Random Photo: Mandarin Oriental - Twist by Pierre Gagnaire Entrance

Random Photo: Mandarin Oriental

Random Photo: Mandarin Oriental

Starbucks Bearista Photo 8: Christmas!!!

Christmas Bearista Vladimir says:  

Hey, I'm on top of the tree!! 

(cuz Alan can't frickin get a topper he likes)

Random Photo: Seafood Laksa Curry @ Mariposa

Random Photo: Waikiki Sunset

How Soy Sauce Came To The United States

Side Street Inn @ 1225 Hopaka St, Honolulu

In every city, you will find that one 'landmark' restaurant that's loved by locals and revered by visitors; the 'must' go to venue.  It has the best (insert dish here) the comfort food that is quintessentially specific to that locale and it is worth every 'foodies' effort to pilgrimage and bow to it's culinary alter....

So in Honolulu,  Side Street Inn has such a veritable reputation; great Asian comfort food and great for late night dining (probably after consuming copious amounts of liquor)..... And if you ask yourself, why is Alan saying this?


then continue below and you will see....

Japanese Curry Zen @ 5020 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas

Curry!  OMG do I love Curry... Indian Curry, Thai Curry, Japanese Curry-it's all good.. The amalgamation of spices, creating that distinct, deep, rich, umber slurry, with heavenly wafts filling my nostrils; you literally taste it through your olfactory senses like an emotion or a memory (Curry is my Pavlov's dog)..

Curry is a favorite from my childhood; just before spending the Summer vacation in Japan, My Mom would make batches of Curry and hundreds of Fried Dumplings for my Dad to eat while we were gone.  I loved hanging out in the kitchen, helping her cook these dishes, and it is distinctly home cooking.

The video below best shows what I feel inside when I'm near Curry.....just think of me as the cat.....

SmashBurger @ 9101 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas

Okay, so let's be honest here; I've pretty much f*^ked my diet and thrown in the garbage..... then taken it out of garbage, shoved it down my throat then crapped it down the toilet.....okay scratch this introduction......start over...

On my occasional sojourn towards the Western hemisphere of Sin City, I have a list of places where I want to eat to review, but about the time I've reached the front doors of those yet-to-be-ventured dining establishments I scrap it, turn myself around and go to Smashburger- the best brick and mortar burger joint in town.