Life is just so Rosy!

I just had to show off my Jeffrey Campbell "Swansong" wedges. These pictures just don't do these floral beauties justice! Also wanted to show off my new Rayban "Updated Wayfarers" that have a slight cat-eye, and are a rosy-purpley color!

V Lounge

Craving Pizza? And I don't mean ordinary Pizza Hut pizza...I mean delicious, gourmet pizza that uses only fresh vegetables that are delivered daily. Are you also looking for a trendy place that serves late-night pizza til 4am? Pizza and beer til the wee morning hours? How can you get any better than that!?

They have also added a few new pizzas onto their menu, which my friends and I decided to check out last night. As a plus, they use a Kiawe wood fired brick oven to cook the pizza. So traditional. Maybe that's why it taste extra good??

Capicola- smoked mozzarella, capicola and fresh basil!
One of our favorites. We ordered 2!

Prima- another favorite that's been on the menu since the beginning.
Pancetta, Onions, Hamakua Alii Oyster Mushrooms, Thyme, Parsley, fresh Mozzarella, Egg Yolk and
TRUFFLE OIL!!

Pizza and Beer!

Boquerones- fresh Mozzarella, Thyme, Onions, Garlic, Chili Pepper Water and White Anchovies
This was...different...

I'd definitely stick with the Prima and the Capicola. I also want to try the Speck which includes Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and Pineapple! YUM!

Here's what I wore to a cold and chilly Pizza Night with the boys!! I like the look and feel of a casual gray vneck, but I love how my sequin black shorts dress it up. And heart print leggings? I adore.

Crepes No Ka 'Oi

Ahhh, after living in SF for so long, one comes to love the smell, the taste, the texture and especially the variety of fillings of a Crepe. You can have a sweet one with strawberries, bananas and brown sugar for an end-of-the-meal dessert. Or how about a savory one with ham and cheese for lunch!? You can put almost anything your heart desires in it! To me, it's a much more sophisticated and gourmet way to have a sandwich!

But, I've noticed the number of restaurants that serve Crepes, here in Hawaii, is very scarce. The 2 big ones I know of (but correct me if I'm wrong) is Le Crepe Cafe in Manoa by Serg's Mexican Restaurant (which you can read about in my blog!!) AND my favorite, Crepes No Ka 'Oi located in Kailua.

What I feel the difference is between Le Crepe Cafe and Crepes No Ka 'Oi is the variety of fillings in the Crepes. I think the Kailua one experiments with flavors and is more creative. And the names! Oh I love the names! For example, try the "Say Cheese" crepe, or the "Get Mushy" crepe, or how about "Popeye's Power" with turkey/ham and of course, spinach! If you want a traditional crepe, sweet or savory, go to Le Crepe Cafe. If you want to try something different, go to Crepes No Ka 'Oi! Such crepes include "Haole Boy," which comes with melted Jack and Cheddar cheese, honey ham, and chunks of fresh sweet pineapple. Or "The Vegetarian," boasts melted Jack and Cheddar cheese, sauteed Mushrooms, Spinach, Tomatoes, sauteed Onions and Black Olives! How can you go wrong with that!? OR there is my favorite, "The Godfather." If you like Caprese Salad (mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette and extra virgin olive oil), then this is the Crepe for you! It is all that...in a crepe!!

See what I mean by different?

I didn't get to take a lot of pictures of different Crepes, since it was only me eating, so here's my favorite, The Godfather. It is oh-so-yummy with the Balsamic Vinaigrette!!!

More Pa'ina

I just had to go to Pa'ina Cafe for the second day in a row. Couldn't resist the fruit bowl with dried cranberries or the delicious poke!!!

Here's an XL bowl with half/half Spicy Ahi and Wasabi Masago Ahi. Soooo yums!

Did you know..."Pa'ina" means "gathering." Pa'ina Cafe states that "it's a very simple word, but it strongly represents family and relationships." 

I really like that, because to me, I have always believed food brings people together or makes relationships stronger. Think about it. What do you do at the end/evening of each day? You gather the food you made, sit down and share it with the people you love the most. 

So, let's gather together and go eat some Poke Bowls at Pa'ina Cafe!

Pa'ina Cafe

Most of my favorite restaurants are in town. That's about 20-30 minutes too far sometimes. I'm an impatient puppy when I'm hungry, so you better get me food ASAP! So to my delight, I was glad to have found Pa'ina Cafe right in my neighborhood!! Their original restaurant is located in Ward Warehouse by Town and Country Surf, but they opened one in Koko Marina about a couple months ago! So so so happy!!

What are they known for? Their Poke Bowls!!! And I have to admit, it was delicious. I needed to lie down after because I was so incredibly full and scarfed it down in a matter of minutes! They do offer a wide selection of other things like Salads, Soups, and Sandwiches, all of which sound mouth-watering. I wanted to order the whole menu! But I'll have to be patient and take my time. 

