Throwback Post: 1st Foodie Pic

I haven't updated this blog in a long while. I'm going to resuscitate it since I collected so many food pictures throughout the years.

For my first new post, I'll start off with my 1st foodie pic I found on my old phone.

                                                Here is what my old phone used to look like:

Sony Ericsson W810i

Interestingly, it looks like I used this phone for many years going by the timestamps (I didn't get my first smartphone until 2010). Camera phones were very primitive back in 2006. This one had a whopping 2mp camera. It was considered pretty "advanced" at the time with a flash and autofocus. In fact, the first iPhone was released with a 2mp camera too (no flash!). 

Without further adieu..

First foodie picture taken at Hifumi Restaurant

Thinking about Hifumi Restaurant brings back a flow of nostalgia. This was our go-to Japanese restaurant. It was located in Chinatown. The owner was always so courteous to my family. Apparently, the restaurant was open for ~30 years. 

I always ordered the Wafu Steak with Tempura and Sashimi combo. The Wafu steak had a savory garlic based sauce and served on a cast iron platter. It always arrived at the table, steaming hot and still sizzling, filling the room with such an amazing fragrance. I don't think any other restaurant had this dish at the time. 

Their shrimp tempura was known as "jumbo" and believe it or not, their shrimp was quite large back in the day. As time went on, however, the shrimp became tinier; likely a cost cutting measure. 

Back in the day, this combo was maybe around $12. A meal with this spread would likely be over $20 today. 

Unfortunately, Hifumi Restaurant closed late ~2010 or early 2011. I believe the owner said the business was struggling so she ended up closing. I went there for one last hurrah. Guess what I ordered? 

Last visit in 2010

Fast forward over a decade later...Honestly, I am not sure what restaurant took its place. I'm sure many restaurants came and gone but Hifumi will always have a nostalgic space in my tummy. 

The Quest to Find a Great Donut

About a year ago, Dunkin' Donuts opened in Hawaii.  I remember when it first opened, the lines wrapped around the block and the drive-thru was a nightmare.  I suppose in a way, the hype for Dunkin died down..most of the time I pass by, it's not very busy.  I found it rather ironic because over a decade ago, Dunkin exited the Hawaii market.  Somehow within recent years, they decided that they'd like to re-establish their donut foothold.  

I don't usually crave Dunkin' because it's too sweet.  Although I enjoy a donut from time to time, I'm not sure if I would go out of my way for their donuts. 

Dunkin' Donuts. My sister bought this for us. It was okay but too sweet.

However....

Recently, a new donut shop has been making huge strides in Hawaii.  The backstory goes: "2 former bartenders decided to trade their strainers for a fryer." This shop is located in Kaka'ako and goes by the name Purve'.  It's definitely a play on words because I suppose it can be pronounced as "pervy" or "perv" as my friends call it.  Or it can be pronounced as "purvey," which I definitely feel this little shop is trying to do to differentiate itself from the run-of-the-mill, boring donut. 

The names of each donut is carefully albeit playfully created.  Names range from the "O-face" to the "Sanchez" or even other silly names like "It's Okay, It's Your Dog," "Unicorn Butt Sneeze," and "You're Killing Me Smalls" (name that movie!).  Each name will definitely tickle your pickle..pun intended.  Even their logo is quite creative.  Imagine a unicorn farting (hence the unicorn butt sneeze donut).

Purve' Donut Stop makes handcrafted morsels of crispy goodness.  Up until trying their donuts, I don't think I've ever had a donut so fresh and crispy.  I don't consider myself a donut connoisseur but at some other donut shops, you can taste the stale oil.  Luckily at Purve', the oil stays fresh and each donut is fried in small batches so it doesn't have that lingering aftertaste.  The shop gets quite busy but I can tell you, the hype is real.  Some flavors are a bit sweet for me but the creativity and uniqueness of each donut is worth skipping your diet for a day..or two.  

Top left: Unicorn Butt Sneeze. Top Right: You're Killing Me Smalls. Middle Left: Ala Wai Tea Bag. Middle: Na-na-nut Buster. Bottom Right: Hulk Smash

My favorite flavors are the Na-na-nut Buster, which is a Haupia Glaze with macadamia nuts and chocolate banana, and the Hulk Smash has a mint glaze with an oreo crumble.

The quest to find a great donut is over.  Forget Dunkin'. Purve' is where it's at.

Rating:

Update: Purve' Donuts now has a new location at Kuono Marketplace.

Reboot

Hello everyone,

It's been years since I last updated this blog.  I decided to give it a try once again since I have some free time for the time being.

My first post was dated almost 7 years ago.  Smartphone cameras improved substantially over the years so now I can attempt to make people drool over food.

Above: Taken with my HTC Aria 5MP of foodie goodness

Below: Taken with my HTC 10 12MP (Quite a difference huh)

The goal of this blog is to document my food experiences.  I guess in a way I'm a true foodie.  Almost each meal I take a photo and post it on Instagram.  However, I feel Instagram is a bit lame nowadays with it's timeline rankings.  Sometimes I take Yelp with a grain of salt because it seems more people are likely to complain about an establishment as compared to praising it.

Anyway, lets give this another try.

First post

So I decided to make a photo blog for food. Just a collection of shots I took over the years using my phones.

If anyone is interested in knowing more about a certain food, let me know.

Hope you enjoy my blog and if I'm making you hungry, then I'm doing my job =P