trust that I'm getting there fast!

I'm hoping to post photos of things I've made, ate, seen, would like to try, etc. But for now, here is my review on Cafe Maharani! Located on South King next to Down to Earth, it's a quaint restaurant. Seating is limited! During the summer of 2009 I went there with my friend Angel! Don't mind the fact that we both look incredibly awful; it was the most humid day ever. It was my first time eating Indian cuisine; it was a cultured day overall!

The Tandoori Chicken Kebab Platter! + Naan and Rice

Angel

Me!

Angel in front of the restaurant

Me again!

The food was incredibly spicy but was well complimented with the raita (yogurt) sauce. The rice was well seasoned, and the naan very hot and crispy! The two of us have small stomachs, so we only ordered this one platter and still had leftovers. The service was nice (with the exception of the waiter spilling a bit of water on me on accident). There is a flat screen mounted on the wall playing Bollywood movies in the background. The sound is hard to hear because the restaurant is usually very packed, but made for fun visual entertainment while we were waiting for our food.

The only real downside is the fact that Angel's cup was somewhat rusty and had a distinct metallic flavor in the water. Although this was easily fixed when we requested another cup, it's unlikely that they actually got rid of that rusty one.

Okay, I guess I should probably work on my food journalism, because to be honest this review sucks. Oh well.

Love,
Arisa

giving this another go

deleted everything!! starting anew. downloading photoshop too! let's hope this works out... ahhh.