Some of the featured whiskies at 12th Avenue Grill on June 29. “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” ~ Mark Twain Whiskey originated in Scotland, but Japan took the industry by storm…
Driving up Keeaumoku Street, you may have noticed a new restaurant in the space that used to be Chick & Meck, which used to be Red House, which used to be Sanji Ramen, which used to be … I can’t…
One of the biggest misperceptions that people have about Iceland is that it’s a small place because it’s an island. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know it sounds a little scary and humbug to not have a…
When people think of lodging in the far north, they often envision the famous ice hotels and glamping igloos. Well, guess what? There are no ice hotels in Iceland! You can only find them in Canada, Sweden, Japan, Finland, Norway,…
As many of you know, Iceland is a (figuratively) hot destination for travel right now. Blogger Deb Aoki and I became two of the 2 million visitors to the Nordic island recently, and that was quite the adventure! I’m going to…
Could the timing be any better? On March 1, Hawaiian Airlines continued its guest chef series and rotated Maui’s Sheldon Simeon in for the next few months with a domestic first class menu that showcases his talent. Sheldon with daughter Peyton…
I can’t believe it’s been five years since the last time I visited Los Angeles! I was fortunate to be included on a recent trip to the Grammy Museum with Outrigger Resorts, who is a sponsor of Mele Mei —…
This restaurant has closed. Sponsored When you think of dim sum, it’s usually a noisy brunch crowd in Chinatown with large carts of steamer baskets lumbering past. But when you bring dim sum from a chain in London, you know…
Owner/chef Takeshi Kawasaki at the nine-seat sushi bar. Sushi fanatics have been waiting for Maru Sushi, an iconic Michelin-starred sushi bar from Sapporo, to open in Honolulu. Founding owner and executive chef Takeshi Kawasaki held a little pop-up a few months…
With Maurice Hennessy of the famous cognac company. Maurice Hennessy, the eighth-generation descendant of the cognac company founder, was in town recently to educate some special customers about the family’s premium line of spirits. I got a few minutes with…
The cream team: Business partners Jeffrey Kao, left, and Bari Carroll. If you haven’t been to the ice cream pop ups, you may have at least seen Sweet Creams on social media, where staffers make ice cream from scratch, lay…
A few months ago, we put up a guide to upcoming Waikiki Yokocho eats and gradually the 16 restaurants in Waikiki’s biggest Japanese food cornucopia opened their doors to a hungry public. Well, the last five spots are now open, and it was worth…
Today marks the Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort’s 90th anniversary, and one of the celebrations includes the opening of their Royal Hawaiian Bakery. The bakery opens at 10 a.m. today, but will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 4…
Hainanese chicken rice at Flock & Fowl in Las Vegas, $8.99. Two years ago, I got hooked on chef Sheridan Su’s Hainanese chicken rice at Flock & Fowl in Las Vegas. I’d had it before in Asia, but none of…
Last week, you saw me on KHON’s morning news talking about juice cleanses for the new year — and it went off without a hitch, right? What you didn’t see was how deathly sick I was just a week prior.…
Rain Honolulu quietly opened its doors a couple of weeks ago, just around the corner from its sister bar, Scarlet Honolulu. But make no mistake, people aren’t going to be quiet about this place for very long. The guys who…
As people make their resolutions to eat better, get fit and lose weight, one of the most popular things to jump start that lifestyle change is undoubtedly a juice cleanse. And why not, right? It flushes a lot of bad…
After the rest of the group dispersed to other parts of Japan or went home to Hawaii, I headed to south Hokkaido to the famous port town of Hakodate. Since it was one of the first of only five Japanese ports…
Without a doubt, Senia — a long-awaited restaurant by chefs Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush — has been one of the most hyped restaurants in town for a spot that hasn’t even opened yet. Well, the wait is over: Tomorrow,…
Maui children marveling at the indoor snowfall. There’s been snow storms on Mauna Kea, but did you know it’s been snowing in Kahului? I got to visit Queen Kaahumanu Center last weekend to check out their holiday snow show in…
We wrapped up the group travel part of the trip with Doko Ga TV by exploring a few historic spots in Sapporo … and, of course, getting some last bites in. Sapporo Clock Tower. Before I show you the spots near…
In the interest of time, I’m splitting my Sapporo restaurants into two posts and I believe these are more miscellaneous spots, whereas the ones I’m profiling tomorrow are close to JR Sapporo Station. When you travel with Pali Kaaihue —…
When Pali Kaaihue was working with the Hokkaido government on this trip for Doko Ga TV, he requested that we get to see the hidden gems of Japan’s northernmost island, things that many American tourists might miss for lack of information or…
The big city of Sapporo is great, but I highly recommend you take day trips to outlying areas to get a better sense of what Hokkaido is all about. There are nice, interesting spots just 30 to 60 minutes outside…
The home base for the 2022 Hale ‘Aina Restaurateurs of the Year is a hidden paradise that serves up the best Lao and Thai food in Honolulu.
Kats Sushi is the only place you can find made-to-order AYCE sushi that’s not on a buffet table.
Meat-, dairy- and egg-free menu items at Planted by La Tour Café include burgers, banh mi sandwiches and yes—macarons.
Follow the scent of grilled meats to the old Meadow Gold parking lot.
How well do you know Big Island beers? Here‘s a round-the-island guide to Hawai‘i Island's top breweries.
This Friday, you won’t need the luck of the Irish to find classic dishes and green desserts.
