Side Street Inn, Honolulu, HI

Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka
Honolulu, O'ahu, HI 96814
808-591-0253
http://www.sidestreetinn.com/
Open daily, 2pm-2am.
It's on a small side street not far from the Ala Moana Center.
Very little side street parking available. There's a pay parking structure across the street - park in the upper levels. Valet available in the evenings.

Visited: August 2010, Dinnner, Dine-in

Side Street Inn is a large casual bar that serves great food. There are a ton of TVs around, and all in all, it seems like folks are having a good time. Chef/owner Colin Nishida has created a great menu of local flavors with a few high end touches thrown in here and there. Side Street Inn is supposed to be a favorite of locals and chefs alike, and I can see why.

Everything is served small plate or pupu style. Yes, everything is served to share, like a pupu or appetizer, however there is nothing small plate about it. The portions are very large. We wish we knew how large before we set to ordering.

We had the 12 ounce New York Steak (market price) which came on a sizzling black plate atop onions and mushrooms. The steak itself was rather plain, but very tender and tasty on its own. The mushrooms were heavenly! They continued to sizzle away in some type of non-visible buttery garlicky goodness, so it was quite a surprise to get so much flavor bursting forth.

We tried one of the specials, a combo of pork buns. Chinese BBQ Pork / Cha Siu and Chinese Roast Pork served with steamed white buns. Except for the mustard drizzled over the cha siu, these were delicious. The buns were a tender texture, however we could have used more buns. The roast pork with its crisp skin and touch of plum sauce was the perfect analog for Peking duck.

We had their Side Street Works Fried Rice ($15.00) which was loaded with quite the assortment of pork - cha siu, lop cheng, bacon, Portuguese sausage, and possibly more. It was a very good fried rice, however, with so many goodies, it soon became hard to distinguish all of the yummies. I think I would have preferred a simpler bacon fried rice, or a cha siu fried rice, for example, to really be able to savor it properly.

And lastly we had the Fried Saimin which was also a very large portion. It had a great flavor and was loaded with egg, kamaboko, Portuguese sausage and spamelope.

All in all, we enjoyed our meal, we just ordered waaay too much food. Their Pan Fried Island Pork Chops and Baby Back Ribs are also supposed to be delicious - so we'll try those next time.

The Dinner Detective, Courtyard Marriott, Culver City, CA

The Dinner Detective
Courtyard Los Angeles Westside
6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230
http://www.thedinnerdetective.com/
http://www.marriott.com/

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

This is a combo review of the dinner theater, The Dinner Detective, and of the venue, the Courtyard Marriott.

The Dinner Detective is an interactive, part scripted/part improv, murder mystery theater presentation. After you've checked in, you're asked to fill out a nametag with your alias for the evening. Then during the reception, you're given instructions to begin 'interrogating' your fellow guests - some of which are in fact, guests like you, others are actors mingling with the group as fellow guests.

The reception had a cash bar for soda, beer, wine and cocktails, and open service of coffee and hot tea. The hot hors d'oeuvres were veggie spring rolls and veggie quesadillas. Both were tasty, but a bit soft - the travails of serving them in a chafing dish, I suppose.

Dinner started with a nice mixed green salad with mushrooms, carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. A light vinaigrette was available on the table, as were rolls and butter.

Between courses, mystery action occurred, and during the meal, we were given clues to review and opportunity to discuss with our fellow guests.

We had a choice of entree (which you reserve when you purchase your tickets), and we wanted to try each they had to offer: tri tip with peppercorn sauce, Alaskan king salmon with lemon butter, and chicken marsala. The servings were very generous (for example, you got a whole chicken breast not just a half), and came with rather plain mashed potatoes, and large servings of carrots and broccoli. The meats were tender and their accompanying sauces were tasty, but we wished we had more of the sauce. There was also a pasta primavera (vegetarian) option that someone else at our table had, but they were not very pleased with it.

The murder mystery comes to a crescendo during the next break, and over dessert, you are given an answer sheet to identify who you think is the killer and why. Dessert was a very tasty double fudge chocolate cake served over caramel and raspberry sauces.

As we're wrapping up dessert, the detectives return to announce who did it and why. And then the host announces the winner who correctly deduced the killer and motive.

