TRAVEL: Honolulu, Hawaii: Roys

Location:

226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI

www.roysrestaurant.com

After visiting Mama's Fish House in Maui three years ago, we didn't think anything could come close.  Let me tell you, Roy's comes pretty close!

I've never been to a restaurant where there has been such incredible attention to my dietary concerns!  Our server was worried that I would be in need of medical aid if I ate something I couldn't (dairy).

With that, the butter sauces came on the side and there was nary a smidgen of cheese on anything.

They started us off with edamame - nom nom nom- which disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Then, it was champagne paired with the ahi tuna, baby back rib and chicken spring roll appetizer, which was delicious (and this was pre-Kauai roosters, so I was still eating chicken).



Thank goodness I'm not allergic to nuts!!

Hello, macadamia encrusted opah! Get in my belly!



Served with simple but oh-so delicious potatoes and asparagus.  Paired with a white and red.



Salmon ginger sauce with cucumber and radish salad.  The fish was amazing, but the salad a bit too tangy for me.

For dessert, we had the chocolate souffle and ice cream and the macadamia nut tart.



Paired with ports, the chocolate souffle was divine!

The tart was overbearingly nutty but amazing for a couple of bites. If I hadn't already had the macadamia encrusted fish, this would have been heaven.



Service and presentation could not have been better; we had such an incredible time and were thoroughly stuffed and satisfied.

The washroom signage was super cute, too.





If you're on Oahu, check out Roy's, there are three locations on the island, and several more throughout the States.

Vegetarian Cafe @ The Big Carrot

Location:

348 Danforth Avenue,Toronto

www.thebigcarrot.ca

As far as vegetarian cuisine goes, a lot of it is spent on trying to recreate MEAT!  I've got an idea.  Don't!  Vegetables are delicious on their own, and we don't need the fake stuff pretending to be what it ain't.

Since returning from Hawaii a month ago, I've stopped eating chicken, and have to admit I don't miss it.  However, I'd rather eat the real deal than the fake meat made with soy products.

As good as the texture and shapes are in replicating real meat, I find they tend to be overly salty and really wreck havoc on my system.  That said, I do like Morningstar's ground soy - which works really well in tacos.  Sadly, it's only available in the States (for now, do you hear me Morningstar people?)

At the Vegetarian Cafe, most of the dishes seemed to have curry powder or cumin in them, which lent a kind of ethnic, indian curry flavour to most of the foods.





Not a fan.

The best tasting dish was probably the spicy squash and the roasted vegetables, but those are things I could have cooked at home for far less.



Each item is weighed on  your plate but you have no control as to how much the servers plop on your plate!  I ended up with more than I would have served myself, and it weighed in at $17!



I also didn't like that they warm up your plate in either a MICROWAVE or oven.  We much preferred the oven option.   For $17, I'd like to think there was some work involved.

For veg cuisine, I won't be returning to The Big Carrot's Vegetarian Cafe.  Nor would I shop there for my groceries - the "Kiss My Face" hand soap I did purchase there was rung in by a surly looking cashier.  Would it kill you to smile? Honestly.

I'd much rather visit Dukem for their authentic Ethiopian veggie plate.  Nummy.

Herbal Infusions

Location:
404 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON

www.herbalinfusions.ca

Just west of Spadina on Adelaide is a hidden gem of a gourmet tea shop.



While rounding up everyone for our daily tea train, it's been referred to as "that fancy new tea place" and,when they were giving away free steeped tea a couple of weeks ago, "the free tea place". :)

Well, its name is Herbal Infusions, and even if the name doesn't stick, the tea flavours will.

The wall of teas is the focal point of the the store, with black, herbal, green and white teas all neatly labeled in see-through canisters. Part of the experience is having a canister presented to you for smelling. Unlike David's tea, these teas actually taste the way they smell!

I recently had the roasted almond tea (herbal tea but with soy milk) and it was incredible!



I hate to admit that I veered away (mostly from the urging of Lurgs to try something different) from my usual Earl Grey staple to try it. I was not disappointed. Clearly Dan and the gang know their teas and how to steep them, 'cause I've never had a steeped tea that tasted so good.



Everyone there is not only super friendly but also knowledgeable about tea and skillful in preparing the perfect cup.

Other touches that make Herbal Infusions stand out from the other gourmet tea shops in the city:
their variety of sugars (cane, beet)



that add a nice touch to the teas and the delicious desserts they have on hand, which I believe are from Sweets from the Earth.



Highly recommended if you like tea!

Recipe: Spicy Baked Tilapia

Okay, here's my latest favourite tilapia recipe. Inspired by Olivado's Lemon Zest Avocado Oil! Nyum nyum.

