I had some fun nights out this week, celebrating Andy’s return. He was working on a trial on Maui for eight weeks and has yet to sleep in our new house for a week straight.
Went to Kalapawai one night. This place is my frenemy. I have had some good meals here, but the atmosphere sometimes irritates me. I wolfed down my olive oil poached salmon only to realize I didn’t like it so much. If you’re going to poach something in olive olive oil maybe skip the teppenade and the raw onion. A friend joined us–she had the same thing–and much to her dismay I will share the conversation we had the next day:
Me: “Did you like that dinner? It kind of didn’t sit well or–”
Her: “I know! It made my crotch smell!”
Me: “Um…I was just going to say that it left a bad taste in my mouth…but ah…that’s interesting.”
(She laughs uncontrollably)
Me: “I’m so going to write this.”
Her: “Don’t you dare! I’m never speaking around you again!”

After dinner we went to Yogurt Mama for desert–fed five of us for one desert at the restaurant.

Went to Buzz’s Steakhouse on Thursday–just the three of us. It was great to be there–the whole point of the place is the place itself–a little shack across the street from Kailua beach. Actually the point used to be (for me at least) simple, consistently good fresh fish, but I haven’t had that there in awhile. Unfortunately the hamachi was thin and blah, the bok choi flavorless. Went to Lucy’s for desert–an awesome coconut custard cake and a glass of Merlot. Sideways did horrible things for Merlot, but I love it.

Last night we went with friends and all the kids to Sweet Home Waimanalo, a new joint specializing in slow-smoked BBQ. The place is super cute without being granny and mousy and the menu is creative and playful without sacricing great taste. Take the sides, for instance: Bok Choi cole slaw, slow-cooked beans, salad made from local Waimanalo produce, and purple Okinawan Sweet Potato Salad. You also get cornbread, rice and a choice of homemade BBQ sauces — Guava Chipotle, Honey-Mustard or Beer BQ.
The reason I’m being a little more detailed is because this place was the clear winner of all the local spots we frequented this week, and as a bonus my smoked fish was $7 compared to Kalapawai’s and Buzz’s 25 dollar entree. It was by far the most satisfying. Everyone was thrilled, intoxicated by the deliciousness of it all, or maybe just plain drunk (a friend was trying to get his wife drunk so she’d clean).

I think I’m going to start doing this more often: pick winners of the week from the places we happen by. I’m sure you all just can’t wait.

Full Review of Sweet Home Waimanalo
Mani/Pedi Guilt
Dining with Shorty