BLT Steak Waikiki Cooking Class

Those who know me well know I don't cook, and that I can't really cook.

I get by with the basics - spaghetti, casseroles, salmon, etc. And thank goodness for the Instant Pot!

So when I was invited to a BLT Steak Waikiki Cooking Class, I was excited, but very nervous that I would be the most clueless one there. 

I ended up loving the class!

The theme of the class was Oktoberfest, and BLT Steak Chef de Cuisine, Fred DeAngelo. teamed up with Chef Guido Ullman to teach guests some classic Oktoberfest recipes.

We learned how to make:

German Potato Salad

Braised Red Cabbage

Wiener Schnitzel

Braised Short Rib (Sauerbraten Style)

Spaetzle

And Pastry Chef Arleigh Agpaoa demonstrated how to make Apple Strudel!

The BLT Steak Waikiki Cooking Class attendees had a nice mix of regulars and newbies, novice cooks and professional, those who love BLT Steak Waikiki, and those who just happened to read about the class. 

I was worried that I would be really intimidated in class, but the Chefs did a great job in thoroughly explaining the steps so even those who rarely cook could understand what was being done and why.

They answered the numerous questions the guests had and provided helpful tips and tricks (e.g. can't find Red Currant Jelly for the Braised Red Cabbage recipe?  Use Guava Jelly!).

I learned so much in class, and I was eager to taste the food at the luncheon that followed.

Of course, an Oktoberfest meal would not be complete without a German beer pairing!

The food was fantastic!  I loved the Spaetzle and the Braised Short Rib, and so many raved about the German Potato Salad and Wiener Schnitzel.  The Apple Strudel was divine as well.

Lunch was lovely, as the guests got a chance to know each other better while dining on such delicious food.

The next BLT Steak Cooking Class is on November 18, themed `Ohana Gathering!  You can get tickets here https://hawaiicooks.brownpapertickets.com/.

I attended the class free of charge.  Gratuity was paid on my own.

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BLT Steak Waikiki's Sunset Menu

A little over three years ago, my husband and I had our first date-night in years at BLT Steak Waikiki, which is located in the Trump Hotel Waikiki.

We had a wonderful dining experience, so I was excited to have received an invitation to sample the new Happy Hour Sunset Menu, served from 4:30pm to 6:30pm daily in the bar area.

I met Lei at BLT Steak Waikiki on Friday evening (BLT Steak Waikiki is a client of hers), and we sat at the bar, where Ikaika, the bartender, helped us kick off the weekend by making us some of BLT Steak's popular cocktails.

Karma Cherry Margarita - Karma Silver Tequila, Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Juice, Cointreau, Fresh Lime Juice, Salted Rim

Aloha Kitty - Grey Goose Pear, Peach Schnapps, Guava Juice, Grapefruit Juice

Pineapple Basil - Finlandia Vodka, Death's Door Gin, Fresh Muddled Pineapple, Lemon Juice, Velvet Falernum, Basil

Pau Hana - Beefeater Gin, Muddled Mint & Cucumber, Lime Juice, Sugar Syrup

I've actually never had a Margarita before, particularly because I'm not a big Tequila fan, but the Karma Silver Tequila was smooth and sweet. Combined with the Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Juice, Cointreau, and Fresh Lime Juice, the cocktail had a nice, fruity essence. I'd definitely order it again!

The Aloha Kitty is just too cute, complete with a bow made out of berries.

The Pineapple Basil and Pau Hana are two more of the restaurant's popular cocktails, and if you are not a huge drinker, you can get virgin versions of the cocktails that still taste yummy.

The food menu offers a diverse selection of items, with Raw Bar options, as well as Sushi, Sashimi, and Rolls. Most of the food we tried was from the Pupus section of the menu.

Shishito Peppers

Molokai Ranch Short Rib Poutine

Short Rib Sliders

Spicy Tempura Kualoa Shrimp

Smoked Brisket Musubi

Spider Roll

Truffled Fries

My favorite dish was the Short Rib Sliders.  The short ribs, accompanied by pickled daikon and cilantro, were melt-in-your mouth tender and full of flavor!  I especially liked the use of bao buns versus regular burger buns.

Another fave was the Poutine.  I love poutine (French fries + gravy = heaven!), and although this poutine wasn't smothered in the typical heavy gravy, but instead au jus, I really enjoyed the dish, especially since it was topped with the same fork-tender short ribs that you'll find in the sliders.

Other dishes I really liked included the Truffled Fries (Happy Hour just doesn't seem complete without fries!) and the Smoked Brisket Musubi (I enjoyed the seasoned rice as much as I did the brisket!).

In addition to the aforementioned BLT Sunset Menu drinks and bites, we also indulged in the famous popovers and a few other eats:

Popcorn

Popovers

Chicken Liver Pate

Charcuterie

Pickled Vegetables

Lei and I were absolutely stuffed after all of that amazing food, but we had just enough room for the petit fours (because there's always room for dessert!).   

The BLT Steak Waikiki Sunset Menu has something for everyone, and you can count on scrumptious dishes, most of which boast the use of local ingredients, and exceptional service.

Valet parking at the Trump Hotel Waikiki is free for four hours with validation, which means you have plenty of time for refreshing cocktails and tasty bites from the BLT Sunset Menu, as well as time to explore Waikiki and linger on the beach to watch the sunset!

What a great way to end the day!

BLT Steak Waikiki
223 Saratoga Rd,
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 683-7440

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