Tonkotsu ramen and yogurt, Manoa

Today, for lunch we went to Manichi, the ramen restaurant on Kona Street.  Nice red and black interior, with a wide counter area that is very comfortable.

Their black garlic oil and sesame ramen.  
Noodles are firm and the tonkotsu soup did taste like it was boiled with pork and  chicken bones for hours.

I think that's the owner when he was a child in Japan.
We definitely will return for their pupus and donburi rice bowls.

For dessert we went to Bloomingdale's Forty Carrots for their take out yogurt.  Plain with chocolate sprinkles and honey.
I wanted to know where we could sit and eat and was told by the hostess that there were chairs and a table around the corner.
Well, it was in the bedding section and not meant as a place to eat I'm sure,  but hey, if you have to eat your yogurt..you have to eat  it.
(She did say it's all right to walk around with it and sit anywhere there are chairs, but that seemed odd)

Later in the day, M and I took Penny for a walk in beautiful Manoa.
We usually trek along Oahu Ave.and Manoa Rd. but were tired so it was a short run around the parking area for Penny.

Pretty Penny looking sleek and long.
It's fun to hear the children pointing at the Sausage Dog.

A dog friendly supper outside of Fendu's in the Manoa Shopping Center.
Their Wagyu hamburger is so delicious!

The week before Christmas

Merry Christmas!

One blustery (but warm) day we went to Tanaka Saimin on Nimitz Hwy to have saimin.

R had the Hawaiian Stew special, which is soupy stew with taro potatoes.   Very nice!

M and I had the Tanaka Saimin which comes with shrimp tempura, macaroni-pootato salad and teriyaki beef.
The wontons were plump with ground pork.

The owner makes these wonderful trees every year, full of thematic objects, like this Minion tree.

Monday, we went to Denise's Hula School's annual Christmas party at the Okiniawan Cultural Center in Waipio, our first visit there.

She is so creative in her hair floral arrangements and dress, that everyone wanted to take pictures with her!

As part of the Pacific area program, she represented Japan with Naginata.

The Filipino dancers were so graceful...

..and the Samoan number was stirring.

Maori Poi Ball ladies were fun!
It was a great program, very relaxing and full of entertainment,
but no hula, except for the last number, White Christmas, danced by all the teacher's students.

Continuing with our exploration of the new Ewa Wing at the Ala Moana Mall, we tried Forty Carrots, at Bloomingdales.

There is a section for just taking out their famous  exclusive frozen yogurt and juices.
The eat in area is very open to people passing by.

Freshly pressed juices.  My "Holoholo" vegetable juice was spinach, kale, parsley, celery and cucumber - an amazing  blend with no one flavor dominating.  M had the "Dakine"-apple, beet, strawberry and kale.  Delicious.  (No fiber, though)

My Lamb (whole roasted with garlic) French Dip...

..and M's Shortribs with mashed potatoes.

And for dessert, their famous frozen yogurt...so light it's possible to eat the whole bowl.
My choice was chocolate and plain with chocolate malt balls.
M had strawberry and peanut butter with chocolate arare and oreo bits.
They grow on you, so we'll be back.

Here and there this week

Earlier this week, we continued our Christmas shopping, expecting the mall, especially the new Ewa Wing, to be crowded, but it was pleasantly leisurely.  The blue kiosk is where you can buy cupcakes and baked goodies from Magnolia Bakery.

Stopped in at Gloria Jeans and had a Kyoto Drip.

Nice interior.

There are breakfast items also.

I tried something called a cheese and spinach stuffed pretzel.
I don't know why I always order the fries instead of a salad side.

The other night we went to Maguroya in Kaimuki.   It's been quite a while since we visited this restaurant.  Still good.

While the guys had Maguro don, which looked good,
I had...

...Hamachi Kama Teishoku.  The fish was grilled crispy , but very tender inside and went so well with the grated daikon radish.
There was a little side dish of soba noodles and salad.

Yesterday, at the mall R and I stopped in at
Magnolia Bakery.   Still bouncing voices and serving sounds, but I will stand that for their CAKE!

I liked the Croque Monsieur.  The cheese was melted and the ham was thin and not too salty and the bread was slightly sweet.
Tried to leave half like I usually do, but couldn't.

THE CHOCOLATE CAKE.
Old fashioned texture (not spongy chiffon), with wonderful chocolate frosting slathered all over.
What a dangerous place this is.
There is a Lululemon store, selling workout clothes across the way, to remind you to manage the calories or you won't be able to fit into their outfits.

Cute cupcake logo on the servers' sleeves.

                                                     
                                                       Today's Prince Hotel.

After Yamano Aiko Hair Salon -Clam Chowder at the downstairs Bar for dinner tonight.

The Christmas Tree in the lobby.

Leaving the parking, there is a a nice view of the  Marina.

Passing the big Santa on top of the Ala Moana SC.
He has a good view of the ocean too.

Next comes Ward Center with the new Ginza Sushi.

There is the Waina in Kakaako being built.
And finally...

...picking up Penelope from Aloha Dog Puppy day care.
There was a doggie birthday party today, so she had a full day.

Passing the Blaisdell Center where the Nutcracker Ballet was being performed.

Poor Penny, Orchids breakfast

Penny anxiously wishing she were somewhere else than the Vet's.
Just her routine health check up, but still...
Still ten pounds and everything's fine.

A new toy for being a good girl at the Vet's.
Right away she chewed up the legs and took out the squeaker so we had to throw it out.

Oh no.  Not another holiday costume!

Petulant Penny.

Restaurants are thriving because of the influx of  the Marathon participants.
22,000 people this year.

Panya was busy also.

Colorful trolley passed by.
The old IBM building looking pretty in the evening light.

Saturday morning, we had a leisurely breakfast at
Orchids with Pat and May.
Here, too, it was very busy.  Must be the marathoners having a last big breakfast before Sunday's early 5 a.m. start.

The Japanese breakfast.

For a change, I tried the poached eggs with corned beef hash and an order of blueberry pancakes.
The pancakes were light and fluffy and very good, as were the eggs and hash.  My new favorites.

That white tree has been there for years.
Grandma's favorite hotel is still the same.

Hotel decorations are large and beautiful!
A tropical holiday wonderland.