Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Umami on the Prowl: Mix Cafe


Trish had a gift certificate for Mix Cafe and wanted to try the pasta at the Beretania Street location, so that was the plan for a mini lunch adventure.   There is another location on Alakea Street, but that one doesn't have pastas (or, at least, it didn't last time Umami was there).

The sandwiches, however, are basically the same.  They come on an excellent crusty toasted bread, with a zippy little tossed salad.  This happens to be the roasted veggie sandwich, full of bite sized cubes of vegetables with melted cheese.   At $7, some might feel this is a little pricey for lunch.  Umami thinks the price is just fine for a more . . . refined lunch.  And it's still cheaper than Downtown@HiSAM!

Why?  Because we were there for pasta of course!  This is the penne with creamy mushroom sauce ($7.50).  The penne was perfectly al dente.  The mushrooms were tender and tasty without being overpowering.  The cream sauce was very light, not cloying.  It settled to the bottom of the bowl, but would stick to the penne when scooped it up.  Umami also likes that the cheese is not completely melted on the dish, it tastes better that way, with a better nose.

All in all, a very satisfying lunch.  Be warned:  the restaurant has very limited seating, so if you want to dine in, go early.  Or late!

Mix Cafe
35 South Beretania Street
(808) 537-1191
Open for lunch M-F

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