The Poke Bowls are very customizable- you pick white or brown rice, then you pick what poke you want (they have 5-6 different pokes including Spicy Tuna, Wasabi Masago Ahi, Spicy Shoyu Ahi, Shoyu Ahi, Limu Ahi, and daily poke specials), and finally you have a choice of toppings to choose from, which are all 50 cents. Such toppings include Seaweed Salad, Taegu, Pickled Cucumbers, Onion, Furikake, sliced Nori, or Takuan etc). There is also a choice of the Hawaiian Poke Bowl, which I ordered, and which I must say, was "ONO-LICIOUS!!!"

Another option I want to try- their Caprese Salad which includes all of my favorites: Mixed Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Buffalo Mozzarella, Olive Tapenade, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Fresh Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette. YUM-O! Plus you can add your favorite poke for only $3! If you're not in the mood for Poke, add their Ahi Tofu Burger on it, or Steak, Salmon or a Veggie Skewer! The possibilities are endless! I love variety, and that's probably why I love this place. So many options for every type of person and their taste buds.

Also, another plus- they let you sample the pokes if you are unsure of which one you want. I tried the Wasabi Masago Poke and asked to try the Spicy Ahi too. Took a bite of the Wasabi Masago, said "mmm, I want this one...but I still want to try the Spicy Ahi....," took a bite of the Spicy Ahi, and changed my mind! The Spicy Ahi really IS that good!!!

Ok, let's get onto the best part! The pictures!

Located in the old "Aloha Salads" restaurant, right next to Teddy's Bigger Burgers.

Hawaiian Poke Bowl!! Comes with rice, Kalua Pig, Lomi Salmon and your choice of Poke.
I chose their specialty, Spicy Ahi.
The only negative? I paid 50 cents for Takuan and only got FOUR slices of it.
But, I'd still order this and pay the 50 cents for four slices of Takuan.
Yes, it was THAT good.

Mixed Fresh Fruit Bowl- Strawberries, Blueberries, Grapes and Dried Cranberries!
You can also ask to have it with honey + coconut OR with yogurt + granola.
Ok, I know what you're thinking.
Typical fruit bowl, but I think the secret here is the dried cranberries!
It really adds a different texture and taste to it.
I like that they put their own touch on it. I'm craving the fruit bowl again!!

Ahi Tofu Burger- My dad enjoyed it. He said the burger was tasty and not too salty,
plus he really liked all of the onions and garlic aioli sauce!

Italiano Sandwich- Turkey, Salami, Cheese, Pepperoni, Sweet peppers, Tomato,
lettuce, Mayo and Red wine Vinaigrette.

Grade? A+. I'm eating there tomorrow!

Weekend Outfit

Watering the plants and spending time with my pup...

I Was Born This Way!

I was FINALLY able to purchase the "I Was Born This Way" Lady Gaga-inspired jacket from Bamboo Sky. After it was sold out once, then brought back, I finally have the jacket in my possession! Woohooo!!

It's been so chilly and windy lately, so my perfect outfit consisted of a long black maxi and my new jacket! Whenever I'm not sure what to wear, I always go for my black maxi. It's sooo comfy and easy!!

Yogurstory

My good friend ZOE is back in town for spring break! We both love to shop, so I decided to take her for a quick lunch on Keaaumoku St. (aka "Koreamoku," known for all of the Korean restaurants and bars), then just bounce on over to Ala Moana. I used my usual research skills, as well as my Yelping skills, and decided on Yogurstory! I've been trying to get there since they opened not too long ago, but have never had the chance. Yogurstory is right next to Sorabol (Korean Yakiniku), and you also park in their lot.

The menu ranges from breakfast/brunch food, sweet waffles loaded with a bunch of caramel, fruits and different toppings, to sandwiches and salads. The ambiance makes it a really nice place to just sit down for lunch with friends and chill. The furniture is comfy, and I hear there is free wifi. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. To me, it's a much more comfortable Starbucks that serves hot food. Their drink menu isn't as extensive as Starbucks, but they have a variety of Flavored Teas, Coffee drinks, bottled drinks and of course, FroYo! I haven't tried it, but I didn't see too many people going straight for the frozen yogurt. I'd stick with the menu food.

Overall, I'd rate this place an A-. Both dishes that Zoe and I had were delicious. We'd both come back here and we agreed we would recommend this place to others. She even wanted to bring her mom here, who is apparently pretty picky and doesn't like trying new places/foods. SO, if it's good enough for her mom, then it's well worth it!

Service was also fast and speedy, and there were always waiters/waitresses around if you needed anything. And man, I have to give the waiters/waitresses credit- the restaurant is 2 stories, so if you're seated on the 2nd floor, they have to run up and down to get your food/drinks and whatever else you need. Good exercise, I'd say!

Half live/half fake tree in the restaurant!

Calamansi Mint Iced Tea- fresh, lemony and minty iced tea! 

Fat Pig Fried Rice- one of the best fried rice's on the island.
Do you see those fried pork chips on top?! YUM!

Cobb Salad- The dressing was SUPERB. The avocado was a little unripe,
but I kept picking at Zoe's salad because it was so good! I would go back for this.

"Fashion Story"...
For a comfortable lunch/shopping date, I opted for an Express loose-fitting chiffon button-down tied at the waist and flare jeans from Free People. Flares are in again!!

Cute bow ring from Bamboo Sky!