Starbuck’s is not the place to go for lunch. For free coffee, go to Starbuck’s Tuesday, April 8th, starting at 9:00 am and get a free cup of Pike Place Roast. Pike Place Roast is named after the first Starbuck’s location, Seattle’s Pike Place Market, which opened back in 1971. Today, Starbuck’s has 1.4-million locations, … Read More »

Honolulu’s most populous bird is the ubiquitous crane. From Waikiki to Pearl City, the skyline is dotted with crane after crane. If the building boom is easing on Oahu, you can’t tell from the sky birds. Another crane will go up on Kalakaua Avenue across from the Hawaii Convention Center and amid the glassy shadow … Read More »

A language that should be common to most of mankind, and it’s not English or music, is common sense. There’s a move afoot to teach Pidgin in Hawaii’s schools because, after all, Pidgin is a true language, not merely a dialect. Such subtleties were lost on Joe Vento, owner of Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia. He … Read More »

My wife loves steak. Once a month or so we’ll venture forth to one of her favorite steak places. Some good, some not so much. A steak house is always an adventure in varied dining. At expensive steak houses, such as Ruth’s Chris or Morton’s Steak House, you get quality meat, elegant dining, attentive service. … Read More »

Sekiya’s Restaurant in Kaimuki is closed. Why? Hawaii’s worst outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 ever gave some Sekiya customers bloody diarrhea in the past few months. Worse, the Health Department says Sekiya’s had repeated health inspection violations and will remain closed until the entire facility is decontaminated, disinfected, and sterile. All anyone knows is that … Read More »

Life is full of little catch phrases that add meaning and communication to our lives. Back when beef was bad and carbohydrates were good, the beef industry came up with, “Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.” I haven’t heard or read of a counter phrase from the bread industry. Nike scored big with, “Just do it.” … Read More »