TASTE OF HAWAII

CAFE LAUFER

2012-02-12T08:58:00.000-10:00

CAFE LAUFER BACK ENTRANCE FROM PARKING LOT.
FRONT ENTRANCE IS ON WAIALAE AVENUE

ONLY MENUS ARE ON THE COUNTER.
READ THEM AND ORDER AT THE COUNTER.
TAKE A SEAT - EAT - THEN GO BACK TO THE
COUNTER AND PAY THE BILL.

CAFE LAUFER
HONOLULU, HAWAII

We were heading to the University of Hawaii Mens Basketball game vs Fresno State and decided to stop at Cafe Laufer for dinner before the game. We entered from the parking lot side near Big City Diner. As you enter the restaurant from this entrance, you are immediately welcomed with a hallway of boxes and supplies. The entire hallway leading to the seating area is filled with junk. Looks terrible. The junk ends and there are around six chairs for people to sit out when waiting for a table. There is a counter and employees but they didn't take time to greet us or explain the process for ordering here. The menus are posted on the pastry displays in front. You stand there along with everyone else and look over them. Then you order right there at the counter. You order, but don't pay your bill until you are finished eating. Then you go back to the counter and pay. The menu includes Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Pasta, Burgers, and Special Entrees such as New York Steak and Beef Shank. I went with the Daily Soup and Sandwich. Tried the Minestrone Soup with Vegetarian Sandwich. Soup was a bit bland and the Veggie Sandwich had no flavor. Just sprouts, carrot, cucumber, tomato and cheese on a French Roll with small amount of Mayo. This sandwich needed a kick like some of the salad dressing or something else to give it some taste. We tried the Pasta with Garlic Creme Sauce and Chicken. Wow...this plate of pasta was so over sauced that it was difficult to get on the fork because of the thick, dense sauce. Flavor was good but there was just way too much sauce overloaded on the pasta. The Soup and Sandwich Combo came with a small house salad. The salads were a mixture of the greens that every restaurant in Hawaii is serving these days. I am so sick of these greens that I cannot stand eating one bite of them. Just give me regular Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce PLEASE!!! We entered Cafe Laufer just past 5:30 pm on a Saturday. They were already out of the Daily Special Salmon and Meatloaf. By the time we finished dining there was a line of about 6-8 people waiting near the pile of boxes. This place definitely has a following. Many come for the pastries and cakes that are made fresh daily. You can bring your own beer or wine to Cafe Laufer. I saw several tables enjoying a bottle of wine with their meal. I need to go back to this restaurant and try a few more items and the desserts before writing it off. Prices are a bit high. Our tab for pasta, house salad and a veggie sandwich was around $40 without tip.

SMALL INTERIOR GETS CROWDED FAST

PASTA WITH GARLIC CREME SAUCE AND CHICKEN

HOUSE SALAD

MINESTRONE SOUP

VEGETARIAN SANDWICH

NICE COLORS BUT NO FLAVORS

CHICKEN POT PIE - DINNER AT HOME

2012-02-09T19:03:00.000-10:00

COSTCO ROTISSERIE CHICKEN WITH PEAS, CARROTS, ONION,
CELERY, POTATO, MILK, FLOUR, DRIED TARRAGON, THYME,
SALT AND PEPPER HEATED IN A PAN

CHICKEN POT PIE
DINNER AT HOME

FILLED BOWL WITH MIXTURE AND TOPPED
WITH PUFF PASTRY. COOKED IN OVEN FOR 20 MINUTES

We had to finish off our $4.99 Costco Rotisserie Chicken that had already fed us for two nights. We picked the chicken clean and added it to a pot with sautéed vegetables, fresh herbs and milk. This was delicious!!!

BETTER THAN STORE BOUGHT PIES BY FAR

RONALD REAGAN BIRTHDAY DINNER AT HOME

2012-02-06T19:18:00.000-10:00

CRAB SALAD ON ENDIVE

RONALD REAGAN BIRTHDAY DINNER
AT HOME

We celebrate Ronald Reagan's Birthday like he was family. My wife prepared a very special dinner that I absolutely loved. Started with Crab Salad on Endive and then went to a seared Foie Gras served on toasted apple and apricot bread that was lightly coated with a fig spread. I got half of bite down and my daughter downed all the Foie Gras in a single gulp. She loves Foie Gras and eats it like candy. If only she knew how much it cost. Her first date will be expensive as she likes Foie Gras, Escargot, Lobster and Rack of Lamb. Pretty impressive for a ten year old. Our entree for this evening was a poached Chilean Sea Bass stuffed with a Quail Egg. As you cut into the fish, the Quail Egg bursts open and the yolk coats the fish. Simply amazing good. Finished the meal with a Baskin Robbins Mud Pie that was over the top delicious. Rich chocolate with coffee ice cream, graham cracker crust and whipped creme. Does not get much better than this. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT REAGAN. We love you and miss you!

