Kalihi Breakfast Club Visits Mahina & Sun's At The Surfjack Hotel

It has been about 2 years since I've posted to this blog. Recently, I have been meeting up with friends (from middle school) once a month, for breakfast. I think this is the 4th month I've joined them. We go to different restaurants that we've never been to. Our breakfast co-ordinator, Sandy, sets everything up and coordinates when we'd be going, where, and she even orders ALL of our food!! Well, she orders food, and then we all pick a little from each plate so that we can taste each meal. It is really fun, and such a great way to get to know these places, and then we can later decide if we'd bring our family back to the restaurant or not. We are the "Kalihi Breakfast Club". 

There is usually 5 of us. But being that it is the busy holiday season, only 3 of us were able to get together this month. I decided to also bring my son along, and have him join us. We went to the Surfjack Hotel, where the restaurant Mahina & Sun's were located. 

They valet there. No self-parking, which I loved! Parking is $10, HOWEVER, if you are a local, Kama'aina, they have a local program for people like us! :) Come and eat at the Mahina & Sun's, sign up for their program, and receive special offers each time you come. The 1st offer starts off with "Free Parking" (Yep, I didn't have to pay the $10 afterall). Every offer after that includes 1 FREE parking and a free something small. 

So we walk into the lobby and I immediately notice that they have a swimming pool right there... such a cute place! Wait, there is writing at the bottom of the pool... hey this pool looks familiar!! I've seen this pool somewhere... on my friend, Lynette Eastman's Facebook!! Sooo cool!! 

The restaurant looked very relaxing, plenty of room, and there was music playing, and it was great music. Not sleazy kine, but fun n' upbeat kine. They sat us quickly, and we looked around to see plenty of peeps that were just relaxing having coffee, on their computers, and really just having a great time being there. 

Here's the menu.... 

We went with the Pork Adobo Fried Rice Bowl; Frambled Flat Omelet; Ulu Pancake & my son had the Surfjack Breakfast. Everything was ONOLICIOUS!!!! 

Pork Adobo Fried Rice (It's all underneath those over easy eggs)... there was also Kim Chee, Avocado, Watercrest, Mushrooms n' Ginger all on this plate....

Frambled Flat Omelet - Check out those hidden treasures in the omelet... there was Opa n' an over easy egg in there, topped with cilantro chutney, avocado, grape tomatoes... YUMMMMM!!!!

My son's meal - the Surfjack Breakfast... Crispy Bacon, Over Easy Eggs, Kim Chee, Mac Salad, Rice... he ate it all!!

Then this was the Ulu Pancakes!! Made with breadfruit (that's what Ulu means). Consistency was like a crepe, but it wasn't a crepe, was a pancake!! Topped with bananas, whipped cream n' syrup!!! We all had half a pancake, and ate it all!!!  LOL!!

At the end, we took some pics together... of course, gotta!! My son was our photographer, he came in handy! 

As you can see... the decor was all retro, like the 60's. Us girls were very very happy with this place. I think my hubby would enjoy the food n' the environment here. I am looking forward to coming back and bringing him, and taking advantage of their local program!! :)  

Before we left, we noticed that they had a little boutique on the corner, at the entrance of the hotel. How'd we miss this??  

That's my boy enjoying their super cool wooden chairs...

A pic I took inside the boutique... some lady's hand got in my shot, and I was too full to take it again. LOL!!

Thank You Surfjack and Mahina & Sun's!!! We really really really enjoyed our breakfast this morning. We plan on returning with the other 2 Kalihi Breakfast Club members next year, and probably come for LUNCH!!! 

Truly Blessed,

Young's Dining

Korean BBQ Jang Su for Super Bowl Sunday's Feast

I love Super Bowl Sunday Feasts... not too much into watching the football game, but the feast that comes with it... almost like Thanksgiving! Pretty close, but without the turkey.  We used to have big parties at our house, back in the day... but now, my hubs and I are content with just us n' the kids. Being that the oldest is now in college, that left just the 3 of us.  The hubby went golfing that morning, and since he was already out n' about, he offered to pick up anything that I wanted. Honestly, I wasn't really hungry!!  I was busy crafting, and working on my projects that I didn't even want to think of food.  But, I had to make a quick decision, otherwise, he would come home, and then I would have to go out.  LOL.  So I chose Korean BBQ.

Our go-to place for Korean BBQ is Jang Su located at Pearl Kai.  Plenty eateries we like over there ya??  Well, that's mostly because it's what's closes to us.  So we just make do, and find the best tasting ones on this side, and go there all the time.  Sadly, the lunch plate I selected didn't have much taste.  Could it have been because I wasn't really in the mood to eat, anyways?  I don't know.  But the Kalbi was tasteless, like the marination didn't stick or something.  The Meat Jun wasn't all that great either.  But I tell you what, it sure looked good!!  :)  I know another place here in Pearl City that make yummy Kalbi & Meat Jun.  One day I will eat there, and share with y'all how yummy it tastes. But for today... the food was meh!  Here are the pics that make them look so yummy!!!

First the embossed plate lunch container that it comes in.  So beautiful ya?  With Diamond Head and "Aloha" embossed on there. So awesome that it says that. We always take for granted the beauty of this island. Here is a reminder!!!

