Showing posts with label hawaiian food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hawaiian food. Show all posts

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Kaukau Las Vegas, NV - Food Review


hawaiian, dessert, island flavor, las vegas @hawaiigirltastyadventures
Guava Chiffon Cake - broke da mout!
Island Flavor, Las Vegas, NV


Visit my new foodie Instagram page! @hawaiigirltastyadventures 



Besides climbing, I love food! Well to be specific, I love Hawaii local food, with Hawaiian and Asian food coming in at a close second. There aren't any eateries here in New England dedicated to Hawaiian food, unless you count the "Poke" eateries. Poke is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer. In Hawaii, traditional Poke consist of cubed Ahi, Maui onions, Inamona, Limu, green onions and maybe (little bit kine) sesame seed oil. There are many other variations, but my second favorite is Shoyu Ahi Poke, in which the cubed Ahi is marinated in shoyu, specifically Aloha Shoyu!

I have yet to see a Poke eatery here in New England that has nailed the traditional and authentic Ahi Poke. Most, if not all, offer bowls with choices of white or brown rice. But there many other "extras" that can be heaped onto that bowl of rice. You can express your "Poke" and create your own bowl. You can even create one that doesn't have raw fish, but cooked chicken. And it's still called a Poke Bowl even if it's not recognized as Poke anymore. As for Poke Burritos, I've never tried one and not too sure if I'd want to. I'll stick to the traditional and authentic styles of Poke over any of the "fusion" styles.

While visiting Las Vegas, NV, I've had the opportunity to dine at many places. But whenever I'm in town, I purposely eat at a Hawaiian eatery, because I can't get that here in New England. 

Food - it's an adventure!

Island Flavor - http://www.islandflavor808.com/
This eatery but far, is THE BEST place to get authentic Hawaiian cuisine in the Las Vegas area. There are "Daily Specials" and the serving portions are HUMONGOUS! Hawaiian music is piped throughout the dining area to enjoy while dining. Every Friday and Saturdays they feature live music performed by local musicians. Freshly made Spam Musubi goes fast so hurry to get yours before they run out daily! Many, many island favorites here! And the waitstaff is super friendly and attentive. Gift cards also available for purchase.


Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke
(several 'styles' to choose from)
hawaiian, ahi, poke, island flavor, las vegas

Aloha Friday Special - Lau Lau Plate
Served with Lomi Salmon, Haupia, Mac Salad and Rice
las vegas, Lau lau, lomi salmon, haupia, mac salad, rice, island flavor, Hawaiian

Tuesday Special - 
Fried Noodle topped with Teri Chicken
Hawaiian, Island Flavor, Fried Noodle, Teri Chicken, las vegas

Kalbi Ribs
Hawaiian, Island Flavor, las vegas


Hawaiian, Island Flavor, las vegas

Live Hawaiian Music - Island Flavor, Las Vegas, NV


Cinnamon's - http://cinnamonsvegas.com/
Ate breakfast here the day we left and wished that we had found it sooner! Everyone who has eaten here raves about it and now I know why! The food here is excellent. We were the first ones through the door and to be seated when they opened at 7am (weekday). The decor and ambiance made me feel like I was back home in Hawaii. I especially love listening to Hawaiian music while we dined. Our waitress was attentive and the owner came over once to ask if she has taken our order. 


Hawaiian, Cinnamon's, las vegas

Guava Chiffon Pancakes (I ordered the Shortstack)
These are just plain Buttermilk pancakes with Guava Sauces
Hawaiian, breakfast, Cinnamon's, las vegas

Portuguese Sausage, Eggs & Toast
Hawaiian, breakfast, Cinnamon's, las vegas

Hawaiian, breakfast, Cinnamon's, las vegas



L&L Hawaiian BBQ - http://llhawaiianbbqlasvegas.com/
We ate at several different locations throughout Las Vegas. Known for its "Hawaiian Comfort Food", you'll find fast food Hawaiian/local fare here. Everything from Hawaiian Sun Drinks to Kauai Kookies and handmade Spam Musubi. Punchcard available.


Hawaiian, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas

Ahi Poke
Hawaiian, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas

Saimin Spam Bowl (takeout)
Hawaiian, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas

Kauai Kookie
Hawaiian, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas



Aloha Hawaiian BBQ
No website for this business but we ate at the 4990 W Craig Rd #4, Las Vegas, NV 89130 location. This looks like L&L Hawaiian BBQ with the same fare. I've tried their "Malasadas" and their version reminds me of Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins rather than the soft donuts I grew up eating. Staff here are super helpful and friendly.


Hawaiian, Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas

Ahi Poke
Hawaiian, Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas

Hawaiian, Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, las vegas




Ice Land - http://www.icelandvegas.com/
Vegan ice cream - yaaaassss please! Serves regular ice cream as well as vegan/non-dairy! Only ate here once, the prices are a bit high. They also serve Gelato and rolled ice cream. Location is in a very busy plaza at the northeast corner of the equally busy Rampart and Charleston Boulevards. Tasty sweetness perfect on a warm desert night! 


I had the Vegan Coconut cone!
vegan, non-dairy, ice cream, las vegas


Bachi Burger - https://bachiburger.com/
Not Hawaiian but a climbing friend highly recommended this eatery and so glad I got a chance to eat here! The food is not something I usually eat, but it was extremely tasty and I found the presentation of the dishes to be very appealing. The waitstaff is very attentive. 