FOIE GRAS ON TOASTED APPLE AND APRICOT BREAD
WITH FIG SPREAD

CHILEAN SEA BASS STUFFED WITH QUAIL EGG
AND ROASTED HEIRLOOM POTATOES

BASKIN ROBBINS MUD PIE.
THIS IS THE BOMB!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONALD REAGAN

2012-02-06T17:13:00.001-10:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
RONALD REAGAN

Wishing President Reagan a Happy 101st Birthday.

SUPER BOWL SNACKS AT HOME

2012-02-05T16:29:00.000-10:00

CHILI CHEESE NACHOS WERE GREAT!

SUPER BOWL SNACKS
HANGIN AT HOME

Passed up going to Super Bowl parties or a bar and enjoyed the game at home with my girls. Just a quiet Sunday at home enjoying the best gift in life (my girls). I wanted three things only. Nachos, Hot Wings and a Nathan Hot Dog. Tomorrow I start my diet. The Nachos were really good. I topped the chips with some heated chili and then added onion, bell pepper, and cheese. Heated the dish for one minute in the microwave and then topped with fresh cilantro, tomatoes, green onion and a bit of sour creme. My wife prepared the Hot Wings using Frank's Hot Sauce and then baked them in the oven to reduce the fat content. Bought a pack of Nathan's Hot Dogs from the market and grilled the dogs and topped with mustard, sweet relish and diced onions. Just as good as going out. We ended Super Bowl Sunday with some really good home made Carne Asada Tacos. Marinated Flank Steak grilled and cut into small pieces. Topped with Guacamole and fresh salsa. Missed a first class party at my friends where they served lobster tails, shrimp, clams and just about every other great dish you can think of. Would have loved to dine on that great food, but hangin with my girls was where my heart is. So blessed to have them in my life.

BAKED HOT CHICKEN WINGS WITH FRANK'S HOT SAUCE

ENDED THE GAME WITH SOME HOME MADE
CARNE ASADA TACOS

DELICIOUS NATHAN'S HOT DOG MADE AT HOME

FOOD AT THE SUPER BOWL PARTY WE DID NOT GO TO

UNCLE CLAY'S SHAVE ICE - AINA HAINA, HAWAII

2012-02-03T19:50:00.001-10:00

UNCLE CLAY TALKING TO KELI.
THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL MAN.

UNCLE CLAY'S SHAVE ICE
AINA HAINA, HAWAII

Just down the walkway from Foodland Farms Supermarket in Aina Haina is Uncle Clay's Shave Ice. When I entered Uncle Clay's I did not know how this guy could stay in business and did not get his limited menu and t-shirts for sale with his picture on them. When I left, we were part of Uncle Clay's "Ohana" (family) and convinced that this was a person that should be cherished. What happened in 15 minutes is astounding to a marketing guy like me. First we ordered a Shave Ice that the girls behind the counter made with a true passion and love. They do not rush the process and take time to make the shave ice the best they can. They shave a layer of ice and then add the sauce. Shave some more and add more sauce. Most places just shave the ice quickly and then pour sauce over the top. These girls did it in time consuming layers. I stood away in the corner and let my daughter pay at the counter. Uncle Clay himself was working the cash register and engaged her in conversation. Keli was magnetized by his presence and interest. I was standing around just waiting to get out of the place. Uncle Clay saw this and whispered to Keli "what is your Dad's name?". Keli told him and the next thing I know, Uncle Clay is asking me by name how am I doing. He engaged me and brought me into his world. Then he introduced me to his sister who was in the store. He talked about their weekly dinners together and what a great cook she was. He then said that my daughter was very special and we were now part of his Ohana (family). Wow....I thought this is marketing. But it was more than that. It was an awakening to what power a single person has in this world. Uncle Clay is something very special. He has lived a life and understands what it is to give back and show love and Aloha. He is the true spirit of Aloha. And according to my daughter the shave ice is the best.

KELI ENJOYS A GREAT SHAVE ICE
IN FRONT OF UNCLE CLAY'S STORE

FRESH MARLIN SCAMPI WITH FETTUCINI

2012-02-03T19:12:00.001-10:00

HAWAIIAN STYLE
SCAMPI MARINADE

FRESH MARLIN SCAMPI
WITH FETTUCINI

Fresh Marlin (Au) was on sale for under $5 per pound. Wanted to do something to kick up the flavor so I bought a Family Brand Hawaiian Style Scampi Marinade that was also on sale. We had onion, mushrooms and fresh thyme in the refrigerator so I sautéed the onions, added the mushrooms and then deglazed with white wine. Added some of the Scampi Marinade and fresh thyme to the pan and heated. Cooked the Fettucini until al dente and added it to the sauce. I had already grilled the marinated Marlin and it was ready to top the dish. Finished off the plate with some parsley and tomato for color. The entire family loved this quick and inexpensive meal. Under $15 for three.

