What NOT to do on Valentine’s Day

By • February 14, 2013 • Musings, The Daily Dish

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Look, Valentine’s Day isn’t complicated. You get your partner a thoughtful gift, a sweet card and share a meal somewhere. (Even picnics on the back porch can be romantic.)

But somehow people still screw it up.

So instead of telling you what you should do — schedule a massage, pick up a bottle of moscato d’asti, turn off the Xbox — here’s a list of things you shouldn’t do today.

Please.

• Don’t say, “I don’t do Valentine’s Day.” Who cares if you think it’s a money-driven, arbitrarily contrived commercialized holiday celebrated with overpriced roses and expensive prix fixe menus? You may say Valentine’s Day is every day, but until we’re getting romanced on the other 364 days of the year, your line today is, “Valentine’s Day? Love it!”

• Don’t give cheap chocolate. We know the difference between Hershey’s and bean-to-bar artisan chocolate. (See yesterday’s blog.) If you’re going to get the cliched gift of chocolate, then you may as well splurge on it.

• Don’t go to see “A Good Day to Die Hard.” I don’t care if you’re a die hard “Die Hard” fan, this isn’t a date movie.

• Don’t buy a puppy. Unless you’re serious about dog ownership — and it requires a ton of commitment, trust me — getting a dog for Valentine’s Day isn’t going to score points in the long run.

• Don’t — surprise! — invite your friends on your Valentine’s date. This is one of those days you should spend with your significant other — alone. Unless you’ve planned this in advance — and with your partner’s approval — don’t invite your pals over for a night of beer and Netflix.

• Don’t get matching tattoos. You’ll likely regret it.

• Don’t get teddy bears or stuffed animals unless she specifically wants them (or she’s 10 years old). Some women dig the stuffed animals and that’s cool. But don’t assume we all do.

• Don’t call your ex. Even if you’re both single, it’s just not the right time. You’re caught up in the moment, swayed by the smell of overpriced roses and chocolate-covered strawberries. Don’t call, don’t text, don’t even think about it.

• Don’t be too practical. Save the Vitamix or window-tinting for the car for birthdays. Today, be romantic. Get the 800-thread-count Egyptian cotton bed sheets or the spa package that’s so long it includes lunch. It only comes around once a year!

• Don’t complain about it. Don’t buy a box of chocolate and pick up the tab at dinner — then complain about it. That cancels everything out.

• Don’t wait ’til the last minute. If you haven’t planned anything by now, you’re obviously too late. But don’t be late for next year. The best thing about Valentine’s Day is that it happens every year on the same day. So no excuses!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

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#CatChat: My excuse to eat Manoa Chocolate

By • February 12, 2013 • Food, Videos

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Oh, feel bad for me.

I had to visit Dylan Butterbaugh at Manoa Chocolate (@manoachocolate) in Kailua this week. And I had to eat chocolate.

Poor me.

We shot an impromptu #CatChat — you can tell; I’m not wearing lipstick! — sampling the various bars this artisan, bean-to-bar chocolate shop has, from a 72 percent dark chocolate from Bolivia to a fun Breakfast Bar with Waialua coffee beans and nibs. Oh, yeah.

And watch the second bonus video, too. Dylan talks about the process of making chocolate bars from raw beans — and wait ’til you see how he winnows the cacao!


Here’s the #CatChat


Here’s the EXTRA video. Worth watching ’til the end, trust me.

Manoa Chocolate, 315 Uluniu St., Kailua. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Phone: (808) 262-6789.

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I still call Macy’s ‘Liberty House’

By • February 11, 2013 • Musings, The Daily Dish

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You’ve heard the phrase, “You know you’re old when…”

Well, I must be edging into that suggested age bracket.

It all started the other day when I saw an ad on TV for some one-day sale at Macy’s and it reminded me of the old Zooper sales at Liberty House.

It’s hard to believe it’s been only 12 years since Federated Department Stores Inc. bought Hawaii’s oldest and largest department store chain. (It seems like way longer.) Liberty House left such an indelible mark on the minds of local consumers, it’s not a surprise that many of us still refer to Macy’s as the bought-out chain.

But that’s not the only no-longer-around landmark that I often make references to.

There’s Gems — which is now where the City Square Building is in Kalihi — and Chun Hoon Market at the corner of Nuuanu Avenue and School Street. There’s King’s Bakery on King Street — now Pint + Jigger — and Arakawa’s in Waipahu. (I blame my mom, though, for still using the names of these old businesses.)

But I also make references to places that don’t exist in that location anymore such as Taco Bell on King Street (now Hinone Mizunone) and Pizza Hut on Waialae, which is now Fresh Catch.

It’s interesting to think how much has changed in Hawaii — and how much we hold onto the past.

Anyone else still calling Macy’s Liberty House?

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Found: Butter logs from Larry’s Bakery

By • February 7, 2013 • Food

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A few years ago, I heard Larry’s Bakery — the one that used to be in Waiau and known for its wholesale business — had opened a storefront somewhere in Salt Lake.

But the other day, on my way to Target, I drove past it — and came to an immediate halt.

There it was. Larry’s Bakery. I needed to stop.

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The bakery opened back in the 1960s by Larry — of course — Yafuso. After he passed away, his children, Iris and Lance, took over the bakery — and have taken it to the next level, with a website and social media reach.

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What Larry’s is known for is simple: delicious nostalgic desserts that were on the menu when it first opened decades ago. Things like jelly rolls and loaf cakes — and the aforementioned Butter Log ($5), a buttery roll of sponge cake and sugar that, when combined, is the most delicious thing you could ever put in your mouth.

At least that what I thought when I had my first bite today.

And it’s only five bucks!

But that’s not all.

We sampled (from left) Larry’s glazed donut, apple turnover and lima bean manju — all simple and tasty and reminiscent of the baked goods you’d get in old-fashioned bakeries.

Which, apparently, is the point.

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So if you haven’t been to Larry’s, I highly recommended you do. It’s open tomorrow — though only until noon — and the butter logs do sell out. So get there early!

Larry’s Bakery, 4369 Lawehana St., Hours: 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-noon Saturday, closed Sunday. Phone: (808) 422-0059.

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#Dish5: V-Day gifts she’ll really like

By • February 6, 2013 • Musings, The Daily Dish

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Most of the women I know need two things: a well-rounded meal and a foot massage.

To me, that’s a perfect Valentine’s Day gift right there. I’d be happy with just that.

But to make the day even more special, I’ve come up with five surefire gift suggestions that will make any so-busy-her-makeup-routine-happens-on-the-commute-to-work woman smile a little more than normal.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Pampering

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OK, if there's one thing a woman really wants but has a hard time splurging on, it's pampering. And let me tell you, she probably needs is! My pick: the uber-posh SpaHalekulani is offering a Romantic Rendevous, a 90-minute experience that starts with champagne in a jacuzzi and ends with a couples' massage in the spa's suite. (Yes, you get pampered, too!) Cost is $399 per couple and this package is only available from Feb. 14 to 18. Call (808) 931-5322 for reservations.

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