Suitcase Souvenirs: Maui - Part 2

Maui, HI
February 17-22, 2013

The road to Hana town is a loopy drive along the northeast shore of Maui, with over 50 bridges to cross (many of them are single lane) and amazing scenery. There are lots of hairpin turns on this road, so if you're prone to motion sickness, take appropriate medication with you. Plan for at least a full day for this trip. From Kahului, it took us about 4 hours to drive the 70 or so miles to Hana. There are tons of roadside turnouts and we took advantage of most of them for the views and photo opportunities. There were some amazing views of the shoreline and lots of beautiful waterfalls to admire. Apparently there are black sand beaches and lava tubes to check out, but we missed those!

view.on.drive.to.hana

tiny.bridge

waterfalls.near.hana

Many Maui tourist brochures have ads from the Hana Bay Picnic Co in Paia, the last town to load up on food and gas before reaching Hana. Their claim to fame was their picnic box lunches, which ended up being nothing more than a combo containing a glorified sandwich, a small bag of chips, and a cookie. They also sell many items that tourists may need along the way, including sunscreen, ponchos, motion sickness pills, and CDs to follow along to for a self-guided tour. Though this is a convenient stop for food and sundries for the trip, I would have been happier stocking up on stuff from the grocery store we went to the night before in Kahului. In addition, there are a bunch of self-serve flower and snack stands as you get closer to Hana (they operate by the honor system - make sure you have exact change!). Some claim to carry amazing banana bread! We picked up some tasty coconut brittle at the Nahiku self-serve stand.

nahiku.self.serve

Most people head back to Kahului the same way they got to Hana. Andrew was feeling adventurous and upon talking to locals, he was convinced that it was ok to drive back via the south shore, as long as the conditions were dry. The car rental companies warn against driving on this road due to the isolation, stretches of bumpy unpaved roads, blind corners, and some paths being at the edge of cliffs. We drove with caution, and at one point a Hike Maui van passed us and Andrew decided to follow them as close as he could because they were driving confidently and knew when to honk to warn oncoming traffic at the blind twists and curves.

scary.section.of road

We were treated to some spectacular views completely different from the northeast shore. At one lookout, the landscape showed a beautiful rocky shoreline in one direction, and complete desert in the other direction. Another thing I didn't expect to see was the number of cows in Maui - it was even more than what one would typically see driving along the highways in Alberta!

maui.south.shore

The afternoon before our flight out of Maui, we decided to drive from Kahului along the north shore to see the blowhole at Nakalele Point. From the parking lot, it's about a 15 minute hike down to see the blowhole, but there are warning signs for visitors to not get too close, as the waves are so strong that they have sucked people away into the ocean before.

warning!

dude.ignoring.warning.sign

nakalele.blowhole

After our visit to the blowhole, we were able to say that we drove along the entire shoreline of the island (as far as the highways would allow). We decided to try to accomplish this on island of Kauai as well...stay tuned!

maui.northwest.shoreline

Suitcase Souvenirs: Maui - Part 1

Maui, HI
February 17-22, 2013

This was our first trip to the Hawaiian islands, and my first real beach vacation. We chose to visit Maui on the recommendation of many others who have frequented the island in the past. I loved it enough to want to go back in the future! The highlights of the trip were snorkeling, driving the road to Hana, catching the sunrise at the Mt Haleakala crater, attending a luau, and seeing the Nakalele Blowhole.

We managed to snorkel in 3 different areas around the island; our favorite spot was at Honolua Bay along the northwest coast of Maui. The waters were calm the morning we went, and we got to see the most variety in the sea life here. 

honolua.bay

The other 2 snorkeling spots we checked out were Black Rock just off of Kaanapali Beach, and Turtle Town at Maluaka Beach. It may have been bad timing for us, but we found that Black Rock was too busy for our liking, and although Maluaka Beach is supposed to have calm and still water, we got there near evening when the currents had picked up and so it wasn't welcoming to snorkeling. 

maluaka.beach

We found this site to be incredibly useful in planning our snorkeling journeys. Some friends also recommended going on a snorkeling sail out to Molokini Crater, where the water is supposed to be incredibly clear for snorkeling. We didn't do that this time because we figured there would be enough places to explore right off the beaches of the island.

kamaole.beach.1

When in Maui, one must partake in a Luau! Went to the Old Lahaina Luau because it had higher ratings on Trip Advisor and because it was recommended by others. It's about $100 per person, and it includes a traditional Hawaiian buffet, unlimited drinks (including yummy alcoholic beverages), and entertainment.

