islandmom

There's a Costco in Hawaii Kai and a Daiei in Kailua.

We never leave our car unlocked as we have had our whole car stolen. And attempts on other cars.

travelmom13

Thanks islandmom- that's what I thought too, but just wanted to confirm with someone who is familar with the island.

You have been so helpful! I really appreciate your advice and tips. Thanks for taking the time.

Tracy

MelissaHI

Aloha from San Francisco! Travelmom, I'm currently at the Cartwright Hotel, are you anywhere around? I will probably go to Belden Lane tonight to have some yummy food!!

Sorry folks I have an angry mob behind me waiting for the computer but I wanted to check in and say hi.

travelmom13

MelissaHI- I am actually further south (about 35 minutes). My favorite restaurant in SF is called Cafe Pescadore (near Fishermas Wharf). The Chicken Marsala is to die for. Also Alioto's (also in Fisherman's Wharf) at lunch is REALLY good food and a great deal! BEAUTIFUL VIEW!! What are your plans while in SF? If you need anymore tips let me know!

Thanks for checking in! Travel safe!

travelmom13

Also if you happen to be there over the weekend two rec's for breakfast/brunch:

1. Sears in Union Square- good pancakes!

2. The Palace Hotel- the most beuatiful atrium I have ever seen and a WONDERFUL Sunday brunch. A bit pricey though....but very YUMMY!

Ao=nother good restaurant in Union Square is this itallian one (can't remember the name) but it is right next to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel (not Westin St. Francis). My husband and I went there a few months ago and really enjoyed it.

I think I must be very hungry...all my tips are about food?!?!? I better run make dinner!

travelmom13

By the way- Islandmom: I was just repsonding to another post and read that you are pregnant. CONGRATULATIONS! Do you know if it is a boy or a girl? Hope you are healthy and the pregnancy is going well.

Sarah

Have fun Melissa, Someone else on here has mentioned Cafe Pescatore. I thought it was Kal, maybe not. Still pushing you out to Alice Water's restaurant. Sister was on Fisherman's Warf a couple of years ago on the way to Hawaii. She had the best Warf Chowder at the Hyatt in AIRPORT!!!

Travelmom hope all is going well and congrats on pregnancy!

travelmom13

It's islandmom that is pregnant...not me. My daughter is turning one this next week though?? I was pregnant the last time I went to Kauai-2002.

I'm getting an itinerary together for Oahu. I need at least another week to fit in all that I want to do. I guess thats why you have to keep coming back. I'll post a rough draft and get your opinions.

islandmom

We're having another girl. Things are going well. It's storming this weekend though.

Sarah

island mom I am still getting weather alerts from Hanalei. I understand Honolulu is under flood watch.

Stay above water for us!!!!

travelmom13

No man-o-war for us. I just found a site that showed the moon phases for when we will be in Oahu...the 7-10 period after the full moon begins the day we leave! Thanks for the tip islandmom and Sarah.

Have any of you guys heard any good/bad about thsoe shark cage dives on the north shore? My brother wants to do it soooo bad. I told him I'd try and get the "real scoop" from those who would know. I may post a message about it to the whole fodor clan. Will I get the same "death threat" response as people get who post about dolphin interactions?

Shanghainese

Melissa: I don't know your last name so I couldn't leave a phone message, but the Cartwright is 5 blocks from where I work (I live in the east bay). How long are you staying? Did you go to Belden last night? which place did you eat at? It's a slice of Europe, so cool to eat lunch on the Lane in summer. E & O Trading ( 2 blocks downhill from the Cartwright) has great food and decor.

Travelmom: The Italian bistro in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is Scala, love it.

travelmom13

Thats the name! What a great place to work Shanghainese. My husband raves about E&O...whats your thoughts?

Kal

"Cartwright...Cartwright..."
Reminds me of the Seinfeld eppie at the Chinese restaurant.

"Party on" you wicked wahine! Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
>-

MelissaHI

Shanghainese! My last name is Chang. I did not post for a Fodors GTG because I wasn't sure of my time.....but tomorrow I am shopping and am avail for dinner if you want. Plouf was fab last night, as was Louie's Dim Sum today!!

I'll be out and about again tonight. If I miss you this trip, don't worry....I am returning to SF in October, for a longer trip. This one was supposed to be just a breeze in & out to run errands for PakePorky.

islandmom

I haven't talked to anyone who has done the shark dives. It's one of those things that would be exciting to do but I'd probably pass out.

MelissaHI

Kal, I missed the London wine bar! And you and mrs. Kal.....no threesome this time huh?

Looks like Sears Fine Food in Union Square is closed. Went to Kuleto's tho and the food was great!

AliHsu

This is the 3rd & last time I'm sending this message. 1st, my home computer will not let me respond as Shanghainese, & I'm not techie or patient enough to figure things out, so I reluctantly got myself another screen name. After receiving confirmation, I sent this response twice, the text showed up on Post a reply, but not on the thread. I e-mailed editors@fodors 24 hrs ago & no response. Really strange!

Melissa! It was so exciting to chat with you over the phone Fri night, sorry I wasn't available Sat night but I see you get around ok big time. We'll definitely get together in Oct if I'm not traveling. Perhaps Kal & mrs. will join us at the London wine bar, or E & O for Travelmom's sake? May I ask what do you buy in SF Chinatown that you can't get in Honolulu C-town? What do you get in Paris C-town (PPK mentioned something)? My mom grew up there.

Travelmom: I posted a response re: E & O before I left work Fri, but don't see it anywhere, I wonder what happened, are sharks chewing up my messages? The waves at Maverick (1/2 Moon Bay) were over 30' Fri & they held the surfing competition, did you go? I was stuck downtown staring at tall office buildings but had a plate of unagi (broiled eel with teriyaki sauce) over rice to help me thru the day.

MelissaHI

Hi Shanghainese! I just arrived home and am so sad to have ended my vacation. I was glad to speak to you in person as well!!

In San Francisco Chinatown, on Stockton Street there is a butcher that has the "fo chong" sausage. We apparently don't have that here. Also there are pre-packaged soups at some stores that you would normally have to order via an herbalist. We like the prepackaged convenience of these soups. And finally, there is a thing I call the Chinese "Atkins Pack"--2 kinds of lup cheong, one slab of Chinese bacon, and a duck leg. Very unique to your Chinatown!!

Travelmom, do you eat poi? If you are out in Waimanalo maybe you can stop by the Waihole Poi Factory (a little shack) for Hawaiian plate lunch. mm, mm, mm. It's not for people who don't eat that stuff, though.

travelmom13

AliHsu (aka Shanghainese)- I missed Mavrick's this year. I wanted to get out there too. We went last year but the day we got out there it was too foggy to see the waves. My husband is a Bay Area local and would go many times growing up. When I was in Kauai last two Novemeber's ago the waves were UNREAL...not quite Mavrick's but pretty big none the less.

MelissaHI- glad you had a great time in SF. We love going to the City as muich as possible. There are some great restaurants up there. I've never tried Poi before. What does it taste like? I also saw a thred abotu you guys talking about loco moco? What's that tatse like as well? I'm always up for new tastes.