SAUTED ONIONS, MUSHROOMS, FRESH TYME.
DEGLAZED WITH WHITE WINE AND ADDED SOME SCAMPI MARINADE

MARINATED FRESH MARLIN (AU) FILETS IN
SCAMPI MARINADE FOR ONE HOUR THEN GRILLED

ADDED FETTUCINI PASTA TO ONION, MUSHROOMS AND MARINADE

FRESH MARLIN SCAMPI WITH FETTUCINI

ZIPPY'S KING STREET - HONOLULU, HAWAII

2012-02-03T18:59:00.001-10:00

ZIPPY'S KING STREET - DINING ROOM ENTRANCE

ZIPPY'S KING STREET
HONOLULU, HAWAII

Zippy's is an institution in Hawaii. If you live in Hawaii, chances are you grew up eating at Zippy's or have dined there many times. I am not a big Zippy's guy, but I have eaten my share of meals here. Mostly business lunches because they are convenient and efficient. You can spend an hour here or get in and out fast. Most Zippy's have a casual take out area and a dining room with table service. The dining room on King Street is Old School and I like it. While most patrons here seem to be over 60, I am quite comfortable sitting in a booth and enjoying the old Hawaii coffee house charm. I have a business associate and friend who loves Zippy's. He is a meat and rice guy who doesn't go near vegetables. He ordered the Beef Stew and I ordered the Fried Chicken and Chili Combo. Both are around $12 with the "Complete Meal". The Complete Meal includes soup or salad, large drink and your choice of ice cream, pie or cake for dessert. I like Zippy's Fried Chicken and Zippy's Chili. My combo was great and my friend loved his Beef Stew. The Fried Chicken was crispy on the outside and moist inside. The Chili is legendary in Hawaii. I like it, but it is not the best in the world. Zippy's on King dining room takes you back to the good old days when coffee shops were all around the city. Now it is mostly chains like the mainland. Nice to dine here among some of the nicest senior citizens in Honolulu. I am getting close to getting my Senior Discount Card and feeling right at home having coffee here for hours.

OLD SCHOOL DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED IN DECADES

HOUSE GREEN SALAD

ZIPPY'S FRIED CHICKEN AND CHILI WITH MASHED POTATOES

ZIPPY'S BEEF STEW WITH TWO SCOOPS RICE

ORDER THE MEAL DEAL AND GET SOUP OR SALAD,
DRINK AND YOUR CHOICE OF ICE CREAM, PIE OR CAKE FOR DESSERT

COSTCO SEASONED ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

2012-02-01T18:50:00.000-10:00

BEST $4.99 CHICKEN ON THE PLANET!

FRESH ONION, TOMATO, CILANTRO, SHREDDED LETTUCE
AND SHREDDED COSTCO ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

VEGETARIAN REFRIED BEANS.
ADDED ONION, JALAPENO AND A BIT OF GRATED CHEESE

GREAT TASTING AND INEXPENSIVE TOSTADA DINNER

CHICKEN PLATE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE TOSTADAS

DAY TWO WE MADE SHREDDED CHICKEN BURRITOS

CHICKEN POT PIE

NOTHING LEFT BUT THE BONES AND SOME SKIN

COSTCO $4.99
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

You cannot go wrong buying a Costco Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken for $4.99. This is a juicy and flavorful bird that you can use in a dozen different dishes. We like to make Tostadas with a portion of the chicken. Simply shred up some of the chicken breast and lightly fry a corn tortilla. Spread refried beans on the fried tortilla and top with lettuce, cheese and salsa. I add some hot sauce on top of the beans for kick. My daughter does not like Tostadas so we made her a Chicken and Vegetable plate. Did not even use half the chicken for dinner.
DAY TWO: We made Shredded Chicken Burritos and they were great.
DAY THREE: Made Chicken Pot Pies with every bit of chicken left.

GRILLED MAHI MAHI WITH PAPAYA SALSA

2012-01-31T18:50:00.002-10:00

GRILLED MAHI MAHI
WITH PAPAYA RELISH
DINNER AT HOME

Staying with the low fat dinners and those green beans that we have been eating all week. Once you buy those bigs bags of beans at Costco, you gotta eat them even if it takes a week. Enjoyed some fresh Mahi Mahi that we cooked on the indoor grill pan. Kicked up the eye appeal with a salsa relish and rice tower. Then those left over green beans with mushrooms and bean sprouts on the side. Papaya relish really goes well with the fish. Just slice up onion, tomato, papaya and mix with a small amount of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add cilantro and salt/pepper. Really flavorful and delicious.

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE CROCK POT DINNER

2012-01-30T18:29:00.000-10:00

CORN BEEF AND VEGETABLES IN CROCK POT
COOKED ON LOW FOR 8 HOURS

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
CROCK POT DINNER

My wife picked up a 3 pound Corned Beef at Costco for $13. The beef came with a bag of spices that we put in a crock pot along with carrots, potatoes, onion, cider vinegar and chicken broth. Cooked on low in a crock pot for 8 hours. We basically threw everything in the pot, set the crock pot on low and came home later in the day and it was done. Added green beans that we have been eating for the past week and cabbage for the last half hour of cooking. The Corned Beef came out moist, flavorful and delicious. I mean really good and so tender that you could cut it with a fork. This was a great meal for under $20. Plus I can enjoy Corned Beef sandwiches for at least two days with the leftovers.

