Izakaya Tairyo

Out of the blue, Maki-chan (not to be confused with Makizushi) called Umami to say "hi" and plans were quickly made to meet for a pau hana rendezvous at Izakaya Tairyo.  Tairyo is about a year or so old is the spot on the corner of Piikoi and Hopaka, just mauka of Ichiriki (is that helpful?) with the giant red koi painted on its blue roof and walls.  Really, it's hard to miss.

Hard to miss! (Photo by Dale Yasunaga on World Wide Ed).

Parking is miserable on Hopaka because of the presence of Sidestreet Inn a couple of storefronts away, so best bet is parking at Ala Moana Center and just walking over.

The interior is a riot of Japanese fishing village decor.  Umami sat on a milk crate that had a cushion strapped to the top.  It's a good time!

Seafood Bomb

The food is pretty good and fairly inexpensive as far as izakayas go.  The Seafood Bomb ($8) is small cubes of fish (ahi? uku? Umami wasn't paying attention), ikura, green onion, and natto.  You mix it all up (it makes a helluva mess) and spoon it out onto the nori (to the left in the pic) and roll it up like a mini sushi.    It's a lot of cold, squishy (some would say slimy . . . ) texture, dominated by the salt of the seafood and the nori.  Umami wouldn't order it again, but Maki-chan thought it was, well, the bomb.  Sorry.

Oden

The Oden ($7.75) was simple and tasty.  Egg, fishcakes, konnyaku, and other stuff Umami couldn't identify.  Maki-chan is a fan.

Salmon Belly

Salmon Belly ($6.50) is not a regular menu item, but Umami was tipped off by the waiter, a familiar face from Komokata (a late, lamented East Oahu restaurant).  Three pieces, seared, skin on, the fish was like buttah!  Would have been excellent with some hot white rice.

Pork Belly Simmered in Shoyu

The Pork Belly ($7.50) is similar to, but is not, Okinawan style, as it's a little less sweet.  The meat, is really tender with nice amounts of fat.  Fortunately, Umami only ate two pieces.  Dr. Lois would have a fit!

Creme Brulee

Who would have thought that Creme Brulee ($6) could be used to make an architectural dessert?  Yet here it was, in all of its Pyramids-Meets-Stonehenge glory.  It's a good solid creme brulee, but it's frozen to allow it stand up, so it's more of a creme brulee pop type taste.  Fun, but not essential.  Next time:  Umami tries the Honey Toast (supposed to better than Shokudo) . . .

All in all, a non-pretentious place, lots of fun, decent food, decent prices (especially at happy hour).  Would be good with a gang of friends.  Umami would do it again.  ;-)

Izakaya Tairyo
514 Piikoi Street (corner of Piikoi and Hopaka)
592-8500

Punahou Carnival 2011 "The Carnival Before Time"

Lis asked if Umami was going to Punahou Carnival and, if not, how about checking out First Friday in Chinatown, since it had been a while since they'd gone.  Umami asked Lis when was the last time she'd gone to Carnival and the answer was . . . college.  (So, years ago.  More than a couple.  Like Lots.  You get the idea.)

Parking was $8 at Central Union Church, which was reasonable and had the added benefit of avoiding the heavier vehicular and pedestrian traffic around Punahou itself.  Just inside Main Gate, the Merry-Go-Round:

Entering the Carnival Grounds

First order of business was food (and a lot of it) so first went to Hawaiian Plate, which is in Dole Cafeteria, which is up the hill from the main carnival grounds (here's a map).

Hawaiian Plate

For $7.50, get rice and poi, lomi salmon, lau lau, haupia . . . i.e., lots of food.  The nice thing about Hawaiian Plate is that you can actually sit down (it is in a cafeteria after all) and listen to live entertainment (Punahou alums that happen to play music).  On Friday night, Manoa DNA was playing.  Umami was really impressed by their version of Kalapana's "The Hurt."  Unfortunately, he doesn't have a video of that performance . . . but did find this one of them at Kanikapila Grill:

Here's a pic:

Manoa DNA:  LIVE in Dole Cafeteria

After that, more food . . .

Funnel Cake

Deep Fried Twinkie

So, yes, a funnel cake and a deep fried Twinkie . . . Umami is not proud of this.  The funnel cake was okay.  Oddly, deep frying improves a Twinkie because it makes the filling creamier instead of the normally synthetic goo substance.  Umami also thinks its funny the way it oozed out and fried.  Downside, though, is that Umami could not eat anything after that, so, no malasadas this year.  Next time!

Aloha, Carnival 2011!

Ms. D's Birthday!

Ms. D turned "31" yesterday!  Makizushi wanted to do a small get-together in the office, complete with presents!  But, first, lunch . . .

Side Street Inn Pork Chop Plate

Lunch was pork chop plates from Side Street Inn ($15 or so).  Side Street is locally famous for being the place where Hawaii's celebrity chefs hang out.  The food is straightforward, but very well done.  The pork chop plate was two good sized chops, a big scoop of rice, and a big, mayonaise-y scoop of mac salad.

For a present, what else could they do but get a Goteborg sausage???  Trouble is, not too many places have them on Oahu.  Some internet research (thanks, Google!) said that Times Kahala might have some, so off went Umami to check it out.

One Big A$$ Sausage!

Umami was under the impression that Goteborgs were maybe a foot-long, maybe a pound.  No.  These buggers are 16" and weigh over three pounds!!  The check-out clerks seemed to think it was a toy and started waving it around at each other.  So inappropriate!  But,  Ms. D was super happy with her present, so all good!

Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka St.
Honolulu, HI 96814
Lunch 10-1
Hours: Sunday – Saturday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am
Phone: 591-0253 or 596-8282 Fax: 591-1313


Times Supermarket (Kahala)
1173 21st Avenue
Honolulu, HI  96816
Phone:  733-2466
Fax:  732-3718

Women's Bean Project

Umami's friend, Patti, is the most incredibly conscious person he knows.  Always fighting the good fight, it shows even in her choices for Christmas presents.  For example, Firehouse #10 Hot Chili Mix from the Women's Bean Project.

  Firehouse #10 Hot Chili Mix http://www.womensbeanproject.com/sou05.html

The Women's Bean Project describes itself as a "social enterprise that teaches job readiness skills through gourmet food manufacturing while also providing support services and life skills to overcome barriers to employment."  Check the full story here.  They make a variety of food mixes and, interestingly, handmade, limited edition jewelry.

Beans for the Firehouse #10 Chili . . . pretty!

The Firehouse #10 chili is actually somewhat spicy (but Umami still adds Tabasco).  It was interesting because the beans come dry and you have to reconstitute them overnight in water.  Even at that, they are still considerably firmer that canned beans.

Chili with Turkey (and sans Green Pepper and Garlic)

The recipe actually calls for green pepper and garlic, which Umami didn't have around and was too lazy to go get, but it turned out pretty well all the same.  Umami recommends it (the mixes, and the project)!

Women's Bean Project

3201 Curtis Street

Denver, CO  80205

Website:  www.womensbeanproject.com