Aloha Hawaii! I’ll be back.

I had a great time and wish I could have stayed longer, but it’s time to head back to the right coast. It was the perfect start for a couple big projects though. I almost feel like I was on the go most of the time, but I’m chillaxed and ready to get back on the grind.

Anyhow, like any vacation, here’s just a few photos from the trip.

Alan Wong’s in Honolulu

Being in DC affords many great restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. I enjoy going to nice spots and I’ve had many terrific meals, but this five course dinner we had at Alan Wong’s for the girl’s birthday was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The service, wine pairing and mountain view were a nice touch. Thanks to natives Josh & Elila for the suggestion. Definitely check it out if you are in Honolulu.

It went like this:

SOUP AND SANDWICH
Chilled Vine Ripened Hamakua Springs Tomato Soup with Grilled Mozzarella Cheese, Foie Gras, Kalua Pig Sandwich
Champagne Deutz, “Brut Classic”, France, N.V.

BUTTER POACHED KONA LOBSTER
Honda Tofu, Nagaimo Potato Cake, Green Onion Oil

GINGER CRUSTED ONAGA
Long-Tail Red Snapper Miso Sesame Vinaigrette, Organically Grown Hamakua Mushroom and Corn
Josef Leitz, “Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz”, Riseling Spatlese, Rheingau, Germany, 2007

TWICE COOKED SHORTRIB, SOY BRAISED AND GRILLED “KALBI” STYLE
Gingered Shrimp, Ko Choo Jang Sauce
Girard Winery, Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, California, 2006

DESSERT DUO
Passion Fruit Sorbet and Fresh Fruits, Chocolate Cheesecake
Brachetto D’Acqui, Banfi Rosa Regale, Piedmonte, Italy, 2007

Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts

I have joined the ranks of Jimmy Buffett, Anthony Bourdain, Sammy Hagar, Nicholas Cage, Matt Dillon, and some weird Japanese bands. Except I didn’t drop 4 digit$ for my shirt like the rest of that crew. A quick scan of the 15,000 shirts at Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts with my girl and we found a 1960′s deadstock flower design for $59. Owner/expert David Bailey said it was a good find and in 10 years it should be worth close to $400. I’m guaranteed fresh in 2019!

That’s right. 15,000 Hawaiian shirts.

R.I.P. Ben Ali

I’ve been pretty busy running around Oahu this week and we’re off to Kauai now so I figured I’d update the blog while sitting in the airport.

Unfortunately, I heard the news from back home that Ben Ali, founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away. For those of you that check the blog that aren’t from DC, Ben’s is a landmark restaurant in the city. They serve half-smokes (half beef, half pork) drenched in chili. Absolutely delicious. Anytime friends come into town I always try and take them there. They even serve scrapple, on the occasions I’ve been in for breakfast.

I love the place. I definitely made sure to put them up in the Shaw piece I did a few weeks back at the Convention Center.

Anyway, sad to hear. Respects and condolences to his family.

Mahalo!

Thanks to Pest 3 and Prime for hooking up a quick spot to paint.