If you have had lunch with me in the past 6 months, Monday through Friday, odds are I have suggested we meet at Organic to Go. Please don't be confused by this restaurant's name; there is ample seating to enjoy your meal.
Their assortment of salads is wonderful - and this coming from a girl, who self-admittedly hates salads, but with a salad called The Provence, full of fresh greens, shaved turkey (or you could do bacon), strawberries, and goat cheese, how could I go wrong? Just a suggestion for the Provence - I add spiced walnuts and it's delicious!
Be warned however, if you go around noon, expect to wait in a line that doesn't move very fast. It's worth the wait, in my opinion, but this delicious find also doesn't come cheap, you will be spending around 9 bucks/ salad.
http://www.ogobethesda.com/
Gather bits of information from this Blondie on travel, dining, reading & cinema!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Oahu, HI - Doraku, Shrimp Shack, & Keneke's
Now, I will not claim that I was in Oahu for its fine dining, but here are some recommendations.
In Waikiki
Doraku
http://www.sushidoraku.com/
The sushi was wonderful, both in presentation and taste! Also, we were pleasantly surprised with the variet of delicious drinks Doraku had to offer! The Doraku Lemonade was so refreshing! Also, our group went for lunch, which kept the $$$ pretty reasonable (average $12/roll), the rolls are huge and we all shared. My favorite was the Doraku roll, which has Lobster, fresh crab, and cream cheese and is Tempura Fried. Yes, please!
Another favorite of our crew was Leonard's Bakery - or Malasada paradise!
http://www.leonardshawaii.com/
Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of stopping by there, but 4 of the 5 ladies I was traveling with couldn't stop raving about their Malasadas, fried dough deliciousness, so I doubt you'll be disappointed!
The best find on Oahu was a bit of a diamond in the rough, but very worth the journey!
The Shrimp Shack is a bright yellow bus parked on the side of Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo - I hope (if you go visit) that it hasn't moved, because it's amazing!
When we visited it was parked across the street from Keneke's, http://www.kenekes.net/ a restaurant serving Shaved Ice, and delicious BBQ Pork Sandwiches, so at least you won't starve. Either way, both are BIG WINS in my book.
In Waikiki
Doraku
http://www.sushidoraku.com/
The sushi was wonderful, both in presentation and taste! Also, we were pleasantly surprised with the variet of delicious drinks Doraku had to offer! The Doraku Lemonade was so refreshing! Also, our group went for lunch, which kept the $$$ pretty reasonable (average $12/roll), the rolls are huge and we all shared. My favorite was the Doraku roll, which has Lobster, fresh crab, and cream cheese and is Tempura Fried. Yes, please!
Another favorite of our crew was Leonard's Bakery - or Malasada paradise!
http://www.leonardshawaii.com/
Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of stopping by there, but 4 of the 5 ladies I was traveling with couldn't stop raving about their Malasadas, fried dough deliciousness, so I doubt you'll be disappointed!
The best find on Oahu was a bit of a diamond in the rough, but very worth the journey!
The Shrimp Shack is a bright yellow bus parked on the side of Kalanianaole Highway in Waimanalo - I hope (if you go visit) that it hasn't moved, because it's amazing!
When we visited it was parked across the street from Keneke's, http://www.kenekes.net/ a restaurant serving Shaved Ice, and delicious BBQ Pork Sandwiches, so at least you won't starve. Either way, both are BIG WINS in my book.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Oahu, Hawaii
Not the most timely post, but right now I'm in "make up for lost time" mode to get some information out there.
In November, 2009 I traveled to Oahu for the wedding of a dear friend from college. Her father is from Oahu, so we definitely received the inside scoop.
Several highlights include:
Accommodations:
Ko Olina
The Ihilani
http://www.ihilani.com/
This fancy-schmancy hotel and spa is a JW Marriott, and is beautiful. Naturally, the food in the hotel restaurant was overpriced, but that was to be expected. However, we did a mani/pedi brunch at the Ihilani's spa and ordered some food - think fresh fruit and muffins - feeding 8 girls brunch for $80, not bad at all!
The hotel has 2 Hammerhead Sharks that swim around, adding to the hotel's tropical ambiance. The private beach and relaxing atmosphere were wonderful.
The Resort is also just a brief walk away from the fun-filled Paradise Cove. http://www.paradisecove.com/
This venue offers its visitors a traditional Hawaiian luau, you are greeted to music and Mai Tais. Before dinner the guests have various island crafts, our group's favorite happened to be the lei hairpiece!
Our next stop during our visit to Oahu was to get back close to the action: Waikiki!
Accommodations:
The Outrigger Waikiki
http://www.outriggerwaikiki.com/
This hotel could not have been more perfect for a bunch of young, easy-going travellers! The Outrigger is reasonably priced - in November we paid $160/ night & you are close to everything! The rooms are not deluxe suites, but they are big enough to fit 3 ladies and 4 large suitcases, but more importantly – it can hold enough people for an impromptu Pog-tini party!
During our stay in Waikiki, we hit the beach, drank plenty of Lava Flows *(if you go to Hawaii, just ask for one & thank me later!).
We also trekked over to Hanauma Bay.
http://www.hanaumabayhawaii.com/
This is not your typical beach, this is a nature preserve that houses many different types of fish & if you are lucky and stay out snorkeling long enough - you can also catch a glimpse of some Sea Turtles!
