FORKED UP!

Metro-081915-ForkedUp-Alan

PAN-SEARED SALMON OCHAZUKE
ALAN WONG’S HONOLULU
1857 S. King St. Honolulu
Phone number (808) 949-2526
website alanwongs.com

There has got to be a reason that Alan Wong’s consistently is listed among Hawaii’s best restaurants, right? Well, as far as we’re concerned, that reason is the Pan-Seared Salmon Ochazuke. A tender piece of seared-just-right salmon is served over a slightly crispy ball of rice, topped with a bit of ikura. Adding a subtle flavor to the dish is the Kahuku sea asparagus kombucha that is poured on top. It might seem weird to douse your dish with liquid, but just go with it. It’s Alan Wong’s — they know what they’re doing.

Metro-081915-ForkedUp-Scratch

BLT BENNY
SCRATCH KITCHEN & BAKE SHOP
1030 Smith St. Chinatown
Phone number (808) 536-1669
website scratch-hawaii.com

This has all the makings of the perfect breakfast: a new take on eggs Benedict with smoked bacon, tomatoes and sauteed kale, along with, of course, those soft-poached eggs — all served over an English muffin and topped with Hollandaise sauce. Taken individually, all elements are good. The kale, in particular, is on point, and Scratch sure knows how to prepare an egg. But the dish as whole isn’t really better than the sum of its parts. Maybe it’s just because it was served cold when we went. We’re not sure if that’s how it was supposed to be, but we can’t help but think that it would have tasted better a little warm.