As exotic as the name "Maui, Hawaii" may sound to most, for those of us who actually grew up in a small town in Hawaii it can sometimes feel just like that: A small town. But this week's Guest Blogger Michelle Bolosan, who was born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii, helps us to see that in-depth cultural experiences and international cuisine can be found in some of the most unlikely places, even in your own hometown. Many people love to travel. I am one of those people. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to travel to various places. I've learned that when traveling to a foreign place, along with exploring the culture and the sights, experiencing the FOOD is a must! But what if you don't have the financial means and circumstances to explore the food beyond your own backyard BBQ and kitchen stove? Some of my friends wish they could get out from the grips of their full-time secular jobs and travel to exotic places, some have family responsibilities that don't allow them to travel, and others have debilitating health problems that prevent them from leaving home for an extended period of time. Well, if you are one of these, DO NOT FEAR, 4-course pre-fixe menu options are here! Wait, what is that? What do you mean. Let me explain. A Culinary Experience ... At Community College!? Today, I was able to have a delicious, international gourmet dining experience at an affordable price! And what's even more fantastic is that it's practically in my own "backyard". Well, I had to drive 25 minutes to get there, but you get the idea! No expensive plane ticket necessary, I promise. The place? Maui Community College's “Class Act Restaurant” in the heart of the island of Maui, Hawaii. "What's so cool about eating at a community college?" you may ask
The time? You choose. You can pick a seating anytime between 11:00-12:30. But because this place is slowly getting on the radar, I highly recommend that reservations be made at your earliest convenience. Make sure you set aside a nice sized portion of your afternoon, as a 4-course meal can take a good chunk of time, from your first glass of tropical iced tea poured, to the last dessert morsel devoured. "So, what should I pick?" my Aunty* curiously asked me. "Whatever peeks your interest!" I happily said! Here is a sampling of our latest 4-course pre-fixe dining experience to whet your appetite. *In Hawai'i, when speaking of a woman your senior, it is customary and polite to refer to her as "my Aunty" whether or not she is a relative. First Course: Ahi Carpaccio with Olive Relish and Roasted Garlic Aioli Thin slices of fresh ahi (yellow fin tuna) with a drizzle of a yellow aioli (provençal traditional sauce made of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and egg yolks) with Olive Relish, and 3 pieces of crostini ("mini toasts" in Italian). We were told that the chef recommended mixing the ahi, aioli, and olive relish together and placing this concoction on the crostini's and then placing them in our mouth. Good suggestion? Yes! Pure success! Second Course: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sage Butter "This soup is so creamy! I love it!," stated my Aunty with a big grin. And yes, it certainly was. Think of a creamy soup made of well-blended squash, served with a dollop of sage butter in the middle, and topped off with a toasted sage leaf. Sage can have a powerful distinct taste, but pair it with foods considered heavy, rich, and creamy, and you got a match made in soup heaven! Third Course: Pine Nut Crusted Opah with Tomato Caper Butter Sauce "What's Opah?", my Aunty asked. "I'm pretty sure it's moonfish," I guessed, and to my surprise, I was correct! Pine nuts, finely crushed, coated the delicate and moist moon fish filet , which was then baked to perfection. Served with slices of grilled eggplant, yellow zucchini, and red pepper and accompanied with a Tomato Caper Butter Sauce- it was impossible NOT to finish this entree completely. I think I saw my reflection in the plate after I wiped it clean. Fourth Course: Gingerbread Souffle Cake with Pumpkin Gelato Pass on Dessert? NEVER. The very question gives me chills. This delectable dessert was a perfect ending to a wonderful Italian meal, not too light, not too heavy. I devoured and licked the plate of this freshly baked right-out-of-the-oven gingerbread souffle cake! It was topped with a scoop of pumpkin gelato and a chocolate pastry shell adorned with a decorative design in gold. Eating the chocolate shell seemed forbidden. It was too pretty to eat. But the satisfaction of my stomach after completing this Italian voyage left me speechless, so I'm willing to throw "pretty" out the door after nibbling on chocolate-anything! "Think Closer to Home" So, the next time you think it's to impossible experience a 4-course meal of elegant international culinary standards because you can't travel far away, be a "traveler at heart" and think CLOSER to home! You never know what food discovery is lurking in the backyard of your own hometown. You may just find yourself checking another box off of your long list of culinary things to do! For more information on culinary experiences, read these books: Contributing Blogger: Michelle Bolosan
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56 Comments
Rm mackey
12/31/2012 02:00:45 pm
Hey sis! Congratulations! This is what u were telling me. The foods looks good! We will try to go there one of these days. U did good sis! :)
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12/31/2012 08:23:02 pm
Yeah, Michelle, you made all of us hungry just reading about it! Haha. I agree, good job on a post well written.
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:30:45 am
Yay first comment! Thanks so much for taking the time to read it Ate! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You and Tim will have to experience this someday.
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Rm Mackey
1/1/2013 03:31:34 pm
Ofcourse sis! Me and kuya tim are your biggest fan of ur photography! Somebody commented about eating before looking at ur post, haha I agree! Kudos to u my precious lil sis!
Michelle
1/2/2013 12:02:45 pm
Aww, such sweet complements! I'm glad you appreciate my pictures. I still have a long way to go in improving my picture taking techniques. Hopefully this year I can save up for an SLR Nikon or Canon camera to take even better photos. ;)
cяysтαІ D
12/31/2012 02:38:35 pm
Hey I didn't know you can eat @ a community college?? The food looks sooo delish:) desserts is my all time fave part of eating;P lol you did an awesome job manang Michelle! And for the chefs to be, they did so good that I couldn't tell they're still in school for it!
