Epicurean's Profile
ISO Lahaina Sushi
Sorry, I realize I may be late in responding, but I have been in Maui for several weeks now...
IMHO, Koiso is truly the best sushi experience in Maui --IF you are true die hard sushi fan....
Sansie is what I call modern style - lots of rolls with mayo, siracha and dragon sauce.... that is all fine if you like that style. they do it as good or better than most....
BUT then there is Koiso:. Classic, old school... They only offer a handful of rolls - nothing exotic but all the classics hamachi/green onion, spicy tuna, and vairous maki's.... for a real treat ask for a Futomaki..... they always have fresh tamago... The real highlights however are their nigiri... Just ask what is recommended - most are written on the white board but sometimes their are other treats... I have NEVER has toro as good as his toro.... I also love his Tai/Snapper, hamachi and uni. Depending on the seaon, he can have numerous other offerings on the sashimi/nigiri board...
Enjoy,
E
Portland - lunches near the MAC on SW Salmon
Thanks Jill - I remember reading your posts about Chef Naoko a year or two ago, but have never been able to get there... This spot is perfect for what we are looking for....
Portland Sushi Update 2011
Researching my upcoming trip and am very sad to discover that Hiroshi's has closed...and this leads me to a few questions:
1. Where is the best sushi spot? Are the standard recs still Bamboo, Murata, & Masu??
-- I realize there are many styles of sushi. I prefer traditional as well as a more modern flair like Hiroshi offered BUT what I do NOT want is a place that specializes in big rolls with mayo, siracha and dragon sauce over everything
2. Does Hiro-san still serve sushi at the ramen joint- Mirakutei?
2b. any one know if he still makes the the matsutake soup when they are in season?
Thanks again,
E
Portland - lunches near the MAC on SW Salmon
Looking for good lunch spots neat the MAC sports club (1849 Southwest Salmon Street).
Preferably within walking distance. We will only have 60-90min.
Any Chow-worthy cuisine will do. Is there a food cart pod nearby?
I am quite familiar with the PDX-Chow highlights; however, I dont know the geography well enough to know what would be close enough to this location for a quick lunch.
Many Thanks!
E
Maui: Best Chef's Tasting
Terrific! I have made resys at Spago for our Anniversary night.... Might try a couple of the other "sampling menus" over the course of 2weeks. Will report!!
Mahalo
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Spago
3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Maui: Best Chef's Tasting
Here are some others that I have found:
Spago
David Paul's
Lahina Grill
Sea House -- at $225 per person
Banyan Tree
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Banyan Tree
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Lahaina, HI
Sea House Restaurant
5900 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761
Spago
3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Maui: Best Chef's Tasting
To clarify, I am happy to take recommendations on $100-$200 tastings... I have just read some other posts saying that there are some other not so "over the top" tastings or menu samplers.....
Maui: Best Chef's Tasting
Let me amend my post: I called David Paul's island grill and they do a chef's table in the kitchen for $150pp..... We love that sort of thing, but I very much trust Mr. Hunt so I am leery....
Maui: Best Chef's Tasting
The Mrs. and I enjoying a good tasting menu. It is also our 10yr anniversary, and we will be in Kaanapali for 2weeks. Here is what I would like help with:
1. Best Tasting menu for Anniversary night ( I know the Banyan tree does one for $150 but others come in around $45 like David Paul's). For this night, I would love a 9-12 course all-out tasting experience (ala Alan Wong's in HNL)
Also:
2. Since we will be there for a couple weeks, I could see us hitting up a few others especially if they are a good deals in the $40-60 range....
If possible please include approximate cost and approximate number of courses
Mahalo !!
E
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Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826
Maui: Asian market for Sake??
When in honolulu, we always hit the large asian market oddly named don quixote in order to stock up on premium sake and japanese beer....
Does Maui have asian markets like this?? Foodland may have a couple of decent sakes but I would prefer a bigger selection...
We will be staying in West Maui, but I dont mind an excursion if necessary....
Mahalo
Kauai Sushi: Kintaro vs. new Dolphin Sushi Bar
Staying in Princeville and wondering where the best sushi is... Kintaro has gotten most of the past votes, but some of the locals are saying the new sushi bar at the Hanalei Dolphin is better...
Any insights??
Mahalo,
E
Northshore excursion: Roads washed out????
We are planning a day trip this Friday (12/11) to the Northshore of Oahu (Haleiwa) via the Kahuku shrimp trucks... I have been hearing stories about the roads getting washed out....
I was wondering what the implications of this is.... If they are washed out, could you be stranded for an hour or so until the water recedes OR can this really strand you for a long time?? We fly to Kauai the next day, so I dont want to truly get stranded....
Where do the "washouts" occur?? Can we still get up to Kahuku or Turtle Bay??
Mahalo,
E
Royal Hawaiian vs. HWAK for mai-tai's and hula
This is the answer that I was expecting.... I couldnt imaging topping the HWAK experience....
We are also heading up to Jameson's on the North Shore. I think they make a mean Mai-Tai as well...
Mahalo
Royal Hawaiian vs. HWAK for mai-tai's and hula
We love House w/o a Key for the music and live hula.... The Royal Hawaiian also offers live music. I was just wondering how it compares to the iconic HWAK experience.... We just want to go for a drink before diner and a little live music.
Mahalo
E
Kauai: Where to buy Sake
is there a good market on Kauai (I'm suspecting Lihue) where we could find a good selection of sake and Japanese beer??
When on Oahu, we go to the "Don Quixote" market and stock our mini-fridge with sake and beer.... Was hoping to do the same on Kauai...
Any thoughts??
visiting downtown portland
As a chowhound, I say follow the food first and would pick Toro Bravo! their food is unparalleled. If you want a funky neighborhood stroll, the Mississippi is not far from TB....
