Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Home Bar & Grill

Seared Ahi Sashimi

Home Bar has probably been on my "I-want-to-go-here-really-really-bad" restaurant list the longest. Finally, my awesome friends took me here and ordered all the good stuff! Since then, I've been back a couple more times and everything is food/service/drink is always consistent. Only thing? The place is always packed and they only take reservations until 630pm.

As for parking, there's very little parking in the lot that fronts Kalakaua. Go around to the back for Valet for $5, or have your luck with street parking.

Home Bar is very casual. A lot of my friends take friends that are visiting here, as the food is always delicious. I'd essentially call it "Gourmet Local Food." Local food with a unique take. This is the reason I like it. Sure, everyone loves Tater Tots and Nachos, but combine them to make Tater Tot Nachos, and you've got a winner right there. Or try their infamous Kim Chee Fried Rice with 2 big easy over eggs on top! Or their Parmesan Truffle Fries! Amazingly-delicious fries that I couldn't stop eating with the crunchiest pepperoni and bits of parmesan. Beware though, it took my stomach a couple days to recover from the obscene amount of truffle oil that the fries had on it. If only that wasn't an issue, I'd order these fries every visit. Don't let me forget my favorite- Home Bar's Salt and Pepper Shrimp. Honestly, this is the best Salt and Pepper Shrimp I've ever had. Better than any Chinese restaurant, and that's saying a lot. Crunchy Togarashi Shrimp with crunchy shrimp chips. Two orders, please!! Trust me, it's bar food, but the most mouthwatering and tasty bar food.

Not to mention, their drinks! I usually order "The Pink One," which is a combo of Strawberry Stoli, Fresh Strawberries, Calpico, Yuzu Simple Syrup, and Sprite. I've tried their Basil Strawberry Mojito, but always go back to "The Pink One." All of their Specialty Drinks sound delicious. Where else can you find "WTF Martini" with Grey Goose, Fresh Strawberries, Balsamic Vinaigrette (Yes, you read that correctly), Simple Syrup, Sweet and Sour, Sierra Mist, and cracked Pepper? How's that for different?

Check this place out any night of the week! I recommend going on a weekday when it's less crazy and when the valet parking isn't full. They also have dart boards for your entertainment. Trust me, after going here a few times, my dart game may be better than my golf game! HAH.






"The Pink One"

Seared Ahi Sashimi with House Spicy Soy Vinaigrette. All this for $15!!!

B's Negi Toro- 1/2 lb Ahi cubes, Green Onion Coulis, Shoyu, and Wasabi Oil

Mix up and eat!! Love the bubu arare sprinkled all around.

Kim Chee Fried Rice

Garlic Chicken

Parmesan Truffle Fries with crispy pepperoni chips, fresh herbs, black pepper, Garlic Anchovy Aioli. The Pepperoni Chips are AMAZING. They should sell these in a bag!

Crispy Pork Chops with Sauteéd Onions and Ketchup

Wafu Steak with Kabayaki Braised Onion and Mushroom, Grated Daikon, Green Onions, Garlic Chips, and Ponzu Sauce

WTF Martini with Balsamic Vinaigrette!

Basil Strawberry Mojito

Togarashi Salt and Pepper Shrimp!!

Tater Tot Nachos! With Sour Cream, Jalapenos, Bacon, Olives, Nacho Cheese Sauce, and Salsa.

Eric's Spicy Island Style Smoked Pork

Saimin! With Kalbi Short Rib, Char Siu, Fishcake, and Green Onions in a light shoyu dashi.

Friday, February 22, 2013

All Things SWEET

Taking a sweet break with a Haagen Dazs Bar while watching a friend's golf tournament.

I came across a lot of sweet, dessert-like pics in the last few weeks. I guess I'm extra sweet now! Hope you enjoy these sweet concoctions!

PS- Click on the links for more info!

Starbucks' Christmas favorites- Creme Bruleé Latté and Salted Caramel Latté

La Gelateria Guava Sorbetto and frozen grapes!

Punahou Christmas Bake Sale offerings

Punahou Carnival's Christmas Bake Sale Homemade Lilikoi Butter

Movie time!! The perfect accessories.

Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

"Waialae Pie"- Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Lilikoi Sorbet all layered with a Mac Nut topping!


Small snack- Cinnabon "Center of the Roll" and a Starbucks Caramel Frap

A latté for a late Happy Hour at Ryan's Grill

Kamehameha Bakery's Haupia Malasada

Kamehameha Bakery's Poi-Haupia Malasada


Watanabe Bakery's Sweet Roll

A Strawberry Margarita at the "19th Hole"

La Palme D'Or's desserts

La Palme D'Or's Virgin Lava Flow


Via Gelato's Banana Lilikoi! AMAZING.

Leonard's Bakery Guava Malasada!!! New flavor of the month!

Yami Yogurt. The OG of Yogurts. Strawberry with mango popping balls and "Natural" with lychee popping balls.

Strawberry with lychee popping balls

Natural with lychee popping balls and fresh strawberries!

A "sweet" Valentine's Day treat. Thank you, Dene!!

The Pacific Place Tea Garden's Thai Herbal Tea made with Pineapple Coconut Rooibos and Condensed Milk. Can be found at Ala Moana Center one floor above mall level.

The legendary Matsumoto's Shave Ice. Strawberry Cream and Vanilla Shave Ice with ice cream and condensed milk!

Via Gelato's Lilkoi Ume Shiso and Kulolo. Kulolo was amazingly creamy. I liked it more than Kulolo itself!



Post The Most

There are about 3 different (and most favorite) things I post the most of on here.

2 out of the 3 have a ton of garlic in them, and the third is something I've become addicted to in the past year.

Can you guess what they are?

Yup, you guessed it!
Giovanni's Shrimp Scampi (aka Garlic Shrimp)
Tenkaippin Ramen- Kotteri, no onions, extra menma (bamboo shoots), and aji tamago (shoyu egg), please!
and of course, Starbucks!

After going through almost 500 pictures, I came across a bunch of repeats, all on different occasions.  I always like to post all my pictures, so that later on in life, I can look back and remember everything I've eaten and my thoughts on them.

Thus, I decided to dedicate a post especially to these 3 items I hold dear to my heart!


With the addition of the Starbucks Limited Edition Christmas Gold Sleeve!