Hale'iwa Beach House

We are now on Oahu's North Shore continuing the Hawaii Honeymoon bliss!! Here's a look at a great dinner we had at Haleiwa Beach House. 

Kalua Pork Grilled Cheese ($15) | toasted pullman bread with warm goat cheese, white cheddar, pickled onion and kalua pork

Lobster Cob Salad ($24) | warm lobster + grilled croutons served atop a medley of waipoli greens, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, bacon and a 7 minute egg. tossed in an avocado ranch dressing.

Whole Roasted Catch of the Day (MP) | a ginger scallion beurre blanc, atop a bed of ponzu braised baby bok choy served with white rice

Hale'iwa Beach House

62-540 Kamehameha Hwy

Haleiwa, HI 96712

Around DTX | Les Z, Townsman, Yvonne's

Today I'm giving a little shoutout to some staples around my office. Whether you're looking to switch up the after work routine or happen to be Downtown or Financial District bound, here are four fun bars to check out. The happy hour eats are highlighted where applicable!

Les Zygomates | 129 South St | Leather District

A classy wine bar and bistro with a relaxed vibe, Les Z has definitely earned a spot as a favorite. With 1$ Oysters on weekdays from 3-7 pm, live jazz and an outstanding wine list, you can't go wrong. 

Townsman | 120 Kingston Street | DTX / Financial District / Chinatown Border

Townsman's Cider Shrub ($11) made simply with vodka, a cider reduction and black salt (photo above, far right) is one of the best cocktails to hit the scene as of late. There's something about a shrub that is fresh, dazzling and really speaks to me. And that black sea salted rim is brilliant. An exciting rendition of an old school cocktail to try at Townsman is their Dry Martini Service ($12) combining Plymouth gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Chambery and Fees Orange Bitters, served resting in an iced carafe garnished with a lemon twist, pickled onion and a Castelvetrano olive. Alongside, nosh on tasty plates like Brussels Sprouts ($8) with malt vinegar aioli, harissa spice and pork fat croutons and the Spring Carrot Creste di Gallo ($24) an exceptional pasta dish with chicken sugo and toasted breadcrumbs.

Central Bistro | 101 Arch Street | Downtown Crossing

Central Bistro (formerly Petit Robert Central) exudes a warm, tasteful Parisian inspired atmosphere that livens up the midday workweek lunch. Pictured above is the Central BLT ($10) and their black raspberry and vanilla ice cream Baked Alaska ($9). After work it's easy to find a spot at their sprawling wraparound bar, where a solid beer and cocktail program and the Rendezvous menu: $5 appetizers from 4-6 pm await you. 

Yvonne's | 2 Winter Place | Downtown Crossing

I love this bedazzled chandelier in the women's bathroom at Yvonne's. The space in its entirety is luxe, opulent and worth checking out. It is almost always packed but if you've snagged a seat or standing room at one of two bars, give the Bairdly Legal ($11) with mezcal, cynar, passionfruit, and grapefruit soda a try.  My only experience with the food has been passed appetizers at events here, but if they are any indication, it's seriously good!

Where else do I need to check out?!

The Wayland | East Village, NYC

The final NYC brunch was at The Wayland in Alphabet City - a hip, artistic, bohemian neighborhood of Manhattan's East Village. I only wish we had more time to explore around the graffiti imaged, community garden centered, up and come streets after our delicious meal! It started with their signature Garden Variety Margarita ($11) made with blue agave blanco tequila, ginger-kale juice, lime juice, agave nectar and smoked sea salt. A margarita + ginger-kale juice = a healthy, rejuvenating buzz. The boys went all out with a dish aptly named The Man Child ($14) a heaping plate of three eggs any style, bacon, sausage bread, fried fingerling potatoes + Brussels hash. Leah had the Breakfast Tacos ($8) - 2 fried eggs on corn tortillas w/ bacon, avocado, refried beans, cilantro, salsa + smoked pepper sauce. I went for something totally different which was their Cauliflower + Egg Sandwich ($11) - crispy cauliflower, shishito peppers, soft scrambled eggs, pickled onions + cilantro on a baguette. I absolutely loved it.

The Wayland

700 E 9th Street

New York, NY 10009

Esselon Cafe | Hadley

On our Western, MA getaway, we awoke from a refreshing night sleep at Lord Jeffrey Inn and ventured one town over to Hadley for brunch at Esselon Cafe. Esselon is an independent small batch coffee roaster, also featuring rare and exotic teas and a full menu in a Parisian inspired cafe. With ornate pressed gold ceilings, exposed brick walls, and bags upon bags of Brazilan, Costa Rican and Guatemalan coffee beans, the bistro space is enchanting. On a warm spring morning guests dine on the sunny patio and take advantage of the sprawling garden space. 

Service is counter style and as this place is super popular with locals, you can expect a line. We each started with a Personal French Press ($4) which is about three cups. With coffee roasted so exquisitely, you'll want every last drop. I chose the Ethiopian coffee gravitating to its sweet fruity notes and creamy body. For brunch, Bob had the Big Brekkie ($10) consisting of two eggs, bacon, sausage, sauteed mushrooms, toast and a grilled potato cake. I had the Smoked Salmon Benedict ($11) served on organic ciabatta, which comes with a side of tomato soup (or a side salad.) We loved it here. If you're in the area, Esselon on the Hadley Common in between Amherst and Northampton is one not to miss!

