You are here: Home
FUUD: Pablo's Cantina in Ward Centre

FUUD: Pablo's Cantina in Ward Centre

by on November 12, 2010 in Musings, The Daily Dish

It’s not every day you come across an Irish-themed pub that serves Mexican food.

But that’s exactly what Pablo McGinty’s is, a pub-slash-cantina that’s popular on the Mainland.

Too bad that’s not what opened last month in the space vacated by Compadres Bar & Grill in Ward Centre.

Instead, we have Pablo’s Cantina, a Mexican-style restaurant with maybe a couple of Irish-themed dishes such as Guinness beer-battered fish and chips and a solid lineup of beer. Not that I’m complaining — but the fusion would’ve been interesting.

The principal owner, Oahu native Steve Hamile, is a part-time Lanai resident who wanted to move this Long Beach, Calif.-based chain of Irish pubs to Hawaii. He saw the void left by the closing of Compadres, a fixture in the Ala Moana area and famous for its Taco Tuesdays, which offered cheap tacos and drink specials. (Pablo’s is bringing that traditional back, by the way.)

In all, the food was, well, good enough. It didn’t blow my mind, but Pablo’s did offer some unique dishes that are worth trying. And you can’t beat the prices — you get a lot of food for a fairly reasonable price — the hours — open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. — or the bar selection.

It’s a great place for hanging with your friends — there was ’80s music by Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel and The Cure playing on the house speakers — or meet with coworkers. Not the best date spot — but still, a fun restaurant to check out before watching a movie or heading home after a long day at work.

Here’s what we ate:

Pablo Cantina, Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Phone: 808-591-8307

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

ASK DR. DISH: Male shorage
Dear ‘Hawaii Five-0′ writers
Here’s a secret: don’t bathe
FUUD: Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out in Waikiki
McRib returns to happy fans
Andy Irons dies; I’m in shock
How annoying is product placement?
‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

TOP BLOG POSTS
Top 10 best memories of Europe
Top 10 first dates
36 hours of eating in Maui
North Shore Eats

Comments { 10 }
Introducing Cat Chat

Introducing Cat Chat

by on November 12, 2010 in Musings, The Daily Dish

People have asked me, “Why don’t you do TV?”

And my answer is always the same: “I don’t own a hairbrush.”

That’s partly true — the other part being that I never felt I fit into the traditional TV mold. I don’t sit nicely, I don’t wear heels and — yes — I don’t want to brush my hair if I don’t have to. But I do see the value and allure of videos, especially in the ability to visually share a story or connect with readers, many of whom I’ve never met IRL. (That’s “In Real Life” for you non-geeks!)

So we came up with a concept that better fit my personality — and my distaste for mascara: a weekly online TV show on Nonstop Honolulu, with me dishing with a guest about everything from relationships to reality TV. From a couch, no footwear necessary.

Welcome to Cat Chat.

Our first episode features self-described local geek (and all-around nice guy) Ryan Ozawa (@hawaii) who, like me, is addicted to CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0.” So we met up to talk story about the show and about the upcoming reunion of the fictitious Kukui High School tomorrow night at Oceans 808 at Restaurant Row.

Check it out — and tell us what you think! We hope you enjoy it!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv4l9l6315A

Subscribe to Nonstop Honolulu on YouTube »

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

ASK DR. DISH: Male shorage
Dear ‘Hawaii Five-0′ writers
Here’s a secret: don’t bathe
FUUD: Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out in Waikiki
McRib returns to happy fans
Andy Irons dies; I’m in shock
How annoying is product placement?
‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

TOP BLOG POSTS
Top 10 best memories of Europe
Top 10 first dates
36 hours of eating in Maui
North Shore Eats

Comments { 46 }
ASK DR. DISH: Male shortage

ASK DR. DISH: Male shortage

by on November 10, 2010 in Musings, The Daily Dish

Question: A September 6 post … highlighted the growing acceptance and pride among small breasted women (and much of the public at large) that small is beautiful, too.

Well, Dr. Dish, I’ll be blunt: I’m a mature man who’s hung like a hamster (about half of average US adult male size, as measured in both basic states), but I’m inspired by the small-is-beautiful movement among women regarding their busts. Unfortunately, when things first get to the point of physically intimacy with me, women tend to have one of two basic reactions, neither of which is good: false statements of reassurance that I am not small; or honest expressions of negative reaction (some rather extreme).

Is there a good way to ease a partner into this intimate knowledge before physical intimacy is imminent, while seeking to determine whether there may be a mutual very-small-is-ok understanding? Not every woman has to embrace tiny as an ideal, or even acceptable, characteristic in her male partner in a committed and intimate relationship, but there must be some way to mitigate the risk of unpleasant surprise and its hurtful consequences.

Dr. Dish, what should I do as future relationships progress, and I know that you and your team of expert advisers at Nonstop Honolulu can treat this often, but not openly, talked about subject with tact and sensitivity? What’s a little guy to do?

Answer: Honestly, I don’t think most women care that much about male size.

I think — and correct me if I’m wrong — but the whole size thing is something guys are more concerned about than something women actually discuss. Guys talk about size; women talk about shoes, irritating co-workers and your inability to listen.

Not to say that there aren’t women who put a lot of emphasis on these superficial things. I mean, there are guys who encourage their small-breasted women to get boob jobs, right? (Those two need to find each other.)

But in my experience, my girlfriends don’t sit around and talk about the size of their mates. There are much more interesting things to talk about — and much more important qualities of partners we desire.

I’ve done blogs in the past about deal-breakers when it comes to relationships — and never, not once did a woman post something along the lines of “bigger family jewels, please.” Never happened.

