Brekkie at Pint and Jigger, Medici swing and jazz night

Because Jimbo's was crowded, we found that Pint and Jigger, next door, was open for brunch at 2 pm.
This is a new thing and it's great.
Previously they were opened from 4 pm.

Their Cold Brewed coffee with special cream was delicious.

The English Brekkie
Smoked sausage, bacon, 2 eggs, Roma tomatoes, and white bean stew with toast.  Rich but tasty.
R had the hamburger with fries.

We watched the football games on tv with the  6 or 7 other customers.

Friday night Jazz at Medici's in Manoa

Their Salad Bar is quite expansive with chicken wings, curry,  and other hot items, with about 5 types of big salads.

The band was Gypsy 808 playing Swing music mainly.

Noel and Aimi, great dancers, were our tablemates.
We are always lucky that we are seated by dancers who are willing to take us in hand on the dance floor.
We danced til closing at 10:30.

Besides being a Supper Club and having jazz and tango nights, Medici's is also an art and music school.

Penny found the empty package that her favorite Raw Dog food comes in.  And here I thought I had tied up the garbage bag it was in.
She couldn't or wouldn't get her head out and was happily running around in it.

Thanksgiving dinner

Today is turkey day.
Not so fond of turkey the rest of the year, but we like it here.

Although not very crowded when we started, people began arriving and it was lively.

Oven Roasted Turkey Plate
Lilikoi cranberry sauce and nice stuffing with bacon

R opted for the Combo Plate with Glazed Spiral Ham.
We were hoping for leftovers for Penny

Pumpkin Crunch and Pumpkin Pie
both so good!

And even Penny had some turkey.
(I won't tell the Vet if you don't)

 We are always grateful for our blessings.
Today was no different.
Of course, we miss eating with the "kids" but there have been, and will be, other times.

"How much is that doggie in the window♫"
This cute puppy must've fallen in love with the jaunty
mannequin dog in the window of the Old Navy store in the Mall.   She just wouldn't leave it despite the coaxing of the owner.
 

                                    What's this?  New place in it's Soft Opening phase.

                             It's the more casual offshoot of The Vintage Cave member's only restaurant.   People were welcomed to come in and take a look so we did.            

Entry.  The bricks  are from Pennsylvania, I think we were told.

There were classical looking statues, paintings on the walls and ceiling and an Italian crystal chandelier.
Also a Baby Grand piano on a platform by the bar.

Little rooms for private entertaining.
It's called Finest Bistro
Vintage Cave Cafe
The Chef is Taiki Oda, who studied under Chef Marco Parizzi of Michelin Star Ristorante Parizzi in Parma, Italy.

I don't know what to make of the atmosphere.
***
I dug out Penny's old Christmas outfit from last year.
She has definitely grown.
She has not changed her attitude towards wearing finery, choosing to freeze like a statue when I put it on, hoping it'll disappear.

Every Monday evening, pets can have photos taken with Santa, preferably cats or dogs, in his round room in the Ewa Wing of the Ala Moana SC.
So, of course, Poor Penny must have a try.

Since we were walk ins we had to wait quite awhile.
We keep forgetting that Penny is always in shadow, her fur being so black and velvety,  that photos don't really capture her beauty.
The one formal photo with Santa cost $20, and didn't look so good.
He didn't carry her, so she was too far away from his face, the composition wasn't great,  her face was all dark.
It's ok,  Penny.
We'll get a nice holiday shot someday!

Bozu found, Dancing-really?

Bozu's Japanese Restaurant.

One of the chefs (I think there were four) behind the sushi counter.
Nice, simple decor and very friendly, quick service.

Greeted with a lively "Irasshaimase" (welcome) as you enter which whets the appetite in anticipation of the snappy and delicious food and service to come (hopefully).
On this, our first visit to this new restaurant, we weren't disappointed.

Ikura, Uni, Aji and Hamachi sushi.
Fresh fish and nicely flavored rice.   Rice is so important in sushi cuisine and Japanese food.

R had the Asari (clam) Miso soup...

...the grilled Hamachi kama appetizer special...

... and a very delicious Pork Kakuni.
The pork was tender and dense with a layer of fat and meat.

Bozu, in the McCully Shopping Center on Kapiolani Blvd.
Must try their other non Sushi offerings like Yakitori and lamb chops next visit.

Second Ballroom dancing lesson today with Doug Kessler.
It is great that he teaches in a studio which is a couple of doors away from Shimizu Voice, where we have our voice lessons. 

Claire, who introduced us to this studio, has the next class.

Our instructor, Doug Kessler,  will have his job cut out for him trying to get us to glide over the dance floor.
Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Penny fantasies, Manichi ramen

Everyone , including puppies, needs to take flight now and then.

Did you say chess?  Or cheese?
I'll take the white cheese please.

Those models are looking at my velvet black fur, but it's not for sale.

Yumm.
Here we are at Manichi again.

I like their lacquer reds.
And the roast pork and buns.

Always satisfies my craving for ramen.
Black garlic oil ramen.

Ladies at the Food Court, Biba's and Utage

Computer paper lei.

Made by these ladies at the Ala Moana Food Court.
Becky and Dorothy.  
Janie in the back introduced me to them.
Dorothy kept us laughing with her jokes and gave me that pretty lei she had made.
They are part of a larger group comprised of guys who play the ukulele and guitars and sing Hawaiian songs.
Tourists and anyone who stops by sometimes are given leis and welcomed to sit and "talk story".
**
Ruscello's on the third story of Nordstrom.

The grilled salmon and vegetables were exactly like the ones served in the cafeteria of the old Nordstrom.

Blue view.  Glassy new condominiums reflect the evening sky.

A very ,very sweet crepe.  Couldn't finish it.

Chikara and Suzanne met us at the Hale Koa's
restaurant Biba's on Thursday.

Homemade cheese and tomatoes for appetizer.

Nice American Filet Mignon.  Tender and tasty.

Dessert for me was Coconut cake with fruits, but it was a very refreshing coconut ice cream.

Suzanne in her signature pink jacket.

And today, after our first  dance lesson, we had lunch with Claire, who introduced us to Kessler's class.
It is almost next door to Shimizu Voice, so we have two very wonderful classes to go to on Fridays.

We went to Utage, a nice homestyle Okinawan restaurant nearby.
The soups are delicious and healthy.
We ordered pig's feet and spareribs soups, and the special grilled salmon.  All were delicious and the service was very friendly.