Had an impromptu dinner and cocktail session with an old co-worker originally from hicktown USA now residing in the land of the illegal immigrant. Just kidding! Though he initially grumbled a lot about work, it was a blast working with him. And as usual, the company also included co-workers still residing in K-Town just minutes from me but whom I haven't seen for ages. Life gets in the way!
We started with cocktails (and were quickly seated which is amazing since Haleiwa Joe's doesn't take reservations) then went straight into dinner. I selected the Guava BBQ Pork Chops on Garlic Mash which was a special of the evening. The chop was perfectly cooked medium (pork needs to have a faint pink interior - don't worry since trichomoniasis is a thing of the past) with a guava glaze including Asian spices. Paired with sauteed haricot vert and garlic mash, it was a very good dish. I paired it with a Pinot Noir from Argentina which rounded out the meal.
The Mrs also selected a special - Opah with Shiitake. Opah or moonfish is a strange looking critter with a disc shaped body that has varying shades of flesh depending on the cut - some are white with hints of pink, most cuts are pink then some cuts are light red and all cuts have varying degrees of fattiness. The fresh shiitake really enhanced the dish though her Prosecco fell a little short of that nice food/wine balance.
The Mrs still had a little room after dinner so she indulged in a slice of Key Lime Pie... as good as Key Lime Pie gets in the 50th.
We have eaten at Haleiwa Joe's on multiple occasions though the last time was over a year ago. The food has improved over previous visits though I noticed the prices have also risen - when we first dined there, a Fred Flintstone sized Prime Rib was $18.95. It's still Fred Flintstone size and still sells out about an hour or so after they open but it's now"Market Price". Since the filet mignon and strip steaks are in the $28 range, I assume the Prime Rib is a little more. And I never heard of "Market Price" beef??... However we'll still return.
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