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CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!!! Looking forward to seeing you on the schedule!!!!! If you include Hawaii in your route let me know! I'd love to help out! This was great news today! Thanks for sharing and I'll bet you are so glad you can finally tell everyone! A hui hou

Mariposa will be closed 5/29 - 6/15 for kitchen renovation. We had lunch yesterday at the Mermaid bar on the 3rd floor and it was quite good, had a nice view as well. I would say though that the Buffalo Chicken spinach salad runs just under being exploitive in seasoning and the dressing was over abundant, if you like mushrooms - which I don't - there are PLENTY! My dining companion was the happy recipient. A hui hou Mariposa and the Mermaid Bar are in Neiman Marcus.

I just started it and it is so beautiful! The overwhelming evidence of love for France and that they have for each other is so inspiring, makes me want to cry! I was able to buy it at Coscto for $14.99. It is definitely a book to relax with and savor a nice glass of wine while reading and enjoying the journey. Makes me wish I belong to a book club that was reading this! a hui hou

The best thing I ever ate with potato starch was a whole lobster that was veiled in the starch and deep fried and sprinkled with mirin after. The coating was so thin and sealed in the juice of the lobster it was the most amazing thing ever. The place only got 6 lobsters per night due to storage requirements (Kona cold lobsters) flown in from Kona to Oahu and you'd have to call ahead and 'reserve' one for this dish as they used them in other entrees as well. I don't bake so I can't add any other information. Just thought I'd tell you about the lobster! A hui hou!

Aloha! Have a safe trijp back! I really love Hanalei Poi - so do our dogs. The thing is I have not tried the other you mention but I would imagine it is really really good! Taro brand is o.k. but it's Hanalei for us. For your travel purpose it does come in that great sturdy plastic container. It is quite thick so you may want to dilute a bit. We don't get the Waipio over here unfortunately. A hui hou!

When we leave here we always go to the little restaurant and get a kalua pork sandwich and a couple Grey Goose martinis. It's too hectic to fix sandwiches and whatnot, maybe we take some roasted unsalted almonds along. On the way back we always stop at Wolfgang Puck's and have a breakfast pizza as there are only a.m. flights available and vodka with cranberry juice. Since on the way back we are coming from Chicago I always have some Jay's cheese corn in a plastic bag, I really should stop that habit! Not only for the salt but it makes your fingers bright orange, always reminds me of my granny's orange/brown fingers from smoking unfiltered Chesterfield cigarettes a hui hou

Spago! Do a tasting menu A hui hou!

We buy lots of baskets of Kula Maui strawberries, lately they have been huge and luscious. How do you roast strawberries?

In Wailea on Maui there is Joe's Bar & Grill near the tennis courts. It is owned by Bev and Joe Gannon who also own Hailiimaile General Store restaurant on Maui. We dined there before and it was fabulous, great food and such interesting decor. We are gladly returning for several days at the Grand Wailea this week and will eat at both! a hui hou!

WELCOME FRAN I see you just did your first post! Mariposa is definitely the place for LUNCH. Dinner is lackluster and dissappointing at best. None of the classic touches were in place when we ate there, no popovers with the flavored butter, no consomme, and it is DARK and cavernous, the lighting is depressing. During the day the view is fabulous and the food with the classic touches make for a wonderful experience. I would second L'Uraku as an excellent choice. They have this delicious cucumber cocktail that even though it is cold here with winter and all it is so refreshing and cheerful! Hope you have a great time during your trip! A hui hou!

Aloha! Thanks so far for your replies! Unfortunately the Blue Bayou will be closed in May We did enjoy a nice lunch for my mom's 70th (our reason for the last trip). I appreciate your time and keep the info. coming! A hui hou!

