Inside Shirokiya finally, Thai restaurant

Some of the offerings of the new Shirokiya...

A little stage in the back corner of the area.

Next to it, a counter where you can get your fortune (Shinto omikuji), and also read  about your animal  and Buddhist deity that correspond with your birth date.

Still quite crowded, but no lines outside waiting to get in.

The Cave bakery which uses a special yeast .

Next door was the KuruKuru bakery from the old Shirokiya.

Hot dogs with an Asian flavor

All smiles today because we found a newly opened Thai restaurant in the McCully SC.
My hairdresser moved from Yamano Aiko Beauty Salon, (which closed permanently) in the Prince Hotel and moved to this salon in the McCully SC, and I faithfully followed her.

Crispy sweet fried noodles for appetizer.

I love sticky rice, which I ordered with my wild jungle Thai curry, slightly spicy and creamy. A bit salty.  Choice of pork, beef or chicken.
There was a time  when we were into Thai food, especially at Keo's, but that is my only basis of comparison.
But I have a feeling we'll be back for more.

New and clean, Thai Lao Restaurant has been open only a couple of weeks.  But it's open daily from 11 to 11 pm.

Wonderful dessert.  Fresh mango with sticky rice.  The soft fresh fruit was delicious with the warm and creamy sticky rice.

R's taro tapioca was also warm and good.

After, we walked off minuscule amounts of calories at the mall.

Little pineapples in the parking lot by Macy's.

Shirokiya opening today, Kuhio Ave.

Today was the opening of Shirokiya's new Japan Village Walk

One day we'll explore inside, but not just yet.

The area seemed large so there must've been ample seating, but   the crowd was bigger.

The new KZOO radio station was already functioning.

We also drove through Kuhio Ave. in Waikiki, feeling like tourists since we hardly pass through here.  The area has been prettied up and is safer and cleaner to walk through.

There was a pretty little McDonalds.

And the facade of the new Ritz Carlton

The old International Market Place has been replaced by a new shopping center featuring Saks Fifth Avenue.
So many new buildings popping up in Waikiki, Kakaako and Ala Moana that we can't keep up.  We can't even remember what was there before.

Friday Night Jazz at Medici's in Manoa

Friday night's Jazz at Medici's School of Art and Music in the Manoa SC.
Last night, the Shari Lynn Trio put on a nostalgic perfomance of Gershwin, Cole Porter and show music on the 2nd floor which turns into a supper club.

We head upstairs (there is also a stage area downstairs also) to the second floor dining and stage area, with it's little half floor that has a bar and buffet space.

Tonight's menu

The bar.

The very ample and tasty salad bar.

Dessert

Nice wines (about $9/glass)

Four of us at one of the 10 tables.  It was very cozy (cramped).

The New England chowder was delicious.

Shari Lynn and her pianist partner, Jim Howard.
Her bassist recently passed away and her new one, I don't remember his name, recounted how he was able to acquire his instrument from him. 

Shari Lynn is originally from New York and she entertained us with funny stories about her recent trip there, banting with some New Yorkers in the audience.
Such a beautiful voice and wonderful performance.

Owners Tim Stanton and wife Carolyn.  What great work they're doing to promote art and music with classes and shows.
Some classes they offer are Zumba, Tango, Tai Chi, Hula, Ukulele and guitar, piano and voice.   And their weekend shows feature some stellar performers like Shari Lynn and Ginai and Pierre Grill, and the Jimmy Funai Quartet.  And on the first thursdays of each month the Harmonic Odyssey, a talented jazz group of UH students , perform.

hula, tempura

My hula class with our Kumu, Michael Pili Pang.                           We all made our muslin class  skirts.
Not having much experience with sewing, although I do have a  sewing machine, I was surprised at the different types of  white muslins there were and how hard it was to sew a long straight line!
***
The other day, we drove to Uncle's to have Fish and Chips, but oh no, they were closed for renovations!
(They are adding their own restroom, which is great, so patrons don't have to go out to the public one)

We ended up at Tempura Ichidai at the mall.  It's new but very popular, part of a large Japanese business that owns many restaurants, including Cafe Lani here.  

Shrimp, Kisu fish, chicken, eggplant.

The vegetables included Hawaiian kale.

We had shiratama anmitsu (mochi balls, bean paste, kanten jelly, fruit with syrup and ice cream)

And couldn't resist Pierre marcolini's new item, macaroons, and their heavenly chocolates which we brought home to eat.

Happy Father's Day, Hao Tree Lanai, KZOO station, Shirokiya

Luckily it was a perfect day to dine by the beach.
There was a trade wind, blue skies, calm surf and a light crowd. 

The Hao Tree Lanai was not crowded at the time (9:30 a.m.)

The buffet was in the lobby.

Convoluted hao tree branches overhead.

Tables were placed strategically because I didn't knock myself out when I stood up, although a red warning napkin was was wrapped thoughtfully around a branch as a warning.

It's good to come out to Waikiki and hear the surf and feel the beach.

Some of the cold food selections :  not plenty or unusual, but good.   No smoked salmon, or breads, waffles or hot cakes.  There was a tasty French Toast, though.

Hot foods included Prime Rib, eggs benedict, tempura, King Crab legs, salmon.  

Nice dessert selections but I opted for just the delicious chocolate cake and Mango(?) tart.
Good service, not a big selection, (for instance no teriyaki stuff, chicken, pasta)  but tasty essentials and a beautiful day.

After, we walked a bit at the Mall and saw inside the new Shirokiya, which won't be opened until June 25th.

The area seemed quite big with lots of booths and a bakery.

The new KZOO radio station.