On my way to work, I decided to eat at one of my favorite place on Ke’eaumoku, Gomaichi Ramen. As I walked in, I noticed that all the lights were off and hardly anyone was inside. They waitress told me that the power was off, but they had gas stoves and could still serve food. The kicker was, no A/C and no lights! But hey, food is food!

Luckily, it was a particularly breezy day, so the restaurant had some ventilation and wasn’t scorching hot. I got my usual favorite, Zasai Sunghonmen (Spicy Sour Soup) and sat down to eat.

The dark restaurant actually created a camp like atmosphere. Everyone talked to each other, and joked that it was like eating in a secret fort! It was like we had all dared to eat in this dark mysterious restaurant, and were so excited we survived!

After I finished, I payed my check and noticed that the restaurant was now full. As I walked out smiling from the randomly fun lunch I had, the lights turned on and it was back to normal business.

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I will start by admitting that this has been a lot easier than I thought it might be. The hardest part has been the alcohol-free side of the cleanse, and not the food part. Luckily, I work right next to a Japanese market and a Korean restaurant, so there are a lot of options for vegan and seafood dining!

This week’s theme was really about avoidance. I learned quickly that by going to places that serve delicious cold beer, it would be really hard to focus and avoid it. I dined at one of my favorite restaurants, Tokkuritei, early in the week, and it was really tough to watch mug after mug of cold beer stroll by. Lesson learned, avoid all places that may tempt me. Yesterday, I was offered to go to the “Eat the Street” food truck rally, but decided against it. Thank you Tokkuritei.

On the other side of the coin, I have been actively seeking great food items that are vegan(ish)! I have eaten a lot of seafood, tofu & natto. Mixed in some rice, and voila!

It has been a pretty good week, I can tell I am craving some meat and beer already, but hopefully I can remain strong through Tuesday! There’s light at the end, and I can see it!

Happy April Everyone!
Nick

On Saturday night, I was talking with Richie (our percussionist) about his diet. For eight weeks out of the year, every year, he doesn’t eat animal products or drink alcohol, and basically becomes a vegan. My doctor has always told me this type of cleanse can be good for you, and recommends doing it every so often (of course, you should consult your own physician before doing any of this). So starting on Sunday, and for the next 10 days, I will be alcohol and animal free. I will also be reporting, every so often, about my progress, and encourage you to leave comments if you are joining me.

What do you say? Time for a cleanse? Connect with me on Twitter or leave a comment below and share your story! I would love to hear how you are doing!

First, we start off the IOLANI Christmas party and a shot of the crew dancing and Alex playing BINGO! It was so funny and awesome to see the IOLANI family having fun again.

Next, two photos from a wedding we played on Saturday. A beautiful wedding down at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, we played during the cocktail hour underneath an overcast sky.

Next up, food & drink! If you follow my twitter feed, I post pictures from various places and let you know what to eat! Also, follow my twitter so you can let me know what you like to eat too!

Next, one of my favorite restaurants, Tokkuritei, is moving to a new location! So I took my camera down to the restaurant and snapped some pictures of their old place!

Finally, I took my camera to my old school, Punahou, and snapped a shot of the head coach during a timeout. A little intensity to finish off this episode of “Nick in Photos.”

That’s all for today! Have a very merry Christmas everyone! I will be posting the first edition of “Saturday Serenata” on Christmas Day, so come back here and look for that. Otherwise, see you next week for more “Nick in Photos!”
Aloha,
Nick

No, it’s nothing fancy, I just decided last night that I would make sushi. On my own, no professional help. And let me tell you, it did not turn out that bad!

I first went online (my usual source of information) and found several recipes for sushi rice. I have been to many sushi restaurants in my time, so I know that good sushi rice is the key! Luckily, Foodland down the street had good rice vinegar stocked, so I didn’t have to make a special trip to Nijiya market!

After making the plain rice in the rice cooker (on sushi setting, awesome!) I took it out and tossed it carefully with my rice vinegar, sugar and salt. I personally like it a little more sour, so next time I will probably add more vinegar! Whoohoo!

Next, it was on to rolling! I also bought a bamboo mat from Foodland, so I could feel professional and roll my own makizushi! I picked up my ingredients, and was ready to make sushi!

Not bad for my first try. The rice came out perfect, but the rolling and cutting proved to be more difficult. Oh well, it was delicious, and a perfect pair to an omiyage I got from a fan in Japan. Pancettar!

"N" and "A" relaxing at InterFM studios in Roppongi

J-WAVE studios

Good morning everyone!  It’s Day 1 for the JATA World Trade Fair and since it’s media day, we’re only doing one performance at noon today.  We’ll be attending a reception later this evening, so we won’t be able to join our dear friends, the Taguchis, for some great Tokyo shabu shabu … oh well, maybe in November?  The JATA/WTF is a huge tourism convention where countries from all over the world gather to showcase their food, music, and attractions to the public.  I heard that over 150,000 people attend this 2-day event … I recall past JATA events when I couldn’t even cross an aisle because there were so many people!  I hope our favorite Ghana food booth will be there again this year .. they have this awesome meat sandwich that is sooooo good!  I also wonder whether Alex will buy another instrument to add to his collection at home … last year he bought an African jembe (sp), a conga-like drum with a really great sound but a real pain in the butt to carry on the airplane home!

It was another busy day yesterday with a radio interview at InterFM and a visit to the J-WAVE studios.  I want to send a big “mahalo” out to our manager, Ann, for taking such good care of us and putting up with all of our b.s.!  U da bess, Umelani!  Well, I gotta run and start getting ready, so as we like to say to each other right before we go on stage, “see you at the end, boys”!

Aloha, “Pops”