#CatTravels: 34 degrees in Madison

By November 18, 2011 #CatTravels

It’s cold here.

I mean, really cold.

At first, it didn’t seem that bad. I walked from the airport to the car in a wool coat, cowl neck sweater and boots. It was OK.

For about two minutes.

Then the wind hit. OMG. Right through every layer of material I had. Now I understand why everyone told me to get thermal underwear.

I haven’t been in this kind of weather for awhile. That last time I endured a Midwestern winter was in 1999 — and, like childbirth (I’ve heard), I forgot what it felt like.

Well, welcome back, Cat.

Here’s what we did the first few hours in Madison, Wisc.

Dinner photos are coming later!

Heading to Madison

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And we're off. I made it to Chicago safely — and on time — and had to board this little bitty plane to Madison.

Follow my adventures on Twitter (@thedailydish) and Facebook. Powered by Oceanic Mobile.

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#CatTravels: Made it to Madison

By November 18, 2011 #CatTravels

I made it to Madison!

And it wasn’t without some worry.

See, I booked this flight on United Airlines — before my well-documented debacle involving said airlines and Continental Airlines, which got us to Las Vegas from Honolulu in 24 hours — so I was concerned.

Really concerned.

I wasn’t sure if we’d even leave the ground.

But rest assured, I got here — via Chicago — without any problems. Even the on-board entertainment worked.

After a much-needed nap, we’re going to walk through this college town, already taking on its wintry persona. It’s a nippy 34 degrees today — and it’ll likely get colder as the weeks go on.

So check back here and on Twitter (@thedailydish) — and often. I’ll be blogging and tweeting during this three-city adventure!

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Cat Chat: Get your mojo

By November 17, 2011 Musings

Guys, need a shave?

But secretly want a manicure, too?

The new Mojo Barbershop in Chinatown on Oahu takes the retro barbershop and gives it a modern twist.

Open this month, this 960-square-foot barbershop on Bethel Street — complete with an old-fashioned barber pole hanging outside — offers a throwback to gentlemen’s traditional haircuts and hot-towel shaves, including hand and foot detailing — read: manis/pedis — and detox face treatments for the modern man.

It didn’t take even a minute before Nonstop’s Doc Rock (@docrock) took up the opportunity to get a traditional straight-razor shave for this week’s Cat Chat. It took 45 minutes — and it was the first time Doc was quiet for that long.

Don’t believe me? Watch this.

Mojo Barbershop, 1157 Bethel St. Phone: (808) 927-8017. Mojo Barbershop is sponsoring Black Star, Nov. 18 at Hawaii Theatre.

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Your favorite documentaries

By November 16, 2011 Musings, The Daily Dish

The other day I suggested to a pen-using crossword-playing friend she should watch the 2006 documentary “Wordplay,” which takes a look into the New York Times’ long-time crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz (above) and his legions of loyal fans.

And that got me thinking about creating a list of the best documentaries — primary to download so I can watch them on the seven-hour plane ride to Chicago.

I love documentaries. Always have. Even when I was a kid. My favorite part of “Sesame Street,” for example, was the segment that showed how things were made. (I vividly remember the one about crayons.)

So I thought it would be interesting to hear from you folks about your favorite documentaries — and add them to my growing list.

Here are a few of mine:

• “Wordplay”
• “Touching the Void”
• “Inside Job”
• “Food, Inc.”
• “Spellbound”
• “Bowling for Columbine”
• “Hoop Dreams”

Got more to add?

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New eats: Corner Kitchen in Kapahulu

By November 15, 2011 Food

There’s always been a restaurant on the corner of Kapahulu Avenue and Kanaina Street, right across the street from Rainbow Drive-In.

For a long time, it was Harpo’s. Then it was ZenShu. And for months, it stood empty, waiting for the next tenant to take advantage of ZenShu’s major renovations to the kitchen and dining area.

But it’s a tough location.

First, there’s no parking, save for about four stalls located directly behind the restaurant. Then you’re competing with dozens of restaurants dotted along Kapahulu Avenue.

It’s no easy task.

But last week, as we were wandering around Kapahulu, we noticed the lights were on and people were sitting at tables. (We’re niele, what can I say.)

So we peeked in and asked if the restaurant was open. The general manager, Patti Sato, quickly waved us in and got us a table. Turns out, it was the soft opening of Corner Kitchen, a fusion-style restaurant that blends local favorites with an Asian twist. (The sushi bar is opening soon, too.) And there was live music!

So we checked it out. Here’s a look inside:

Welcome, Corner Kitchen!

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Last week Corner Kitchen held a soft opening — and we just happened to be walking by. So we stopped in to check it out.

Corner Kitchen, 477 Kapahulu Ave. Hours: 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Phone:(808) 732-3217

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