Dat Cajun Guy

Ever since the first time I visited Dat Cajun Guy (when they were a food truck!), I've been a fan.  I absolutely love Cajun food, and Dat Cajun Guy served up some of the best cajun food I've ever tried.

Since they opened up their restaurant, I've tried the breakfast menu, and although I love breakfast, I can't resist their Gumbalaya - Jambalaya with a scoop of Gumbo. 

Gumbalaya

It is so amazing.  It's hearty, comforting, with just enough kick to it.

The Brisket Po'Boy was a special of the day.

Brisket Po'Boy

The Fried Pickles were still addicting, and I loved the Hush Puppies.

Fried Pickles

Hush Puppies

There are two Kids Meal options - Fried Fish and Fried Popcorn Shrimp.  Both are just $5.95, and include a side and a drink.

Kids Fried Popcorn Shrimp

Kids Fried Fish

Kids Red Beans & Rice Side

Service was great and the food did not disappoint. No matter which side of the island you're on, it's worth it to get to Dat Cajun Guy in Haleiwa for some delicious Cajun food!

Dat Cajun Guy

66-472 Kamehameha Hwy

Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 861-5567

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Aloha Cones - Kalihi

Aloha Cones, which started in a nondescript pink building near Queen's Hospital, has moved to the building where Kamehameha Bakery used to be on School Street. It's still a small joint with no seating for customers wishing to dine-in, but this location is a lot more accessible with more parking for customers.

They're still serving up ultra-fresh rice bowls and salads with ultra-fresh poke and sashimi, and they also have specialties such as chicken katsu, hamachi kama, somen, and tofu salad. My favorite menu item here is the salmon sashimi rice bowl - the salmon is always fresh-tasting and the crab salad is to-die-for. Be sure to ask for the ginger pesto (available upon request). 

They also have daily specials, such as this Smoked Trio Dip with fresh corn tortilla chips - so ono!

They are currently open 7 days a week!  Follow @alohacones on Instagram for their daily specials.

ALOHA CONES

1339 North School Street

(808) 842-7653

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More Tokyo Eats

One of the things I love about Tokyo, or just about anywhere I travel to, is all the yummy eats, especially the sweets!

Here are more items we indulged in from our last trip to Tokyo:

Namikoshiken:

Zoo Buns

Kenny's House Cafe:

Chocolate Soft Ice Cream

Uogashi Nihon-Ichi:

Tukiji Nigiri

Gindaco:

Takoyaki

Auntie Anne's:

Strawberry Pretzel

Krispy Kreme: 

Cookies & Kreme Rich

Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles

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Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

I was craving cookies the other day, so I searched for a recipe for Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The cookie turned out just the way I like my cookies - crispy on the outside, but chewy on the inside, and with just a touch of saltiness.

One of these days I'm going to have to buy really good chocolate and hopefully the cookies will turn out as amazing as some of the ones I've had in restaurants, but until then, regular semi-sweet morsels were just fine.

These cookies definitely satisfied my craving!

Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1 1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 t pure vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 c flour
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• 3/4 t sea salt
• 2 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 360 degrees. 
• In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugars. 
• Add in the eggs and vanilla.
• Mix in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
• Stir in chocolate chips. 
• Drop 2 tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

You can find the original recipe here on The Daily Meal.

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K-Pop Dance Class at Star Fitness Hawaii

For nearly a year, @nadinekam has been persuading me to go to K-Pop Dance Class.  And I finally went!

I went to a free trial KPop Girl Group Dance at Star Fitness Hawaii, led by Sarah.

Our dance was BBoom BBoom by Momoland.  Nadine had sent me the link to the practice dance video earlier in the week so I could familiarize myself with the song, and I thought I was very capable of doing the dance (I did take dance classes when I was younger).

At the beginning of the hour-long class, Sarah writes down the chorus and translates specific words, which helped with understanding parts of the dance.

Sarah was a great instructor.  We'd first do portions of the dance at 75% speed before going at 100% speed, and she was always encouraging and enthusiastic.  You don't learn the entire routine as seen in the video, but you learn the main chorus' dance.

I thought the class was really fun, and wished it were longer so we could learn the entire dance. I also want to attempt a Boy Group Dance class one day (the boy dances are a lot more fast-paced).

For a schedule of classes or for more information, visit https://www.starfitnesshawaii.com.



Star Fitness Hawaii
2600 S King St

Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 954-0585

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Visit Tokyo: Yamaya Liquor Store

While in Tokyo I was on the hunt for Yamazaki and Hibiki whiskeys, so I stopped at Yamaya Liquor Store, which was very close to our hotel.

I found a Yamazaki that I wanted, but the Hibiki was sold out, as expected. A very friendly employee who could understand and speak a little English helped me decide on what other spirits I should buy.

I ended up getting a Nikka Whiskey, at the recommendation of the employee, and a Sakurao Limited Gin (because I'm a sucker for all things sakura!).

There were all sorts of items I wish I could have brought home to try, but I guess it will have to wait until my next trip to Japan!

Yamaya Liquor Store
Japan, 〒105-0012 Tokyo

Minato, Shibadaimon

1 Chome−4−８ 浜松町清和ビル１階
+81 3-6721-5275

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Maui Momcation Recap

Nat, Nadia, and I had an amazing (but too-quick) Momcation on Maui.  It was the first time all three of us had traveled anywhere, and although we only stayed for a single night in Maui, we sure had a blast!

After arriving in Maui, our first stop was Minit Stop for a fried chicken breakfast!

Next stop was Maui Specialty Chocolates, for mochi and omiyage.

We then drove to the Cinnamon Roll Place in Kihei, where Nat and Nadia shared an enormous cinnamon roll, and then we walked over to Da Kitchen Express for their famous Deep Fried SPAM Musubi.

Although it was well ahead of check-in time at the Fairmont Kea Lani, we checked in and left our luggage with the bell desk, went for a walk along the Wailea Coastal Walk, had cocktails at AMA Bar & Grill, and then got some well-deserved pampering at Willow Stream Spa.

By the time we were done with our spa appointments, our 3-bedroom luxury beach villa was ready!

We took some time to enjoy the amazing villa before heading off to dinner at The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea. 

Nat had to leave early the next morning, so it was just Nadia and I who got to enjoy a fabulous breakfast at Kea Lani Restaurant.

We were fortunate to get a late check-out time, so for the rest of the day, Nadia and I worked out and relaxed in the cabana at the adult pool.

Our last stop before heading home was Lineage, where we enjoyed a great dinner.

We definitely made the most out of our short time on Maui, but it was truly memorable, and I can't wait to do it again!

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