Oh, my … if you follow this blog you will know that I have been a very bad blogger the past two months. In fact, you may have noticed, I fell off the blogger map.
“Why?” you ask.
Well, there are several reasons:
1. I was in Hawaii, so I claim “Hawaii time.” Hawaii time isn’t about being lazy or late, it’s something about being by the ocean, in the ocean, smelling the ocean, listening to the ocean, watching the sun set on the ocean, seeing rainbows over the ocean, so that there are just some things one never gets to … like blogging.
2. I was in Hawaii, so I claim vacation time. For some reason, I just needed a break from pretty much everything I normally do … except eating and sleeping. I filled up my break with those two things … oh, and a little drinking, also.
3. I was in Hawaii, so I claim writer’s block, not because I didn’t have anything to write about but rather because I think I had too much to consider writing about. So, I wrote nothing. Instead, I just ate, drank, slept and thought about blogging.
I could go on but I won’t. Instead I will tell you, as a foodie/food blogger, I partook of some very, very fine food.
If you should have the gift of visiting Oahu and the burgeoning city of Honolulu, here are a few restaurants you must not miss:
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
1240 North School Street, Honolulu 808-845-8044
Adam Richman featured this local institution a couple of years ago on “Man vs. Food” highlighting their amazing beef ribs. The Kalua Pig & Cabbage is so very delicious, as well. This humble eatery has been in business since 1946 and remains a family business. In 2000, Helena’s was given the Regional Classic Award by the James Beard Foundation. Last year, I blogged about my eating experience at Helena’s ~ please check my archives: March 2013. They are only open Tuesday to Friday, 10:30 am – 7:30 pm, so choose your visit well … and be prepared to wait for a table at lunch hour!
Duc’s Bistro
1188 Maunakea Street, Honolulu 808-531-6325
This French/Vietnamese fusion, family-owned restaurant in Chinatown is so unassuming from the outside and such an elegant surprise when you enter. The ambience is delicate and delightful, and Duc, his wife and son are very welcoming and attentive. Some of the food is deliciously unique, like the Vietnamese delicacy, “Hoa Chuôi” Banana Blossom Salad, while the Escargots à la Chablisienne are prepared classically French. Many dishes are meant for sharing, and you’ll want to so as not to miss out on any of the wonderful flavors this restaurant offers. And Duc’s lovely wife, Minh Nga Vu, crafts all the desserts. We literally devoured her “Tapioca” mixed with sweet rice and twice cooked Hawaiian Apple Banana, topped with fresh Coconut Cream. OMG! I will return to Duc’s for many reasons, but that tapioca dessert is first on the list!
Town
3435 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu 808-735-5900
This partly open-air, Kaimuki neighborhood restaurant adamantly supports local farmers. The “gourmet comfort food” is always delicious, the staff accommodating. The menu, based on availability of local ingredients, is printed daily; the old ones are cut up and used as drink coasters. Love it. Their website says, “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always.” They are one of The Nature Conservancy’s Best Green Restaurants in the country. When I go to Town, I feel like I’m going home.
My list of go-to Honolulu restaurants is long and varied. These just happen to be three of my favorites. My family and I have been patronizing Helena’s and Town for several years, but Duc’s is a new find, thanks to my local friend and fellow foodie, Lani Paet.
If you are planning a trip to Oahu and want a few more recommendations, I am an email away.
Okay then ~ back to my weekly food blog installments! Thanks for your patience and continued support.
Eat well. Be happy.
Plynn
Plynn Gutman 