CORN BEEF OUT OF THE CROCK POT

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER WAS EXCELLENT

NICO'S PIER 38 - HONOLULU, HAWAII

2012-01-30T18:12:00.000-10:00

THE NEW NICO'S PIER 38 IS AWESOME!

NEW LARGE AND MODERN SPACE WITH GREAT
VIEW OF HARBOR. LARGE BAR AREA WITH FLAT SCREENS

NICO'S PIER 38
HONOLULU, HAWAII

LARGE BAR IN CENTER OF RESTAURANT

OPEN AIR SEATING WITH VIEW OF HARBOR

DINING AREA AND BAR

The "new" Nico's Pier 38 is awesome. Huge open air space with a great view of the harbor. If you are fan of the old Nico's you should love the new one. It is located directly across from the old restaurant and adjacent to Uncle's. As you enter the large restaurant there is a counter where you order off the menu that hangs above. Daily Specials are posted on a black board. To the left is a small and bright fish market where you can purchase fresh fish and many different types of Poke. It is a mini market within the restaurant. The lunch menu features local favorites like Orange Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, Beef Stew and Combo Plates. There are several fresh fish selections as well as Fish and Chips and Poke Bowl. You can also get salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizza. We arrived at 11:30 am and there was a sign that said Pizza was Sold Out. I ordered the Nico's Pier 38 Fish Tacos ($8). Fresh beer battered fish with shredded cabbage, lime marinade, onions and Nico's Tomato Salsa. Served with some good home made tortilla chips. I liked the tacos but wish they had more cabbage and salsa. My friend ordered the Fried Ahi Belly ($10.25). Tuna belly steaks that are fried and topped with a spicy tomato salsa. Looked like he enjoyed it. Nico's was popular with locals before, but I think this new large restaurant will put it on everyone's list of places to eat. I certainly will be back with the entire family real soon. Hope it is not too crowded. UPDATE: Went back again and enjoyed a Fresh Ahi Sandwich. My friend had the Beef Stew and absolutely loved it. By 11:45 am there was a line out the door. Seems the word is out about the new Nico's Pier 38. UPDATE: Went back for a third visit. This time I realized that the food here is not that great and really nothing special. We ordered the Margherita Pizza ($14). Liked the flavor but wish the crust was thinner. Tomatoes were cut in thick slices. Took some back to the office and they loved it. The Fish n' Chips ($9.75) was terrible. One giant piece of fried fish that was raw inside. Had to take it back. This piece of fish could have been cut into three pieces and should have. The Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad ($9.75) had good Pesto flavor but was a bit boring with just lettuce and chicken. After three visits, I really don't think the food here is anything special. The prices are reasonable and should be since you order at the counter and clean your own table when you are done.

PESTO CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

PIER 38 FISH TACOS

FRESH AHI SANDWICH

BEEF STEW

MARGHERITA PIZZA

FISH N' CHIPS

FRIED AHI BELLY

LUNCH MENU (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

DINNER MENU (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

CHICKEN AND SHRIMP STIR FRY - DINNER AT HOME

2012-01-29T18:48:00.000-10:00

FRESH VEGETABLES, GARLIC AND GINGER

CHICKEN AND SHRIMP
STIR FRY
DINNER AT HOME

We had two chicken breasts and some shrimp in the refrigerator so I whipped up a fresh stir fry using ingredients that we had available. Only had to pick up a few things at the store to prepare this dish. I marinated the chicken in shoyu, garlic and ginger for less than one hour. The shrimp were placed in olive oil with some garlic and ginger and marinated shortly too. I cut up every vegetable I could find in the refrigerator and added some water chest nuts too. Cooked the chicken and shrimp first and then set aside. I undercooked them a bit because they would go back in with the vegetables later. I cooked the vegetables so that they were still a bit crunchy and then added the chicken and shrimp. Poured in 1/2 cup of Stir Fry Sauce that I bought at the store. Mixed this all together and served with rice. Excellent flavor, low fat and healthy!

DICED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH GARLIC, GINGER, SHOYU AND OLIVE OIL

SHIRMP WITH GARLIC, GINGER AND OLIVE OIL

SAUTEE CHICKEN WITH LITTLE BIT OF OIL, GARLIC AND GINGER

SAUTEE SHRIMP WITH GARLIC AND GINGER.
REMOVE CHICKEN AND SHRIMP AND SET ASIDE

SAUTEE THE HARDER VEGETABLES FIRST

ADD GREEN PEAS AND CONTINUE COOKING

ADD IN THE COOKED CHICKEN AND SHRIMP.
POUR IN 1/2 CUP OF STIR FRY SAUCE

ADD BEAN SPROUTS AT END AND REMOVE FROM HEAT

DELICIOUS, COLORFUL AND HEALTY!