*One recommendation, if you are not a comfortable swimmer, but really want to snorkel is to take a boogie board to float on! The snorkel gear can be a lot to get used to as it is, let alone moving around the water efficiently AND taking in all the amazing sites, so grab a boogie board to float on, and call it a day!
I could go on and on about things to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, but these were just some of the "must-do" activities on my list.
Feel free to add your own recommendations & please check out the restaurants section of this blog to view my Oahu recommendations!
In November, 2009 I traveled to Oahu for the wedding of a dear friend from college. Her father is from Oahu, so we definitely received the inside scoop.
Several highlights include:
Accommodations:
Ko Olina
The Ihilani
http://www.ihilani.com/
This fancy-schmancy hotel and spa is a JW Marriott, and is beautiful. Naturally, the food in the hotel restaurant was overpriced, but that was to be expected. However, we did a mani/pedi brunch at the Ihilani's spa and ordered some food - think fresh fruit and muffins - feeding 8 girls brunch for $80, not bad at all!
The hotel has 2 Hammerhead Sharks that swim around, adding to the hotel's tropical ambiance. The private beach and relaxing atmosphere were wonderful.
The Resort is also just a brief walk away from the fun-filled Paradise Cove. http://www.paradisecove.com/
This venue offers its visitors a traditional Hawaiian luau, you are greeted to music and Mai Tais. Before dinner the guests have various island crafts, our group's favorite happened to be the lei hairpiece!
Our next stop during our visit to Oahu was to get back close to the action: Waikiki!
Accommodations:
The Outrigger Waikiki
http://www.outriggerwaikiki.com/
This hotel could not have been more perfect for a bunch of young, easy-going travellers! The Outrigger is reasonably priced - in November we paid $160/ night & you are close to everything! The rooms are not deluxe suites, but they are big enough to fit 3 ladies and 4 large suitcases, but more importantly – it can hold enough people for an impromptu Pog-tini party!
During our stay in Waikiki, we hit the beach, drank plenty of Lava Flows *(if you go to Hawaii, just ask for one & thank me later!).
We also trekked over to Hanauma Bay.
http://www.hanaumabayhawaii.com/
This is not your typical beach, this is a nature preserve that houses many different types of fish & if you are lucky and stay out snorkeling long enough - you can also catch a glimpse of some Sea Turtles!
*One recommendation, if you are not a comfortable swimmer, but really want to snorkel is to take a boogie board to float on! The snorkel gear can be a lot to get used to as it is, let alone moving around the water efficiently AND taking in all the amazing sites, so grab a boogie board to float on, and call it a day!
I could go on and on about things to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, but these were just some of the "must-do" activities on my list.
Feel free to add your own recommendations & please check out the restaurants section of this blog to view my Oahu recommendations!
Washington, DC - Cafe Deluxe
Over the past few weeks, I've had the pleasure of having several dining engagements at Cafe Deluxe. With multiple locations in the DC area, I had lunch with friends at the Bethesda location and appetizers and wine with another pal at their restaurant Tyson's Corner. The menu is simple, yet has enough creativity to not bore you.
I am a Macaroni and Cheese junkie, I can't get enough of the stuff and the Cafe Deluxe Gruyere Mac n' Cheese did not disappoint! Not too heavy, yet creamy enough to be completely delicious, mixing up your basic Mac n' Cheese with the Gruyere is the way to go! Now, I'm a Mac n' Cheese purist, so I rarely add in any goodies, but Cafe Deluxe does offer the dish with Prosciutto, which doesn't sound bad at all!
I would not recommend the Crispy Chicken Spring Roll appetizer, there wasn't a description on the menu, so I'm not sure what flavor I was expecting, but the spring rolls we had were a little too "curry flavored" for my tastes.
So, if you are in the DC area, and looking for an EASY, moderately-priced, yet upscale feel, check out: www.cafedeluxe.com
And please, let me know your faves there as well!
I am a Macaroni and Cheese junkie, I can't get enough of the stuff and the Cafe Deluxe Gruyere Mac n' Cheese did not disappoint! Not too heavy, yet creamy enough to be completely delicious, mixing up your basic Mac n' Cheese with the Gruyere is the way to go! Now, I'm a Mac n' Cheese purist, so I rarely add in any goodies, but Cafe Deluxe does offer the dish with Prosciutto, which doesn't sound bad at all!
I would not recommend the Crispy Chicken Spring Roll appetizer, there wasn't a description on the menu, so I'm not sure what flavor I was expecting, but the spring rolls we had were a little too "curry flavored" for my tastes.
So, if you are in the DC area, and looking for an EASY, moderately-priced, yet upscale feel, check out: www.cafedeluxe.com
And please, let me know your faves there as well!
Here I am!
After spending most of my life talking to myself, I thought - hey, why not just put it out there. Is having my every thought saved for posterity the best idea in the world? Probably not. Therefore I am trying to be selective. I doubt anyone cares what I think about financial reform, the climate crisis, or affordable access to higher education *(of which I have no opinion on any of the subjects mentioned). However, I usually find other people's recommendations on good places to eat, great sites to see, a good read & good flick to be useful. So that's what you'll find here. Enjoy!
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