The Adventures of Tin-Tin

Weeee!

It's been so long since I blogged! I've been busy eating lots of mediterranean food, working on losing weight via the South Beach Diet, doing pilates, planning wedding details and trying to keep my sanity. I'm so excited!

Me and my sewing machine are friends again. I have hemmed four pairs of pants in the last two weeks. I will be hemming a pair of jeans I got from Banana Republic (for only $7!!!). Lucky me, they came right off a mannequin just minutes before I got there on my lunch break. This weekend, I will try to hem jeans the Dacia-Ray way. My friend, J, tried it and showed me the results. I honestly couldn't tell they were hemmed until I got up really close. Amazing!

This summer, I plan to do a lot more sewing. Plan is the operative word. In particular, I would like to make some dresses and tops from .

My Little Sun Jar

My brother bought me a sun jar for my birthday. teehee. :D

I love it immensly. I don't know if I want one in blue. I would think it would be like stealing the moonlight. But that's not as exciting as thinking of stealing sunlight. FROM THE SUN!!!! STOLEN SUNSHINE! THE SOURCE OF HEAT! LIGHT! WARMTH! AND IT'S MINE! ALL MINE!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAH

I think they should make a pocket version. Little sunshine in my pocket.

Here is a lovely tutorial on how to make your very own sun jar courtesy of NotMartha.

Honolulu, HI--Side Street Inn

We had dinner here on our last night in Honolulu. Even though my digestive system was dying from all the fatty greasy food I was eating all week, I had to save some room for the famous fried pork chops and fried rice at Side Street Inn. Roy Yamaguchi (Roy's) celebrated his birthday here and it's famous for being a local spors bar where celebrity chefs hang out. That being said, how bad could it be?

The fried pork chops were simple but so juicy and crispy. And the fried rice had some dashi, green onions, char siu and bits of linguica. It was very tasty and unlike any fried rice I have ever had. This was some serious Asian-style comfort food. All that was missing was a fried egg but I didn't mind. I had enough cholesterol issues that night.

I heard the mother of the owner (Colin Nishida) still makes the wontons by hand. These were actually my favorite that night. Served with a little hot mustard which I mixed with some soy sauce, I couldn't get enough.

Then when we got home, the Hawaii episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations featured Side Street Inn. I had no idea they had so many different types of food there! I missed out and went straight for the fried food. Apparently they have all sorts of Chinese food, fried chicken and other tasty treats. I think I just looked at the menu and zeroed in on the pork chops and fried rice (and fried wontons). I will definitely be back for more.

SIDE STREET INN

1225 Hopaka St
Honolulu, HI 96814

(808) 591-0253   

Honolulu, HI--3660 on the Rise

I had heard so many good things about Chef Russell Siu and his innovative use of local ingredients at 3660 on the Rise.  One of my favorite dishes was the ahi katsu. Wrapped in nori, deep-fried and served with a wasabi gingery buttery sauce--the dish incorporated very familiar Asian flavors but in combinations and textures I had never experienced before.

One of the other treats of the night was an entree which had a trio of chicken, filet mignon, and maybe more ahi? I can't remember. What I do remember is that I LOVED IT!

This was one of the more memorable meals of my life. I get so dramatic sometimes... :)

3660 on the Rise

3660 Waialae Ave Frnt
Honolulu, HI 96816

(808) 737-1177   

Honolulu, HI--Beard Papa

I used to feel compelled to go to a McDonald's whenever I was travelling far from home. It was cool to see what was the same and what was different. I don't go to McDonald's that much anymore, but I couldn't really pass up trying the breakfast sandwiches at Beard Papa. Sure, we have a couple Beard Papas in the Bay Area, but I don't think any of them have sandwiches.

We tried the portuguese sausage sandwich and the bacon sandwich as well. I think they forgot to heat up the sausage sandwich because the cheese was cold. :( The bacon sandwich was excellent though. It was like a crossaint sandwich.

They also had egg salad, chicken and some other sandwiches and snacks. The classic vanilla cream puff remains my favorite.

Beard Papa

227 Lewers St., Suite 126

Honolulu, HI, 96815

(808) 926-8247