Lunch on President’s Day

Timing is everything, and our timing today was poor. All we wanted today was a late lunch, some place to sit down and relax, a place with good food, modestly priced, and with free and easy parking. We eat quickly, tip well, don’t spill our food or drinks, and don’t make demands of the waiters, servers, or hostesses.

Today was not the day for a relaxing lunch. If you want lunch on a holiday in Honolulu you’re better off brown bagging it.

We tried Ala Moana Center first. Why? Lots of parking and many places to eat. Parking at 1:30 PM was horrible. Who knew that President’s Day was so popular that everyone had to celebrate their love of Presidents past by driving to the mall? Parking was next to impossible and so was the wait at any of the mall restaurants that had their own chairs (shared chairs at Makai Market, the food court, don’t count).

Alright, OK, what to do? Well, a quick visit to Safeway on Kapahulu was on the list for the afternoon’s activities, so why not stop at Genki Sushi on the way? Sorry, Charlie. Genki serves tuna that tastes good, not tuna to folks with good taste and no time to wait in line.

That was how the afternoon went. No parking problems at the fast food places, but if the restaurant didn’t have a menu hanging behind the counter clerk, parking and seating was next to impossible.Alright, OK, what to do next? I know– Safeway. I found parking but didn’t find the strawberry sorbet I came for, so I bought some take out sushi instead, then headed home.

10-minutes after eating the sushi I developed a stomach ache which lasted all day, all night, and well into my fading dreams. Then I remembered all those news stories about bad ahi being sold locally and making people sick.

The next time a holiday comes around I’m brown bagging it for lunch.