CPK? Uh, we have one of those...

Last Thursday was my birthday, and I spent the day at work.  That was just fine with me, since my party wasn’t until the next night.  Still yet, I couldn’t just ignore the day my momma gave me, so after I finished my shift at 9pm I met Lia at one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Waikiki: California Pizza Kitchen. 

A taste of the mainland, in the center of Waikiki.

Of course I’m being facetious - CPK is a national chain, and if you live in a major metropolitan area , or a major suburb with a mall, you’ve probably encountered one.  That may be why when I recommend CPK as one of many dining options to inquiring visitors, some respond “ Uh, we have one of those…sooo.”  

Sooo… E Komo Mai, welcome to Waikiki.  A major metropolis with a trolley that runs every 5 minutes to Ala Moana Shopping Center.  Unfortunately the area’s lacking in the category of inexpensive, sit-down, indigenous restaurants that you were expecting to be within walking distance of your hotel.   So, you can eat at the CPK down the block, or the one at the mall. 

I digress and I rant, but it’s hard out here for a concierge sometimes when the closest option for “authentic” Hawaiian fare is Kenny’s at the Royal Hawaiian food court.  Again, some guests just aren’t lookin’ to crawl the mall for every meal.

Endless iced tea... bottoms up! 

Anyways, back to my birthday bolognese at CPK.  I got just that, and a bottomless mango iced tea.  I always order the spaghetti Bolognese here, because I can always count on it tasting good and hitting the spot (not too sweet… a lot of red sauces can have a cavity-quality to them, but this one doesn’t go that route).  It was an especially appropriate choice, since every year for my birthday my mom used to cook spaghetti for me.  Nothing beats the homemade, but it was the best I could do without Ma’dear.

Our server for the evening was Rachelle, just the sweetest thing.  All bubbly and genuine and friendly smiles.  In an attempt to embarrass me, Lia mentioned that it was my birthday, and Rachelle happily brought us an ice cream sundae with a candle, and led the b’day serenade.  Also, in accordance with family tradition, Lia took a photo of me faux-blowing the candle out, since the camera missed the real blow.

A faux blow for the camera...

Other perks about the Waikiki CPK include a warm atmosphere, with the option of indoor, bar, or outdoor seating.  It takes a bit longer to get a seat outside during peak dinner hours, but it’s worth it.  The 2nd floor lanai in the heart of Waikiki is great people watching, and I was a little too excited about the opportunity to capture the Newspaper Man on camera without having to pay! Haha, Lia was not impressed.

HA!  This just in... I'm amused.

Finally, they offer kamaaina discount of 20% if you show your Hawaii ID or local bank card.

DOA ?:  That could be interesting, but it’s just dinner, so you can probably wait.

HAUNT OR EXORCISE?:  Haunt it like a mall rat haunts Jamba.  Or like I haunt Cinnabon (now that’s one mall chain that Waikiki is really missing out on!)

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
2284 Kalakaua Avenue (Center of Waikiki Bulding, 2nd Floor (above Foot Locker))
Honolulu, HI 96815

out for labor day: A PHOTO ESSAY

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M:  I thought this was a theme party, I was going for biker-chic.

L:  uhhh...

L:  ...looks like S&M's the trend.  I'm suprised they let you in.

M:  Me too. Let's check out the dance floor.

M:  There's bears in here.

L:  Yeah there are.

M:  Hey, some seats opened up at the bar...

M:  Hi Talon!  (...Miller Time tik tok...)  Check Please!

L:  I'm sober, let's go.

M:  Anything for you, Snooks.  Goodnight bar.  Goodnight bears.  Goodnight moon.

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EAT, PRÆ, LOVE

Friday night I headed to Nobu, the sleek Japanese restaurant and lounge in the Waikiki Parc Hotel, for the launch of the PRÆ party. The title of this post is almost completely irrelevant to my review, as I didn’t eat anything at Nobu, and while I enjoyed myself, I wouldn’t say I loved the party. Frankly I just wanted to reference the best-seller-turned-feature film that got Julia Roberts and countless choosy moms exploring Hinduism. Surprising as it may seem, it’s not uncommon - many others felt similarly inspired to explore Catholicism after “Doubt,” or Helen Hunt after “Pay It Forward.”