Las Vegas, food,

Bone Marrow Jam
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas

Bachi Fish Burger
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas

BBQ Bachi Burger
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas

Just Fries with Pineapple Ketchup
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas

Hot Matcha Green Tea
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas

Portuguese Donuts with Coffee ice cream 
and Raspberry on the side
Bachi Burger, Las Vegas



Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Petroglyph Wall - Short Walk


Petroglyph Wall, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

After lunch my husband and I took a drive on the Scenic Loop of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. We stopped at a couple of places along the loop, but at the Willow Spring picnic area, we took the easy and short Petroglyph Wall trail to view the Petroglyph Wall. The trail is way too short to be called a hike. But it's a pleasant walk and the Petroglyphs are both fascinating and beautiful to look at.





Along the trail

The trail crosses Red Rock Wash

Gorgeous views from the trail




Las Vegas is nicknamed the "9th Island"
For lunch we dined at the Island Flavor on Durango Drive in the Windmill Plaza. This eatery was highly recommended and I now know why. Their menu is full of Hawaii local favorites, the serving portions are huge (compared to Aloha Kitchen), the prices won't break your pocketbook and the service is quick and full of ALOHA! We walked in and the place was filled with local Hawaiians.....it was like being back on the islands! The walls are decorated with hula implements and posters and photos of the islands. And there's Hawaiian music playing overhead while you dine. Original owners are from the Big Island and the chefs also own Island Style Cafe in San Diego, CA. I give this place 5 stars and highly recommend if you want to dine on Hawaiian local food! From now on this is my go-to place to kaukau, always! 


Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke (1/2 pound)



Ronnie always orders Kalbi Short Ribs. 
It comes with rice and Mac salad. Had a bite
of the Mac salad and it tastes like home!

They have "Daily Specials"
This was the Tuesday Special
Noodles and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

And for dessert we split the Guava Cake!
I'm in love!


Friday, December 15, 2017

Red Rock Canyon - Rock Climbing



Shaka selfie from the top of
"Sweets To The Sweet" - Hamlet Wall

Spent a couple of hours this morning climbing with Marissa and Tammy at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Park! Got a few climbs in on the Hamlet Wall off of the first pullout on Scenic Loop - Sweets To The Sweet (5.7), Frailty Thy Name Is Sandstone (5.7), and To Grunt & Sweat (5.8). Being in Red Rock Canyon was surreal...the rock is so red and has a gritty feel to it. I was so stoked to be finally climbing me some red rock! What an amazing day - I sure will miss  Marissa and Tammy, but hope to be back to climb with them soon. Enjoy some photos taken of our day.


On 'Frailty, Thy Name is Sandstone' with Tammy (in blue) on my belay

Tammy leading 'Frailty, Thy Name is Sandstone'

Marissa leading 'To Grunt to Sweat'

Climbing some red rock! 'To Grunt To Sweat'


Pano from the anchor of 'Sweets To The Sweet'


Got a nice crowd of climbers even on a weekday





This trip to Las Vegas was part of a week vacation with my husband. We got a great deal on a Stay-and-Play (hotel/golf) package! Accommodations at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino plus a round of golf (including cart) for the both of us at Highland Falls (my personal fave!), Eagle Crest and Palm Valley golf courses in Summerlin. We also played a twilight round at the Mountain Course of Angel Park Golf Course, which our hotel overlooks.


Pano view from our hotel room

Staying in Summerlin put us 5 & 10 minutes to the golf courses, and 20 minutes to Red Rock Canyon. Desert golfing with a bit of desert rock climbing - a fantastic week gone by way too quickly. 

Pano - 14th hole at 3070 feet - Highland Falls Golf Course 

There are a lot of places to choose from to eat out in Las Vegas. A few spots we ate at; Kona Grill, Mimi's Cafe (breakfast), Aloha Kitchen (twice!). And at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino we ate at The Game, St. Tropez Buffet, Peng Zu, and Du-par's (breakfast). And I don't have a photo of it, but Aloha Kitchen does have Spam Musubi! I ordered one to-go so I can have one to snack on while golfing.



In case you didn't know, Las Vegas, Nevada is considered the "9th Island". One of the reason it's referenced as the 9th Island is because there are many "Hawaiian transplants" to the desert city. Many have transferred from the islands and now live and work in Vegas. While there we met a lot of former Hawaii residents. As you can see from my photos above, there are several places to eat Hawaiian food and foods local to the island. But you can also purchase Hawaii snacks, foods, and souvenirs at CVS. We were lucky that the CVS closest to our hotel was the one that has a "Hawaiian aisle" as not all CVS carry products from Hawaii. In addition to da rubbah slippahs, chocolate macadamia nuts, Aloha Shoyu, Jade crack seed, mochi crunch, Kona coffee and Hawaiian Sun drinks, they also have a frozen section with Laulau!

CVS #8791
8580 West Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89117

YouTube Channel - Hawaii Girl Adventures

Check out my YouTube channel at:  Hawaii Girl Adventures I will eventually be phasing out blog posts and be posting videos of my climbing, h...