Review: Panya Bistro

Image Courtesy of Joy of Cooking

For lunch yesterday, I went to Panya Bistro at the Ala Moana Center with a good family friend, Lauren, and I figured why not choose it as my first review here. Panya Bistro is one of my go-to places for a casual but "nice" lunch.  Located in the mall, it's usually pretty busy during lunch time, but I've been lucky most of the times I've gone as I've arrived just as a table opens up.  Their menu is pretty diverse and actually rather interesting.  I love their pupus, especially their karaage, wings and gyoza. Mmm. We got the karaage today to start, and share. Their tofu salad is exquisite, with a creamy goma (sesame) dressing, a healthy amount of tofu and sprouts (my favorite).  Today, I got the shrimp and avocado sandwich on a croissant, and Lauren got the coconut chicken curry, which I recommended.

Tiny Con of Living in a Tropical State

I would be lying if I said I don't love that Hawaii is warm basically all year around, but it's definitely a con for all fashion lovers who live here - especially those who sweat a lot.......... Ha. Kidding. Kind of.

Don't get me wrong - I love that I can sit around all day in my bikini after a day at the beach, or not feel the need to suck in my tummy after consuming a plate lunch full of kanak attack ensuing "local kine grindz" by wearing a flowy dress that doesn't restrict my breathing.  But, there's a little bit of heartache that is inevitable after watching Fall/Winter runway shows, fur coats on TV, and snow-covered pictures of the East Coast. I see girls at Ala Moana shopping center in coats, and boots, and can't help but wonder, "How the hell are you not sweating?" while I sit there in my maxi-dress and slippers (flip-flops).  I can't express how excited I am to go home to Tokyo over Christmas, and wear all those bulky sweaters and scarves that I didn't even bother bringing here, and to be reunited with my beloved leather jacket.

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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I don't think it's just me but once October rolls around, time seems to fly so fast because you have so much fun. There is an exciting holiday each month - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years - until January.  This year's Halloween was so ridiculously fun, as it was my first Halloween in Hawaii. I pulled a freshman year and wore three different costumes on three different nights. My favorite, by far, was dressing up as Wilma Flinstone, with Jack as Fred. So much fun! I started off the celebration on Friday, at Apartm3nt, with Elyse and Jack. A low-key night, spent mostly people watching, but it was fun nonetheless.

Welcome!

So here it is, a fresh new start. You may have joined me from my previous blog, and if so - this is a continuation, and if not - welcome. This is my personal blog, which will consist of some fun pictures and stories from my life, along with other things I find interesting; such as recipes, reviews on everything from beauty, fashion, to restaurants, life questions that I probably will never come to a conclusion to, etc. I created this blog mainly to accompany a fashion & beauty blog that my friend and I are launching on January 1st, 2012 so look out for that! Other than that, I hope you enjoy your stay here and if you feel like it, leave me a comment, follow me, shoot me an e-mail, whatever! I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

xoxo, Tina