Mariposa

Honolulu $$$ *****

I only come here about once every five years, and it always amazes me each time. Great food, wonderful service, relaxing atmosphere. Mariposa is located on the third floor of Neiman Marcus in Ala Moana, which explains a lot. Everything is airy here: white walls, light brown tropical-inspired fans, direct view of the Pacific Ocean, and even the chairs have this thick weave pattern through which you can see through the large openings.
My favorite thing about this place has to be the popovers. Oh yes, their famous popovers. Instead of boring bread, they serve these AIRY (apparently my word-of-the-day) popovers, served with apple butter when I went. Soft, light, and melts in your mouth - these popovers are the perfect introduction to the rest of your meal.
Next I ordered my entrée: pork tenderloin, which was sliced and placed on top of a layer of kale and mashed potatoes, surrounded by brown butter apple shire sauce. Deliciosa. Service here is impeccable - probably one of the best in Hawaii. I definitely don't want to wait another five years to return.
Mariposa (Ala Moana)
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814
Daily 11am - 9pm

Brasserie Du Vin

Honolulu $$ *****
Oh man, this place is fantastic. It reminds me of St. Honoré in Portland. Brasserie Du Vin is an adorable little French place in the newly-"hip" section of Chinatown (art galleries, boutique hotels, exotic restaurants, the usual...).
Since we were there on a Saturday afternoon, it was almost completely empty. We could either eat in the very dimly-lit indoors or go in the back to the outdoor patio. We opted for the outoor patio because the umbrella-shaded tables and tiny fountain beckoned us. Besides, it seemed to be cooler outside, thanks to our Hawaiian tradewinds.
I had the crostini sandwich with warm gorgonzola dolce and prosciutto served on a thin-sliced baguette. It was delicious. Three slices of baguette topped with proscuitto slices and the gorgonzola cheese, surrounding a tiny green salad. I had forgotten how salty proscuitto is, but I liked it anyway. My meal was $10. My friends ordered the mushroom & brie risotto, flat iron steak sandwich, and turkey & roast beef gouda croissant sandwich. Everyone was delighted with their meal.
As usual, I had to check out the bathrooms to see if they were up to par, and I was not disappointed. Pale yellow walls, black and white tiled floors, co-ed lavatories. The service was pretty good. Can't wait to return!
Brasserie Du Vin (Chinatown)
1115 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI
Mon-Sat 11:30-late

Veritable Quandary

Portland $$$ *****This is my new favorite place for lunch. Just as its website states, Veritable Quandary is a "dining oasis in the heart of the city." My friend and I came here for lunch on a rainy day. We were seated in the middle section of the restaurant, which looks a lot like a greenhouse, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the greenery outside. The rain droplets sliding down the window panes and the thick white clouds encompassing the entire sky only added to the magical experience.
About two other tables were occupied the entire time we were there. I ordered the VQ Burger, which had white cheddar and aioli and came with wonderful peppered fries. My friend and I shared a tiramisu and hot chocolate for dessert. The food was delicious, the portions were huge (both of us brought home half our lunch), the atmosphere was relaxed and secluded despite its proximity to the busy streets of downtown, and the service was excellent.
My friend and I are definitely adding Veritable Quandary to our list of places at which we are going to become regulars.

Veritable Quandary (downtown)
1220 SW 1st Ave
Portland, OR 97204
Mon 12am-2:30am, 11:30am-2:30am
Tue-Wed,Sat 11:30am-2:30am
Thu-Fri 9:30am-2:30am
Sun 11:30am-12am
~$18 for burger, fries, tiramisu, hot chocolate

Via Veneto

San Francisco $$$ ****
Proof that spontaneity often leads to good results. My friend and I were shopping on Fillmore and unsurprisingly became hungry. We wandered around, crossing the street and changing directions randomly. Finally we found our way into this cheerful little restaurant. Pale yellow walls, Italian food, and a smiling host - yes, this place will do.
The food was decent, but the service and atmosphere were great. The restaurant seems to be run by a boisterous Italian family, but I happened to appreciate their little bickering in the background. The owner walked from table to table, making conversation. When he found out we were from Hawaii, he pointed to the man a few tables away and told us that he was also from Hawaii. A few minutes later, he brought the man over. We discovered that the man and I lived only a few streets away from each other. Small world!

Via Veneto (Pacific Heights)
2244 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Adobe Rose Café

Portland $$ ****
Now, I'm from Hawaii, and Hawaii has no Mexicans. Therefore, I am not at all an expert on Mexican food. In fact, for a while I had convinced myself that I didn't like Mexican food. That is, until I came to Adobe Rose. As stated earlier, this may or may not be authentic Mexican food, but my friend from New Mexico likes it as much as I do, so it can't be that bad. Cheerful place that's walkable distance from my school.
Adobe Rose Café (Sellwood)
1634 SE Bybee Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
Tue-Sat 11:30am- 2:00pm
Tue-Thu 5:00pm- 9:00pm
Fri-Sat 5:00pm-10:00pm