aspir(al)ing

Redeemed!

Posted by terri | Filed under family, tabemono

How long does it take to forgive a bad experience? Well, when it comes to a restaurant, a bad experience can pretty much spoil one’s desire to ever go there again. Gyotaku in Waimalu was one restaurant that I actually had frequented many times as it is just several blocks away from my house, but it was the last time I went there in March 2002 that had me thinking that I would never go there again. And unfortunately for Gyotaku, it was during the time of my blogging prime that I wrote a scathing entry about it so that I wouldn’t forget it:

…And then this evening, I went out for dinner with my mom and sister for the first time in a long time. We ended up going to the Japanese restaurant Gyotaku (formerly Kyotaru) on Ka’ahumanu Street. It’s always nice to go out to dinner with my family every now and then, but unfortunately, the place sucked really badly. The sashimi was previously frozen (blah), the portions were chincy (eep, and I was hungry, too!), and the service was absolutely horrible (lady forgot that teishoku is served with rice…um, hello!?!) It wasn’t a cheap meal either, so that left an even worse taste in my mouth. Never going there again…and I warn anyone else who lives on this island: Stay away from there!!

It took driving by Gyotaku many, many times in 6 years, to at last give it another try. I figured that if it manages to bring in many people from what I could see through its windows, they must be doing something right. So tonight, when my mom asked me where she could treat me and my hunny for dinner for a belated birthday meal, I decided that today would be the day to do so. First off, my mom will only go to a Japanese restaurant for eating out; her discriminating Japanese palette has no tolerance for anything else. Secondly, it was nearby and I had no desire to drive all way to our old standby Kunio in Waikele. And last of all, my hunny who is from the Windward side had never gone there before, and it’s always nice to take him somewhere new.

I decided to keep my expectations low, with the small little hope that I can be pleasantly surprised. Stepping back in, everything seemed the same. In a way, that was nice. It had a very 懐かしい (natsukashii or nostalgic) feel, even down to the rather dingy feel of the restaurant. By the time we got our side dishes, I have to say that I started to remember the good things about the restaurant, and when our meals came around, I was indeed enjoying myself there with the good service and the really delicious food. My only regret was that I didn’t have my P&S camera with me, so these awkward iPhone pics will have to do:

: A “pokecho” Ahi poke with limu, avocado and other fixings on a wonton chip.

: My entree of Tenpura, Misoyaki Butterfish, and Furikake Salmon

I think the best part of the evening was that my mother, who normally has something to 文句 (monku or complain) about, was rather placated with the meal and left behind a rather generous tip. She even managed a smile on her face as she suggested that we go there again. If that is not redemption, I don’t know what is.

One Response to “Redeemed!”

BK Says:
September 27th, 2008 at 4:08 am

Dude, go Tadashi’s

Aloha!

Hello from the island of O'ahu in the beautiful state of Hawaii. I am terri, a local girl who at 30 is trying to make sure that life doesn't entirely pass her by. I've recently become engaged and am enjoying living a great life in paradise.