Visit Texas: AT&T Stadium VIP Tour

My husband is a Dallas Cowboys fan so of course we had to do a tour of the AT&T Stadium when we were in Texas.

We booked tickets for the VIP Tour, in which a very knowledgable tour guide shared with us a lot of knowledge about AT&T Stadium.

We learned about all that went into the building of the stadium, the different types of seatings, and even the purposeful design elements (like the football shaped lights).

We got to go into the locker rooms, the cheerleaders' locker room, the box seats, and even the press box.

View from the Box Seats

In the Press Box

The day we toured, the stadium was being readied for a soccer tournament, thus the colors.  We were able to go down next to the field, but we couldn't go on the field.

The size of the stadium is just so immense!  It's easy to get lost, so the guide did a great job of making sure people stayed together and went to the restroom only on designated breaks (because if you wandered off to a restroom on your own, you could easily get lost!).

I do hope to return to watch an actual Dallas Cowboys game one day!

It was an interesting 90-minute tour for even non-Dallas Cowboys fans, and definitely a must-do if you are a fan.

AT&T Stadium
One AT&T Way
Arlington
TX 76011

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Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Waikiki

On our Staycation in Waikiki, we popped into Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, located on the third floor of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.  It's been ages since we dined here (last time was definitely before the arrival of our twins) and it's still a great place for sushi and other local favorites, with a breathtaking view of Waikiki Beach. 

The husband ordered the Chirashi, which consisted of generous cuts of sashimi.

I had to get the Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi, which is one of their award-winning appetizers. 

My son just loves his salmon nigiri. This one did not disappoint.

He also ordered a tekka maki roll. 

Mom's Teriyaki Steak was a heaping pile of juicy, grilled teriyaki steak. 

The other son ordered the Grilled Prime New York Steak. It comes with choice of sauce but he opted for it plain. It actually needs no sauce - it was quite tasty and juicy on its own!

Here's the view from the restaurant's balcony. I highly recommend dining here before the sun goes down, so that you can enjoy this view!!

 P.S.  They have an Early Bird Special on Sundays and Mondays from 5 pm - 5:30. Seating is limited and on a first come first served basis (I've heard people line up before the restaurant opens to ensure they get in on this deal (50% off - some menu items are excluded).

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SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
2552 KALAKAUA AVENUE
808-931-6286

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Fratelli Express

My decision to order take-out from Fratelli Express was influenced by an acquaintance's daughter's social media post.

Garlic Bread

Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Fratelli

The Chicken Fratelli came with peppers, capers, mushrooms, and peperoncino.

Chicken Parmigiana with Ravioli

Chicken Basilio

Chicken Saltimbocca

I ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca, which is my go-to at similar restaurants.  I enjoyed the linguine which I thought was seasoned well (entrees come with a choice of linguine or rice), and I liked the spinach and mushrooms too.  I just wished the chicken wasn't breaded.  Other than the breaded chicken, I thought overall the dish was fine.  

I really liked the Garlic Bread!

Compared to other similar spots, I thought the prices were lower, and the portion sizes were quite good for the price.   

Fratelli Express

94-216 Farrington Hwy

Waipahu, HI 96797

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Fairmont Kea Lani Presents Taste of Kō[racha]

Kō Restaurant at Fairmont Kea Lani proudly announces Taste of Kō[racha], a unique culinary event highlighting the innovative multicultural cuisine of Kō elevated with Kōracha, the venue’s new, locally crafted hot sauce created in collaboration with HiSpice.

This island-style food festival will feature culinary creations from 6 Fairmont Kea Lani chefs, each one representing a different culture and cuisine. Chef stations will include Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese dishes, with each station offering two distinct dishes crafted with locally sourced produce, meat, and seafood – and Kōracha! Guests will experience 12 unique dishes paired with specialty cocktails and wines, all while enjoying live music from Maui’s own Jason Arcilla.

 

"We are excited to introduce ʻTaste of Kō[racha]’ to our community and invite guests to join us on a journey that celebrates the diverse flavors of Maui," said Jonathan Pasion, Executive Sous Chef at Fairmont Kea Lani. "At Kō, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled experiences while honoring the multitude of cultures that have influenced Hawai‘i – and our culinary team is eager to apply that concept to this special event”.

