For those of you that don't know him, Ivan Orkin isn't your usual ramen master. A "Jewish kid from Long Island," Ivan is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. He learned how to make, and became famous for his Jewish influenced ramen in Japan. Fast forward a few years, and a couple Tokyo ramen shops later, Ivan returned to New York and opened his first U.S. shop, … [Read more...] about Review: Ivan Ramen New York (Flagship Restaurant)
Big Changes are Coming to Lanai
Since billionaire Larry Ellison purchased 98% of the island of Lanai, the island has been in a constant state of change. Much of the initial changes were to public facilities for residents. But in 2015, Mr. Ellison turned his attention to his resort properties on the island. And now, big changes are coming to Lanai. Back in 2015, Larry Ellison closed both the Four … [Read more...] about Big Changes are Coming to Lanai
Honolulu Magazine 100,000 HawaiianMiles Giveaway
Trying to get to Hawaii on the cheap? Enter the Honolulu Magazine 100,000 HawaiianMiles giveaway. All you have to do to enter is signup for Honolulu Magazine's new WeekendPicks e-newsletter. Signing up for the WeekendPicks newsletter doesn't cost anything, except having another weekly e-mail in your inbox. Of course, if you don't live in Hawaii and/or are planning on … [Read more...] about Honolulu Magazine 100,000 HawaiianMiles Giveaway
Shake Shack New York: My Favorite Burger Joint
Who makes the best burger is a very touchy subject. I'd argue that discussions surrounding the subject matter can be even more intense than those concerning politics. And we all know how intense those discussions are now in the U.S. But, like many of that can appreciate a good burger, I keep a mental list of my favorites. Actually, I keep two mental lists, since it isn't … [Read more...] about Shake Shack New York: My Favorite Burger Joint
Hawaii Room Rates Surge in Early 2017
Hawaii isn't a cheap place to visit or live. It is the most isolated island chain in the world, being over 2,000 miles away from the nearest landmass. And with little land available, much of what we consume must be shipped in. Oh, and land prices are naturally high too. Add to that the fact that Hawaii is a highly desirable destination, and you get some of the highest room … [Read more...] about Hawaii Room Rates Surge in Early 2017
Hawaiian Airlines is Optimizing its Long Haul Fleet
Last month Hawaiian Airlines made an announcement I totally spaced on. According to the press release, Hawaiian Airlines is optimizing its long haul fleet. In fact, big changes are coming, the first of which we'll see within the next year or so. … [Read more...] about Hawaiian Airlines is Optimizing its Long Haul Fleet
Big Apple Day 3: Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge
After a satisfying brunch at Jane, the wife and I headed out on our Big Apple Day 3 adventures. Now, we didn't really have any plans for this day. We were thinking about going to the 9/11 Museum, but that didn't happen. The metro line we took from Jane skipped the Cortland St. station and instead stopped at South Ferry Terminal. Since this is where you need to be for the … [Read more...] about Big Apple Day 3: Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge
Review: Jane Restaurant New York
Our third day in The City was a Sunday. So, what does one do on a Sunday morning? Brunch of course! Narrowing down where to go proved to be incredibly difficult. I don't even remember how we ultimately decided, but we chose to go to Jane Restaurant in Greenwich Village. … [Read more...] about Review: Jane Restaurant New York
Review: Sushi Nakazawa New York
Sushi Nakazawa was one of the most difficult reservations to get for me on this trip. The restaurant is immensely popular, and for good reason. Chef Daisuke Nakazawa was an apprentice of sushi master, Jiro Ono, whom you may remember from the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. So along with Le Bernardin, Sushi Nakazawa was the restaurant I booked as soon as the booking window … [Read more...] about Review: Sushi Nakazawa New York
Review: Michael White’s Marea
As I've said before, this trip to New York was the first for the wife, but not for me. So while her goals were to see a lot of the must-see sights, my goal was to EAT. Our first official meal in The City happened the night before at a Hawaiian restaurant I've wanted to try since they opened, Noreetuh. But our next official meal in the restaurant came off of Anthony … [Read more...] about Review: Michael White’s Marea