Ward Warehouse: Butter Melter and Pa'ina Cafe

The Most Amusing Thing

Umami was being completely unproductive when Trish called to see if he was up for some Christmas shopping.  Well, Umami was game (and, also, hungry), so agreed to meet at the Ward Shops.

As it turned out, Trish had a very successful shopping run.  Umami, not so much, but he was at least amused.  And they got to try Pa'ina Cafe.

The Most Amusing Thing?  This "Microwavable Butter Melter" at Executive Chef.  The idea is, you put  butter, or chocolate, or some other meltable thing in it (ice, for example), put it in the microwave, and it will hold the melted end product.  Umami thinks:  Isn't the name misleading?  Because it's actually the microwave doing the melting, not the cup.  The packaging should say, "Microwave NOT Included."  Still, all kidding aside, it would be useful for anyone who doesn't have a Pyrex measuring cup . . .

Pa'ina Cafe:  Hawaiian Poke Bowl

Pa'ina Cafe is a small take out window near Town & Country Surf Shop at Ward Warehouse.  It does various sandwiches, plates, etc. but they are known for their poke bowls.  The bowls come with choice of rice (white or brown) and choice of poke (spicy ahi, shoyu ahi, hot shoyu ahi, limu ahi).  Umami, however, wasn't fooling around and therefore chose the Hawaiian Poke Bowl:  brown rice, kalua pig, lomi salmon and spicy ahi ($7.25).  Very generous amount of pig, not too much salt or juice.  Lomi salmon was very tasty and this batch was pretty salty.  The spicy ahi was not really that spicy, but had good chunks of fish.  The brown rice is actually really good with these mains, because it's earthier, like poi, in a way that white rice isn't.

There are healthier options.  The Roasted Veggie with Portabella sandwich is supposed to be very good.  Umami will have to try it next; actually, there are a lot of things Umami wants to try next!

Executive Chef
1050 Ala Moana Blvd.  #1560
Honolulu, HI  96814
808-596-2433


Pa'ina Cafe (Next to Town & Country Surf Shop)
1200 Ala Moana Blvd.  Store #24
Honolulu, HI  96814    
808-356-2829