Postcard: Eating my way around Oahu

Just got home from a long weekend in Oahu (island #3 of my list of Hawaiian islands to visit...) and I feel fat. Not a complaining-for-the-sake-of-complaining-cuz-I'm-a-girl kind of fat, but really. We basically spent our entire weekend eating our way around Oahu, and I've got the pictures (and new waistline) to show it.

First it was Alan Wong's, the venerable institution of fine Hawaiian dining. Let's just say that Alan didn't disappoint -- the dinner we had was probably one of the best we've had -- the flavours were clean and simple, and the execution of fusion blending Hawaiian, Asian, and western influences was probably one of the most flawless I've seen in a long time. We started with the opihi (limpet) shooters (yum!), butter poached Kona lobster and a beet and tomato salad. Entrees were a crusted kampachi and a pork duo. The crispy pork in the pork duo was probably one of the most amazing pork dishes I've ever had. Desserts were "the Coconut" (haupia ice cream in a chocolate shell), and a "New Wave banana split" which was mochi wrapped banana ice cream topped with homemade sorbets and ice creams in chocolate, strawberry, and coconut flavours. All this washed down with some amazing Onaka Ranch Kona Cowboy coffee. DELISH!

Another highlight was Ono's Hawaiian Foods. It's a hole in the wall, the lines can be long, the bathroom's permanently broken and the furniture hasn't been replaced in decades, but the food is local, authentic, and yummy. We were a little ambitious and ordered the combination plate (laulau, kalua pork, lomi salmon, poi and haupia), AND the tripe stew and some chicken long rice. So we didn't finish. But hey, did you know that day-old poi *does* taste better?

And then there was Zippy's. Ahhh Zippy's. What can I say? Chili and rice and fried chicken all mixed with mac salad has a new place in my heart now. You can't beat fast, delicious and consistent Hawaiian-American fast food.

As we drove around the island, we also managed to hit up Giovanni's Shrimp Truck (to see what all the hype was about, naturally) where the greasy yet addictive shrimp scampi made the stop worthwhile. The guidebook said that Ted's Bakery at Sunset Beach had some chocolate haupia cream pie that locals loved, but that the guidebook writer thought was only so-so. Let's set the record straight. I side with the locals on Ted's pie.

So between all that eating, I did manage to visit some sights and take in some sun on the beach. The highlight of this trip, by far, though, was definitely the food. (But the Frette linens at the Kahala didn't hurt, either.) Next up...I'm off to Tahoe to catch some snow this weekend!