It was all very light-hearted and good fun, and the food was pretty good, too. The service seemed right on time and very responsive. I would recommend the show and the venue.

Gaffey Street Diner, San Pedro, CA

Gaffey Street Diner
247 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731
310-548-6964
http://www.gaffeystreetdiner.com/
Parking available in their small lot, and some street parking. Can be very crowded for weekend breakfast.
Casual/family friendly. Large, well lit dining room.

Visited: January 2010, Dinner, Dine-in

You may have seen Guy Fieri visit the Gaffey Street Diner on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and it's definitely worth the visit. The Diner used to be only open for breakfast and lunch, but they've recently expanded their hours, and are now open for dinner.

The first thing of note (besides everyone being really friendly) is that the portions are very large. Almost everything on the menu is homemade, and you wish you could finish the entire portion. We were very happy with everything we ordered, and would definitely go back for dinner, and try it out for breakfast.

First, we had the dinner plate of Country Fried Steak & Gravy ($9.95) served with a choice of french fries, mashed or baked potato, and vegges with garlic bread or dinner roll. We got the mashed potatoes - very tasty unto themselves, but topped with the creamy Country Gravy - yum! The steak was mild in flavor, but very tender with a nice crust. Overall, a very satisfying meal.

Under sandwich specialties, we tried the Open Faced Hot Beef Sandwich ($9.75) which consists of many many slices of tender beef on top of soft white bread that is an amazing sponge for the tasty bearnaise brown gravy. The sandwich is also topped with crisp lightly battered onion rings which are just the right accompaniment for the meat and gravy. In addition, the plate is completed with those homemade mashed potatoes and a generous serving of veggies (broccoli, carrots and zucchini).

Several breakfast items are also available at dinner, and we got the Country Fried Steak and Eggs ($10.25). It's the same lightly seasoned but tasty steak with the addition of 2 extra large eggs (which we got nicely scrambled) and choice of side: home fries, spanish rice, refried beans, cottage cheese, peach halves, or sliced tomato. We got the very tasty home fries - potato chunks cooked with bell peppers and onions and flavored with seasoned salt. You also get a choice of toast, tortillas or biscuit. We chose the biscuit, and boy, were we glad that we did. It's about the size of 3 or 4 biscuits that you get anywhere else; a perfect size to share. The biscuit was fluffy and full of flavor all on its own.

As a frequent orderer of hot tea ($1.95), I also want to point out that for service, they brought a mug full of hot water as well as a little teapot of water. Something that I wish more restaurants would do.

Kincaid's, Redondo Beach, CA

Kincaid's Fish, Chop and Steak House
500 The Pier, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-318-6080
http://www.kincaids.com/
Located on the upper level of the Redondo Pier. Plenty of validated pay parking.
Locations across the US.
Higher end dining. Reservations recommended for holidays and weekend evenings.

Visited: Numerous times; Dinner (usually), Dine-in
Most recently: November 2009

Kincaid's is located at the Pier, and so has a beautiful view of the Pier boardwalks and the Pacific Ocean. They have an extensive seafood and meats menu that changes based on the season or what's fresh. I think everything we've had has been great.

They start you with a warm garlic bread - similar to a soft or thin focaccia. Very buttery and tasty.

The French Onion Soup and the Salmon Bisque are both excellent, and can be quite filling. They also often have a soup special, and I've had the thick and tasty (yet a little too sweet) Butternut Squash Soup in the past.

The Prime Rib and Filet Mignon are both tender and excellent. If they have the Trio of Brochettes (sometimes seafood, sometimes surf and turf), get it. It's an excellent and beautiful sampling. The seafood is always good, and changes regularly. We've had the salmon, scallops, stuffed mahi mahi, and it's all been tasty.

Most of the entrees are complete meals with a starch and veg, however there are a few sides that you can add on. These are portioned to share. We like the Mac and Cheese (with bacon) a lot.

Desserts are also very good, and you may need to plan ahead to make sure you still have room! We like the Creme Brulee, Chocolate Cake, and the Pear Bread Pudding.

If you visit their website to view the menu, it really short changes how extensive the menu really is. I think this is because so much of their menu is seasonal or du jour, that it's hard to post regularly online.