But I could be wrong.

Anyone got something to add? And please be tasteful, respectful and appropriate. It’s a family show here!

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Dear ‘Hawaii Five-0′ writers
Here’s a secret: don’t bathe
FUUD: Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out in Waikiki
McRib returns to happy fans
Andy Irons dies; I’m in shock
How annoying is product placement?
‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

TOP BLOG POSTS
Top 10 best memories of Europe
Top 10 first dates
36 hours of eating in Maui
North Shore Eats

Comments { 23 }
Dear 'Hawaii Five-0' writers

Dear 'Hawaii Five-0' writers

by on November 8, 2010 in Musings, The Daily Dish

Dear “Hawaii Five-0″ writers,

We feel your pain.

It’s hard enough making the show interesting, figuring out creative plot lines and ways to get Grace Park to wear next to nothing in every episode. We get it.

But we didn’t realize writing in local references could be so tough.

Take tonight’s episode. Did we really need the crash course in how to make kalua pig? We thought just thought the dead body — a cop’s no less! — in the imu was enough.

Or your second episode. You tried to weave in the malassada, a staple in the Islands. But it sounded too forced, like you had to explain to the Mainland audience what it was. Why couldn’t Danno just have eaten the sugary fried dough? Why explain it?

Or when you made the snap — and, well, somewhat controversial, at least on Twitter — decision to use “flip flops” to refer to “slippers.” Oh, that was bad. That was almost unforgivably bad. I mean, we weren’t expecting “rubbah slippahs,” but “flip flops”? That’s just as bad as saying, “thongs.” But local fans came back, hoping you learned from your mistakes.

And the jury is still out.

We know how hard Hawaii can be. It becomes its own character in shows, it has its own personality and quirks. You can’t ignore the beaches and surf and swaying palm trees. But you have to get the basics right. You can’t have a suspect heading east on Ala Wai Boulevard, for example, when it’s a one-way street going west. And you can’t serve shave ice in a stand? We don’t eat it that way.

You got in pakalolo, haole, katonk and fire dancing (that was tonight). But what about plate lunches, sudoku, Spam musubis, Honda Civics, TapouT T-shirts, tribal tattoos, ribbon leis made by Joy Shimabukuro, Zip Pacs and cocoa puffs from Liliha Bakery. I mean, may as well, right?

We don’t envy your job. We’d hate to have to write about, say, Houston or Naperville, Ill. and appeal to the local audience. But maybe having some local input would help.

Or just listen to the #H50 feed. Honestly, you could learn a lot.

***

Highlights:

• Opening. Sure, it was predictable. But I was a big fan of the dead body in the imu.
• When Danno said to Steve McGarrett, “No issues, Oprah.” I don’t know why, but I laughed.
• The use of the old Honolulu Advertiser building. It looks better in the show than it did when I worked there!

Lowlights:

• Wasn’t the biggest fan of Dichen Lachman (“Dollhouse”) in the show. She wasn’t convincing. Still confused why they’re not using local actors…
• Glad to see Jason Scott Lee on the show but couldn’t get over the overly thick Pidgin accent. It was a bit over the top.
• Bronson Pinchot. Balki didn’t work for me.

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Here’s a secret: don’t bathe
FUUD: Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out in Waikiki
McRib returns to happy fans
Andy Irons dies; I’m in shock
How annoying is product placement?
‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

TOP BLOG POSTS
Top 10 best memories of Europe
Top 10 first dates
36 hours of eating in Maui
North Shore Eats

Comments { 35 }
Here's a secret: don't bathe

Here's a secret: don't bathe

by on November 8, 2010 in Musings, The Daily Dish

My entire life I’ve been told — sometimes forced — to take a bath.

It’s something we, as Americans, do every day — Hawaii folks prefer evenings to mornings — as part of our personal hygiene ritual. We shower, we brush our teeth, we wash our hair and clothes. We try to stay clean.

But there’s a growing sect of people who have decided to forgo these daily cultural norms — including the use of deodorant — and living life very, well, au natural.

In a recent article in the New York Times, we are living in a time when we could actually wash less — but instead we wash more.

People who have abandoned the daily cleaning rituals cite reasons such as allowing their skin to retain natural oils, conserving water and avoiding the potential harm of ingredients like aluminum (found in antiperspirants). Some, particularly men, like the “unkempt” look.

So why do we wash and clean and bathe so much, anyway?

The article points at money. It’s possible we spend more money on personal hygiene products because we’re conditioned to — through magazine and TV ads, through societal pressures.

Look at the data: Adults younger than 24 use deodorant and antiperspirant more than nine times a week; older folks use it on average once a day. And a whopping 93 percent of American adults use shampoo almost daily. That’s big business for personal hygiene companies to offer products to such a highly enthusiastic consumer base.

I know people who live on the Mainland who don’t shower every day during the winter months. You’re not sweating, there’s no reason to shower. And I’ve long known that washing your hair every day can strip it of its natural oils and dry it out. So unless I’ve dunked my head into the ocean, I tend to forgo shampooing for at least a couple of days.

But who wants to admit that, right?

Any of you can relate to this recent trend? Or do you think it’s utterly disgusting to not shower every day?

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

FUUD: Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out in Waikiki
McRib returns to happy fans
Andy Irons dies; I’m in shock
How annoying is product placement?
‘Long hair not appropriate for grown-ups’

TOP BLOG POSTS
Top 10 best memories of Europe
Top 10 first dates
36 hours of eating in Maui
North Shore Eats

Comments { 36 }