Ingredients:
8 frozen or fresh tilapia fillets
Enough lemon juice to wash and lightly coat the fillets
2 tbsp Olivado's Lemon Zest Avocado Oil (or any lemon infused oil or olive oil)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup of Ajvar (spicy relish that you can find in any grocery store)
1 tbsp of maple syrup
pepper if desired

Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees F
Cover two standard baking pans with foil.
Wash the fillets thoroughly with cold water and then with lemon juice.
Place four fillets in each pan.
Lightly drizzle the oil over the fillets.
Add chili, turmeric and salt evenly to fillets, using utensil or hand to rub the dry spices into the fillets, on both sides.
Add Ajvar onto fillets, evenly on both sides.
Drizzle maple syrup on top of fillets.
Add pepper is desired.
*Optional, crush handful of cornflakes and add to the top of fillets.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until fish is tender. Then broil on high for 2-5 minutes (or longer if you prefer it more crispy/dry).

Serve with anything you like (rice, pasta, salad).

Tastes incredible wrapped in a tortilla shell with with avocado, refried beans and spanish rice, like a fish taco. YUM!

Product: Olivado Avocado Oil

One of my absolute favourite products to review has been Olivado's Avocado Oil, a Olivado Natural Nutrition product made in New Zealand.

I've been loving them so much that it's taken me almost a month to review the oils because I've not only tasted the four different varieties sent to me, we've also been cooking with the oils and concocting recipes that can now only be made using these oils.

Here are the four varieties (L-R)

Olivado Omega Plus Blended Oil, Olivado Avocado Zest Oil, Olivado Macadamia Nut Oil, Olivado Kenya Avocado Oil:





The Omega Oil is advertised as an "absolutely delicious, perfectly balanced blend of Extra Virgin Avocado, Olive and Flaxseed oils, carefully selected and blended to produce an optimal combination of Omega 9, 6, & 3 fatty acids". I've yet to have 2 teaspoons of this daily, but in a salad dressing or drizzled over fresh pasta, veggies, it's a welcome change from what used to be our usual: olive oil.



I love the Avocado Zest; it's certainly zesty, with the lemony flavour not overpowering at all. The  subtle avacado taste is evident surprisingly, and goes really well with all kinds of breads, but especially a jalapeno loaf.





It's recommend use is as "a salad dressing, a marinade, a high-heat cooking oil, a bread dipping oil, a finishing oil, or for drizzling over vegetables or seafood", which is exactly what I used it for in my latest tilapia recipe (to be shared soon!)


Foodhogger just got back from Hawaii, so macadamia nuts were had aplenty! How they translated that flavour into this oil, I don't know, but this oil is divine! Buttery in colour and taste and with a very high 450 degree F. smoke point, it's great for dipping breads, adding to salad dressings and we even used it to make crepes! YUM!


The Kenyan Organic Avocado Oil (which contains the oil of 20 Avocados!) is from Olivado's newest production facility in Nairobi, Kenya where they have 570 small farmers in an organic and fair trade program. Having cooked various dishes with this oil (great for high heat cooking!) and as a marinade and dressing, this oil has become a staple even surpassing our olive oil use!





A huge thanks to Katelyn from SP for sending us these Olivado Oils; who knew avacado had such powers? Turns out Jamie Oliver is also a fan.

Stay tuned for my newest tilapia recipe using Olivado's Avocado Zest Oil!



(© Foodhogger 2006-2011. All of the photographs herein are the sole copyright of Foodhogger.)



Happy New Year!

Foodhogger's been away in Hawaii for the last couple of weeks, but I'm back and have lots of new restaurant reviews, recipes and product reviews to share!

Cheers to more gluttony in 2011!

 

 

 

Mitzi's Sister

Location:

1554 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON

www.mitzis.ca

Best place to go with your best friend after getting your hair did?

Mitzi's Sister.

Absolutely, hands down, the best brunch place I've eaten at, yet.



Challah French Toast
Served with home fries, fresh fruit, pure maple syrup & fresh whipped cream. $13.50

This week's topping was pomegranate!! Amazeballs.



And the Huevos Rancheros (Scrambled eggs in a grilled tortilla with refried beans, guacamole, tomato salsa, sour cream, home fries and fresh fruit. $10.95) was incredible!



Oh yes, I had a Side of English Bangers. $3.50

No photo of them because our server forgot my order and they arrived a bit late;  after I was almost done with my French Toast.  But fat and juicy, the bangers were really good.

As is our hair.

Mitzi's is highly recommended.

KFC's Double Down

Location:

466 Queen Street West, Toronto

Having received varied reactions to me trying KFC's DOUBLE DOWN burger, ranging from "Eeewwww" to the actually curious, "How WAS it?", I have to tell you, I LOVED it!
Yes, it's bacon and cheese sandwiched between  two juicy (and incredibly salty) chicken burgers, and at 540 calories, 30 g of fat, and 1,740 mg of sodium (!!!) it's not good for you, BUT it was deeeeeeeelicious and well worth it.  








Split between three of us, and no longer available in Canada, I now wish I'd had more of it!

ZAGAT

Foodhogger is now one of the first featured blogs to be a part of ZAGAT'S Featured Blog program!

Check Foodhogger out here!

Similar to the recognition the Zagat Rated decal brings to restaurants, they've extended this decal to certain blogs and Foodhogger is honoured to be a part of it!