MAHI MAHI WITH VEGETABLES IN PARCHMENT PAPER

2012-01-29T18:20:00.001-10:00

FRESH MAHI MAHI FILETS

MAHI MAHI
WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

After the Italian Beefs, Hot Dogs and Pork Fat Sandwiches in Chicago, it is time to get back to some good and healthy low fat dinners. This dish is simple and delicious.

TOP MAHI MAHI WITH VEGETABLES, SLICE OF ORANGE,
TYME, BUTTER AND WHITE WINE.
WRAP IN PARCHMENT PAPER

VEGETABLE MIXTURE - CELERY, FENNEL, CARROTS,
ONION, GREEN BEANS, ORANGES IN OLIVE OIL

BAKE IN OVEN FOR AROUND 12 MINUTES

FINISHED DISH RIGHT OUT OF OVEN

DELICIOUS, HEALTHY AND LOW FAT

TORTAS FRONTERA BY RICK BAYLESS - CHICAGO

2012-01-29T18:00:00.001-10:00

TORTAS AT THE AIRPORT

TORTAS FRONTERA
BY RICK BAYLESS
CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT
TERMINAL 1, B11

Wow was I surprised and happy to find a Rick Bayless restaurant in the Chicago airport. This little stand features Mexican Torta sandwiches with a gourmet flair. I tried the Pepito Torta ($11). Beer braised beef short ribs, pickled jalapeños, chihuahua cheese, black beans, cilantro crema and arugula. This sandwich was excellent. Only wish I had more flights to Chicago so I can sample the others

THE PEPITO TORTA

BEER BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS WITH PICKLED JALAPENO

REALLY GOOD GREEN SALSA

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

2012-01-29T17:42:00.000-10:00

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
CHICAGO, IL

There are few places on earth that I have visited that move me like the Art Institute of Chicago. I am drawn to the French Impressionist; Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Cezanne, Boudin, Van Gough and others. Standing face to face with these masterpieces literally has brought tears to my eyes during the past two visits. There are so many masterpieces here that you can only wonder how they all were assembled in one place; Chicago. I am happy to share these photos on my blog. These photos were taken with my iPhone on a cold winter day in January. ENJOY!

In a time of change as Emperor Napoleon III of France rebuilt Paris and waged war, the Académie des Beaux-Arts dominated French art during the middle of the 19th century. The Académie was the preserver of traditional standards for French painting, both in content and style. Historical subjects, religious themes, and portraits were valued (landscape and still life were not), and the Académie preferred carefully finished images which looked realistic when examined closely. Colour was somber and conservative, and the traces of brush strokes were suppressed, concealing the artist's personality, emotions, and working techniques.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Girl with a Hoop, 1885

The Académie had an annual, juried art show, the Salon de Paris, and artists whose work was displayed in the show won prizes, garnered commissions, and enhanced their prestige. The standards of the juries represented the values of the Académie, represented by the works of such artists as Jean-Léon Gérôme and Alexandre Cabanel. Some younger artists painted in a lighter and brighter manner than painters of the preceding generation, extending further the realism of Gustave Courbet and the Barbizon school. They were more interested in painting landscape and contemporary life than in recreating scenes from history. Each year, the works they submitted to the Salon jury were rejected in favour of works by artists faithful to the approved style. A group of young realists, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille, who had studied under Charles Gleyre, became friends and often painted together. They gathered at the Café Guerbois, where the discussions were often led by Édouard Manet, whom the younger artists greatly admired. They were soon joined by Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, and Armand Guillaumin.^[2]

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, On the Terrace, oil on canvas, 1881, Art Institute of Chicago

Claude Monet, Woman with a Parasol, (Camille and Jean Monet), 1875, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

In 1863, the jury rejected Manet's The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l'herbe) primarily because it depicted a nude woman with two clothed men at a picnic. While nudes were routinely accepted by the Salon when featured in historical and allegorical paintings, the jury condemned Manet for placing a realistic nude in a contemporary setting.^[3] The jury's severely worded rejection of Manet's painting appalled his admirers, and the unusually large number of rejected works that year perturbed many French artists.

After seeing the rejected works in 1863, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that the public be allowed to judge the work themselves, and the Salon des Refusés (Salon of the Refused) was organized. While many viewers came only to laugh, the Salon des Refusés drew attention to the existence of a new tendency in art and attracted more visitors than the regular Salon.^[4]

Artists' petitions requesting a new Salon des Refusés in 1867, and again in 1872, were denied. During the latter part of 1873, Monet, Renoir,Pissarro, and Sisley organized the Société Anonyme Coopérative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs ("Cooperative and Anonymous Association of Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers") for the purpose of exhibiting their artworks independently. Members of the association, which soon included Cézanne,Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas, were expected to forswear participation in the Salon. The organizers invited a number of other progressive artists to join them in their inaugural exhibition, including the older Eugène Boudin, whose example had first persuaded Monet to adopt plein air painting years before.^[5] Another painter who greatly influenced Monet and his friends, Johan Jongkind, declined to participate, as did Manet. In total, thirty artists participated in their first exhibition, held in April 1874 at the studio of the photographer Nadar.

