Visit New Jersey: Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market

When we visited New Jersey in October, our friends had mentioned the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market is something we should check out.  We didn't have time to visit then, but on our recent visit to NJ in the summer, we happened to pass the market by when we remembered we should visit.  

We made a U-turn to what turned out to be a pretty incredible market!

There was a huge meat department, sweets department, ice cream, donuts, fresh fruit, and so much more!

If I didn't have to catch a plane to Italy, I would've bought a number of sweet treats for omiyage to take back to Hawai`i, and my friend would've bought some meats to cook up as well.

There was a Pickle Patch where you could get freshly made pickles, as well as an array of preserved foods, such as eggs (Beet Eggs are a very popular Pennsylvania Dutch Food).

There was even a free wine-tasting!

If you are near a Pennsylvania Dutch Market, I highly recommend stopping in for some cool finds!

Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market

4437 NJ-27

Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 683-5260

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Visit Hawai`i Island: Onomea Country Market & Cafe

Onomea Country Market & Cafe, which occupied the Low Building, recently opened in Pepe`ekeo.  Since I was in the area, I decided to check it out and pick up some lunch.

Marguerita Panini

The Marguerita Panina had tomato, pesto, and cheese.  

Organic Turkey Melt

The tomato was accidentally omitted from the Turkey Melt (we ate the sandwich elsewhere and didn't discover it until then).

As with many restaurants facing shortages, they were out of certain ingredients (like warabi).  

I am all about supporting local and the higher costs of ingredients, but I did think that the two sandwiches were basic, yet pricey at $8.50 each.

Farm-to-Table Cobb Salad

The Cobb Salad was a special of the day, and I thought this was a lovely little salad.  

Onomea Sunrise

I loved the Onomea Sunrise, made with Papaya, Pineapple and Banana.  It was so refreshing and delish - I've since gone back just for this smoothie whenever I'm in the area. 

The charming shop also offers fresh fruit, and a variety of locally-crafted products.  

I really appreciate how much Onomea Country Market & Cafe promotes local, and having only been open for a short time, I can only imagine it will get better.  

The next time I go for food, I'll try a plate lunch or tacos, and I hope to try the shave ice one day too!

Onomea Country Market & Cafe
28-1099 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Pepeekeo, HI 96783
(808) 731-4077

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Chicken & Brisket

Last year I was influenced by Nat's post on Chicken & Brisket.  Chicken & Brisket turned out to be one of my fave spots for Fried Chicken and other yummy eats.  I was excited to recently order take-out again.  

Spicy Brisket Chili Bowl

Kalbi "Carne Asada" Nachos

Loaded Fries

Fried Chicken - Classic

Holoholo Salad

Brisket Fried Noodles

Yum Chicken - Sweet & Salty

Everything was just so delish.  

Each variety of chicken we ordered was sooooo good!  The chicken is just perfectly cooked - super crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and just full of flavor.  I loved the Sweet & Salty chicken, but even the Classic is really good too!

The Brisket Chili was pretty spicy (which I enjoyed), and the Fried Noodles was full of brisket, char siu, and onions.  

The Holoholo Salad was akin to a Cobb, loaded with blue cheese, bacon, egg, and croutons.

The Nachos were also loaded - topped with Korean-style marinated beef, cheese sauce, cilantro-jalapeno aioli, sour cream, and kim chee.

And we can't forget about the fries!  The Loaded Fries had huge chunks of house bacon.  

From the salad to the chicken - I'd order everything again!

Chicken & Brisket

1111 Dillingham Blvd E9

(808) 723-1163

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Kamitoku Ramen

I am still thinking about the feast my friends and I recently shared at Kamitoku Ramen in Ward Centre. A few years ago they started out as a food truck, then they opened a shop in the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk, which is now closed for good. This location at Ward Center (next to Piggy Smalls) is their only location in the United States (they have two locations in Japan).

Kamitoku specializes in Gyu-kotsu ramen, which is beef born broth ramen.  They offer a variety of different flavors of broths, such as shoyu, Yuzu, Miso, Spicy, Tan Tan, and they also have Tsukemen on the menu (chewy noodles with a dipping sauce), which is primarily the reason why I like to come here. To accompany your ramen, you can choose from a number of side dishes, like deep fried gyoza, tofu salad, cold ginger tofu, fried chicken, takoyaki, fries, and a host of others. They also serve alcohol!

For more information, visit Kamitoku's website.