old.lahaina.luau

We did this early on in our trip and that is what I would suggest to others. It really sets the tone for a Hawaiian vacation. Upon entering the luau site, guests were greeted with a fresh orchid lei and a Hawaiian cocktail. We were then free to roam around the grounds with live Hawaiian music playing in the background. We also got to watch the unearthing of the kalua pork - a pig that has been roasted in an underground pit.

kalua.pork.unearthing

It was to be served to us at dinner. Next was the buffet dinner, which included traditional foods like poi, which is steamed, mashed taro. It was meant to be a palate cleanser as it had no flavor to it. Many people didn't like it, but the taste eventually grew on me (or maybe because I mixed with other items on my plate). Other dishes included things like ahi poke (marinated tuna sashimi), fresh island fish, and the aforementioned kalua pork. The last event of the evening was the Hula dancing and music telling the history of Polynesia and how inhabitants migrated over to the islands Hawaiian islands of today.

traditional.hawaiian.dancing

Another "must-see" while in Maui is the sunrise at Haleakala Crater. Depending on what time the sun rises and where you are on the island, you may have to get up as early as 3 AM to get to the observatory on time - not only for the sunrise, but to get a parking spot and to find a good spot to watch the sunrise. On the day we went, the sun was to rise at 6:45 AM, so we got up at 3:50 to leave our hotel by 4:30 make the 1.5 hour drive from Kahului to Mt Haleakala's summit. I was told that the summit is chilly, so I had on 4 layers: a tank top, a fleece lined long-sleeved shirt, a yoga zip up, and a fleece hoodie, with gloves, closed toed shoes, and jeans. I was still cold!

It was very foggy when we arrived at the summit. At around 6:45, there was still a lot of cloud cover and we were worried that we wouldn't see the sun.

fogginess.at.mt.haleakala

A few minutes later, all of the fog and some of the clouds magically cleared away and we were able to see the rising sun.

sunrise.at.mt.haleakala

We enjoyed the view for about half an hour before it started to fog over again. We then descended and carried on with our day. Though the $10 admission fee is valid for 3 days, we didn't get a chance to go back to enjoy the view at sunset.

Stay tuned for Maui Part 2 and Maui Eats!

Suitcase Souvenirs: Maui Sneak Peak

Sunrise on top of Mt Haleakala

Wailua Falls south of the town of Hana

Chicken and Waffles - Part 2

Note: One One Eight is permanently closed.

I found another restaurant in Edmonton that serves chicken and waffles, so I rounded up my C&W crew for another installment of the battle of the chicken and waffles. One One Eight was the location of our third chicken and waffles adventure.

One One Eight
11806 Jasper Ave
780-482-0707

The version of C&W here includes a bacon waffle (3 triangles, to be exact), and buttermilk battered chicken with a side of maple caramel. The two pieces of chicken were delicious; the buttermilk coating was crispy, the chicken was well-flavoured and moist, and it didn't taste too greasy. Katie really liked the fact that dark meat was used here.

The waffles were sweet and had a light addition of bacon in the batter. We all agreed that it could have used more bacon. I also felt that they could have been slightly crispier. What I had a bigger problem with was that the waffle had cooled to room temperature when it was served to me, though the chicken was hot and fresh.

The side of maple-flavored caramel syrup was a good addition to the dish. It wasn't too sweet yet it added a nice contrast to the savoury chicken. I liked how it came on the side to prevent the chicken and waffles from getting too soggy, and so that we could use as much or as little as we wanted.

After 3 chicken and waffle experiences, here are my preferences (though there are only minor differences between the rankings):
1) The Common
2) One One Eight
3) Sugarbowl

These rankings above are based on taste, satiety, and value, with taste contributing most to the overall score.  We unanimously agreed that the waffles from The Common tasted best due to its crispiness and the higher bacon-to-batter ratio. We preferred the chicken from One One Eight because of its crispy exterior and its moist and savoury dark meat. The Sugarbowl chicken and waffles were the most filling, while we were left feeling only just satisfied at One One Eight and The Common. I liked the watermelon that accompanied the dish at The Common. At One One Eight, there was a measly smattering of arugula and a small handful of spring mix at the Sugarbowl. Thinking about value, both The Common and One One Eight charge $17 while the dish is only $12 at the Sugarbowl. The $5 difference in price helps to boost the Sugarbowl's overall C&W score.

Our C&W team is still searching for other restaurants that serve chicken and waffles in the Edmonton area! Give me shout if there are other establishments you know about!

Battle of the Chicken & Waffles!

