Duc’s Bistro

In 2008, Duc’s Bistro revamped its French-Vietnamese menu with the vision of improving upon what had always been delectable cuisine. The shared vision of the husband and wife restaurateur duo, Duc Nguyen and Ming Nga Vu, was to combine the “effortless beauty of Vietnamese food with the refinements of western methods and presentations.”  Thirty-three years of owning restaurants lead them to wonder if it was possible to combine everything they had learned and actually improve upon Vietnamese cuisine. They wanted to take the food that was already elegantly simple and turn it into something simply elegant.

And did they succeed? Oh boy did they succeed.

Nestled into Honolulu’s very artsy Chinatown district, Duc’s Bistro serves delicious French-Vietnamese fare in a historic building that was once a mechanics garage. You could say the building itself went from being utilitarian and elegantly simple to a transformation nothing short of simply elegant (of course, the transformation was done so long ago and was so complete that you would never know it had been a garage unless the owners told you). The dining room’s gorgeous brick walls are stylishly adorned with black and white Hollywood-style photographs reenacting scenes from Vietnamese life and interspersed with colorful artwork. The atmosphere is not one requiring eveningwear yet it is elegant enough to live up to the marvelous food served. During your meal it’s likely that either the husband or wife will drop by your table to check on your dining experience. Like the food, the building the owners are nothing short of elegant. The effort they have put into serving the very best cuisine, combined with their restaurant experience, only makes the food more exquisite.

A definite must try is Duc’s “Goi Du Du Xanh,” a green papaya salad. Shredded green papaya is tossed with cooked prawns, fresh herbs and spicy dressing. It’s probable you’ve never eaten a papaya salad this perfect. Another commendable appetizer is “Bo Nuong La Lot,” rolls of minced veal wrapped in la lot leaves, a Vietnamese herb, then broiled and served with pineapple anchovy sauce. Of course, the crab cakes are also out of this world. Several dishes make for winning entrees. We went with Duc’s suggestion for the main course and found ourselves delighted with the fish selection, “Ca Chien Xoai,” where a pan-fried basa is served with green mango and crushed ginger, and the sumptuously flavorful lamb tenderloin. To accompany the meal, you have a choice of various styles of rice, such as jasmine or saffron, or you can choose freshly baked sourdough rolls. For dessert? It’s a must to try at least one of the many sweets on the menu. As with everything else Duc’s serves, you can’t go wrong with any of the selections but there are some surprising options that might expand your pallet. The warm tapioca and bananas is exceptional and the house-made ginger cheesecake will have you begging for more. By the end of the meal, you realize Duc’s Bistro is symbolic of perfection and it is a culinary jewel hidden away for the curious to discover.

Duc’s Bistro
1188 Mauankea Street
(808) 531-6325
www.ducsbistro.com

*Monday thru Friday open for lunch 11 am – 2 pm, and dinner from 5 - 10pm.
*Saturday and Sunday open for dinner only, 5 – 10 pm.
*Reservations are recommended.

Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel, Honolulu

I keep mental lists of my favorite places in the world, and Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel & Resort happens to be on one. Perhaps Hoku’s belongs on the list of food so good you might cry, or of romantic sunsets and breathtaking ocean views to dine by, or of the most elegant service available, or the list of the most opulent… Not to get carried away, but the Kahala Hotel & Resort itself deserves to be on a list, perhaps the list of hotels you really ought to experience.

South Beach has long been regarded as one of the most glamorous districts in the world for its internationally famous nightclubs, award winning restaurants, high fashion shops, and perhaps most impressive of all, its long, sprawling topless-optional white sand beach. Here beauty is in endless bloom in plentiful sunshine along crystal clear aqua waters only paradise could trump, and capable of making anyone’s jaws drop. Miraculously, Z Ocean Hotel, perfectly positioned on Ocean Drive has managed to distill all the glamour and sensuality of the famous strip of beach fronting Lummis Park, into one gorgeous and discreet luxury boutique hotel.  Situated in the heart of Miami Beach, the last in the endless progression of landmarked small, oceanfront properties along historic Deco Drive, Z Ocean Hotel, with a fabulous location and breathtaking interior, was originally opened as the Regent Hotel, later to become the De Soleil, only to arrive at the perfection it is today (all three hotels have been managed under the same company, the Crowne Plaza).

