Michael Braude // I'm a middle-aged, SF Bay Area guy with an attitude about food. While my foodie cred may not be as great as some, I can hold my own with (most of) the best of them. Most of my posts will be rants about food with an occasional foray into other areas (e.g., music, books, art, movies, TV). No idea how often I'll post. I have a few ideas in the hopper, then I'll need to wait until something strikes.
Long time since I've posted. Life just getting in the way.
I'm back to tell you about the 2011 Hunger Challenge. I'll be feeding myself on $4.72 per day from 9/11-9/17. I'll try to comment along the way. If you want to find out more, check out the SF Food Bank's website at www.sffoodbank.org
Michael
Sent by iPhone. Please excuse any typos.
I'll be opening my piehole for this!
Michael Sent by iPhone. Please excuse any typos.
There was one other restaurant I neglected to mention in my previous post.
Ceviche Dave's is a small place located between the airport and Kailua-Kona. You'll find it on the road to Costco. Fantastic ceviche in an ultra-casual atmoshphere. Another place where you will find more locals than tourists. If you are trying to find it, look for Snorkel Bob's, head left around the building, and keep an eye out for the Ceviche Dave's sign.
And while I'm at it, a shout out to Snorkel Bob's. We always rent our equipment from them. They have top-notch stuff, great prices, and tips for the best snorkeling spots. You can return your items after hours and at any of their other island locations.
Just back from 10 days on the Big Island. It's not always easy to find decent food for a decent price in Hawai'i, especially up on the Kohala Coast (which is where we were staying to avoid the vog further south). Here are some highlights:
Sushi Rock -- Any discussion of restaurants on the Big Island could begin and end with this small place in Hawi on the far northwest side of the island. Not your typical sushi joint, Sushi Rock focuses on creative (even inspired) rolls like Pele's Revenge with the nori looking like hardened lava and the dots of Hawaiian inferno sauce (from seriously hot local peppers) looking like molten lava. The smoked fish mini-maki and the Baja roll with ceviche also were outstanding. They often have fresh grated wasabi available. If you are going to the Big Island, this place is a must. Save some time to wander around town before or after lunch to check out some of the art galleries.
Kawaihae Seafood Bar and Grill -- Great ahi poke burger, grilled fish sandwich and perfectly crunchy and salty hand-cut fries. The ambiance is a bit odd as you enjoy your food on the dining patio with a view of the fuel storage tanks in the Kawaihae harbor.
Ba-Le -- This Vietnamese joint in Kailua-Kona is located in a strip mall on Palani Road next to a KTA grocery store. Friendly counter service, solid food, and low prices make this place a great bargain. Clearly a local joint with lots of families and folks ordering take out (not the worst idea since the place is very brightly lit).
Monstera -- This relatively new restaurant is located in the small shopping mall at Mauna Lani. The owner is the former exec chef at the nearby Fairmont Orchid. Given the Kohala location, the entree prices were reasonable (many in the teens). The spicy sashimi salad featured three different kinds of fish (sake, maguro, and hamachi). The pork kimchee stir-fry had just the right amount of head. Portions were generous. All in all, a good value in an area not known for such.
Tex Drive-In -- Located in the former sugar mill town of Honoka'a on the northeast side of the island, this place is known for their malasadas, basically a Portuguese raised sugar donut with no hole. You get your choice of filling (if you wish). We ordered guava and were handed a still warm pillow of fruity, sugary goodness. We even ate it before our wraps arrived (nothing special there). Definitely worth a stop on your way to or from the Waipio Valley.
Coffees 'n Epicurea -- You'll find this gem in Honaunau on your way to the Place of Refuge (whether you are going for the cultural history or the snorkeling). While the coffee is nothing special, the pastries are superb. Four pastry chefs turn out such delights as fluffy scones, guava danish, and ethereal macadamia nut sticky buns. Great place to start your day of snorkeling at Two Step.
Kona Blue Sky Coffee -- Kona coffee isn't everyone's favorite. Some folks like having it while they are visiting or after they return to keep the vacation vibe alive. The best we found (and we tasted a lot over the years) is at this place near the intersection of Hualalai Road and Hwy. 180 in Holualoa. All of their coffee is estate grown. They'll even give you a brief tour of their property so you can find out more about how coffee is grown and processed.
I don't think anyone is going to Hawai'i for the food. Nonetheless, you still need to eat. It's always nice to find places that offer a good combination of quality and price. The local Filipino store with 3 papayas for $1 was our best buy.
Michael
Sent by iPhone. Please excuse any typos.