Earlier this fall, Andrew and I went to The Common with our friends Jon and Katie. They told us that the must have dish was the chicken and waffles, and we obliged. During the meal, we talked about how the Sugar Bowl also serves something similar. Being satisfied with how chicken and waffles tasted together, we were open to trying the chicken and waffles from the Sugar Bowl. We made it a mission to compare the two in a battle of the chicken and waffles!

The Common
9910 109 St
Two crispy chicken strips were served with quartered pieces of waffle. The waffle batter had wild boar bacon mixed right in, which added another level of complexity to the taste of the waffle. Andrew proclaimed that these were the best waffles he has ever eaten. The chicken was nicely cooked and moist and the coating stayed crispy until the last bite. In addition, pickled watermelon was served on the side. I was a bit leery of the name, but it ended up being fabulous and the marinade was very subtle and didn't detract from the sweetness of the watermelon. The plate was topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and a mild chili paste.

Sugar Bowl
10922 88 Ave
When our plates were placed in front of us, we were greeted by a warm and buttery aroma. The thick and fluffy waffles were drizzled with maple butter, but an extra helping of the maple butter also accompanied the dish. The waffle batter itself was already sweet, but the maple butter also helped to moisten it. The chicken was succulent and savoury, and the flavor was enhanced with a dash of maple butter. The only drawback to this was that the chicken didn't stay crispy for long and the batter fell off the meat after a while. Alongside the chicken and waffles, a handful of spring mix was scattered on the plate.

So what did we think?
We were very pleased with The Common's version of chicken and waffles because of the addition of unique features like bacon in the waffle batter. We couldn't stop thinking about the next time we would return to have chicken and waffles. However, we weren't left feeling entirely satiated after the meal. The Sugar Bowl gave generous portions (a big, thick waffle and 2 large pieces of chicken) and I was stuffed before even finishing the plate.

The Common's version cost us $16.50 while we were only out $12 at the Sugar Bowl. Since our visit to The Common, the cost of the dish has increased to $17 and instead of watermelon, it is now served with goat cheese and blackberry on the side.

With only taste and quality in mind, the chicken and waffles from The Common clearly win as we were blown away by it. But when comparing other factors such as the price tag and serving size, the Sugar Bowl gains more points which now makes it difficult to choose between the two! Bottom line: if you want bacon in your waffle and crispy chicken in a hip and modern setting, go to The Common. If you want something more filling with a better value in a warm and cozy atmosphere, go to the Sugar Bowl!

De Dutch = Delish

De Dutch Pannekoek House
10030 Jasper Ave
(587) 520-8841

My coworker Cheryl has mentioned how much she loved this restaurant and would go each time she visited family in BC. It was announced earlier this year that the De Dutch franchise was expanding to Alberta. Being a huge fan of breakfast foods, I eagerly awaited its arrival to Edmonton. It finally opened downtown earlier this month and I jumped at the opportunity to go.

My first encounter with pannekoek was in Calgary at the Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus; I absolutely loved it. Today's experience was no different. I knew I wanted to try something savoury and sweet. For my savoury pannekoek, I was drawn to the picture featuring The Hash on the menu. It is a pannekoek lining a large plate, topped with a large ramekin filled with hash browns, bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and cheese, with a choice of ham, sausage, turkey bacon, or DeBakon. All of this is topped with Hollandaise sauce. I decided to try the DeBakon, which is back bacon. When my plate arrived, I was unsure of whether to eat the hash browns separately from the pannekoek. Eventually, I figured out that the best way to enjoy my meal was to dump some of the hash brown mixture on top of the pannekoek, add some ketchup, and eat it all together. I quite liked the texture of the pannekoek: crispy on the outside and very moist and slightly doughy on the inside.

The Hash: $13.25

Andrew chose the Meat Lover ($14), which had ham, DeBakon, sausage, and turkey bacon mixed in with the pannekoek batter. It was topped off with slices of edam cheese and tomato. His selection was incredibly tasty as well.

Meat Lover

For our sweet pannekoek, we shared the Peach Melba and Whip ($12.50). We didn't ask, but the server had indicated to the kitchen staff that we wanted to split it, so it came to us nicely presented on separate plates. I absolutely enjoyed this pannekoek too. The diced peaches were firm and not mushy like typical canned peaches. The raspberry sauce wasn't seedy and didn't detract from the taste of the peaches. The only thing that could have improved my sweet pannekoek experience is to have the fruit served warm as well.

Peach Melba + Whip

I was a bit put off by how much my tea cost ($3), especially when it wasn't something I considered fancy tea (it was Bigelow orange pekoe tea). Andrew had also ordered a side of hash browns ($2.75) and we were laughing at the fact that my tea cost more than a plate of potatoes.

