Honolulu GTG, noon, Mon. Feb. 13
Jan 18th, 2006, 09:20 AM
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Honolulu GTG, noon, Mon. Feb. 13
Plans are falling into place for a GTG in Honolulu as a result of discussion started by Antoinette in the thread "Aloha swap meet/Chinatown tour question" which can be found at this link:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34733305
MelissaHI wisely suggested that I start a new thread announcing the GTG.
Some of us are touring Chinatown with PakePorkChop beginning at 9:30, and the GTG will start immediately after the conclusion of the tour. The location will be determined by PakePorkChop based on numbers and his discussion with several restaurants about "special treatment" and pricing for such an esteemed group!
There are 7 confirmed so far: Pakeporkchop, Hikerboy, Mrs. Hikerboy, Antoinette, Mr. Antoinette, ATLskeet & Mrs. ATLskeet. There are 4 "tentatives: " MelissaHI, Chepar, and 2 "friends of Antoinette."
Let us know here if you plan to attend the GTG. We will post more info about the location once PPC has finalized arrangements.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34733305
MelissaHI wisely suggested that I start a new thread announcing the GTG.
Some of us are touring Chinatown with PakePorkChop beginning at 9:30, and the GTG will start immediately after the conclusion of the tour. The location will be determined by PakePorkChop based on numbers and his discussion with several restaurants about "special treatment" and pricing for such an esteemed group!
There are 7 confirmed so far: Pakeporkchop, Hikerboy, Mrs. Hikerboy, Antoinette, Mr. Antoinette, ATLskeet & Mrs. ATLskeet. There are 4 "tentatives: " MelissaHI, Chepar, and 2 "friends of Antoinette."
Let us know here if you plan to attend the GTG. We will post more info about the location once PPC has finalized arrangements.
Jan 18th, 2006, 10:54 AM
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Hi-
Confirming myself, Antoinette (Toni really) and husband Mike, plus our two Oahu friends Jan and Jeff. We'll be there for the tour and lunch. Looking forward to it and counting the days until we're there. Right now I'm looking out the window at falling snow, 21 on the thermometer and wind gusts of 25-35 mph! Best part of the dish satellite system is checking the Honolulu weather and seeing sunny 80/sunny 80/sunny 80.....
Confirming myself, Antoinette (Toni really) and husband Mike, plus our two Oahu friends Jan and Jeff. We'll be there for the tour and lunch. Looking forward to it and counting the days until we're there. Right now I'm looking out the window at falling snow, 21 on the thermometer and wind gusts of 25-35 mph! Best part of the dish satellite system is checking the Honolulu weather and seeing sunny 80/sunny 80/sunny 80.....
Jan 18th, 2006, 11:11 AM
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The head count is now 9, all of whom are taking Pakeporkchop's Chinatown culinary tour and then having lunch/GTG. Attending so far are Anthony, Toni, Mike, Jan, Jeff, Kevin, Peggy, Roger, and Kristi.
MelissaHI, my schedule is iffy right now. Probably meet you at Don Ho's at Monday happy hour. I'll confirm with you when our plans become clearer.
Anyone else interested in meeting MelissaHI at Don Ho's Island Grill happy hour (3pm till 6) on Monday?
They feature $2 beers and free pupus at the Monday happy hours.
MelissaHI, my schedule is iffy right now. Probably meet you at Don Ho's at Monday happy hour. I'll confirm with you when our plans become clearer.
Anyone else interested in meeting MelissaHI at Don Ho's Island Grill happy hour (3pm till 6) on Monday?
They feature $2 beers and free pupus at the Monday happy hours.
Jan 18th, 2006, 01:16 PM
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still can't confirm yet on the lunch - but I wanted to inform that the Mandalay is now open.
I've seen a copy of the menu, which appears to be a "regular" menu. I'm not yet clear if they are serving dim sum or not.
I've seen a copy of the menu, which appears to be a "regular" menu. I'm not yet clear if they are serving dim sum or not.
Jan 18th, 2006, 03:35 PM
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Thanks for the news about the Mandalay opening, chepar.
