Maybe you should post a request on the HI board for "favorite place for local Portuguese Bean Soup" ...that should keep it on the board, and maybe get some leads.

Many years ago I worked on a research ship in New England that had Portuguese cooks from New Bedford. They made Kale Soup that was not that different from the local Hawaii version of "Portuguese Bean Soup", with linguica or chorizo, potatoes, white or kidney beans, depending on the cook, plenty of onions and garlic, and of course lots of kale. I think the Portuguese in NB mostly came from the Azores, which is where a lot of Hawaii's Portuguese came from, so the similarities make sense.

The fundraiser benefits Meals on Wheels, so no problem with supporting a very worthwhile cause. The concept is quite clever, adopted from similar on the Mainland. They get the local ceramic folks to make bowls that are given to each ticket holder, wrapped to take with you, not to eat out of. The goal, which I think they got close to, was to have 5000 ceramic bowls to give away.

The long wait to get in is due to the time people take to go thru the tent with hundreds of bowls to pick from before moving on to the soups. Most of the bowls were very attractive, on the small size, good for rice or soup...not the size used for ramen (well, maybe extra-small servings), but appealing.

Your ticket then allows you to pick one soup, served in a very small styrofoam cup/bowl, with a bread roll on the side. If you want more than one soup, you pay for another ticket, and then you get two bowls, two soups. $20 advance, $25 at the door.

So yes, I'm sure the bowls are all donated, and the soups are too. They probably have to pay for tents and styrofoam, but doubt there is much more overhead except maybe advertising.

http://www.emptybowlhawaii.org/2013_e...

Yes, was sorry I couldn't try more of them. Friends reported that the tortilla soup was good, and the broccoli-cheddar also, but with portions so small, it was kind of frustrating to see all those good options and not be able to try them without paying another $25 for each extra ticket for another ceramic bowl and soup portion. People who went previously said the portions were larger last year, but they ran out of soup. They might want to consider giving two soup tickets for small portions for each donation that you could use for two different soups, or use both for for two of the same one.

Had to go completely without the safety net of CH recs, and instead went with what looked really good. Hit paydirt with the unlikely but delicious pozole from Sansei. A long wait to get in, and the small portion was cup-sized, not bowl-sized, but a good cause, and fun with friends. Had to hit Chun Wah Kam for manapua afterwards as we were all still hungry.

Plan to go to the Empty Bowl fundraiser tonight at Ala Moana and wondered if anyone would recommend any of the soups being offered. I've been to several of these restaurants, most not, but can't recall trying any of the offerings. What is in town's Pohaku Soup? Any "must try" recs?

12th Ave GRILL
Big Island Cauliflower Bisque with Shiitake Bacon

3660 on the Rise
Broccoli Cheddar

Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room
Kim Chee Portuguese Bean Soup

Big City Diner
Vegetable Soup

Cafe Laufer
Chicken Gumbo

Cafe Kaila
Chicken Tortilla

Great Life Cuisine
Bean and Veggie (Vegan/Gluten-Free)

Hula Grill Waikiki
Lemongrass Chicken Red Curry & Thai Green Curry

JJ Bistro & French Pastry
Cream of Potatoes and Bacon

Le Bistro
French Onion Soup

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus
Kahuku Corn Chowder

Murphy's Bar and Grill
Black Eyed Peas with Ham

Roys
Kamuela Tomato and Herb Bisque

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Slow Braised Shinsato Farms and Pork Hominy Posole Soup

Side Street Inn
Italian Minestrone

Stage Restaurant
Island Style Kalua Pig Chowder

Tango Contemporary Cafe
Lentils with Smoked Sausage

Tiki's Grill & Bar
Five Spiced Butternut Squash Bisque

Town
Pohaku Soup

Whole Foods Kahala & Kailua
Organic Thai Carrot & White Bean and Kale

What would you choose in Volcano?

If true, it will be at the top of my list to try. Rotisserie chicken in Peru is unbelievably tasty, and is a mania in foodie heaven Lima. Have seen reports that versions are appearing all over the Mainland to rave reviews.

The standard technique is basically to marinate it with lime and chile.

I've had their tacos at the KCC farmer's market...delicious! A friend who is very fond of Mexican food thinks they are the best in town...can't wait to try their new venue!

Thanks for the suggestions. Found it at Whole Foods which has 8 oz containers for $10. Tried the sweet-potato fries from the Sunday NYT magazine article, and they turned out wonderfully. Yum!

Does anyone know where one could purchase duck fat in Honolulu? Have seen several recipes lately that call for it and want to try them. Seems to be hard to even find frozen duck to try to render my own.

On Sunday? Lots of construction? Seems unlikely, but dimsumgirl says so.

I feel a little like Suze Orman on "can I afford it?"...answering "can I get away from the terminal and back in 3 hours?"...on a Sunday, yes, probably no problem; is it a good idea, is it worth it? Probably not.

If you are coming in from Neighbor Islands connecting to the main terminal you don't have to go thru TSA security, but there is an Agricultural inspection...no fresh fruit or veggies or some leis, but won't slow you down. Mainland to interisland no TSA, no agriculture.

This assumes your interisland flight is on Hawaiian; if it is Island Air of GO/Mokulele, you will have to go thru TSA before connecting. If you have to wait on luggage and re-check it you probably should just stay in the terminal.

Sunday mid-day should be optimal for getting out, eating, and getting back....I would guess taxi fare at least $15 each way to Pier 38, but only a 10 minutes ride on Sunday at lunchtime. The one challenge might be getting the cab back to the airport from there at 1 or 130...probably not hard but you will have to call...certainly no cabs would be waiting or cruising that area.

Options are limited at the airport, as others have described, but 3 hours MIGHT be enough time depending on the day and time. If you are specific about the day/time of your layover, and which way you are going, advice would be more reliable.

If it is a low-traffic time (both TSA and highway), and you don't mind paying for expensive cab fare, Nicos and Uncles are within reach, but it could be risky during heavy traffic times.

Will have to make it a point to check names of these places...I go back to places I've liked without making note of the names. Sounds like Fong's is one I should try. Thanks!

I prefer the roast pork to the char siu, although the red one is nice in fried rice.

As a side note, the very best I ever had was in a fancy restaurant in Singapore, I think it was called Crystal Jade, in one of those endless malls on Orchard Road. It was an offering with a mainly dim sum luncheon, and was just a simple small plate of 9 perfect cubes, each about 3/4 of an inch square, with crispy skin, juicy fat, and succulent meat. Don't expect to find anything to compare here, but tasty local style will make me happy.

Recent thread about Chinatown had a mention of roast pork and I've been craving some, so thought I'd ask about where people go for their favorite source. i have often gotten very good pork from the small stand in O'ahu Market at the Ewa end right on King St.

I also like the roast pork from the Manapua Factory in Manoa Marketplace, but they surely get it from somewhere else as it is already in a bento box, not cut to order.

Not a big fan of the plate lunch place at Market City, although it is within walking distance, but I want to hear what chowhounds think is the best.

Glad that Mandalay was satisfying...never thought of that as in Chinatown, but whatever works.

By the way, where did you get your roast pork? Would you recommend your butcher? I've been craving some and think I'll start a fresh thread on the topic.

Great report. My sister will be going to Hilo, Volcano, and Kamuela in a couple of weeks and your account has whetted her appetite.

Did you happen to see any red bananas at the Hilo market? Haven't seen them on O'ahu in a long time and am hoping she can find some and bring them back.

Sorry about the misinformation...was in a rush to reply as it appeared the OP was on their way at the time. Ramen at Lucky Belly: yes, Viet: River Street.

Legends going downhill? Very disappointing.

Legends for dim sum, 2nd choice Mei Sum.

Little Village for everything else.

Lucky Belly for contempo Asian,especially Viet style soup and anything porky.

Hmmm...wasn't aware that it might contribute to a kidney stone... hope I can continue to enjoy it without that problem developing.

The kale is sure a good choice...have been seeing more and more of it, and enjoying it in different ways. The tender ones go into soups and stews, and have used the large, sturdy leaves of Tuscan (Lacinato or Dinosaur) to make garlic-kale chips...wonderful snack. I see the same thing in stores for $10 a package...about $2 worth of kale and a bit of time in the kitchen for twice as much.

