Ritsuko and I made plans to meet up for dinner after work. I'd suggested we try Palomino Restaurant as I'd received an email about them having (until August 27th) a 3-course meal special (1 starter, 1 entree & 1 dessert) for $25. What a deal, right?!? It's an upscale part restaurant, part rotisseria and part bar with chic ambiance and this place is all about glass, marble, mahogany, art pieces, wall decor and very impressive lighting. It's upper class and elegant, but somehow relaxed.

We get there a little after 6pm, and it's crowded! It was Ritsuko first time there. As for me...it was second time. My first was 2 years ago with Ryan for our 2 year anniversary. After a 5-minute wait, we were seated at a table with a nice view overlooking the harbor. Ritsuko orders the Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip, Rotisserie Pork Chop and Tiramisu with a glass of Chardonnay wine while I get the Calamari Fritto, Lobster Ravioli and Seasonal Fruit Cobbler with a glass of Riesling wine. While waiting for our orders to arrive, we were served their signature warm, chewy french bread with a hearty marinara sauce (chunks of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese).

As usual, we were busy taking our pictures as the food arrive as well as environment and pretty views. There was a lot of food for us two gals to consume and it was all simply D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Our starters; the Dungeness Crab & Artichoke Dip was served with parmesan cheese and cracked pizza crust while the Calamari Fritto came with marinara and garlic-lemon dipping sauces. YUMMY! We were getting full and our entrees haven't even arrived yet! My Lobster Ravioli was humongous ~ 2 fresh pieces of saffron pasta, scallop filling and lobster cream sauce. I had pictured it differently in my head (LOL). Ritsuko's Rotisserie Pork Chop came with a spicy tasting sausage and brown rice. We still had desserts coming...and I have no more room in my tummy! To add one last smile to the evening, our server delivered Palomino's version of a fortune cookie at the end of our meal: a fold-out card with a feel-good saying. (Mine read: "A man chases a woman until she catches him.")



After dinner, we headed into Waikiki for a little stroll to walk off that hearty dinner. Thank you Ritsuko as I had a fantastic time!