"Black Swan"/Goteborg Sausage at Paina Cafe

Umami and Lis went to go see "Black Swan," starring Natalie Portman as a ballet dancer with, shall we say, issues.  But, let's be clear, this is a psychological horror movie that happens to take place in the world of ballet.

Natalie Portman is phenomenal in the role of Nina, a ballerina competing for the role of the Swan Queen in a contemporary version of "Swan Lake."  The Swan Queen has two aspects, a White Swan, pure and precise, and a Black Swan, sensual and hedonistic.  Yang and Yin.  Nina's perfectionism allows her to excel in the White Swan aspect, but trying to find the Black Swan is harrowing.

Umami would not be surprised if she wins an Academy Award.  She should at least be nominated.

The film is kind of disorienting, so leaving the theater Umami was disturbed to see a tiny older woman with white Daisy Dukes and white furry leg warmers.  Like this:

Fashion Statement?  Or fashion risk?

Umami just doesn't expect to see such things in a theater multiplex lobby.  Hallucination?  No, because Lis saw her too (and was equally disturbed).

Anyway, time for dinner.  Umami suggested Paina Cafe (which faithful readers might remember from last month's post:  "Ward Warehouse: Butter Melter and Paina Cafe").  Umami had the Hawaiian Poke Bowl ($7.25), again, except with the Hot Shoyu Poke instead of the Spicy Ahi.

Hawaiian Poke Bowl

Lis, however, noticed that they had "Jobo's Goteborg Musubi" ($2.99).  This is apparently some Kauai comfort food thing.  Umami had never heard of such a thing, so, had to try.

Jobo's Goteborg Musubi

$3 gets you three thin slices of the titular sausage, topped with a small scoop of rice, garnished with furikake.  Lis says her grandmother slices the sausage thicker, which is awesome, but there was plenty of flavor in the slices here.   It tastes like a cross between Portuguese Sausage and a summer sausage.  It works fine as a musubi, but Umami suspects it would work really well with cheese, crackers, and a good beer!  Will have to research further . . .


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