Esselon - Cafe + Coffee Roasting Co

99 Russel Street

Hadley, MA 01035

 


*Our meal was provided thanks to Hampshire County Regional Tourism + 
Massachusetts Office of Travel + Tourism.

Where to Eat in Newport, Oregon

Oregon landscapes have been taking center stage and now I'm excited to share some terrific food and drink finds from our third road trip destination, Newport!

We arrived to our hotel Hallmark Resort around 7:30 pm on a Wednesday evening and quickly headed out to dinner; no longer strangers to the early restaurant closing times in these parts! After a fulfilling but long day hiking, beach combing and driving I was craving comfort food. Noodle Café in the well known Newport Bayfront turned out to be a perfect choice. A no-frills space serving affordable Pan-Asian fare with local seafood, hand tossed noodles and made from scratch soup stocks, I felt like we tapped into a local haunt.

 Crab Wontons made with local Dungeness crab meat + cream cheese were an excellent prelude to Ramen Noodle Soup featuring a miso Japanese broth with shrimp tempura. This bowl offered just the comfort and warmth I craved. The House Special Wok Tossed Udon showcased the bounty of Newport Bay with shrimp and scallops, plus calamari and vegetables in a garlic soy sauce.

While at Noodle Café Bob and I were discussing our plans for breakfast. At my mention of heading to La Maison the woman next to us chimed in to sing its praises. She turned out to be Celeste of the family that owns local Mo's Seafood restaurants. We got to talking about the blog and before she left, Celeste slipped me a note to text her if we wanted to visit Mo's for a bowl of their famous Clam Chowder and Marionberry Cobbler on her. How sweet!

With her glowing recommendation we headed to La Maison Bakery & Café the next morning where superb three egg omelets come with giant flaky croissants, creamy butter and sticky-sweet jams from France. This was an absolutely phenomenal breakfast and one we won't soon forget. No matter what dish you choose, the Bananas & Cream to start are a must. La Maison also serves lunch. 

Fresh Bananas and Cream ($5) with toasted hazelnuts and brown sugar / Loire Valley Omelet ($10.25) grilled artichokes, mushrooms, Gruyere cheese and artichoke sauce / Paris Omelet ($10) French brie wrapped in prosciutto dusted with fresh chives.

Our second night in the beautiful Bayfront community brought us to Local Ocean Seafoods, a casual yet sophisticated fish market and grill. The bright industrial space is defined by an open kitchen and large windows with garage style glass doors. This was the first restaurant we visited that was truly bustling with clientele. We spent our half-hour wait admiring the massive fishing boats docked in the harbor across the street. 

We started with a creamy Roasted Garlic & Dungeness Crab Soup. I sipped on a local red wine Rubio Syrah-Pinot Noir from Penner Ash Vineyards in Willamette Valley. For our entrees, the Grilled Halibut comes over a heaping portion of swiss chard, edamame and bacon mingling with Udon noodles in a ponzu sauce. Pan Fried Yaquina Bay Oysters are panko buttermilk crusted, served with fennel slaw and fries. For creatively prepared, super fresh dock-to-table seafood, I would highly recommend Local Ocean. 

Consecutive nights after dinner we hit up the only bar and only spot open late (until midnight) on Bay Boulevard The Rogue Bayfront Public House. We were happy campers here, mingling with the upbeat bartenders and making friends with like minded travelers. 

We met a couple from Chicago who was staying at the same hotel, in the room directly above us. What are the chances? We got bottles of beer to-go and continued the party on their balcony! For some reason I always remember this conversation with them when comparing notes on where we ate in town. "Why would you come all the way here and go to a noodle joint?!" 

Because person I just met who is calling me out: they have comforting Asian cuisine (score) with LOCAL SEAFOOD (win) overlooking the Bayfront and no one knows about it. Sometimes the goal is to follow your instincts/cravings and eat where the locals do. After all, this is where the owner of Mo's Seafood eats on her night off!

And speaking of. Finally, Mo's. These family owned seafood restaurants are a local institution, so I knew we had to take Celeste up on her offer. We headed to the original Bayfront location for an early lunch before departing to Willamette Valley. Our cheerful waitress Debbie was in-the-know and promptly served us our chowder and cobbler at no charge. The New England style chowder offered smooth, velvety, medium-thick broth loaded with small chunks of potatoes, bits of bacon, and briny clams, dusted with paprika and parsley. Mo's has truly perfected NE Clam chowder out here on the Oregon Coast. It was THAT GOOD. And I can easily see why the cobbler is a must order. Vanilla ice cream pools into plump, sweet, tart and juicy berries overflowing from a homemade flaky crust. Heaven!

 Mo's Claim Chowder ($5.50) - what made them famous! / Fried Calamari ($9.95)
lightly breaded tubes and tentacles served with cocktail and tartar sauce / Rogue "Mo" Ale Hefeweizen ($5.25) / Marion Berry Cobbler ($5.25) - Mo's signature homemade dessert.

[Recap - all are fondly recommended!]

Breakfast: La Maison / 315 SW 9th St 

Carl's Coffee @ Nye Beach / 715 NW Beach Drive

Lunch: Mo's Seafood / The Original Mo's: 622 SW Bay Blvd

Dinner: Noodle Café / 837 SW Bay Blvd 

Local Ocean Seafoods / 213 SE Bay Blvd

Drinks: Rogue Bayfront Public House / 784 SW Bay Blvd 

Rogue Brewer's on The Bay / 2320 OSU Drive

second beer photo source