Do you Know the Way to San José?

San José is not always on the receiving end of favorable mentions in travel reviews, and maybe this is due to the fact that, with so much to see, when reviewers really start gushing about their recent Costa Rican adventures—the beautiful coasts, enchanting cloud forests, extensive wildlife and lush, tropical climate—there just aren’t any superlatives left to pour over the sprawling city of San José. The fact of the matter is, when you visit Costa Rica, you’ve got to know what you’re after. If, let’s just say, you are traveling to have your wedding or to take a honeymoon, you might opt to avoid the hustle and bustle of San José altogether. On the other hand, if your goal trip is to see Costa Rica in its entirety, spend a night or two at the very least in San José and, if you feel inspired to do so, go wild! Even more so now that a great national emphasis has been placed on revamping Costa Rica’s largest city, San José perfects a national balancing act. If you’re the sort who loves to come off of a quiet few days of seaside contemplation with a couple of rum and Cokes and a fast night of Latin dancing (or, alternately, if you like to start off your beach retreat with a jolt), San José offers the respite you crave.

For many people Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is perhaps best known as the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  It is a mere 100 miles from New York City; close enough to the Big Apple for a day-long educational excursion to the Liberty Bell and other sites.  Departing from New York City in the morning allows for just enough time to grab a quick cheesesteak for lunch from one of the famous greasy spoons in “Cheesesteak Alley” before calling it a Philadelphia day and rushing back to New York by dark.    

A Place for All Seasons “Montana,” so the popular slogan says, “is the last best place.”  Call me biased, but if that’s true, then Montana’s Gallatin and Park Counties are truly the last last best places.  Small slivers in the shape of states, the counties huddle against one another in Montana’s southwestern corner, roughly forming the letter p.  

Lima, “The City of Kings”, is the fifth largest city in Latin America and was once the capital of South America.  Straddling the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it’s known for its’ Incan ruins surrounding modern urban enclaves built during Spanish colonialism. Striking baroque architecture from that period abounds and can be seen in many government buildings, churches and historical houses.  In fact the entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  From May through December, the sky is often dull with low clouds and dense fog, an aspect that perhaps adds a certain air of mystery.  Regardless of the weather, surfing aficionados flock here from all over the world for a chance to ride Lima’s consistently perfect waves.  Peruvian cuisine, considered among the world’s most delectable, is said to taste best in Lima.

An Exceptional Meeting between Earth and Ocean

Situated on South Africa’s East Coast, Durban is a precious cornerstone of the KwaZulu-Natal region.  In Zulu, Durban is aptly known as ‘Thekweni,’ meaning “where the earth and ocean meet”.  But don’t be fooled by the simple designation, neither Durban’s landscape nor its beaches are commonplace.

For any traveler seeking the indulgence of gorgeous topography paired with the elegance of the Indian Ocean’s sub-tropic aquamarine swells, Durban is for you.  In the west of the city, art deco and modern architecture combine, spreading in the form of apartment buildings and hotels along the fine sands of an unspoiled shoreline, and comprising what is referred to by locals and vacationers alike as the “Golden Mile”.   Interspersed among the hotels and apartment buildings are a handful of popular restaurants and nightclubs.

A City of Beauty and Diversity

Cape Town is surprisingly small.  If you use the towering plateau of Table Mountain as a guide, you won’t have any trouble finding your way around.  Table Mountain forms one wall of a bowl that encircles the downtown portion of the city.  Across from Table Mountain, creating the rest of the ridge, are the dramatic cliffs of Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head.  The center of Cape Town is located at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, and is surrounded by the chilly beauty of the Atlantic Ocean’s arctic waters.  Any traveler so inclined would be well-suited to spend an entire visit to Cape Town at one of the several amazing white sand beaches.  But beaches are only the beginning of what this gem of a South African city has to offer.