Here's a quote from Mandalay co-owner Larry Chan:
"It won't be your common Chinese restaurant," he said. "It's going to be a truly contemporary Asian restaurant, offering fine cuisine and Hong Kong-style dim sum."
PakePorkChop is going to talk to the Mandalay about our needs. He said he would try to negotiate a package, and if they can accommodate us we may meet there for lunch, or at the Hong Kong Harborview, or somewhere else.
I'm really looking forward to the get together, wherever it is!
Here's a quote from Mandalay co-owner Larry Chan:
"It won't be your common Chinese restaurant," he said. "It's going to be a truly contemporary Asian restaurant, offering fine cuisine and Hong Kong-style dim sum."
PakePorkChop is going to talk to the Mandalay about our needs. He said he would try to negotiate a package, and if they can accommodate us we may meet there for lunch, or at the Hong Kong Harborview, or somewhere else.
I'm really looking forward to the get together, wherever it is!
Jan 21st, 2006, 01:06 AM
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Well... I went to the newly opened Mandalay Restaurant and quickly realized that several million dollars had been expended to achieve its opening.
And the prices reflect the need to capture the return on investment.
The setting and food are quite appropriate to this whole venture. This is a place that you want to go to when you are in the Central Financial District, have a limited amount of time for lunch, and want to have a fine ambience and crisply wrought products.
Having said that, I have concluded that this is not a "Chinatown" experience and decided that this interesting "downtown" dim sum comparison between Hong Kong Harborview and Mandalay shall remain a unique category.
Be warned. This is not a cheap place.
However, the quality of food service is significantly different.
And the prices reflect the need to capture the return on investment.
The setting and food are quite appropriate to this whole venture. This is a place that you want to go to when you are in the Central Financial District, have a limited amount of time for lunch, and want to have a fine ambience and crisply wrought products.
Having said that, I have concluded that this is not a "Chinatown" experience and decided that this interesting "downtown" dim sum comparison between Hong Kong Harborview and Mandalay shall remain a unique category.
Be warned. This is not a cheap place.
However, the quality of food service is significantly different.
Jan 21st, 2006, 04:34 AM
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PPC, Mandalay sounds impressive. Given what you have said, I think for our Feb 13 GTG luncheon we would prefer the Hong Kong Harborview, or a restaurant of your choice right in Chinatown.
What do you think?
What do you think?
i'2
Jan 28th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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Aloha, PakePorkChop.
Have you decided yet on a location for our Chinatown GTG luncheon?
The head count is holding at 9, and we haven't had any "new recruits" step up to join the merriment since Jan. 18. Of course 9 is a pretty good group size for having good old Fodors-type conversation!
Have you decided yet on a location for our Chinatown GTG luncheon?
The head count is holding at 9, and we haven't had any "new recruits" step up to join the merriment since Jan. 18. Of course 9 is a pretty good group size for having good old Fodors-type conversation!
Jan 28th, 2006, 11:40 AM
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I believe that Mei Sum Dim Sum will be the most appropriate choice. It's on the tour route and is located very close to the end of the tour. It's also one of MelissaHi's favorite dim sum locations (aside from Hong Kong Harborview, of course).
It would be most convenient if those going to the GTG go to Mei Sum (at the corner of Smith Street and Pauahi Street
at 11:25 am and ask to be seated at the table for CHANG. The tour group remnants will arrive shortly thereafter.
Any volunteers?
For those driving, there is a very convenient municipal parking garage located under the block bounded by Beretenia, Nuuanu, Pauahi, and Smith. The entrance to the garage is on the makai side of Beretenia, just ewa of Nuuanu (I presume that, if you drive, you understand these directions).
OK, 9:30 for the tour. 11:30 for the GTG.
It would be most convenient if those going to the GTG go to Mei Sum (at the corner of Smith Street and Pauahi Street
at 11:25 am and ask to be seated at the table for CHANG. The tour group remnants will arrive shortly thereafter.
Any volunteers?
For those driving, there is a very convenient municipal parking garage located under the block bounded by Beretenia, Nuuanu, Pauahi, and Smith. The entrance to the garage is on the makai side of Beretenia, just ewa of Nuuanu (I presume that, if you drive, you understand these directions).