I knew I would be frequenting this restaurant again in the future, so I opted to sign up for their De Club loyalty program. For a $5 fee, you are given a card to collect points on purchases (1 point per dollar spent). For every 125 points collected, members receive a $10 voucher. There is also a $10 gift certificate given upon activation, to use on a future visit. In addition, there is a special offer for members on their birthday (I have yet to find out what that is).

I was very satisfied with my visit to De Dutch. The service was a bit slower than normal and the person who brought us our food was confused by what table she was supposed to bring the plates to. I'm attributing this to the fact that they had only been opened for a week and a half and I am hoping that the level of service will improve. It was -11 degrees the morning we visited, and we sat near the front of the restaurant. The restaurant doesn't have a set of double doors at the entrance, so a large draft of cold air entered the restaurant each time patrons entered or exited.

De Dutch is only open for breakfast and lunch (7 AM - 3 PM on weekdays and 8-3 on weekends). I only wish that they would be open for dinner as well. In addition to pannekoek, they serve a variety of other breakfast foods such as eggs benedict, toast, scrambled eggs, and fruit with granola. Their lunch items include sandwiches, wraps, and burgers.

The atmosphere and decor was pleasing. Their color scheme is a tasteful blend of orange, yellow, and brown. The front section of the restaurant offers bright natural light, whereas the back of the restaurant is separated by a fireplace and has more a diner feel to it. I have high hopes for De Dutch and am rooting for the addition of more locations to Edmonton.

4.5/5

Hardware Grill

Hardware Grill
9698 Jasper Ave
780-423-0969

Hardware Grill has been in business for over 15 years but it wasn't a place I was familiar with until Andrew suggested going there to celebrate our anniversary. Getting here was the hard part due to the current construction taking place on Jasper Avenue and the lack of a parking lot dedicated to restaurant patrons. When we arrived though, we were greeted and seated immediately.

Our server was patient, courteous  and professional. His recommendations for a starter included the Kobe Beef Carpaccio and the Crispy Duck Leg Confit. We went with the beef carpaccio. It was topped with broad slivers of parmesan cheese and served with a dollop of truffle aioli and a side of sea salt potato chips. We absolutely loved the large, thinly sliced, and perfectly seasoned chips; they tasted even better when dipped into the aioli. While the beef was decent, I much preferred the chips and dip on the plate!

kobe.beef.carpaccio

For the main course, the server suggested the Duo of Bacon Wrapped Elk & Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs or the Porcini Crust Sea Bass. I had a hard time choosing, but in the end, I went with the elk ($46) while Andrew had the 60 Day Aged Spring Creek Ranch New York Steak ($48). The short rib on my plate was by far the best short rib I have ever tasted! The elk was served medium rare and was wrapped in crispy bacon. Three sides came with my entree: butternut squash puree, creamed spinach, and a polenta square. The polenta square was my favorite; the crispy edge was absolutely delightful.

elk.and.short.ribs

The taste I had from Andrew's main course was good, but I felt that my meal was better. The parmesan fries were very tasty and were really long for fries. I felt that there were too many creamed onions as a side, but the grilled tomatoes were juicy and full of flavour.

new.york.steak

To end off our meal, we were intrigued by the Small Endings on the dessert menu and the variety of dessert samplings it promised ($15). Upon taking our dessert order, our server asked us if we were celebrating anything that night, and we told him that it was our anniversary. It was a lovely surprise to see "Happy Anniversary" written on a thin slice of decadent milk chocolate. Other sweets on our plate were two rich chocolate truffles, 12-year old Glenlivet butterscotch pudding, almond pound cake, rhubarb shortbread, a lemon meringue square, and last but not least, a chocolate brownie. It was a lot to take in, but my favorite was the brownie and Andrew's was the pound cake. He also loved the slab of rock the desserts were served on.

small.endings

We were entirely satisfied with our meal. My glass of Duck Pond pinot noir from Oregon ($15) accompanied my meal well, but it took me too long to select a wine from their nearly 30-page wine list! The science nerd in me loved how they used Erlenmeyer flasks as wine decanters. The premium filtered Q Water served seemed to taste pure and refreshing, but I may be imagining things and I would need to do a blind taste test in the future.

The restaurant doesn't have a dedicated parking lot, so finding parking nearby can be tricky. We didn't like the table we were seated at because it didn't give us enough room to stretch out our legs. While the tables can be moved, moving it further away from our booth seats would bring it far too close to the table across the way. The host and servers were professional and knowledgeable (and surprisingly all male), but I found that our busperson had no personality and seemed too reserved to be working in a customer service area. Overall, this is a restaurant I would recommend to others to host a business dinner or to celebrate a special occasion.

4.5/5