Once again, we had the family holiday meal at Hiroshi. Vino actually had a special menu for Christmas and I discussed it with the boss (Mom) but when I mentioned that one of the dishes had hearts of palm, she nixed Vino. Something about a lifelong aversion to hearts of palm since years ago, a kupuna she worked with at Kahaluu Elementary School said that hearts of palm gave her abnormal liver tests per the kupuna's physician. And once Mom makes up her mind, "you ain't changin' it"! To this day she still despises former State Senator Carol Fukunaga for voting against then Attorney General Marjorie Bronster... loads of Democratic senators did the same but for some reason she focused in on Senator Fukunaga (who is a personal hero to me for sponsoring the direct wine shipping laws in Hawaii).
Anyway, the meal started with Smoked Scallops with a smoked miso vinaigrette:
An intermezzo of Crispy Shrimp with tomato water and horseradish aioli followed
With the 2nd course consisting of a Kona Maine Lobster Cake with a ginger-tarragon sauce on orzo. The cake was great though the licorice flavor of the tarragon dominated the dish.
Another intermezzo of Kampachi Sashimi with hearts of palm followed so Mom couldn't escape the hearts of palm after all. She doesn't eat raw fish so the Mrs had her intermezzo though the Mrs did convince Mom to try one little sliver of hearts of palm. I think Mom was a little relieved that she didn't drop dead right there...
The entree was either a Sous Vide Filet Mignon which was as tender as filet gets... actually one of the best steaks I've had... EVER! it was served with a pancetta potato croquette and nishime (which I didn't understand since nishime never pops into my head when considering a side dish for filet mignon).
Or a Crispy Skin Kampachi with oxtail broth and fresh clams.
Dessert was an Apple Mousse Bar on walnut shortbread crust.
Vino also had extra Olive Oil Chocolate Cake so the Mrs ordered one of those too...
Another great meal from the Hiroshi and Vino staff. Maybe next year, Mom may even choose a different restaurant... probably not, but I'm not complaining about yet another meal at either Hiroshi or Vino...
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