Transition

It's a bit of a rough transition from this...

...to this...

...but we're working on it.

The fresh snowfall has helped - it's better to have snow to play in (and eat) than just cold wind and gray skies.

Maui: date night @ Sansei

My sister gave us a great Christmas present while in Maui: her babysitting services so we could go out on a date, our first real date since Doodle was an infant!

We headed to Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, a restaurant we found listed in some brochure as the best Japanese fusion restaurant in Maui. They weren't kidding. I didn't get any photos of dinner, but lucky for us (and you), lots of other people have posted photos of their fabulous Sansei meals on Flickr. Are you ready to see the amazingness that was our dinner?

The drinks:

Lychee Martini

Lychee vodka martini, garnished with lychee sorbet balls. Yum.

We also had some Sho Chiku Bai “Nigori” (Cloudy Sake). The best sake I've had so far.

The Food:

Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll

"Sashimi grade Hawaiian ahi, arugula and spinach wrapped into a sushi roll, panko-crusted, flash-fried and served with Sansei’s mild soy wasabi butter sauce." OMG amazing. Amazing amazing amazing.

Sansei's Shrimp Dynamite

"Crispy tempura shrimp tossed with creamy garlic masago aioli with an unagi glaze drizzle." Yuuummmmm.

Mackerel nigiri, the Alaska Flower Roll, and a Lobstertail and Asparagus roll. All very yummy and fresh. Mmmmm.

Matsuhisa style Miso Butterfish - "Tender butterfish marinated and roasted in sake and sweet miso." Click on the link to see the photo. So SO good.

Finally, Dessert:

Tempura Fried Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

"Vanilla ice cream wrapped with buttery pound cake, rolled in roasted macadamia nuts, flash-fried and served with chocolate and caramel sauces."

I'm of the opinion that this should be the only dessert option they offer. It is mind-blowingly delicious AND decidedly Hawaiian. Why get New York-style cheesecake or chocolate cake and ice cream that you could get anywhere when you can get THIS?

This was such an amazing dinner. It was great to get away with just J, and we got to appreciate some really awesome food while doing so. In all, a perfect evening. Special thanks to my sibs who entertained the kiddos, and family members who gave us cash for Christmas "to spend as we wish". You bought us one heck of a memorable dinner. Thank you!

Return from Paradise

We're back and alive. Still struggling to get back on Eastern time after switching to Pacific (+3 hours), then Hawaii (+2 more), then back to Pacific (-2), then Eastern (-3, and we got home at 4am Tuesday). Our internal clocks are all effed up. We're getting there, though.

Hawaii was beautiful and warm and wonderful. Roo still has sand on his scalp, 6 days later. Doodle and I have swimsuit tan lines. What I don't have, yet, is photos. Our camera has been on the fritz with a busted flash for about three months now (hence all the crappy, blurry photos I've been posting. Sorry.) so we decided not to bring it. My mom, step-bro, sis and sis's friend all took plenty of photos and promised to share, so as soon as we get some of those I'll post photos of our sunny, warm, beautiful escape.

In the mean time I'll work on posting some stories and tidbits from the trip while we get back into the swing of our cold, Eastern time zone days.

Happy New Year, friends!

Mele Kalikimaka

...is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you!

Hope you have a great Christmas and a fulfilling, joyous New Year. See you next year!

Peace and Love,
MamaBee