Florence | New Olive Oil, Honey, Cheese, and Wine Market

Photo courtesy of instagram @florence_journal 

If you’re currently in Florence right now and the mercato in Piazza della Repubblica of new olive oil, cheese, honey, and wine is going on, do yourself the biggest favor and go take a gander at what’s on offer.  You are encouraged to try all the new oils (olio) on fresh bread (pane), sample the different varieties of honey (miele), and go wine (vino) tasting all in one absolutely beautiful piazza.

Spring Breakers 2014: Kai `Oli `Oli | Hawaii

Erin, Julia, me, Lucia, and David

Living in Hawaii definitely has its perks when it comes to vacations.  We don't have to travel to find the sun and heat; all we need to do is jump in a car and head to the beach.  But it's nice to be out on the water sometimes, not just on the shore.  My friend Erin's boyfriend David works on a snorkeling and whale watching boat, Kai `Oli`Oli with Ocean Joy Cruises out in the Ko Olina Marina on the West Side of Oahu.  This break Erin had her friend Julia come visit her in Hawaii from Bellingham, Washington.  David got us on one of the afternoon cruises along with our friend Lucia and we had a bomb afternoon soaking up the sun, sea, and snorkeling out in the open ocean.    

The cruise is rated one of the best on the island and there's no denying why. The crew is awesome and so friendly. There is an 'ono (delicious in Hawaiian) buffet of local food, an open bar (alcoholic and non, but why non people, why??), great snorkel gear to use, and hot showers which you will be so grateful for if you're on the later cruise.  

Tip: If you're like me and are blind, the crew has prescription masks you can use so you can actually see the ocean life.  Just ask and they'll hook it up. 

They also have awesome photographers on the boat who jump in with you as you snorkel and take some awesome shots, like the ones you see here, that you can purchase on a DVD and use as you like.

Big shout out to David for hooking it up and for Captain Pat and the crew of the Kai `Oli `Oli for always showing us a good time.

Morsels: Fresh Café | Hawaii

My younger sister Kayla and I decided to have a full-blown study session today, trying to get a handle on assignments that are being piled on by professors and prepare for upcoming midterms.  I don't know about you but I have a really hard time getting in solid studying done at home.  There are too many distractions, namely my bed, that keep me from really getting shit done.  

Fresh Café is definitely a cool place to go to when you want good food and a place to study.  They found that great balance of vintage, home-y interior decoration with clean industrial accents.  Free wifi and friendly staff make it a good place to crack down on the week's studying.  They have a wide menu featuring gourmet soups, salads, and sandwiches, and all of your standard café beverages.  Massive acai bowls and smoothies are also on the menu if you want something sweet.  

Fresh Café also hosts community events in their Loft in Space space in the back of the café like Art and Flea the last Thursday every month where local venders, live music, and artists come together for a night of festivities.  Other events are Pow Wow Hawaii, a contemporary art movement, First Thursdays where HawaiiSlam, the largest poetry slam in the world, and many other events like weekly Zumba classes and yoga.  

Warm Spinach Bacon & Garlic Salad

house blend soy vinaigrette dressing, bacon, mushrooms, sautéed garlic over spinach 

Bacon Eggs & Cheese Omelet Sandwich

bacon, eggs, and american cheese omelet in a honey whole wheat bagel

Half Chicken Caesar Salad

homemade caesar dressing, chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, croutons, parmesan cheese

Lemon Bar

Fresh Café hours:

Monday - Saturday 8am - 11pm

Sunday 9am - 6pm

831 Queen Street

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

(808) 688-8055

http://freshcafehi.com/home/

I should have been Greek! | Hawaii

   

One of my favorite times of the year finally happened, Honolulu Greek Festival! I can't even remember how long I've been going, it's been that long.  Usually we try to go to both days but as I've gotten older, I treat my mama to the second day.  I had to work one of the two days this year so my mom and I went on opening day, my treat.  This year was just as great, not to mention delicious.  Over the years we've learned that on the first day you get there super early in order to make it into the pastry line first.  Those suckers sell out by the first couple of hours.  This year we stoked up on pastries up to my eyeballs.  Baklava, chocolate baklava, kataifi, koulourakai, and sooo much more.  It was a good call because by 3:30 (festival opens at noon) half of it was sold out.   

After we pretty much single-handedly bought out the pastries we headed to the greek kitchen section to feast.  I got the spanakopita plate which included greek salad, feta cheese and bread, olives, rice pilaf, dolmathes, and a piece of baklava.  I also got an extra piece of spanakopita because it's my favorite and just so damn good.  My mom shared the plate with me but got her own piece of spanakopita and a piece of moussaka, her favorite.  We found seats near the main stage where we got a great seat in the shade under the trees and watched the live greek band, Apollo, perform.  We lucked out that some of the festival volunteers from the Greek Church danced to traditional songs.  

About an hour later we decided to muster up the energy to get up (and not explode) and walk around.  I always love visiting the booth that a local jewelry store, Artlines, sets up.  I usually find a bracelet or ring that I like but this year I found a sick bell bell chime that I couldn't pass up.  It was so hot that day so to cool off we shared a bowl of lemon sorbet.  Before we called it a day, I picked up a gyro for dinner and a greek sausage and pita bread for my mom.  Overall, another great festival and a very satisfied Kiyana.  

Originally written and published on August 28, 2012 on The Late Night Chronicles