Govinda's

Govinda's is a popular vegetarian "plate lunch" walk-in off the Fort Street Mall. It features lunch only/workday only veggie specials. The food is Indian-inspired and surprisingly tasty. We usual freak out at vegetarian places only because militant vegetarians freak us out.

But this place passes no judgement on the meat eating folks who want to get a fiber fill every once in a while. Specials today included Falafel and a cauliflower/chickpea flurry.

One pertinent question we want answered regarding Govinda's is: Where is the kitchen?????

The inside is mellow, and always busy.

The mantra.

Our food. $4.60 each plate. We recommend the ginger lime drink with the grub. Also, try putting the sunflower oil dressing on the salad and the cilantro salsa on the rice. Happy eating!

Harry's Cafe

Harry's Cafe (1101 Waimanu St, Honolulu, HI 96814),

adjacent to Harry's Liquor Store, has been a Kakaako Breakfast-Lunch fixture for quite some time. Christy, a chatty Korean woman runs almost all dining room aspects of this local diner. She works a million miles an hour at a million different tasks, hence the inconspicuous sign over the cash counter that says, "If Christy busy, help yourself to coffee."

The bargain early bird breakfasts start at $0.99 and run 5-8am. That's why Harry's Cafe is perfect for the McKinley student, Ward construction workers, and morning commuters on their way into or out of town.

Aside from the early bird menu, the main breakfast selections are where it's at. One can only guess what the "3-3-3" means. Or what about the "Breakfast Deluxe," which is a 3-3-3-3-3! We highly recommend the Kim Chee fried rice omelette, the "Omelette Blaster" or one of the pancake variants.

Above is an omelette blaster. A savvy customer knows to order fried rice scoops instead of the pictured white rice.

If you surf the Beach Park, don't waste your time outside at a Starbucks table afterward with the pidgeons and meandering Japanese tourists. At least give Harry's a try.

Turkey Day Getaway.

Thanks to everyone who made the beach weekend so much fun!

Pho One Kapiolani

Another neighborhood eatery off of Kapiolani, Pho One, has taken over the former location of Cuisine Tony, which never really took off.

All of this was due to Pho One leaving their former strip mall location after its condemnation was announced due to the construction of the future Ala Moana Nordstrom.

The former location was smaller and somewhat seedier. It was always quite full and a short wait before being seated was common. The new location is far more upscale, and prices have been driven up a buck or two, perhaps scaring off some of the former clientele. Medium and Large bowls are available in the $7 and $7.50 price ranges, respectively.

This one just has rare steak.

The chicken porridge was quite savory. It's definitely not diet food.

Haleiwa

One goal: one wave. Just one wave!

Ahoy, JP!

Small day play. Happy Turkey Day! Be safe.

"Point + Shoot" $10.99stuff.

Happy Turkey Day from Ala Moana!

Part of the miracle mile.

Choi's Garden ********BYOB*******

In the theme of Korean BBQ, we proudly announce our endorsement of Choi's Garden on 1303 Rycroft St (Phone: 808-596-7555).

We're not going to waste any words, since we spend 5 minutes or less on our reviews. So read the Honolulu Advertiser's write-up here.

Let's just say, it's good, tasty, and a fun time. Also, read the caption under the picture of the sports cooler.

1303 Rycroft St. behind Wal-mart.

Jeff, showing he is part of the appendix-less club. Also check out the walking cane.

This is the giant vacuum that sucks all the grill smoke outta the restaurant. You end up all smelly anyway.

Korean short ribs and a rice beer might be one of our favorite combinations.

Damon digs this joint because it's BYOB.

Know your avocado!

I learned this from you know who... Man, this is good.

p.s.- only use Aloha shoyu!

Oahu Market

Recently, we've been venturing into Honolulu's Chinatown quite a bit. Part of it is getting lucky with parking. The other reason is that there are so many legitimate places to get meals- or if you are bold, create your own meals.

In summary, we recommend everyone pony up and go to Oahu market on King Street, and get some fresh seafood. Don't be shy.

$6 bought us a fresh snapper. $2 got us fresh eggplant. Another $2 got us fresh herbs and spices to make some serious flavor for the food.

Drool.

Different grades of ahi sashimi. There's also hamachi and salmon, too.

Here's our dinner creation: Thai Snapper with fresh Mexican oregano, lemons, fresh ground pepper and Kauai Salt. The fish is served with a Kalamata olive-feta cheese tapenade. The eggplants go with a lime-mint yogurt sauce. All of this is going straight outside onto the grill. A collective $12 meal.

Mark Cunningham- Hi Schredability

Tyler Manson's miniseries on VBS TV, 'Hi Schredability,' surely is a genuine crowd pleaser. We watch all the new episodes. One of our favs was part 2 of the Mark Cunningham series. As an island resident, Mark's heart and soul is 100% O'ahu and some of the very simple comments he makes in this episode are not only poignant, but extremely insightful.

Sekiya's Kapahulu

Sekiya's in Kapahulu behind the Market City Foodland is a neat little Japanese Deli/eatery featuring udon, saimin, tofu, donburis, tempura, etc. etc. It's been around since 1957. There's a fun little take-out counter with a soda fountain and free parking out back. Service is surprisingly efficient and pleasing.

Tofu set with fish flakes, green onion, and ginger. They serve milkshakes and cheeseburgers here, too.

Sukiyaki sure makes rainy nights feel a little warmer.

Not so bad stuff. I'd give it a 7/10.

Ahi and Vegetable

The actual name of this restaurant is "Ahi and Vegetable."

We're here trying out the business lunch thing downtown at the Fort Street Mall. Unfortunately, dinner is not served. And don't bother coming on the weekends. It's closed.

Don't let the name fool you. This ain't no veggie-vegan hippie haven. The menu is simple and the food looks like the pictures on the wall. While the atmosphere may be nausiatingly yellow, the food is surprisingly filling and delicious.

Rating = 14.5/20

Counter service.


Japanese Sundae = 2 scoops rice, 1 scoop spicy ahi, 1 scoop ikura (salmon roe) and 1 scoop ginger

Funny Arms

A little peeler in Waianae.

Marc Heimel Rhode Island

Marc Heimel, MD was my dociere in New Jersey. He was a Seaside Heights local and a Casino Pier and Meters ripper. While I chickened out of the cold water come Thanksgiving, he continued ripping. Now he's doing what lifestyle-oriented optomalogists do in Rhode Island- surf. These point pics look most impressive.

Marc and Rose.

Marc dips one low before shooting up high.