OK, 9:30 for the tour. 11:30 for the GTG.
Jan 28th, 2006, 12:26 PM
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The 4 in our group are excited about the tour and where we'll be eating! We're somewhat dim sum novices, having only been at one once before, but as long as someone explains what's in things, we're game for most stuff (except no chicken feet!) Those we'd recognize! 
Toni
Toni
Jan 28th, 2006, 12:31 PM
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Antoinette.....Hikerboy....let me know if you'll make it for happy hour. Just went yesterday and I gotta find a better table. I was sitting downwind of all the pineapple juice at the bar. Well, I guess it's not so unpleasant for a visitor....we'll see!
Jan 28th, 2006, 02:57 PM
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PakePorkChop, thanks so much for arranging the GTG dim sum lunch at Mei Sum Dim Sum! We'll see you and Toni at the Chinatown Chamber at 9:30 on the 13th. There will be 3 others with me, and 3 others with Toni too (I think). Total of 9.
MelissaHI & Toni, we would like to meet up at Don Ho's for happy hour. It runs from 3 to 6 pm, right? When is a good time? The earlier the better for us. Peg and I will go to Foster Botanic Garden for a visit when we finish the GTG lunch at Mei Sum Dim Sum and say our goodbyes to Anthony and the others. When we leave Foster, we will head down to the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where we hope to go up the Tower, browse in the shops, and see some of the Star of Honolulu Welcome Hula Show at Pier 8 (4:30-5:30). By then we'll be ready to head back to Kailua after a full day.
MelissaHI, should we start a new thread and announce another GTG for 4 PM at Don Ho's, or leave it as it is?
In any case, I'm looking forward to meeting you all on the 13th.
BTW, I love the smell of pineapple in the afternoon! (beats the smell of napalm in the morning everytime). Anthony says that Mei Sum is one of your favorites. Will we see you there for lunch, MelissaHI?
MelissaHI & Toni, we would like to meet up at Don Ho's for happy hour. It runs from 3 to 6 pm, right? When is a good time? The earlier the better for us. Peg and I will go to Foster Botanic Garden for a visit when we finish the GTG lunch at Mei Sum Dim Sum and say our goodbyes to Anthony and the others. When we leave Foster, we will head down to the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where we hope to go up the Tower, browse in the shops, and see some of the Star of Honolulu Welcome Hula Show at Pier 8 (4:30-5:30). By then we'll be ready to head back to Kailua after a full day.
MelissaHI, should we start a new thread and announce another GTG for 4 PM at Don Ho's, or leave it as it is?
In any case, I'm looking forward to meeting you all on the 13th.
BTW, I love the smell of pineapple in the afternoon! (beats the smell of napalm in the morning everytime). Anthony says that Mei Sum is one of your favorites. Will we see you there for lunch, MelissaHI?
Jan 28th, 2006, 04:38 PM
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no, I won't be there for lunch. Hmmm. let's see. for Happy Hour, you can go at 3 and you won't need reservations (just say you're there for happy hour). I do have to work, but I can get there as soon as possible, probably closer to 430 or 5 if that's OK. Then you can check out the Star of Honolulu show, and I'll hold the table!
Feb 10th, 2006, 09:12 PM
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OK, this will be one of the final postings about this event.
No one has volunteered to be the advance person for the GTG party, so I will need to delegate someone that I know to serve that purpose.
It will be, as previously announced. at Mei Sum Dim Sum, 11:30 am on Monday, February 13.
If anyone loses their way for the tour or the GTG, my cellular telephone number is (808) 227-6008.
Bring money. $10 for the tour, approximately $8 for the lunch.
No one has volunteered to be the advance person for the GTG party, so I will need to delegate someone that I know to serve that purpose.
It will be, as previously announced. at Mei Sum Dim Sum, 11:30 am on Monday, February 13.
If anyone loses their way for the tour or the GTG, my cellular telephone number is (808) 227-6008.
Bring money. $10 for the tour, approximately $8 for the lunch.
