Monday, August 15, 2005

What was Hatsune-Ya...

Thanks to PakePorkChop I found out that there will be a new restaurant called Hakkei opening in the location of the old Hatsune-Ya. Unfortunately I wasn't able to visit Hatsune-Ya while they were open to eat their Okinawan dishes (RAFUTE!!!), but I am definitely looking forward to trying the dishes from Hakkei.

You can read about Hatsune-Ya closing and Hakkei opening here.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Poke Stop

Last weekend I brought along a friend and finally visited Poke Stop. When you first walk in you are presented with a refrigerated glass case filled with many types of poke.


(Sorry about the glare)

On either side of the poke case you have good selection of pre-packaged bentos, salads, and pupus to choose from.





We looked around for a while and we were finally ready to order. I decided on ordering the fried oyster Po Boy sandwich (6” Kaiser Roll, chopped lettuce and homemade Hawaiian chili pepper remoulade) w/ Puna’s potato salad (the decision to have this sandwich was heavily influenced by Nadine Kam’s Honolulu Star-Bulletin review of Poke Stop) and my friend ordered the Deconstructed Sushi Bowl (Blackened Nairagi, Kim Chee Ahi, Tako, Tobiko, Shrimp, pickled ginger served over sushi rice). We also picked up a small tray of the Kim Chee Kona Crab.




I really enjoyed the Po Boy, which mirrors what Fran said in her Hawaii Diner review and Nadine in her Honolulu Star-Bulletin review. Just as Fran said, Puna’s potato salad is a “refreshing change from the macaroni salad that everyone else serves.” I had a taste of my friend’s sushi bowl and I thought that all the toppings were good but the sushi rice could have used a bit more vinegar and salt. Although it took some work getting to the meat, the Kim Chee Kona Crab was very tasty.

I will most definitely be visiting Poke Stop again. If you haven’t gone yet take a trip down to Waipahu and enjoy some affordable, gourmet seafood. They offer so many items that one visit isn’t enough to cover them all. The day I went they had Crispy Whole Flounder as one of their specials…

Nadine Kam’s Honolulu Star-Bulletin review of Poke Stop
Fran Wilson Magbual’s Hawaii Diner review of Poke Stop

Poke Stop
Waipahu Town Center (next to Sizzlers)
94-050 Farrington Highway, E4
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
Tel: (808) 676-8100

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Moi

Deep fried with garlic Ponzu sauce...YUM!