Hawaii 2010

Good friends, great food, delightful weather, and a free place to stay. We couldn't say "no" and snuck in 1 week in Waikoloa on the Big Island.




We rented a bright blue Mustang convertible. Once we were inside, it made us feel young. (Getting inside and buckling up made us feel a bit old.)

The Mauna Kea opened after about 10 years of earthquake repair in 2008. It more lovely than before. What a treasure!

 The flame tree and the parrots still highlight the lobby view.

Mieko's colleague Vicki and Husband, at brunch, Sunday a.m.

Brunch includes sushi, roast beef, Peking duck, smoked salmon, and 12 deserts.

 The lobby artwork is as before. Almost human.

We snuck in some golf on Waikoloa's Beach Course. Confusion gave us 19 holes, over 7000 yards, and a whole lot of time. Nice course, great conditions, and lots of fun.

And then Mieko insisted on a trip to Honoka'a and a visit to Hula Moon. She has been here before. She has bought stuff here before. They have her sizes.

She bought some more stuff. She is very happy.

The final dinner out was a Sansei, in the Queens Shops at Waikoloa. Half-price on most a la carte items on Sunday and Monday. Excellent abalone (farm raised.)

We had fun.

(click to enlarge)

Gender Equality

From a sideroad somewhere in India.

I can't think of anything to add that won't get me in a whole bunch of trouble.

Gourmet Ghetto

DW1 and I believe that Walnut Creek is overtaking North Berkeley with new, exciting restaurants.

I don't know how to do a review of each one of them that we have tried.

So, now I'll try to import a file from Open Office:

Well, that didn't work. Let's try this:

New Walnut Creek Restaurants

(August 2010)

Sasa
Contemporary fusion Japanese. Good, busy atmosphere. Helpful, friendly service. Foods are varied, interesting, and good. Have gone back.

Shiro
Japanese, South Asia cuisine. Excellent (I was surprised) food with eye- catching presentations. Sushi was great. Lumpia reminded me of Guam. Funky atmosphere. Will definitely go back.

Eleve
Vietnamese fusion. Good imaginative noodle dishes. Open, stylish décor. Will return.

1515
Great décor, good service, excellent small plates of California fusion. Will return.

New China Cafe
California Chinese. No chopsticks. Enticing menu. Familiar Chinese specialties presented in unusual ways. Will return.

VeSu
Stark, tres moderne décor, small plates, beautiful presentations, helpful waitstaff. Food is good. Everything is $1-$2 overpriced, so final bill is high. Probably will return.
 
Just let us know when, and we'll make the reservations. . .

Old Time Pictures

Albuquerque in 1912...a mixture of cultures.

Lincoln Nebraska in the 1940's. I was there, then. Good prices!