Fresh spinach was available from at least two vendors at KCC on Saturday, small tender trimmed spinach leaves bagged for $2 (or $2.50?) from Pit Farm. Otsuji Farm had larger untrimmed bunches but had already gotten my spinach fix from Pit, so didn't check the price. Some vendors also sometimes have what is usually called Malabar Spinach, which I have tried but don't like...often seems sort of slimy when cooked.

I prefer the tender young trimmed bags from PIT, but have enjoyed Otsuji's version as well...probably a better value but demand more attention to cleaning well.

Otsuji also sells at Ala Moana on Sat morning, but with less variety than KCC, and they have rarely had spinach there. Don't know if they are at either venue on Tuesday.

Pretty sure this is Adega's in/out venture. Have not tried the malasadas myself, but see one positive mention on Yelp (along with a long string of 1-star reviews for the restaurant).

I have eaten there two or three times, but not recently, and it was ok...probably best to go for the Brazilian menu Friday and Sunday nights...really enjoyed the feijoada and especially the collard greens.

Newly opened "casual and stylish" eatery by Peter Merriman got rave reviews from Nadine Kam in the morning paper today. Sounds like something worth the drive...any reports from the hounds?

Also mention of attractive take-out and fresh produce at Island Country Market (by ABC Stores) in the same complex...could provide some nice options besides resort fare.

You might try Brennecke's Beach Broiler across from the beach at Poipu. they are usually pretty busy on weekend days anyway, but maybe worth a call.

http://www.brenneckes.com/
(808) 742-7588

Nico's at Pier 38 has a view of the fishing fleet backed by the container piers across Honolulu Harbor...one of the few water views available that is not in a Waikiki hotel. Food is great, especially fresh, local seafood. It is right off Nimitz Hwy between the airport and downtown, on a main route back from Pearl Harbor; also on the bus line to same. Canned music/radio. Very reasonable prices.

Another view of Honolulu Harbor is at Gordon Biersch Restaurant/brew pub at Aloha Tower Marketplace right downtown on Nimitz. Decent sandwiches and famous garlic fries. I think they have live music some evenings, but best to check their website. Moderate prices.

For entertainment, you are probably going to have to go to Waikiki...several options there with decent food and mid-range prices, but others on this list can offer better suggestions than I could. Entertainment, views, good chow and moderate prices? That may be a tough combination.

For any of the better Chinatown restaurants you'll want reservations for weekends, especially around lunar new year. The wait for a table at Legend's at lunchtime on regular Sat/Sun is liable to be lengthy, so the coming weekends might be difficutl. Don't think I've ever been there for dinner.

Legend's has validated parking in the Chinese Cultural Plaza lot, but it is sure to be jammed. LV has its own small lot just past the building on Smith. Mei Sum has a small lot off Pauahi, while there is a larger underground public lot that would serve all three, enter from Beretania on the makai side of the street just after Nuuanu. All of them are easy to get to on the main bus lines from Waikiki to downtown.

Would second Little Village, Legend, Mei Sum. We had dinner last night at Little Village with some of our usual favorites: Chicken-Chive Potstickers and Honey-Walnut Shrimp. The Dried Beef with Chow Fun was excellent, as was the Taro Duck.

One in our group had an internet coupon for a savings on one of a list of weekly specials...might be worth searching online.

Was sorry to hear that Jennifer, the owner's wife had recently passed away. She was quite the character, something of a dragon lady, but insistent on quality and service.

We have never been disappointed there. Legends can be a bit intimidating if you are not accustomed to Hong Kong style dim sum service...you have to be on your toes to order quickly from the passing carts, and put up with the cacophony, but with those caveats, it is very enjoyable with excellent dim sum. Mei Sum is smaller and a bit more casual.

You will miss the big parade and street fair weekend of Feb 2nd, but there will still be some lesser activity 8th and 9th around the Chinese Cultural Plaza. What exactly is hard to say...don't know why all the major celebrations are always before and not on the weekend of the lunar new year.

On the other hand, getting into most Chinatown restaurants should be slightly easier then after the big public celebrations start to ease off, and the atmosphere should be quite festive, although mainly family gatherings.