Author: jlmatie22

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Unkai

Went here for breakfast while staying at the ANA Crown Plaza in Hiroshima.

They served a traditional style Japanese breakfast (so very bento like). Only option I had was to choose which fish was part of my bento. Chose the salmon over the mackerel). Gotta say I don’t know what most things I was eating, but did try everything. Only thing I didn’t really finish was the clam miso soup, and this unknown seafood that seemed like they were sea worms lol.

I would come back. The setting, ambiance and food was great.

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Bar Alegre

Dropped by this speakeasy as a recommendation from ChatGPT. Although it wasn’t busy, I would recommend coming back.

First drink I had was their matcha sour, which was basically a whisky sour with matcha (I did ask for no egg white though).

Second drink I had was the bar tenders choice. He basically made me a boulvardier with a whisky from Hiroshima called Sakurao. Campari is still not my thing, but I did appreciate the drink.

The bartender was also super helpful. Gave me good tips of Miyajima (ie what to visit), and how to get there. Also gave me some recommendation for bars I should hit up in Shibuya.

Also I should mention there are two entrances to this place (one is the actual speakeasy, and the other is a bar connected to it). You want to enter with the door that looks like the wall, not the mini tea bowing door. See the pics below.

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Henkutsuya Horikawa

Went to this Okonomiyaki restaurant after the original place I wanted to go to was closed (Okonomimura). And this is the first time I’m trying Okonomiyaki Hiroshima style.

Gotta say, although it wasn’t bad, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get Okonomiyaki again. (The one I got was udon with cheese, pork and egg). The pairing of a highball thought was great.

So let’s say this, I wouldn’t not come back here again (since being Japan I know there are many options for eating).

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Barragan

When I was in Okinawa, wanted to check out American Village. Since it was 10pm, most of the actual shops are closed. But did want to check out the nightlife. First stop was a place called Barragan. The bartender is name G, and he can make any drink to your style. I first ordered a Rob Roy, but I let him make the next drinks (specifying I like scotch, but not peaty, and no simple syrup). 

First drink bartender at Barrandar made: Strawberry lemon juice + arran + ginger juice (fresh)

Other drink the bartender made: Arran + sherry + OG syrup

Also sampled Kokuto Lequio (a mescal pictured) tastes like mackeral.

Also got these recommendations to try: Tears of llorona (recommended tequila to try), Bar hillow. Also, met a guy who was in the navy, and now works for Raytheon defense company. He was describing how in the navy you have on shore (so you can stay with your family) and off shore leave. Each usually lasts 3 years. He wanted to always be off shore. When they denied him that, that is when he switched jobs (his instagram is thebeardedpeterpan). He also has been in Okinawa for 1440 days in the Hilton. He also recommended this area for nightlife next time I’m in Okinawa (it has a lot of the navy folks there):  Gate 2 (area that you can tell taxi drivers) – Koza Street (in Gate 2 where they have places open till 6am).

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Orchid Ryukyu Cusine

Had dinner here when staying at the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort in Okinawa. But it wasn’t just dinner, it was also show that had Ryukyu drum and dancing.

The dinner is buffet style, and had lots Okinawa specific foods. The food I would eat again are the Okinawa pork belly, Okinawa stir-fried noodle, and the Okinawa soba broth (with udon noodles). There was something call sea grapes, which is interesting (didn’t hate or like it). Same with the Okinawa donut (texture was . What I wouldn’t eat again is the roasted pork.

The show itself was good.

Overall I did like the fact this restaurant gave a good introductory experience into Okinawa. I would recommend this to others.

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Ocean Cafe

This is a restaurant in the resort I stayed at in Okinawa, called the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort.

It’s by the pool of the resort, which provides a nice open air and sunlight.

Ordered Jameson on the rocks, a cafe latte, and a spam musubi. The musubi was 4x larger than I expected. But it was great, and just what I want. Also latte was

Update on 4/19 – got their loco moco for lunch another day, and also have to say it was pretty good.

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Shogun Omakase

First proper omakase in a while, and in NYC!

We started by ordering bottle of sake. They poured it into this really neat contraption (see below).

We had a fixed set course. pictures below speak louder than words. Would definitely come back (oyster didn’t even give me a stomach issue and even though they didn’t have a full bar :))

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Paradise Poke Hawaii

Last meal in Waikiki before heading to the airport!

Got the shoyu poke, which was good because it was slightly sweet, which is what I wanted. I will also say that the serving size of the bowl was the correct amount for me.

I would come back to this place for another poke bowl if I was in the area (not necessarily go out of my way though).

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Foodland Farms Poke Bowl Station

Tried the poke bowl from this grocery store because of multiple recommendations from friends.

The order I got was a half and half order. One was the fresh secret spicy ahi poke, and the other one was a more creamy, sweet not spicy one (unfortunately forgot the name).

Overall was a good poke bowl, but also wouldn’t go out of the way for it.

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Herringbone

We checked out this resistant for our last dinner in Waikiki… it definitely did not disappoint.

We were after a seafood platter, and that they did have. We got what they called the sailboat, which came with oysters, shrimp, and lobsters. What I was very impressed about is that the lobster was very minimal work to eat. They had prepared it perfectly (ie cracked everything up) for us, but still maintained enough of the shell for excellent presentation.

We also wanted some steak, so got a 10oz steak medium. Also very good.

And since I wanted some carbs, we got the seafood pasta that had calamari, octopus, and uni. Also a great dish.

For drinks, got an espresso martini (asked for no sweetener), and tried their Mai Tai. I would get the former again, but could get something else other than the Mai Tai.

Overall would definitely come back to this restaurant.