Aloha! What did you like to eat there (in the Park/hotels/nearby area). I have not been in 10 years so any information would be great! a hui hou Oh my....I just read the title.....Any been.....should say Anyone Been Recently......Must be this bronchitis is now affecting my ability to type

Aloha! I do not find Mariposa interesting nor up to expectations for dinner service. I HIGHLY suggest going for lunch. There you will get the famous popovers with their Hawaiian inspired butter, the consomme and a gorgeous view. Dinner was dark and dank in my opinion and not worth the price compared to other establishments. Lunch however is never a disappointment and I can drool as I write about the Lobster Club, whatever salad of the day would be, the ahi caesar and although not on the menu as for and they will serve half tobacco onions and their fabulous fries. Also the Neiman Marcus Martini is a joy with the sake/vodka, cucumber and ginger. They also have a large burger that is delicioous. I go there with the IL's and Dad has an appetite that is to reach notches unknown but very picky oddly enough. He is always more than satisfied and full. Reservations should be a must but you can always get in as they give you a beeper and if it's like now it's fun to look at all the "Last Call" sale items. A lovely setting, great food, emphasis on local ingredients, popovers & consomme (which are not offered at dinner Make lunch a must for locals and visitors alike. Thank god for Mariposa in the recent addition of a Macaroni Grill at Ala Moana and a few other national chains (Ruby Tuesday) I weep for the future, by all means support Doug Lum's kitchen and have a fabulous time! And, if you're lazy like me and don't want to have your car in the sun while shopping go to the NM valet area, for a tip most likely Greggson will park your car and he is friendly and fun. This is a good idea as well if you're parcel laden you can stash your packages in the car and not worry about possible theft in the general lot, you gotta love valet parking! I know my funky old CRV with the Grateful Dead stickers is a fine addition to the Rolls, BMW's and Mercedes, etc! A hui hou

I weep for the future...........

This was a most AWESOME gift! It did not last long in our house at all!!!!!!! The crust was had a great body somewhat chewy and creamy - it toasted perfectly. The interior body was firm yet yielded well to the teeth. Flavors jumped from the bread and she's right the garlic had a completely even distribution balancing the potato perfectly. I did not notice the rosemary 'controversey' too busy breathing in the aroma of this piece of heaven. As she knows I am a potato nut she also gave me 2 bags of those gorgeous Melissa's minature potates of all colors and sizes. Great job Glossy! You're a great friend to have! Keep on baking!!!!! a hui hou & Mele Kalikimaka

You are my kind of eater! Actually I have indulged OFTEN in MacDonald's various burgers often Happy Meals while on the road. However, I always go into a parking spot to put on the extra ketchup and spread the fries out on the seat over the bag they come in....I have been guilty of eating those 99cent tacos from Jack in the Box (why I am admitting any of this I can't imagine.....) and sometimes eat those chicken strips from Arby' with the honey mustard sauce. When I go to Safeway if they look fresh/crisp I indulge in a few chicken strips......I try to wait for lights and since I am always on the way home from Pilates/exercise I always have a towel so I don't ruin my shirt with condiment/grease stains.......as I put it in my neckline of my t-shirt.........A hui hou O.K. I admit to mostly always getting one of those killer brownies from Neimans when I shop at the mall with an iced coffee and with ritual open it carefully breaking the store seal/stickers that hold the cellophane.....A great break when stuck at a light which is the only time I take a bite of any of the mentioned, funny how other times you don't want a light to change if you're not eating.......

Try Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel. www.simonkitchen.com nice bar & drink menu in addition to full dining. Hope you have a great trip! A hui hou!

I'm not sure of how funny this is but it certainly is unusual. We went up to a neighbor's house and had an incredible meal with so many things that everyone had brought, maybe 50 or so people. After dinner we went back to sit around the bar area and people kept filtering out of the area and going downstairs. One of the guests said to me "It's all happening downstairs, come on!" So eventually I made my way down the stairs rather than using their elevator (it's a 3 story house), and saw smoke coming from a room. As I walked closer to the room I could see inside it was pitch black with the exception of hundreds of laser beams, lights, a mirror spinning ball, a wall of lights flashing, the floor covered with moving stars, beams, etc. and music pounding away. This guy has put in a full disco club in part of his lower level the smoke was a fog machine that kept blasting out steam every few minutes. It was just incredible, so rather than sit around and think about how full we were we danced for a couple hours to all that music that made the 70's what they were, I actually danced about jumping wildly to "Rebel Yell" which I probably shouldn't admit to now.........The host was in his professional sound booth cranking out number after number looking like a mad scientist or something behind the glass. Apparently this is only 60% completed but it rivals any club I've seen or heard about. So unexpected disco dancing was the highlight of my night and certainly not an ordinary activity for us! A hui hou and my ears have finally stopped ringing!

