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My Point of Heu

5/16/2017

New: Tsukada Nojo

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Driving along Kapiolani Boulevard, you may have noticed the new restaurant located next to Micronesia Mart and walking distance from the Hawaii Convention Center.

​Tsukada Nojo is an extremely popular izakaya-style restaurant with origins in Japan. The originally location first opened its doors in Tokyo back in 2007. Since then the chain has launched in Singapore, Beijing and 150 locations in Japan. Typically, izakaya means small plates that are usually inexpensive and paired with drinks. Being the first Hawaii location, the concept is both aimed at harnessing freshness from local farmers and other locally sourced ingredients, along with taking Japanese cuisine to the next level of modern and delicious. 

The decor is rustic meets contemporary and offers guests a relaxed casual, high ceiling feel. The food highlights chicken dishes and fresh vegetables. The menu is separated into seven categories: hot pots, small cold plates (perfect for the summer months), small hot plates, salads, large plates, rice, ramen and desserts. The hot pots feature chicken, vegetables, spicy and beef sukiyaki. 

Ingredients are sourced from over a dozen farms from Oahu, Maui and Kauai. Their famous chicken is harvested from Punachicks, located on Hawaii Island. 

Some of the highlight dishes include staples like caesar salad, fresh chilled chicken, tacos and poke. Crowd favorites include shiitake nanban (deep fried shiitake stuffed with minced chicken), chicken paitan tan tan spicy miso ramen and shave ice with ice cream, apricots and black beans crafted to look like a teddy bear. 

"We want to bring a new perspective to the popular Japanese izakaya concept by infusing freshness," Shingo Sato, Executive Chef said. Look for the new Farmer's Hours (happy hour) menu and current late night happy hour from 9pm-close. 


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Images: Courtesy of Sean Morris

Tsukada Nojo 1731 Kalakaua Avenue
Mon - Thurs 5-11pm
Fri - Sat 5pm-12am
Sun 5-10pm

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5/11/2017

New: Mauka Makai at Westin Nanea

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 "Everything at Westin Nanea is built around the piko. The piko is our connection to our heritage, or our ancestry," said Executive Chef Ikaika Manaku (who just so happens to be my classmate from Kapaa High School-- Go Warriors!). 

Mauka Makai is a brand new signature restaurant featured at the new Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Kaanapali, Maui. The oceanfront resort opened its doors last month and the restaurant proudly celebrates its grand opening tomorrow (May 12, 2017). 

I had a chance to try some of the signature dishes prepared by executive chef Manaku and sample some of the signature libations from the assistant director of food & beverage, Ricky Hamasaki. The impression from the cuisine is that it pays homage to the freshest of ingredients found on Maui. Produce and proteins like Macadamia Nuts, fresh caught ahi, Maui Onion, Pohole Ferns, Kula Tomatoes and Pohaku Beef are just a few of the items that are noted by the chef and featured well.

Flavors are refined, yet rustic at the same time. The combination of savory with texture and butter with citrus is delightful and memorable. I truly enjoyed seeing new combinations like Pork & Ahi - this take on shichimi seared tuna paired with pork belly and Maui Onion jam was outstanding. 

The restaurant honors historic meal gathering which includes fishing and harvesting. The cuisine is contemporary with a modern Hawaiian twist and I love the mountain to the sea concept -- hence the name Mauka Makai. 

The cocktails or not to be overlooked, as the lychee martini was my personal favorite and the list goes on with delectable drinks. 
Mauka Makai - now open, serving Breakfast and Dinner 
Inquire about the Kamaaina Discount
Address: 45 Kai Malina Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 662-6300

5/7/2017

Have you heard of The Royal Hawaiian Bakery?

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While attending an event at The Royal Hawaiian hotel I was reminded that there was some buzz about a brand new grab and go bakery somewhere on site. I asked around and found it! Hidden Diamond Head of the main lobby and facing the Coconut Grove is a collection of fresh baked goodies and expertly roasted coffee. Known for their famous banana bread, you can purchase loafs of bread and/or muffins here. In addition, some of the other baked goods caught my eye like sticky buns, various croissants and the other famous dessert, the Pink Palace Snow Ball. At $6.50 a piece it sounds a bit pricey for what appears to be cake covered in pink coconut, but the size is pretty generous and the cake is soft, moist and delightful. I couldn't eat it all and shared with another person and we still had leftovers. 

The staff are very accommodating and so friendly. This was an enjoyable afternoon spent relaxing with friends at the Pink Palace of the Pacific. Such a beautiful and historic location. I recommend coming here to sample some of the treats or just take a moment to sip and sit. 

5/3/2017

Has Business Been Slow Lately?

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So it hasn't been too busy lately... April was tax month and the kids are getting ready for summer break. Your business wasn't as busy as you had hoped and you don't know what to do?

Well the knee-jerk reaction that I have observed from small mom-and-pop shops to large corporations is to create fewer promotions, try to save money and start cutting back. BIG NO NO, don't do this! As a marketing guru, I can tell you that the last thing you want to do is slow the marketing/promotions and publicity. In fact, you want to increase your visibility, continue to promote yourself/your business. This is the time to tackle the hump and grow your following.

KEEP PERFORMANCE UP WHILE BUSINESS IS DOWN
Take a moment to analyze what is happening. Are your reviews less than stellar? What can you do to improve service, products, perception? 

Some FREE TIPS
When taking a look at why business has slowed, also make sure to review what you are doing, what's working and what isn't.

1) Verify your pages - if you are on social media take a moment to verify and claim your pages. This includes Google, Yelp, Facebook and etc. The verification process is simple you click claim, they call or email you, you enter a pin number and now you can manage/oversee that site. 
2) Review Reviews - it may hurt a little, but read your reviews from guests. They are voicing their opinion and sometimes they might hit on something you didn't know about and can be improved upon. Often guests are too shy to tell you if something is wrong in person, so they use social media to vent and share/overshare. Once you have claimed your sites you can also respond to negative reviews. Apologize, invite them back, let them know you are acting on their feedback.
3) Invite Influencers - Choose a select number of people whom you respect and are active on social media, in the community and can help spread the word about your business. Have them come visit you, share some food and drink with them. Keep it casual, social and fun. This is one way to expand your reach and at fairly little cost. 
4) Brand Awareness - You know what your brand is, but do others know what it is? If you showed a random person on the street your logo and asked them if they had seen it before and knew what it was; what would they say? If the majority have no clue and don't know what you are/do then you might want to consider a branding seminar, rebrand or publicity campaign. Major and iconic brands like McDonalds and BMW bring forth a clear and understandable brand. What's yours and what do you want people to know about you/your business? 

In the end, we all want to make more money. One thing to understand is to make money you also need to spend money. Invest in yourself, your business and your goals. My point being if you are seeing hard times and business isn't where you want it to be take a moment to focus on your business, improve and hit your goals harder. YOU CAN DO IT! 

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