Bfson

This year it was the first week in July. Here'a blurb from the newspaper. "The Ala Moana Hotel's Plantation Cafe this week kicked off a Flavors of Portugal promotion with Chef Mark Braz's recipes for specialties from caldo verde soup to flan with port. A selection of Portuguese wines and beers will be served, too. Rotating dishes will be featured at lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, through July 24, with Portuguese specialties added to the regular Friday and Saturday buffets and the Sunday brunch. Most of the dishes are characteristic of mainland Portugal, though the flavors will be familiar to Islanders used to foods rooted in the Azores Islands and Madeira. Among the offerings: linguica grilled with brandy, pork with clams, casserole of salt cod and potatoes, veal cutlets in white wine sauce. Reservations: 955-4811." You might try the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage at 808-845-1616. for other items.

We've never found a Portugese place like that on Oahu (odd given the strong role the Portugese played in Hawaii's history) But, the Koa Pancake House in Kaneohe has some breakfast items that are Portugese. Once a year one the downtown hotel, whose chef is Portugese, has a week long festival where he cooks dishes from his childhood.

Side Street Inn, one of our favorites, is open until 12:30 am

When we were at Helena's on Oahu [Helena’s Hawaiian Food, 1240 North School Street ] (the James Beard winner for regional cooking) they served a small bowl of the alae salt with fresh cut sweet Maui onions. You dip a small piece of the onion into the salt and eat. Wonderful combination of flavors!

Why does anyone seem surprised that there are so many mediocre places on the list, and so many gems left off? In EVERY city I've ever lived in, the newspaper (or local magazine) published one of these guides and they were filled with places that I'd never go because they were so mediocre. For the most part, the votes come from the masses of people who think the Sizzler is a great dining out experience. Sigh Bob Foster, San Diego and Kailua

Much of the talk on the board has been on places in Honolulu. How about your favorite place over on the windward side of the island? We've had some incredible meals at Pahke's on the Kam. Hwy just south of the post office in Kaneohe. The owner, Raymond Siu, creates amazing seafood dishes, especially if you order a day in advance. It's our best find in years on that part of Oahu.

Is there any place I can buy Natural Salt Product from Hanapepe? thanks

ARGH!!!!! The article in the paper states, "(The so-called Hawaiian salt in supermarkets is made with salt usually from California). " Say it ain't so. At least tell me the soil they add in is Hawaiian.

One of our favorite things to buy and bring home from Hawaii is the Alaea Sea Salt. Normally we end up with the small plastic bags packed by the Hawaiian Pa'akai Inc in Honolulu that we find at Safeway. But I keep hearing rumors of other brands, less commercial, more artisan. I have never been able to find them. Are there such brands or am I chasing a mirage? By the way, if any of you are interested in reading about the pivotal role salt has played in world history there is a fascinating book called "Salt: A World History" by Mark Kurlansky. (but skip the part where he has a near fit about the Hawaiian salt because it is intentionally colored. He portrays a drive over centuries for ever more pure salt and finds the Hawaiian a step backwards. I think he's dead wrong but the rest of the book is interesting.)