Jay Eats Worldwide

I was invited to a Special Stüssy event with some of L.A.'s food elite... (Stüssy , the clothing brand) at Plan Check Kitchen + Bar* 1800 Sawtelle Blvd West Los Angeles Have driven by on Sawtelle, finally got to stop in. It's a great space, love the center table. Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimura created tonight's Special Stüssy menu He's the former Umami Burger Corporate Executive Chef We sat out on the patio and looked over the Special Menu. Everything looked great and even order a dish off the regular menu. It's always fun running into friends and catching up... First up... the appetizers Worldwide Tribe Fries with Chorizo Gravy, Fried Egg, Roasted Pasilla Chile Loved the chorizo gravy and chiles, but not an egg with fries kind of guy... Stuffed Mushroom A Roasted Portobello, Swiss Cheese Fondue, Crispy Kale, Steak Sauce It wasn't part of tonight's menu, but I orde

Unfortunately, 100 Wines Lahaina has Closed February 2013 If you've ever been to Costco, you know you need to explore the warehouse floor to find the hidden gems. Like a treasure hunt, it's an adventure searching for something worthwhile. At 100 Wines, you can explore and go on your own treasure hunt for the evening's special bottle. You'll see the selection right when you walk into the room. One of the latest additions to the Maui dining scene... You're encourage you to explore their selection There's a price point for everyone Lots of bottles to choose from... Besides wine, they have a great kitchen menu, created by Chef Lyndon Honda Small plates and lots of sharing... My next visit, I'll have to come in on a Thursday and try the special, I love paella! Lots of great places to share a bottle and a few plates... 100 Wines was designed by famous restaurateur, Philippe Beltran.

The Maui Visitors Bureau scheduled my visit to Honu Seafood and Pizza. It was a highlight for me, cause I'll FINALLY meet Chef/Owner Mark Ellman, I'll explain later. Hono Seafood and Pizza Front Street in Lahaina In the early 90's, I was on my way to Maui and heard a girl rave about a restaurant in Lahaina called Avalon. I decided to go and was instantly hooked, the food represented Hawai'i and the Pacific. I was surprised to find out that this dinner I enjoyed so much was part of a new cuisine movement and the Avalon chef/owner was part of this group. In 1991, Chef Mark was one of the twelve Hawai'i chefs to form the Hawai'i Regional Cuisine movement. Using ingredients grown/raised on the islands, combined with the Asian and Hawaiian culinary influences, add in some Western and European preparations, and you get a unique regional cuisine. When I started cooking professionally, I used what I've learned from this movement.

One of my favorite places on Ka'anapali Beach is Hula Grill. It's a great place to sit along the beach; watch the sunset, have a cocktail and order some pupus. at Whalers Village Looking out at the Barefoot Bar Dining on the Lanai Must have pupus... Poke Tacos Raw Ahi with soy sauce, Maui onions and chili flakes Served with local tuna, how could this not be good? Crab and Macadamia Nut Wontons Served with a soy sauce and mustard dipping sauce A must order pupu Another one not to miss: Lobster & Scallop Potstickers served with Guava plum sauce. Here's something special to checkout... Chef's Counter See what Executive Chef Chris Schobel has created special for the evening... Chef's Tasting Menu A portion of the proceeds from each Chef's Tasting Menu dinner sold is donated to a local Maui charity. Baked Hawaiian Pineapple upside-down cake, Tahi

If you've been a follower of my Hawai'i trips, you know that I visit a lot of place to eat, I mean a lot of places. I guess you can say it's an occupational hazard. A lot of times I go to see my restaurant friends and sometimes I just go to eat. On this day, I headed over the Pali to visit my cousins in Kaneohe, but they had too much going on and weren't able to meet up or should I say 'meat up'. So at the last minute, I was driving around Kaneohe and found He'eia Pier by accident. I remembered that it's Mark Noguchi's place, met Chef Mark the last time I was on Oahu. Featured in Travel and Leisure Magazine May 2012 Issue "New Hawaiian Food Revolution" It was late and I wasn't sure if they were still open. When I got to the menu and saw that they were serving Kuahiwi Ranch beef from the Big Island, my ears perked up. I met Michelle Galimba, at a Hawai'i event in Los Angeles last summer, learned abo

Restaurant of the Year! Maui No Ka Oi Magazine They won a few awards that night... Maui No Ka Oi Magazine If you've read my other "Star Noodle" post you know the last time I was on Maui, I visited Star Noodle 3 times in 3 days. I never do that... This time, I was with a group of food and travel bloggers and our first stop was Star Noodle. Star Noodle is located at the top of the hill in an industrial area above Lahaina. As we were driving up the hill, Carolyn Jung wondered if I was a serial killer, since it didn't appear we were heading to a place where you'd find a restaurant. I still think she should've called me a "cereal" killer in her article . When you get to the top of the development, you'll see a parking lot full of cars, people waiting outside, AND YES you've found Star Noodle! Once inside, Chef Sheldon Simeon (Top Chef Seattle) has created an incredible menu and see what Jay Eats: