B & D Island Twist Cafe:

Umami's a fan of B & D Island Twist Cafe, and it looks word is getting out.  Lines have been getting longer and B & D will have to step up getting the food out in a timely manner if they don't want to start losing business.  Translation:  Go early and avoid the rush.

Snapper

Tuesday, Umami tried a new (to him) special:  Fresh Snapper ($8).  Two egg battered filets, sun dried tomato sauce, with a basil-tomato-capers-olives relish.  The egg batter is comforting, the relish has a nice bite from the fresh basil.  Umami feels he must point out that the fish gets a little lost, but he also thinks that's only an issue if you're a judge on Iron Chef for "Battle Snapper."  With brown rice and salad (crunches, cukes, tomato and a subtle balsamic(?) dressing), even Dr. Lois couldn't be that upset.  Good stuff.  If it shows up again as a special, leap at the chance.


B & D Island Twist Cafe
134 South Hotel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii  96813

Soul Patrol at CPB

On Monday, Sean Priester's "Soul Patrol" food truck was at Central Pacific Bank at the corner of Alakea and King; part of a lunch fundraiser for various non-profits that runs through Friday.  Some days, it's Camille's, some days, it's Soul Patrol.  Umami's not really sure who will be there on any given day, but, since he likes them both, not really a problem.

The Southern Sampler ($16) was such a huge plate, that it was almost daring Umami to try it!  So he did.

Southern Sampler!

This bad boy featured BBQ Braised Pork Ham Shank (skin on!), which was a revelation to Umami because he had not previously tried ham with BBQ sauce.  Now he wonders what took him so long!  Sides were:  Collards (under the cornbread at right), Cornbread (2 pieces!), Slaw (under the pork), Black Eyed Pea Chili (under the cornbread at left) and Mac and Cheese (not Mac Salad, despite its appearance).

Umami ate some for lunch, shared some with Elle at dinner, and Elle finished it off for lunch two days later.  Now, they're wishing they had some more.  Maybe should have bought two plates . . .

Soul Patrol

Central Pacific Bank (Downtown)

Corner of Alakea and King

Umami and Elle - "Dos Locos!"

Friday night.  Pau hana.  Hungry, and on the prowl for Mexican Food, which can be tough to find in Honolulu.  Umami and Elle decide on a Dos Locos, a place recommended by their friend, Big Hilo (not to be confused with their friends Little Hilo or She-Lo).

Dos Locos is a Burrito Truck in a parking lot on Kapiolani Boulevard across from Club Evergreen.  (By the away, the Club Evergreen Yelp! page is hilarious . . . good sushi bar, hmmm?).  Back to Dos Locos . . . 

Don't call it a Taco Truck!

Owners Bill, formerly of Matteo's, and Raoul, formerly of French Laundry and Spago, took pains to correct Elle when she called it a taco truck .  .  . "It's a Burrito Truck!"  But they do have tacos . . . 

See, Tacos!  (And Burritos)

The burritos are $6.50 and you can add any and/or all of the listed ingredients and the burritos still comes out weighing roughly a pound.  Umami had the refried beans/grilled chicken/charred maui onions/roasted pepper/spicy salsa/sour cream.  Loved it!  Unfortunately, burritos are not necessarily the most photogenic of foods, so no pic this time (maybe next time).

Thai Chicken Tacos

Bill recommended that Elle try the Thai Chicken Tacos, because "all the ladies like them."  Three tacos with chicken, fresh mint and Thai basil, crunchy veggies were excellent.

"Just to Try"

Bill also made a Carnitas Taco for Umami and Elle "just to try." Umami and Elle sat in the small seating area next to the truck and chowed down.  It was so much food however, that they ended up taking two of the Thai Tacos home (lunch!).

For a new truck (just opened March 21), these guys are seriously on their game.  Convenient location and parking, great food, great price ($13.50 total tab!).  Gotta go.

Dos Locos - "Crazy Good Tacos"

1391 Kapiolani Boulevard (across from Evergreen Lounge)
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

808.381.0983

Camille's at CPB

Camille, of the eponymous Camille's on Wheels, has a gig at the Central Pacific Bank location on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week and next, so it's an easy walk for Umami et al.  Today's menu:

What, no Tacos???

It's different because there are no tacos whatsoever.  Umami was planning on the the Quinoa and Portobello Tacos (and the salmon) to split with Elle, but instead ended up with the Meatloaf San (and salmon).

Meatloaf Sandwich

This, then, is the Meatloaf Sandwich.  Umami likes that it comes dressed with slaw . . . gives it a little crunch, and the vegetables alleviate Umami's considerable guilt over eating too much red meat.

Helluva Plate

To call the Salmon Plate an . . . um, Salmon Plate, is an understatement of absurd proportions.  Sure, it's got salmon, but on a bed of kale salad, with pine nuts and roasted vegetables (beet, brussels sprout, onion, garlic, zucchini), with curried quinoa and mac salad on the side.  So good, and so good for you.

Dessert  #1 was the Lemongrass and Thyme Bar (not pictured), which for some reason tilted more to the straight Lemon Bar than the Lemongrass and Kaffir Lime Bar.  Still, very, very, good, if you like lemon bars (and Umami does).  Just not as surprising.

Umami et (and et) "Brownette"

Dessert #2 was the "Brownette," scratch-made, chewy but not dense, and neither overpoweringly sweet nor overpoweringly chocolate-y.  Good stuff.  Elle's hoarding hers . . . maybe for breakfast tomorrow.  Unless Umami gets to them tonight . . . now, where are those buggers . . .

Camille's on Wheels
Central Pacific Bank (Downtown)
Corner of Alakea and King

Umami's Two!

Umami must be getting old, because his blog turned two years old on Saturday and he plain forgot!  Yep, it's true,  it's been two years since Umami posted about Sekiya's Hash Tempura (seriously).  Elle wants to go and revisit the scene of the crime, so stay tuned for that.


For now, Umami and Elle were at Paina Cafe (Ward Warehouse) for dinner.  They've moved from the little takeout window next to T&C and relocated to the former Chowder House space . . . now they're a restaurant!   Food is unchanged, i.e., still good.

Salmon Poke Bowl

Ginger-soy salmon poke, with red onion, sprouts, masago on brown rice ($8.50).  Umami's feeling pretty good for being two years older . . . but then he's always been a paragon of clean living (seriously!).


Paina Cafe
1200 Ala Moana Blvd (Ward Warehouse)
Honolulu, HI 96814

Umami Boycotts Heineken

In the new James Bond film, "Skyfall," Bond has a Heineken instead of a Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred?  That's just not right.  It's bad enough that Bond drinks Vodka Martinis, instead of a proper Gin Martini, but, jeez, at least it's a martini!  Is the need for product placement and advertising tie-ins that strong?  Well, Umami's not having it!  No more Heinekens!

How did Frank Booth put it?



Testify, Frank!!

Testing, Testing, Testing

Umami's testing posting via e-mail . . . hope it works!

Quick Pic: Baked Crab and Artichoke Crusted Salmon with Boursin Cream Sauce

Baked Crab and Artichoke Crusted Salmon with Boursin Cream Sauce

Umami and Mis Lis paid a visit to B & D Island Twist Cafe on Tuesday.  Mis Lis had the Panko Crusted Pork Chops.  

Umami's choice was proof that a fish dish need not be light, as the Boursin Cream Sauce is hugely rich, making for a rather decadent, delicious, lunch.  With the Okinawan Sweet Potato Mac salad, you might need a nap.  It's a steal at $8.50.

B & D Island Twist Cafe
134 South Hotel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii  96813