Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano – Honolulu, HI

I’ve been to Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano a few times in the past few years and they never disappoint! Well the food never disappoints. This past visit was a very weird one. I’m not sure if the waitress was new but she was very off-putting. The other waitress was super nice and I think I might recognize her from previous visits. The difference in attitude and service from one to the other was insane. Of course I got the new waitress, she was cold and rude from the start. There were a few funny moments that proved to me that she was consistent with her attitude which helps me to be less mad. She had put up a paper sign on the door that read “opend 5:30.” The main chef and I assume owner came out and asked her what that white piece of paper was on the door, she said she put the sign up so customers know they are open (I guess dining guests inside won’t give you enough hints) and he said I don’t want that piece of paper up there and she totally resisted. It was so uncomfortable to be sitting right there when it happened but he finally told her, just take it down. I don’t blame him – and it made me wonder if she was new. She spent the whole night answering the phone and as the restaurant started filling up, I still heard her tell customers to come in with no reservations and that it would only be a 10-15 minute wait. Oh boy, I kind of wanted to see how that would play out. Anyhow, she also forgot our drink. We eventually kept calling over the other waitress to assist us further…it served as a saving grace for the night I think.

Anyhow, bad service aside – the food was GREAT. Let me share the pictures with you.

140510-09

140510-01

140510-02Fresh bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I’m not the biggest fan of it but it was just fine.

140510-03

140510-04

140510-05My dish. I believe I ended up getting the Mare – it was DELICIOUS. The seafood, the sauce, the noodles…all perfection. I pretty much ate this whole thing. No shame…lol.

140510-06

140510-07Ravioli Aragosta – Kristian’s dish. He liked it as well, although he would have appreciated more lobster. Please feel free to add your own feedback. 🙂

140510-08Creme Brulee Cheesecake – TO DIE FOR. It was delicious!!  We ordered a tiramisu too but they were also out of it (they were out of three things that night and we were there when they opened). But it doesn’t matter, this slice of cheesecake can solve anything.

The Cheesecake Factory – Waikiki, HI

I don’t have to tell you about The Cheesecake Factory do I? Of course I don’t.  I don’t have to tell you that this place is busy all the time with a line stretching across Waikiki. I don’t have to tell you that an hour and a half wait time is normal. So why is this place so popular? Must be the cheesecake. Well, it is mighty good cheesecake. The food is not bad either but it can be a bit pricey. I came for lunch on a weekday and hallelujah, we didn’t have to wait at all. First time ever. Let’s look at the pictures!

140201-01This. is. it. Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake.  Delicious!

140201-02The bread. They usually serve two breads, a sourdough bread and this sweet honey wheat bread. I don’t eat the sourdough so I just asked for all wheat.  Was gooood.

140201-03

140201-04Fried Calamari – it comes with a garlic aioli and cocktail sauce.  Delicious!

140201-07Ahi Poke – market price! Umm..market price always scares me. Hahaha but had to get em cause it was a special meal. It was very good and the guest of honor enjoyed it so it was well worth it.

140201-05140201-06Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta – Lunch Portion.  I took a chance on this dish, haven’t tried it before and wow was it good!  I could do without the deep fried stick thingies…but the actual pasta was so good.  The vegetables, chicken, sauce and pasta just worked so well together. We were both sooo stuffed at the end of this meal. Great lunch though.

Park in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center garage and you can get validation when you dine here. Make sure you pay at the parking machines by the elevators before you go to your car. They don’t have live attendants collecting money at the end anymore.