After the Mrs did her obligatory stop at Nordstrom, we headed on over to REAL, a Gastropub. In the past 6 months or so, Oahu now is home to at least 3 gastropubs. What's a gastropub? Well, a pub or public house is where your typical English speaking denizen across the "pond" sampled their usual libation. Usually located within walking distance (that's why Ireland has a low rate of DUIs despite copious amounts of Guiness being untapped) the usual faire is usually comfort foods though some would state it's mainly to fill the belly... not necessarily gourmet by any stretch of the imagination. Enter a new generation of barkeeps who keep the brewskies flowin' but also serve gourmet faire as well... enter the gastropub!
We started with the Pipi Kaula Poke
And the Deviled Eggs
I also did a sampler tasting of 4 different beer - I asked for the darkest beer but I guess since we're in the midst of summer, the tap selections were mainly IPAs and Hefeweizens.
Then after a brief lull (the cooked selections don't start until 4pm even if REAL opens at 2pm), we moved right into the Duck Fat Fries... yes, cooked in duck fat served with homemade ketchup which was a little spicier than your supermarket variety.
Onion Rings - since this is a gastropub, you know that the beer batter gotta be the bomb... and IT WAS!
Poutine which was my personal selection. Basically fries with cheese curds (like fresh mozzarella) covered in gravy (their gravy is thinner than the plate lunch type but very good) with shredded duck confit and a runny egg. Ok, the comet can hit earth now, I'm satisfied...
Along with the Burger Slider
And the Chicken and Waffles. A mini fried chicken slider sandwiched between mini waffles.
Candied Bacon. Okay, the comet can strike again since I'm doubly satisfied.
And finally, the All Day Braised Short Ribs
I also sampled another tasting sampler selected by our server
The girls wanted dessert so we tried the special Blueberry Cobbler
The Bacon Cheesecake complete with candied bacon (my favorite as the smoky, savory balanced the rich cheesecake in the same way chocolate and bacon also work)
And the Irish Car Bomb which was a close 2nd
Okay, one more off the "gotta try" list... though I still want to sample the Duck Confit Corndogs... and the Poutine again... and some dark winter beers... And since it was only 6:30pm, we then headed on over to Vino for a nightcap...
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