 

In addition to showcasing the culinary artistry and innovation of Kō, this event marks the official launch of Kōracha, produced in collaboration with HiSpice, a Maui-based company known for farm-to-bottle hot sauce with local ingredients. Kōracha brings together the culinary expertise of Kō’s chefs and the artisinal craft of HiSpice, resulting in a flavor profile that offers a harmonious blend of lemongrass, Hawaiian chili pepper, and kō (sugarcane), the restaurant’s namesake. Kōracha will be integrated into each dish at the event, adding a spicy, tangy kick to the evening.

 

Taste of Kō will take place on Saturday, August 10 from 6-9:30pm in Kō’s open-air courtyard. Guests will receive 12 dishes paired with 6 specialty cocktails/wines plus one bottle of Kōracha. Tickets are $120 (inclusive) and can be reserved via OpenTable.

 

For a limited time, Fairmont Kea Lani is offering a  kamaʻāina “Taste of Kō” package, which includes overnight accomodations in a one-bedroom suite plus 2 tickets to Taste of Kō for $529++. Additional kamaʻaina room rates starting at $299 available for the weekend (August 9-12). Valid only for Hawaiʻi residents with valid ID. Reserve by calling 808-875-4100 or book online using promo code B01SR3.

 

For more information, including menu and cocktail/wine pairing details, visit fairmont-kea-lani.com/taste-of-koracha . For media assets, visit our Taste of Kō Image Gallery.

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Visit Hong Kong: Shine Island Cafe

We were on our way to a breakfast spot near our hotel and I noticed along the way Shine Island Cafe was open for breakfast.  I made a mental note to keep the place in mind for future.

Well, that future came sooner than expected, because the breakfast spot we intended to eat at was closed for renovations.

Thankfully, Shine Island Cafe seated us right away.

Continental Breakfast - Steak, Sausage, Eggs, Toast

Signature Satay Beef Noodle

Pork Chop and Fried Egg Noodle

Scrambled Eggs and Danish Toast

Pineapple Bun and Pastry Egg Tart

Cheese Sausage Bun

Barbecue Pork Bun

I ended up ordering a few things from the bakery section, and everything was delish and very reasonably-priced!  I loved the Barbecue Pork Bun (just like a baked manapua), and the Pastry Egg Tart was really good too!

If you prefer something a little heartier, go for one of the noodle bowls, or even the Continental Breakfast (Hong Kong was once part of the British Empire, so the British influence - including with food, is very prevalent, even after becoming a Special Administrative Region of China since 1997).  

Shine Island Cafe turned out to be a nice find for breakfast!

Shine Island Cafe

HSH Kowloon Centre
Hong Kong, Jordan, Nathan Rd, 192號g f

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Ruscello at Nordstrom Ala Moana

 Ruscello at Nordstrom is one of those places that you can always count on for a great tasting meal and great service. I've never had a bad experience here. The food and service are very consistent. 

We started with the Artichoke Spinach Dip - mom's choice. 

The Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts were delicious. I wish I knew how to make this dish at home - so flavorful that you almost forget that you're eating vegetables.

The complimentary bread came in clutch since my sons were starving and they weren't fans of the appetizers. :)

My mom ordered the Ginger Sesame salad, her usual order.

The husband tried to stay healthy with the wild salmon & cauliflower. 

The son and I shared the Penne Bolognese & Meatballs. He really just wanted the pasta, and I wanted the meatballs (it was chicken meatballs), so it worked for us. 

The other son wanted Macaroni & Cheese - I thought this was a big serving for a Kids' meal!

For dessert - some sorbet and their famous lemon ricotta cookie.

As a member of team chewy, I really liked this cookie! 

And did you know you that there is easy access to the Nordstrom elevators from the ground level parking lot, to the right of Foodland Farms? My mom showed us where it was since we gave her a ride. Learn something new everyday!

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RUSCELLO
1450 ALA MOANA BLVD (located in Nordstrom, Piikoi Street side of Ala Moana Center)
808-953-6110

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Down to Earth

We recently went to Down to Earth - Pearlridge to get some groceries, and I had no idea how popular the place was for dining!

They have a salad bar, a hot bar, a deli, and pastries galore.  We went to buy some groceries, and also ended up getting pizza, cookies, pastries, and a smoothie!

I thought the cookie was okay - the texture was a bit firmer than I like (not exactly chewy, not exactly crispy), but I appreciated how big it was.  

The kids loved the smoothie and the other pastries.  

We bought the pizza for someone, but it sure looked good!

There is seating outside, and I was surprised at how many people were there eating or ordering take-out.  Next time we'll try some hot foods!

Down to Earth
98-211 Pali Momi St

Aiea, HI 96701

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