'Ono Kine Grindz

25th Annual Greek Festival

Due to some unforseen circumstances, I wasn't able to go to the Greek Festival on Saturday as I had initially planned.  Nevertheless, things happen and I did manage to get there on Sunday evening a little after 8:00 pm.  The place was still crowded, with lots of people lined up for food, and just as many people in front of the stage dancing to the sweet sounds of the live band.

This year's festival was held at Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavillion.  Here are some of the photos that I took of the festivities and the food.

Refilling the trays with baklava.

It was late, but there were still quite a few people here, especially near the bandstand.

The live band was making everyone happy.

Especially this woman -- getting her groove on.

Here's a salad that I got at one of the tents -- pasta, olives, grape tomatoes, onions and broccoli crowns (US$6.00).

Look at the line for the gyros!

Underneath the tent, there were lots of people milling about.

By the time I reached the front of the line, I was told they didn't have any more gyros, however, they did offer to give me some souvlaki instead for a dollar less (US$5.00).

After the souvlaki and the salad, I decided not to eat the 6pc. mixed bento (US$6.00) that I had purchased.  Instead I brought it home to be eaten later. 

Three different Greek desserts were packed inside a bento container and were sold as a 6pc. mixed bento.  Dessert bento = novel idea.  Inside the container were the following treats:

melomacarona - a cookie drenched in honey.

kourabiethes - a butter cookie covered in powdered sugar.

baklava - and we all know what this is right?

I apologize for not sharing more with you this time around, hopefully I will be able to provide a better report of the festivities next year.

14th Annual Taste of Honolulu

Last night after work, I walked over to the grounds of the Honolulu Civic Center to take part in the 14th Annual Taste of Honolulu. 

As one of the state's larger outdoor festivals, the Taste of Honolulu brings together great food, wines and entertainment.  Many of Hawaii's top restaurants participate in this event which benefits the Hawaii Easter Seals.

I haven't been to the Taste of Honolulu in quite sometime, but what really sparked my interest this year were some of this year's participants.  Two of the participants, Hapa Grill and the Mandalay, have not yet opened for business so it was nice to be able to get a preview of the food ahead of time.  After paying my $3.00 entrance fee, I proceeded to enter the festival grounds.

Once inside, I made my way to one of the booths selling scrips. 

The scrips (US$.75 each; US$5.00 for 9) will be used to pay for the food, drinks and other items at the various booths.  I started off with US$35.00 worth.

First on my list of stops was Hapa Grill.

HAPA's teriyaki beef with rice.

Next on my list of stops was the Mandalay.

Fresh Manila clams with black bean sauce.

After that it was on to E&O Trading Company.

Combo:  Be thui (Saigon steak), perkedel jagung (Indonesian corn fritters) and ginn thoke (Burmese ginger salad).

After eating all of that, I was a little stuffed, but I still had a lot of scrips left over.  Instead of leaving, I decided to walk around a bit.  Look at the crowd!

Free fruit.

And some rides for the kids...

After making my way around the rest of the festival grounds, I came upon Kevin's Too Boots.

Spicy smothered alligator.

Sweet potato pie.

Next up, Yakiniku Hiroshi.

U.S. Kobe-style "toro" kalbi in lettuce wrap (U.S. Kobe-style beef is Wagyu).

Still hungry?  It was finally time for dessert.

Kahuku apple banana & taro root with tapioca and coconut milk.

And from the Top of Waikiki booth (sorry, no photo), the chocolate fondue with fresh Kula strawberries, sponge cake croutons and whipped cream.

After all of that, I called it a night...

4th Annual Korean Festival

Yesterday, the 4th Annual Korean Festival was held at Kapiolani Park.  There was a lot going on at the festival.  I'll just the photos speak for themselves.

The entertainment.

The exhibits.

The food.

The crowds of hungry people.