Claude Monet, The Cliff at Étretat after the Storm, 1885, Clark Art Institute,Williamstown, Massachusetts

The critical response was mixed, with Monet and Cézanne receiving the harshest attacks. Critic and humorist Louis Leroy wrote a scathing review in the newspaper Le Charivariin which, making wordplay with the title of Claude Monet's Impression, Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant), he gave the artists the name by which they would become known. Derisively titling his article The Exhibition of the Impressionists, Leroy declared that Monet's painting was at most, a sketch, and could hardly be termed a finished work.

He wrote, in the form of a dialog between viewers,

Impression—I was certain of it. I was just telling myself that, since I was impressed, there had to be some impression in it ... and what freedom, what ease of workmanship! Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape.^[6]

Claude Monet, Haystacks, (sunset), 1890–1891, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The term "Impressionists" quickly gained favour with the public. It was also accepted by the artists themselves, even though they were a diverse group in style and temperament, unified primarily by their spirit of independence and rebellion. They exhibited together—albeit with shifting membership—eight times between 1874 and 1886.

Monet, Sisley, Morisot, and Pissarro may be considered the "purest" Impressionists, in their consistent pursuit of an art of spontaneity, sunlight, and colour. Degas rejected much of this, as he believed in the primacy of drawing over colour and belittled the practice of painting outdoors.^[7] Renoir turned away from Impressionism for a time during the 1880s, and never entirely regained his commitment to its ideas. Édouard Manet, despite his role as a leader to the group, never abandoned his liberal use of black as a colour, and never participated in the Impressionist exhibitions. He continued to submit his works to the Salon, where his painting Spanish Singer had won a 2nd class medal in 1861, and he urged the others to do likewise, arguing that "the Salon is the real field of battle" where a reputation could be made.^[8]

Camille Pissarro, Boulevard Montmartre,1897, the Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Among the artists of the core group (minus Bazille, who had died in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870), defections occurred as Cézanne, followed later by Renoir, Sisley, and Monet, abstained from the group exhibitions in order to submit their works to the Salon. Disagreements arose from issues such as Guillaumin's membership in the group, championed by Pissarro and Cézanne against opposition from Monet and Degas, who thought him unworthy.^[9] Degas invited Mary Cassatt to display her work in the 1879 exhibition, but he also caused dissension by insisting on the inclusion of Jean-François Raffaëlli, Ludovic Lepic, and other realists who did not represent Impressionist practices, causing Monet in 1880 to accuse the Impressionists of "opening doors to first-come daubers".^[10] The group divided over the invitation of Paul Signac and Georges-Pierre Seuratto exhibit with them in 1886. Pissarro was the only artist to show at all eight Impressionist exhibitions.

The individual artists achieved few financial rewards from the Impressionist exhibitions, but their art gradually won a degree of public acceptance and support. Their dealer, Durand-Ruel, played a major role in this as he kept their work before the public and arranged shows for them in London and New York. Although Sisley would die in poverty in 1899, Renoir had a great Salon success in 1879. Monet became secure financially during the early 1880s and so did Pissarro by the early 1890s. By this time the methods of Impressionist painting, in a diluted form, had become commonplace in Salon art.^[11]

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PANOZZO'S - CHICAGO

2012-01-29T17:06:00.000-10:00

PANOZZO'S
CHICAGO, IL

My friend saw Panozzo's on the Food Network and said they had a special sandwich that we needed to try. We found the place and headed inside where we were greeted by a very friendly staff. As we approached the counter one of the guys behind the counter actually walked out and greeted us. He asked if we had any questions or could help. This is great service. I asked about the Porchetta and he showed me the special menu listing three different preparations. I picked the Porchino version that had chunked up Porchetta cooked in its own fat and served with pickled fennel on a crusty Bolino. This thing was fat paradise. So good with the fat and fennel. What a great combination. We shared the sandwich and ordered the standard Italian sub to split too. The sub was pretty basic. It is the Porchetta you want to eat here.