Fleming's Steakhouse, El Segundo, CA

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
2301 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA
310-643-6911
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/
Locations throughout Southern California and the US.
Valet parking in front; free self parking behind the restaurant in the structure.
Higher end. Option of black napkin, if preferred. Full bar. Can be dark inside.

Visited: Numerous times, Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: December 2009


We've been to Fleming's several times at this location, and every time except once, the service has been exceptional. The food has always been scrumptious. Entrees and sides are ordered separately, and sides are definitely large enough to share. Due to the pricepoint, this usually a special occasion restaurant.

Our favorite salads are the Fresh Mozzarella and Sweet Tomato - a classic Caprese served with fresh basil leaves, balsamic, and olive oil. And the Fleming's Salad is a real treat - greens, dried cranberries, grape tomatoes, croutons and candied walnuts in a light vinaigrette. They used to have a Warm Spinach Mushroom Salad which was velvety good; still hoping they'll bring that back.

Our favorite meats are the Filet Mignon and Prime Ribeye. The Seared Scallops, while tasty, were a bit disappointing in their size compared with the quality of the other entrees.

On Sundays, they have a special dinner menu of Prime Rib served au jus and with two additional sauces. The dinner starts with a choice of The Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar Salad, one side dish and dessert. A great piece of meat, and a great value for the set menu.

They also have seasonal prix fixe menus which have been very tasty.

Be sure to listen to specials. Some notable items have been the Bone-In Filet Mignon - an amazing piece of meat that is cooked well and literally fork tender. Also tasty was the Macadamia-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass served with asparagus. Often there is a Mixed Grill special - meats or surf and turf that sound tasty.

Our favorite sides are the Fleming's Potatoes - scallopped potatoes with jalapeno and topped with cheddar cheese and the Chipotle Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese - with a nice little kick. The thick tower of Onion Rings is also good, but a lot of onion rings. The Grilled Asparagus, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Creamed Spinach are also tasty.

For dessert, the Chocolate Lava Cake is very good and requires a pre-order during your entree. The Creme Brulee is also a nice finish to the evening if you have room.

They also have an extensive collection of wines and aged Scotches.

The Watering Hole, Sebring, FL

The Watering Hole
6813 US 27 South, Sebring, FL 33876
863-382-4554
http://www.wateringholesebring.com/
Restaurant open Mon-Sat, 4pm-10pm. Lounge and package store open 7 days.
Plenty of parking in the dirt lot.
Cash only; they have an ATM inside.
Casual. Can be dark inside.

Visited: Dinner, Dine-in
Most recently: December 2009

The Watering Hole has been in Sebring for a very long time, and really did start out as a watering hole for the local cowboys way back in the day. It's now a really good steak and seafood restaurant, but still maintains some of the casual cowboy-ness with its large wood plank tables and large communal-ish dinig room. There's also a 14'+ alligator named Bully that lives there, and if you're lucky, you may actually see Bully move.

As soon as you walk in, you smell garlic, and the entrees come with the house garlic bread which is quite tasty and not for the faint of heart. The bread is toasted in the same area as the dining room, so the smell really pervades everywhere.

All of the dinners come with green salad, fruit salad or cole slaw. The green salad is nicely sized and very colorful. It has romaine as its lettuce base topped with pretty bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. The fruit salad was a very nice mix of melons, fresh pineapple, and grapes.

Entrees also come with a very nice fruity garnish of a strawberry, a third of a peeled banana, and a thick slice of grapefruit. Very pretty. You also have your choice of potato: baked, parsleyed red, or fries. In all, very generous portions.

In addition to the menu items, you'll also see their meat and seafood specials at the hostess podium. We got the special of the day Porterhouse ($21.95). YUM! It was well cooked and comes slathered in the same garlic butter that is on the bread, and a baked potato. It was a great price for the quality and size of the meat and for all that comes with it.

We also got the Cowboy-size Fillet Mignon (as opposed to the Cowgirl-size) with Fries, the special of the day Ribeye ($15.95) with parsleyed red potatoes, and the very nicely sized Fried Shrimp (choice of grilled, fried, or sauteed in the garlic butter) and potatoes.

We saw someone at the next table over have the fettucini (with a number of menu options), and I think we'll try that the next time we visit.

Everything was very tasty, and the service was good and southern friendly.