My friend and I walked through a tunnel of blue light to get to the lobby of the Waikiki Parc, so modern and chic. We entered the restaurant and I spotted my beautiful female friend Coco. Sauntering by the bar, Coco’s all legs and the most fashionable lady in red-lips gracing the room.

I'll have what she's having...

I kissed her on the cheek, exchanged pleasantries, and took a sip of her jet-lag inspired cocktail: crown and ginger ale. I then started my own tab at the bar, ordering the special of the night, $7 kettle one & whatever. The friend I came with got a watermelon martini - made with care and garnished with melon, rind and all. No seeds, though. Later we all enjoyed a tasting of pina-martinis, fruity and sweet it was like a spiked, melted shave ice.

The atmosphere was warm and the DJ was spinning a hypnotic mix of trance beats, an appropriate soundtrack for the night. The reason why I wasn’t loving it, however, was because this lounge was a little too small for such a large party. The place was packed, standing room only by 10:30pm. The crowd was taking away from the fashionable feel, and the room was dotted by a few too many surf tees. I’m not one to comment on dress code, but Coco must have felt violated by the indiscretion.

Full Bar!  A promoter's prayers answered

We eventually snagged a table and a friend ordered bubbly-bottle service. Champagne appeared to be the classy carbonated alternative to beer all around the room that night. Later I spotted someone across from us looking all like a “white Fantasia Barino,” to which Coco replied “didn’t she try to kill herself?” Is nothing sacred? The rumor mill just won’t quit; even at Nobu, our former American Idol can’t catch a break. She has a new album out.

We spent the rest of the night discussing things like a recent spread featuring models holding handbags and dressed as bears, and what to wear to the aloha bears party at Hula’s. TBD.


DOA? : No need. The champagne will go straight to your head.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE? : I’ll haunt Nobu another night. Plus, I really want to eat there sometime. I’ve been told I’ll love it.


NOBU WAIKIKI
2233 Helumoa Road (Waikiki Parc Hotel, lobby level)
Honolulu, HI 96815

UP IN FLAMES @ RumFire

This past Sunday I decided to check out the scene at RumFire, a sleek oceanfront bar and lounge at the Sheraton Waikiki. Every last Sunday from 7-11pm the venue plays host to a homo-centric dance party. Just moments after I walked in, a kind soul bought me a drink, earning the scene some early points.

I had gone to the outdoor cash-only bar overlooking the pool deck, and the bartender was so apologetic that she had run out of the night’s $5 special - skyy vanilla- and insisted on mixing any other drink for the same price. At any rate, I hadn’t had vanilla vodka since early college, and I wasn’t looking to revisit that unfortunate flavor of hangover. So I let the lovely bartender choose a drink for me. She insisted on a Bacardi Melon with Sprite. Hmm, it tasted like cavities, but I figured I shouldn’t go to Rum Fire without touching the rum.

The Fire Wall

While many guests lounged inside RumFire by the light of the illuminated bar, glowing orange from ceiling to floor, others were scattered about the outdoor tables, lit and warmed by torches and caldrons of fire. The dancing was outside too, with the DJ and sound system set-up on this first terrace of the pool deck. Sweet tea in hand I headed toward the small mass of people on the dance floor to meet a friend. In the midst of the dancing I also met the evening’s birthday boy, adorned with leis and moving to the rhythm of PCD’s “Buttons” ft. Snoop Dogg. I got in on the action when the beat dropped on “New York.” I did the Jay-Z part of that once at Wang’s (probably woulda been better off doing any of Nicole’s parts in “Buttons”).

concrete jungle where dreams are made of...

I had met a fun group dancing - the birthday entourage - including the event’s promoter Kevin, who apparently makes sure the party’s crackin’ at RumFire on a monthly basis. The DJ packed up around 11pm, and after consulting with the man of the hour on his B’day wishes, it was on to the next one…

DOA? : Drunk on arrival? I was.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE? : The outdoor dance party, the hospitable staff, and the warm ambience makes RumFire a hauntable hot spot.

RUMFIRE
2255 Kalakaua Ave (Lobby level of the Sheraton Waikiki)
Honolulu, HI 96815