Porchetta [porˈketːa] (or sometimes "porketta") is a savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast of Italian culinary tradition. The body of the pig is gutted, deboned, arranged carefully with layers of stuffing, meat, fat, and skin, then rolled, spitted, and roasted, traditionally over wood. Porchetta is usually heavily salted in addition to being stuffed with garlic, rosemary, fennel, or other herbs, often wild. Porchetta has been selected by the Italian Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali as a "prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale" ("traditional agricultural-alimentary product", one of a list of traditional Italian foods held to have cultural relevance).^[1]

ITALIAN MEATS AND CHEESE IN DISPLAY COUNTER

SMALL STORE WITH A FEW TABLES TO
SIT DOWN AND ENJOY YOUR SANDWICH

PANOZZO'S PORCHETTA

THE PORCHINO

THE PORCHETTA

ITALIAN SUB SANDWICH

UNITED CENTER - CHICAGO BULLS BASKETBALL

2012-01-29T16:32:00.000-10:00

UNITED CENTER, CHICAGO - HOME OF THE CHICAGO BULLS

UNITED CENTER
CHICAGO, IL

The Chicago Bulls basketball organization knows how to market. From the time you enter the United Center you are overwhelmed with things to buy. Lots of food, booze and souvenir shops. There is even a brewery in the building. The bar areas were overflowing with happy fans. There were several bands playing Jazz and Hip Hop around the concessions. We found some really good Carne Asada Tacos at the Jose Cuervo stand. The Hot Dog at almost $6 sucked. In a town known for hot dogs you would think you could get a real Chicago Dog here. Oh how I wished we could have had one of those $2.45 Portillo's dogs. Great seats and a great time watching the Bulls.

COLD AND SNOW ON THIS NIGHT

SIX CHAMPIONSHIPS!

PRE-GAME PARTY IS GREAT

TIP OFF - BULLS VS HORNETS

JOSE CUERVO BAR AND TACO STAND
INSIDE THE UNITED CENTER

CARNE ASADA TACOS AT THE BASKETBALL GAME

GREAT CHIPS AND SALSA AT A BULL'S GAME

$6 HOT DOG WAS TERRIBLE AND NOT UP TO CHICAGO STANDARDS

CHICAGO

2012-01-29T16:05:00.001-10:00

CHICAGO

Chicago is one of the best cities in America for food, art, architecture and culture. Can't say enough good about this town. Love the food and city but hate the cold weather in winter.

PRIME HOUSE DAVID BURKE - CHICAGO, IL

2012-01-29T15:53:00.000-10:00

LOCATED IN A HOTEL

PRIMEHOUSE
DAVID BURKE
CHICAGO, IL

We had a limited time in Chicago with so many different places to eat. Had to get in at least one steak during the trip. I have done the Chop House, Morton's, Gibson's, Ruth Chris, The Palm and others so we decided to try David Burke Prime House that was featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel. We started with the Kobe Beef Carpaccio served on a large salt block. This thinly sliced raw beef was slightly seared on the outside. It melted in your mouth. Delicious. We split the Caesar Salad that was made at the table in elegant fashion. Nice light dressing made this the perfect salad before the large steaks. I ordered the 75 Day Ribeye ($65). This bone-in steak was totally different than any steak I have tasted. It had a deep, rich flavor that made it unlike a regular steak. The beef was charred perfectly on the outside. This added to the flavor profile and really put it over the top. The meat itself was not fatty and melted in your mouth. This is a steak that needs to be eaten slowly with a nice glass of wine. For $65 you need to take your time and savor every bite.

DAVID BURKE'S PRIMEHOUSE
The James Chicago, 616 N. Rush St.; 312-660-6000
It's only two years old, but the lore of this modern steak house is already common knowledge: Burke's $250,000 stud Black Angus bull living the good life in Kentucky; the Himalayan-salt-tiled cellar; an aging process so extreme it eclipses some military campaigns in length. Oh, and the restaurant is pretty good. In fact, the magnificent 20-ounce bone-in rib eye, aged 55 days in that cellar and seasoned with salt and pepper, is the best dry-aged steak in Chicago ($59). I ordered it rare, and every dense-yet-tender bite burst with concentrated beefy flavor. The menu's "Reserve Cuts" section also features a 35-day-aged Kansas City bone-in sirloin (20 ounces; $48) and two more 20-ounce bone-in rib eyes, one aged 40 days ($51), another for 75 days ($67). That last one isn't available all the time, and its flavor, bordering on what the British politely call "high," pushed my limits. In addition to your rib eye, eat every crumb of the delicious eggy popover that Burke's favors instead of bread, get yourself a side of broccoli with red onion and feta, and call it a day.

COMFORTABLE DINING ROOM

DISTINCTIVE PAINTINGS ALONG THE WALLS

THE FIRST CHEF TO OWN HIS OWN BULL

STEAK MENU (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

KOBE BEEF CARPACCIO WITH GARLIC AND TRUFFLE

CAESAR SALAD AND DRESSING MADE AT YOUR TABLE

CAESAR SALAD WITH ANCHOVIES

75 DAY RIBEYE

RIBEYE COOKED TO PERFECTION. CHARRED ON OUTSIDE
AND PINK ON INSIDE. DEEP FLAVOR UNLIKE REGULAR BEEF

AL'S ITALIAN BEEF - CHICAGO

2012-01-29T15:25:00.000-10:00

AL'S ITALIAN BEEF

AL'S ITALIAN BEEF
CHICAGO, IL

We decided to do a Food Feud with Portillo's and Al's Italian Beef Sandwiches. The two restaurants are within a block of each other so we had one of each. The Al's Italian Beef was very greasy and did not have the bold flavors like Portello's. It was unanimous - Portello's was the winner.