Local Feature: Harlem Underground

Location:

745 Queen St W, Toronto

www.harlemrestaurant.com/underground

With a wall-mural/graffitied glass hallway and red interior walls, Harlem looks like how you'd expect a restaurant in Harlem to look: cultured-chic, friendly and somewhere you'd want to spend a few good hours with friends and wholesome Southern cooking.










Cajun Tempura Fried Okra
$4.95

Of all the fascinating side dishes on the menu ( fried plantains, candied yams, bacon mac n' cheese, collard greens,) we had to try the deep fried okra.  Arriving piping hot, and with plenty enough to go around, it did not disappoint.  Granted, okra is not for everyone...the slimy texture and odd taste is certainly something to acquire.  I, for one, love okra and have had it in many forms, so this was just another lovely treat for me.


Harlem Benny Poached eggs, chili-garlic greens, atop a sausage and grits flap jack along with cheesy hollandaise
$10.95

R who had this dish, was worried that the portion size and the density of a grit flap jack would be too heavy since she'd already eaten breakfast, but the flap jack was light and the eggs perfectly poached.



Mile High Jawny Toast Three egg-dipped thick slices of egg loaf drizzled with maple syrup, crushed pecans and fresh fruit
$10.95

OMG you guys.  Undoubtedly the best FT I've had to date!  THICK, yet fluffy slices of bread and an absolutely mouth-watering, nutty, berry sauce on top.  While splitting this dish with A who ordered the fried chicken and waffles, I ended up with a smorgasbord of salty (fried chicken) and sweet (waffles and french toast) goodness on my plate (usually how I like to eat things - all on one plate) which was wiped clean with the last bite of toast. 


Southern Fried Chicken & Waffle With a Chipolte-corriander-lime maple syrup
$11.95

Speaking of the Fried Chicken and waffles, does four pieces of chicken sound enough to you?! Thank goodness we were sharing!  What portions are these, my friends?  Amazing!  The chipotle-corriander-lime maple syrup was an excellent accompaniment to the waffles (which unfortunately lacked that fresh-out-of-the-waffle-iron heat).



Yam & Yukon Potato Hash Topped with a sunny side up egg cooked with spicy sausage, served with biscuits and greens
$9.95

We all agreed, the potato hash was incredible!  Especially with the spicy sausage.



Veggie Omelette Sweet peppers, onions, mushroom and spinach
$8.95

N who got this dish said even with the cheese it was a tad bland for her taste.

And none of us cared much for the sweet potato biscuits accompanying the omelettes.  They weren't warm or soft enough and had the texture of a scone; fairly dry.  I think with everything else going on in the dish, the side biscuit came cross as rather plain in comparison.  Regardless, I wish it had been better 'cause there's nothing like a hot biscuit!

Still, with any personal requests (ie. cheese in the omlette, collard greens instead of spinach) there were no hesitations to comply, in fact suggestions were made to accommodate dietary concerns, if possible.  Our server, Jen, imparted just the right measure of attentiveness without being intrusive.

Oh, and a shout-out the to the low-ceilinged washrooms, which we figured is the "underground" part of Harlem Underground. We all emerged from it as if we were the (recently rescued) miners. (Yay, miners!) :)

But in all seriousness, HU is such a wonderfully warm and friendly place, I would not hesitate to return. And with a group of seven, the verdict was unanimous: come hungry, and leave content!

Czehoski Restaurant

Location:

678 Queen St W., Toronto

www.czehoski.com

With its unpronounceable (and untypeable) name and rusty, industrial name plate hanging over its door, Czchzhecioski is all things cool and nonchalant.  Exactly what Queen West is about.

The downstairs already filled, we were seated upstairs, where it was cose (new word) with a roaring fireplace and a canoe hanging up on the lofty wall.  And who knows what's on the third floor - dance club? Lounge?  This place is happening!



Our service was so friendly we didn't even think our server was our server..he just looked like a person dining at the restaurant.

He embodied Queen West-ness in every manner and made us feel very welcome and at home.  Did I mention it was laid-back?

So much so that when my dining partner, who shalt not be named, returned her lamb dish (it was too gamey for her).  I'm surprised that they complied!  Bringing her a 2nd dish: this time, duck (she who shalt not be named LOVED it!).



Jordan, at Czehzgadofski, you are a God.

I heartily enjoyed my burger and fries, the bun was quite interesting...almost like a chinese bun, without the filling. Well, the filling I suppose was my beef patty.





We also tried the mac n cheese, which was amazing...very light and creamy (my stomach wasn't happy with me later, but such is life).



Altogether a 'hip' place to wine and dine, and the nonchalant atmosphere lends itself well to the fact that the tables are situated almost touching with barely enough ass-room to get by.

Oh sorry was that my ass in your soup?  Pardon me.

GIVEAWAY!

My Little Sweat Shop is doing a fantastic "Last Days of Summer" giveaway this month, so be sure to comment on their blog, here to win all these adorable items!