Has the heat finally peaked? Tokyo highs may drop below 30°C this week; around Palaceside Building, stepping outside no longer means a furnace. Kids on summer break face a homework crunch. Time to wrap up Hawaii—with food.
A little about food.
After our sandbar day-trip to "heaven's sea," we had snacks, then planned loco moco at Hotel New Otani near Kaimana Beach toward Honolulu Zoo from Waikiki.
We went to "Eggs 'n Things" overlooking Waikiki
Arrived ~3:45 p.m.—closed 2–4 p.m. Waited 10 minutes at a souvenir shop, returned to no queue ＝photo left. Family smiled—we'd seen endless lines every pass.
Lucky.
Hawaii-born, now nationwide in Japan—Harajuku, Odaiba, Yokohama, Enoshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka. Famous queues; we tried the original.
All-day egg breakfast—pancakes popular with Japanese. Strawberry whip pancakes $12.75, special French toast $12.95, drinks ＝receipt top right. Whipped cream with macadamia; maple and Hawaiian guava syrups among three.
When served, mood was "peace" ＝top photo.
That cream mountain—pour syrup freely. Overwhelming.
I like sweets, but this was intense. Six thick pancakes, three French toasts—we left half ＝photo left.
Not bad—just very sweet and huge; the volume
exceeded our stomachs—a small "trial."
That evening none of us were hungry—onigiri and sandwiches from a nearby supermarket sufficed.
Next night, loco moco. Guidebook B-grade gourmet led us to "Aloha Table" in a Waikiki alley instead of New Otani ＝sign photo.
Japanese chain in Hawaii—Ginza, Akasaka, Nakameguro, Yokohama, Nagoya. Many Japanese guests; open-air space was nice ＝photo left.
Loco moco—Hawaii-born, rice with hamburger patty.
Basically hamburger bowl. Ours: double patties, egg, swimming in demi-glace ＝photo left. Pure "bliss."
Appetizer platter—salad, fried chicken, shrimp, tuna carpaccio ＝photo bottom too
Good.
Local beer, then piña colada ＝photo left. Tropical as hoped.
Staff recently from Japan said seasoning differs—we may try the Japan branch.