KAMITOKU RAMEN - WARD CENTRE

1200 Ala Moana Blvd. 

808-784-0292

Fried Gobo

French Fries

Fried Chicken

Tsukemen - chew noodle with cream shoyu dipping sauce

Beefy Wild - creamy beef broth

Seabura - creamy shoyu broth with stewed beef back fat

 

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My Visit to Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

My friends and I had an incredible time at Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort.  Sensei is a new luxury wellness resort for ages 16 and over and was the former Lodge at Koele.  When it first opened (pre-pandemic) it only offered all-inclusive packages with accommodations, but since their reopening, the resort also offers a room only rate.  The resort requires a 2 night minimum stay, but is currently running a promotion where round trip flights between Honolulu and Lanai are included with your stay.

And that brings me to Lanai Air.  We arrived 30 minutes before our flight time and were treated to complimentary drinks and snacks before we were driven to our semi-private plane.  After a few bumps and 20 minutes later, we arrived in Lanai and immediately took a shuttle to Sensei where we were each greeted with lei and a welcome drink.  

Since we only booked rooms and not a package, we had to make all our dining and spa reservations when we arrived, which luckily we were able to do.  We did miss out on some of the complimentary daily activities, but it didn't take away from our great time.

Sensei by Nobu is the resort's main restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We dined there for all our meals except one and were pleasantly surprised that the menus are very different for each meal time and the portions are generous.  The restaurant itself is gorgeous with glass paneling overlooking the lake.        

Dining room

We spent most of our first day by the pool relaxing and chatting before having dinner.  The next morning, we went on the Koloiki Ridge hike.  The resort offers a guided hike, but you can also hike the 4 mile out and back trail on your own.  It's very well marked and took a little less than 2 hours.  

Gorgeous heated pool

At the Koloiki ridge summit!

Later in the day I headed to my massage appointment in my very own private spa hale.  Each spa hale is 1,000 square feet and features a massage room that opens into a garden.  The hale also houses a infrared sauna and steam shower room.  Two of the ten hale have an outdoor watsu pool that is used for aquatic treatments and mine was one of them! I had the best time and I would 100% recommend this unique spa experience!  

Entering the spa hale

Looking out onto the watsu pool.

Ofuro bath

Outdoor rain shower

Enjoying a dip in the watsu pool

My friends and I enjoyed our final day at Sensei with breakfast on our patios before lounging in our robes in the most comfortable beds you won't ever want to get out of...until you have to.  Sensei is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have stayed and is so unlike anything in Hawaii.  If you are in need of some serious relaxation, Sensei Lanai is for you.  

Our breakfast spread

The expansive grounds and lake view

A gift from Sensei - Yeti water bottles!

  

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Zippy's Bakery Specials for August

Thank you to our sponsor for the promotional certificates.

Just a few days left to enjoy August Bakery Specials at Zippy's Restaurants, such as the Apple Fritter and Pianomo Rolls. 

Apple Fritter - doughnut dough mixed with apple and finished with a sweet glaze

Pianomo Roll - Vanilla cake, butter, and sugar rolled up into a delicious slice of goodness

 These two items, as well as the Banana Chantilly Cake, are available at Napoleon's Bakery through August 28, 2022 (while supplies last)!  

For more information on Zippy's Bakery Specials for August, or to place an online order, visit Zippy's website.

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Visit Newark: The Bistro

We overnighted at a Newark hotel and decided to eat at The Bistro in the Courtyward Newark Downtown since it was just a short walk away (and we had no other transportation).

Bistro Burger

Caesar

Loaded Tot-Chos

Chicken & Bacon Quesadilla

My friend didn't care for the Bistro Burger much, but we both thought the Caesar, Quesadilla, and Loaded Tot-Chos were good, especially for a very casual hotel lobby bar.

The tots were actually a generous serving, and it was topped with cheese, bacon, and a green goddess dressing.

The staff was very friendly, and I wouldn't hesitate to dine there again if I were in the area. 

The Bistro

858 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

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Visit Kalamazoo: Rocket Fizz

Although we've been to a Rocket Fizz before, the fun and charm of this shop always beckons, no matter what city you're in.  While in Kalamazoo, we stumbled upon a Rocket Fizz.  

Rocket Fizz specializes in candy (both nostalgic and new), as well as an incredible variety of sodas / pops.

They have sodas in every flavor imaginable (most with cool and quirky names), as well as an outstanding selection of candies.  From my faves (everything Reese's), to specialty chocolates, to candies you may not have seen in years - it was so fun to peruse all the candies.

Throughout the store you'll also find fun gifts.

We left the shop with candies and sodas in hand - a night full of sugar was upon us!

Rocket Fizz
125 S Kalamazoo Mall

Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 888-2588

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