ORDER AT THE COUNTER

AL'S ITALIAN BEEF WAS GREASY AND DID NOT HAVE
THE FLAVOR POP LIKE PORTELLO'S ITALIAN BEEF

PORTILLO'S HOT DOGS AND ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH - CHICAGO

2012-01-29T15:16:00.000-10:00

PORTILLO'S HOT DOGS AND ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES

PORTILLO'S
CHICAGO, IL

Portillo's in Chicago is now an all time TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE. One bite of their famous Italian Beef and I was sold. Wow...this sandwich is the bomb for $4.85. I added both sweet and spicy peppers for .45 each. You can taste the beef big time. Served on a just-baked french roll that compliments the meat perfectly and sucks up the juices. This is one of my favorite sandwiches of all time. The spicy peppers really add a nice kick. The Portillo's Hot Dog with everything is only $2.45. This is a bargain when you compare it to the $5 and $6 hot dogs in Hawaii. Great dog but the Italian Beef is why I would eat here. We did a Food Feud verus Al's Italian Beef across the street. There was no comparison. Portillo's killed it. I will head for Portillo's every trip to Chicago!

PORTILLO'S IS LIKE A SMALL FOOD COURT

RIBS, BURGERS, HOT DOGS, BEEF-N-SAUSAGE AND PASTA
ALL AVAILABLE FROM SEPARATE COUNTERS

PORTILLO'S FRENCH FRIES

PORTILLO'S ITALIAN BEEF IS ALL TIME FAVORITE!

HOME COOKED SWEET PEPPERS AND HOT PEPPERS
MAKE THIS A TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE

HOT DOG WITH EVERYTHING.
MUSTARD, RELISH, ONIONS, SLICED TOMATO, KOSHER
PICKLE AND SPORT PEPPERS ON POPPY SEED BUN

SPECIAL DINNER AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2012-01-29T14:57:00.000-10:00

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL

SPECIAL DINNER AT HOME

Had some friends over to celebrate the New Year. Served up some Oysters that we found at Whole Foods and fresh Sashimi from Murakai Market. We baked some ham and gruyere cheese puff pastry treats and then sat down for a delicious steak and lobster meal. Loved the twice baked potato that was filled with cheese, bacon and a kick from wasabi.

FRESH SASHIMI PLATTER

HAM AND CHEESE IN PUFF PASTRY

STEAK, LOBSTER, TWICED BAKED POTATO AND ASPARAGUS

PANYA BISTRO - ALA MOANA CENTER

2012-01-29T10:22:00.002-10:00

PASTRIES IN FRONT OF RESTAURANT

PANYA BISTRO
ALA MOANA CENTER
HONOLULU, HAWAII

Panya is part bakery, part bar and part restaurant in Ala Moana Center. We ventured in for dinner here and was pretty disappointed. The service was good, the food came quickly but the flavors were just off the mark. We started with the Spicy Won Tons ($7.95). These were not spicy and had no flavor. The Spaghetti with Tiger Shrimp and Manila Clams in White Wine ($17.95) looked great but was pretty bland. Paying $18 for a plate of pasta is steep and should burst with flavor. The Steamed Fish with Ginger, Green Onion and Special Shoyu Sauce ($18) got a review of "it has no taste". The Chicken Noodles with Shredded Chicken, Rice Noodles, Chinese Cabbage in Chicken Broth ($9.95) got a similar review and not much was eaten from the bowl. This was a real let down for the money. Panya has an extensive menu that includes Noodles, Burgers, Sandwiches, Pasta, Salads and Rice dishes with various meats. This is the kind of place that would do better to cut the number of menu items and concentrate on serving a few "really good" dishes.

BAR AND RESTAURANT

SPICY WON TON WITH CHILI OIL

PASTA WITH SHRIMP AND CLAMS

CHICKEN NOODLES

STEAMED FISH

EL MARIACHI II MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2012-01-29T08:48:00.000-10:00

EL MARIACHI II
AIEA, HAWAII

Enjoyed some really good Mexican food at El Mariachi II in Aiea. Was pleasantly surprised how good the food was here. This is now on my list as one of the better Mexican restaurants in Hawaii and I cannot wait to return. I tried the 3 taco platter with beans and rice. I chose Carne Asada, Shredded Beef and Chicken. All were really good.

CLEAN AND BRIGHT WITH GREAT SERVICE

FRESH CHIPS WERE STILL WARM AND THE
SALSA WAS MILD BUT GOOD

CARNE ASADA TACO WITH BEANS AND RICE

ONE SHREDDED BEEF AND ONE CHICKEN TACO