With that said, no car is really a deal breaker for my plan..... Yes, once you are at Andina, you will be able in the center of things and that might be the way to go....
If you can find a way to get to TB, i would try....
Carlton, Or.
We visit the area frequently. There is great food and wine in the area.
Best dinner spots (not in Carlton but nearby): Painted Lady and Joel Palmer House
The Joel Palmer House is the Mecca for those of us who hunt wild mushrooms. Joe is still the principle forager and his son has taken over the kitchen.....
Some of the better lunch spots are in Dundee or McMinnville, so we were happy to find "The Horse Radish" in Carlton. Nice lite lunch but also is a cheese shop... We often get some cheese, charcuterie, and a baguette and head out for the day... The also offer a well chosen wine tasting of local wines.
Carlton wineries:
We always finish our day by buying a bottle at Cana's Feast (previously Cuneo) and playing Bocce ball.... There wines are some of our favorites.
Carlton wine makers studio is a nice stop as is the Train Depot.
Cuvee is probably the best dinner pick in Carlton proper.
Enjoy....you've made me thirsty.
E
PDX: Who is Hot, NOW? beast, pigeon, gris, paley?
I have heard good things about the mixology at Carlye.... I have had some wonderful creations from Park Kitchen's bartenders
PDX: Who is Hot, NOW? beast, pigeon, gris, paley?
From http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/, i gather that the PSU Saturday market is the only one running this early?? is that true?? nothing on Wed/Thurs?
PDX: Who is Hot, NOW? beast, pigeon, gris, paley?
I have one shot at a great meal in Portland. Whose menu is tasting really good right now (early April 2009)?
Paley's
Sel Gris
Le Pigeon
Beast
Other?
I have eaten at most. They are always excellent, but each season someone's menu is really on target and above the others...Some trips i can do 3-4, but this one is short and i can only do 1..... so sad.....
Cheers,
E
DC: Sushi / Izakaya near downtown or Georgetown
We we have a long week of heavy noshing planned, we like to throw in some sushi from time to time.... like a palate cleanser....
Chambersburg Chow ?? willing to drive
So, i have heard about "the greeks".... Is it good greek food?? Which ones do you recommend?? I would rather average Greek than stuck eating at Applebee's....
DC: Sushi / Izakaya near downtown or Georgetown
Thanks!
I am really surprised there are not more offering omakase or kaiseki...
I will report back...
DC: Sushi / Izakaya near downtown or Georgetown
We will be staying a few nights at the St. Regis then a few at the Fairmont in Georgetown...
We are looking for the best sushi as well as Izakaya-style Japanese. We also enjoy doing a kaiseki or omakase. It would be nice if they were in the neighborhood, but as a true chowhound we are willing to travel for the best (as long as public transportation will get us there).
Any recs would be appreciated!
E
Chambersburg Chow ?? willing to drive
WE will be in Chambersburg for a week, and we will have a car....
Any recommendations in this area??
We are willing to drive 30-40minutes if there are some hound-worthy destinations....
My initial research looks pretty bleak....
Cheers
PDX: Toro Bravo, tapas
Just got back from our Toro Bravo excursion....I remember reading a post "...paley's, wildwood, yada yada yada, but dont miss Toro Bravo.." -- I thought WOW, how do you put tapas in the same category as Paley's? -- Now i know.
we have been to most of the Chowhound's recommended restaurants, and this one is a real standout....Parenthetically, we went to The Farm last night and it was also one of the most memorable PDX meals in a while.....
I must say we "used the force" and order perfectly at Toro Bravo. It will be hard not to order the same items next time. Shocker of the night: Out of the 6-7 dishes, the BRUSSEL SPROUTS were the highlight among many standouts. They were served with bacon and a sherry cream sauce. Every item was outstanding!! Manchego and smoked paprika fritters, a must have. Grilled Bread with sauted hedgehog mushrooms. Amazing butternut squash dumpling (quinelle really) with stewed lamb - these gnocchi like dumplings were one of the best homemade pastas i've had. "Drunken pork with white beans" -- incredible pork tenderloin wrapped in jamon. My wife had a wonderful Albarino all night and i had a great rioja, crianza ((after a nice bourbon drink)).
We cant wait to go back. We will hopefully go back at least once before we leave town....
Thanks for the rec!!!
B
Truffle shop in PDX
WE are conducting a training here in Portland, and I like to end with truffles and champagne....I know PDX has a lot of "sweet shops"....where is the best place for truffles??
Thanks,
B
PDX: Dinner & Presidential Debate
We are flying in on Thursday and would love to watch the Democratic Debate.....I assume they will be live starting at 6:00pm Pacfic Time..... Any recs for a good restaurant/bar that we could have some great food and watch the debate.... We love to eat at the bar anyways.....
Many thanks!
Sushi in PDX
HIroshi is exceptional!! Top 3 anywhere in the US as far as i am concerned. Yes, it is expensive...but the execution and quality is exceptional.... To really see the gems, order off the menu "Hiro recommends"...try a few of those dishes: there are special rolls, carpacios/tartares, and other very special sashmi or nigri choices... Also, the deserts are amazing too...
Cant recommend it enough!
Willamette tours?
I highly recommending asking the "restaurant people" both in portland and the valley...they will turn you on to what's hot right now or which are tasting particularly good at the time....
Quick pics:
archery summit
annie amie
tori mor & lange (next to each other)
arbor brooks
Sinean if you can get an appointment
in carlton,
dont miss Cueno/Cana's Feast
The winemaker's studio
the depot
for food, have lunch at the dundee bistro and taste a the tasting room next door.
for dinner, Joel palmer and the painted lady...
in vino veritas!