Last month I went to what was supposed to be "Tex-Mex" potluck thing held on October 20, amongst the bowls of guacamole, salsa, that 7 layer thing someone actually brought a big bowl of candy corn. Since it is so humid here it immediately started to melt and run and looked really awful quite early into the evening. Made my teeth hurt to look at it. A hui hou......

we have enjoyed dragon fruit margaritas.

12th Avenue Grill in Kaimuki - everything very fresh, very comfortable easy food with a very nice 'compact' wine list. There are some regular menu items but we chose to eat all the specials of the day and all were really good. Reservations highly recommended. town - Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki. Their "Always fresh, Organic when possible" shines through in their menu. Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas, Restaurant Row - Definitely go! Hiroshi Fukui is a master of combining his Japanese heritage with farm fresh (including his ever present on the menu preparations of moi), Nalo Farms greens and vegetables produce delightful flavors and beautiful plates of great food. I just ate there a couple weeks ago and he has expanded his menu to include larger plates. One such item we enjoyed was the filet mignon with a slab of foie gras seared to perfection with an incredible sauce, au gratin potatoes and vegetables a great dish and good value at $25.95, I do not eat foie gras at all but he was more than happy to sear it and send it home for our dogs. Vino, Restaurant Row - Adjacent entrance with Hiroshi's. Italian with emphasis on fresh ingredients from the islands especially Oahu. The asparagus Milanese with Waialua asparagus topped with a quail egg on toast points is amazing. The experience of Vino is enhanced by the extensive wine list selected by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya who works the floor like a roomba checking on every guest and table answering questions and encouraging them to try the thoughtful flights he has put together or a great wine by the glass. There are many special events on a weekly basis making this a very fun destination. He also works the Hiroshi side offering wine advice. His enthusiasm is contagious. Mariposa, Neiman Marcus Ala Moana - serving almost 400 lunches a day this ocean/blvd. setting is worth your time and possible wait to have lunch at. Always fresh fish, great salads, beautiful cocktails, tobacco onions, a most amazing lobster club. My favorite place to relax and enjoy one of life's truly great pleasures, the long leisurely lunch made better with a sake/vodka martini or two. Roy's Hawaii Kai - you cannot miss with the 'Flagship.' Executive Chef Ronnie Nasuti drives this place with his creative talent and innovation while keeping with the food philosophy of Roy himself. I myself eat there at least a half dozen times a year if not more and am constantly amazed at the kitchen. Consistent preparations of Roy's signature items are complemented by the daily specials of fish, beef, pork, chicken. If you are lucky enough to be there the night they have a tomato fusion sauce you will have a fabulous experience. Yes, it can be noisy, usually is. I have never noticed it being hot. Since you are a fan of Roy's cookbooks, check out his new Fish and Seafood title that was published in July of this year, a beautiful book and very user friendly as well as educational. I probably have more but I need to finish making my dogs' food.......a hui hou

Oh Ronnie! You've done it again! I have millions of childhood memories of Mazo's! Thanks for the pictures (both postings) I am drooling into the keyboard now and probably shorting out the system! Lucky you! A hui hou !!!!!!!

Jackie Lau Roy's Corprate Executive Chef here in Hawaii fits the bill. A hui hou! Lau is her married name.

Being from the midwest and familiar with such places I imagine lots of "yah hey dere" expressions and the like. What kind of vodka was this? I like the asking if you were a mailman! When I first met my husbands' grandfather it was at his home in Neenah WI for lunch, we arrived about 11 after a long drive up from Milwaukee and the first thing he asked was "want a highball?" and not to offend him I certainly said yes! You gotta love those small/and/or rural towns that are everywhere! a hui ho and bottoms up.........

Well as I type there is the scent of rain and the slightest hint of it falling in small almost invisible droplets, as I look out the window toward the mountains I see a rainbow and I can't help but thinking that it is a sign from all of our dear departed friends and family (human and pets) to be joyful in the memories we have of them and always keep them in our hearts. I too teared up when I read your post and you and your family are in my thoughts. You'll find (if you haven't already) that the folks that post here are very comforting and caring, Lord knows they've all helped me in a very difficult past year filled with 2 major losses of family members. What a great story you shared with us. Take care and thanks for sharing, Mekealoha Pumehana & a hui hou....