Spicy Pork for the hubs... he loves Spicy Pork. However, we couldn't order this as part of a mixed plate.  They wouldn't do it.  Had to order this as a side order.  Why?  I dunno. I wanted my hubby to ask.  But he's not one to talk stories with people he's picking food up from.  He just like pick up n' go!

Meat Jun plate. This was my hubby's plate.  Remember I said we couldn't get the spicy pork as part of a mixed plate?  Well, he had to order a full plate of something and Meat Jun it was.

Here's my plate. Kalbi and Meat Jun mix. Check out the Meat Jun... so little bit, ya??  Chinsy I tell you!!! I was quite disappointed with today's plate. Did I mention that already?

My son's plate. BBQ Chicken and Meat Jun.  Yes, we love our Meat Jun.  But wasn't so tasty so no need to get so excited.  Another plate that looks pretty chinsy to me.

One of my favorite part of eating Korean BBQ are the veggies they give.  They give 4 different choices of veggies.  I love the watercress, as shown here.  This was the first to go!

So that was our Super Bowl Feast.  Meh. I've tasted better from them on other days.

Tanioka's

Today, we went to Ko'olina Lagoons.... and after the beach, we always get hungry! I suggested Tanioka's... Tanioka's it was!

Tanioka's is one of the famous deli's to get local kine grindz.  Their address is: 94-903 Farrington Highway, in Waipahu.  There is a 7-11 store right next door, and the lines there are usually SUPER long.  Today, which is a weekend, they had a security guard outside, controlling the lines, and allowing people to enter when there was enough room for people to fit.  The line moves pretty quick tho', so not to worry!!

Line goes in and around, and all along the line you are enticed with all kine goodies.  Reminds me of the manapua truck, but this place no more manapua!!! Just lots of local favorites!!!


Cash and Credit Cards accepted here!


Here's the poke choices... the prices are pretty high today, being that tomorrow is Super Bowl!!!


Poke is F-R-E-S-H Daily!!!!


Here's all the Ala Carte yummies.... My favorites to get are Lumpia, Banana Lumpia, Poi Mochi, Shrimp Tempura, Fish Patties, Fried Chicken, Garlic Chicken... the kids n' hubby like their musubi's. But Tanioka's won 2nd place for "Best Musubi's"... can you believe that 7-11 won 1st place?? Wowza, ya??


Here are the yummies we picked up:

Butter Mochi:

Poi Mochi:

Fried Rice, Shrimp Tempura, Lumpia:

Garlic Chicken & Fried Chicken:

Spam Musubi, Chicken Musubi:

Maki Sushi:

Our Spread.....

Poke from Foodland.... The Poke at Tanioka's is kinda salty for us, Foodland's Poke is pretty yummy and really hits the spot, and much more cheaper too!  The Poke we got were (bottom left to right): Shoyu Poke, Hawaiian Poke (with Kukui Nuts), Spicy Ahi Poke, Oyster Sauce Poke and Tako Poke.

Too much... Too Ono.... Too little time!!!  Now it's time to take a nap.... zZZzzzZZZzzzz..

Tadashi Authentic Japanese Cuisine

Dinner... we stumbled across this place one day when we were just roaming around Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Hmmm, we thought.... another Japanese restaurant to check out.

Tonight's dinner was probably the 6th time I have been to this place.  Very simple, yet nice for a family dinner to take place.  We usually like to eat out during the weekend, so this place has become one of our favorites.

Tadashi is located in Aiea, across the Pearl Ridge Shopping Center, in a little shopping mall called Pearl Kai.  Coming from the airport, you'd take the Aiea exit (on the freeway), and head down on Kamehameha Hwy, and turn into the shopping center, which'll be on your left. Parking is pretty tight.  But if you go in perfect timing, you just might find a time when there are hardly any cars there anyways.  We were there after a Friday work day, just between the time people are still driving home, and settling in, getting ready for dinner, or deciding what to eat or do for dinner.  We have already decided!! LOL...

Our favorite dish to get at Tadashi's is the Hamachi Kama.  This dish is a "Market Price" dish, meaning that the price could fluctuate depending on how the market is going.  So if there is plenty fish, or less fish, it'll depend on it being more costly or not.  Most of the time is is $23+.  Tonight, we paid $31 for each dish.  The hubby n' I had a dish of this each.  We of course couldn't finish it.  Took it home and will dine on it later.  This is the Hamachi Kama (the collar of the Hamachi fish)... lots of fatty tissue, soft & moist.  If you haven't tried the Hamachi Kama ever in your life, and LOVE fish, I would suggest you try this at least ONCE!!!  My hubby introduced this to me maybe about a year ago, and I have always ordered this whenever I go to eat at a Japanese Restaurant that offers this dish.


We also ordered some Sashimi, which is thinly sliced raw fish. Delicioso!! We got the Ahi and the Hamachi... Oh yum! Looking at these pictures making me salivate!!!




For the little one, we ordered a dish of Tempura. Which are yummies deep friend in a batter.  This dish comes with 3 Shrimp Tempura, and various vegetable tempuras.  I ate the veggies.  I have to stay away from Shrimp for health reasons. :(  Unfortunate, but at least my family can enjoy them!


We also got him the Chicken Karaage (Fried Chicken).  They don't usually have a kids meal, so we order from the appetizers and get him this with a side order of rice.


After eating our meals, we were stuffed.  Couldn't finish everything. But at least we were satisfied. I'll be looking forward to eating those left overs later tho'.... don't be fooled!