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Eric and Cyn cautiously ventured into the unfamiliar venue in search of the elusive creature known as live midweek musical entertainment. Their trepidation quickly transformed to joy as waves of 70s-era horn-band hits washed over them. Their celebratory glow was short lived though, as unseen forces were conspiring to mount a gastronomic challenge destined to drive them from the Esprit Lounge-esque tableau.
Such was the scene at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms earlier this evening. Despite the impressive stylings of Powerhouse -- the aforementioned 12-piece band -- hunger pangs forced an early retreat to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant -- Bac Nam. This wasn't due to a lack of food at the event. Eight plates of pupus went down on our table of six. Unfortunately, hardly any of it was worth consuming. And though I'm normally quite forgiving of culinary miscues, the dogpile of f-ups is unforgivable
"Pau Hana Drink Specials & Ono Food!" the event ticket promises. I have no beef with the bar, despite the fact that happy hour ends at 5:30pm and I'm not a schoolteacher. But even the children in attendance were visibly displeased with the food being served up. Simply put, the food could best be described as reheated Costco fare marked up 400%. I've had better grub at OIA football games. Quick bites: The steak was gristly, overpriced and underseasoned, everything deep fried was bland and greasy (watch the temps!) and more than half the menu was gone halfway through the program.
As if the false advertising wasn't enough, the company's website proudly announces that they won a CATIE award for their food in 2006. If any of you have true life catering horror stories, please feel free to share them here so we might possibly avoid experiencing them firsthand. Life is too short to eat bad food!
Company: Creations in Catering (hawaiicatering.com).
Event menu (remember, these are pupu portions): "Hokey" poke plate $Mkt. "Big Bambucha" rib eye steak $26. Garlic fried pork steak $13. Calamari deep fried $9. Fried chicken wings $8. Juicy longanisa sausage $7. Onion rings $5. French fries $4. Shrimp chips $3. Nalo greens salad $8.
Such was the scene at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms earlier this evening. Despite the impressive stylings of Powerhouse -- the aforementioned 12-piece band -- hunger pangs forced an early retreat to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant -- Bac Nam. This wasn't due to a lack of food at the event. Eight plates of pupus went down on our table of six. Unfortunately, hardly any of it was worth consuming. And though I'm normally quite forgiving of culinary miscues, the dogpile of f-ups is unforgivable
"Pau Hana Drink Specials & Ono Food!" the event ticket promises. I have no beef with the bar, despite the fact that happy hour ends at 5:30pm and I'm not a schoolteacher. But even the children in attendance were visibly displeased with the food being served up. Simply put, the food could best be described as reheated Costco fare marked up 400%. I've had better grub at OIA football games. Quick bites: The steak was gristly, overpriced and underseasoned, everything deep fried was bland and greasy (watch the temps!) and more than half the menu was gone halfway through the program.
As if the false advertising wasn't enough, the company's website proudly announces that they won a CATIE award for their food in 2006. If any of you have true life catering horror stories, please feel free to share them here so we might possibly avoid experiencing them firsthand. Life is too short to eat bad food!
Company: Creations in Catering (hawaiicatering.com).
Event menu (remember, these are pupu portions): "Hokey" poke plate $Mkt. "Big Bambucha" rib eye steak $26. Garlic fried pork steak $13. Calamari deep fried $9. Fried chicken wings $8. Juicy longanisa sausage $7. Onion rings $5. French fries $4. Shrimp chips $3. Nalo greens salad $8.
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