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12/31/2012 08:24:51 pm
Yes good point, Crystal. When I first saw Michelle's pics on Instagram, I didn't even realize this was at a community college. I thought that made this post very interesting. Not too many people realize what can be found, even in unlikely places.
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:36:24 am
Yes, isn't intriguing? All the students are getting the best training and learning the best techniques in culinary which means, the customers of the Class Act benefit from their delicious cuisine and you don't have to spend a fortune for fine dining. And for even more casual dining, there is the Paina Food Court below the Class Act Restaurant for good food at an affordable price. Your family should try it someday Crystal! Thanks for reading.
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Jkws
12/31/2012 03:13:58 pm
awesome post♡ this is amazing
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12/31/2012 08:26:37 pm
Eh, I know who dis is! Hehe...so what when you going do one post with one of your killah pics ah?!
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:40:24 am
Thanks for commenting Josh Sado! Haha. As JR encouraged, you should definitely do a post one of these days. You're a talented writer and photographer.
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1/1/2013 03:59:04 pm
Yes, Josh. Yessssss. Listen to Michelle. She is wise and knows many things. Hope to hear from you!
kristine
12/31/2012 03:25:31 pm
reading this makes me want me want to eat at the class act restaurant :) support culinary art students!
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12/31/2012 08:27:47 pm
That's right! By the looks of ther dishes, they are working really hard to apply what they're learning. Gotta show them some love.
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:43:57 am
Thanks for reading Kristine. You and your family will have to try it someday. And since you're a culinary art student already, you may even get a discount! Remember to call me if you do.
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scott
12/31/2012 09:11:36 pm
great job Michelle! I will remember not to read your posts on an empty stomach.
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:47:38 am
Thanks for reading Scott! Glad you enjoyed it and perhaps I should have a warning label to consume food before my blogs are read? Next time.
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1/1/2013 03:55:30 pm
Scott, how about eating while you read it? Might work out better.
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ninja kitty
1/1/2013 01:24:04 am
Wooooohooooooo michelle! Pretty soon u go have one book and go be the book chosen for oprahs book club/best seller status!
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:53:46 am
Hello Ninja Kitty. By the looks of the name, i'm assuming this is my friend Ana, who is a lover of furry cats! Hopefully I'm right. Thanks for reading this friend. We will have to go someday and enjoy fine dining!
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ninja kitty
1/2/2013 03:45:28 am
U r correcto mingo! Yeah man. We shall go one day.
aL T.
1/1/2013 05:24:15 am
Stupendous!!! The vivid and very detailed drescriptions of every dish left me nibbling my left arm ;) kudos to Michelle. Looking forward for more of ur culinary adventures.
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Michelle
1/1/2013 11:59:13 am
Thanks for taking the time to read Al! I'm very happy that you found it appetizing and I apologize for any physical harm that my blog has made on your left arm haha.
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aL T.
1/2/2013 06:38:42 am
I don't know. My travel stories are mostly tales and trails of mishaps,misadventure, misfits, and a state trooper (don't ask, haha) maybe after my 2 trips this year I'll come up with a decent story :) 1/2/2013 06:59:09 am
What do you mean? Those all sound like decent stories! We need more misadventures and stuff like that, haha! 1/1/2013 03:57:53 pm
Yeah for sure, Al! Michelle is right, I'm always looking for new ideas and different styles of writing to add character and FLAVOR to "The Drifters Blog".
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Michelle
1/2/2013 12:13:48 pm
Ditto on JR's comment. I know you to be a very detailed writer and eloquent speaker (was it poems during the fb days?) so i'm sure your adventurous travel tales would be interesting to read. Like you said, perhaps after your Japan trip you will have even more stories to relate!
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Kalei
1/1/2013 05:59:21 am
Mmmm...looks SO YUMMY! I know you've told me about this before Michelle, but I REALLY need to try Class Act. Maybe I'll take a 1/2 day off. OR we can take JR when he comes for a visit. (^_^)
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Michelle
1/1/2013 12:02:02 pm
Hey Kalei!! Glad you enjoyed the blog and the drool-worthy pictures. I found myself salivating when I saw it posted for the first time haha. And yes, what a fantastic idea! We will have to go and take JR when he comes to visit! It's either Wednesdays or Fridays. Let's save our money shall we?
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Kalei
1/2/2013 12:37:20 am
Agreed! We need to take JR. As soon as he gives me confirmed dates I will take vacation. 1/1/2013 04:01:30 pm
The one pic I always go back to is the Opah, I wish I had that now! Great job on an informative post, Michelle!
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Kalei
1/2/2013 12:40:03 am
Oh, by the way, Aunty Laura said to let you know that Grant graduates May 18th.
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Michelle
1/2/2013 12:14:30 pm
Oh right on! I was wondering when he graduated. 1/2/2013 03:44:58 pm
I heard! But that going be like a week too late for my schedule! Too bad ah I going miss out on Aunty Gloria and Aunty Becky guys' MEAN kine cooking!
Kalei
1/2/2013 03:52:04 pm
Don't worry cuz! If me or Michele get invited, we'll hook you up with pics to drool over. ;-P
Michelle
1/2/2013 04:09:24 pm
Awww, so you're coming like the 1st or 2nd week of May? If you miss Grant's graduation, i will not subject you to the viewing of our photo taking madness! Haha. Yum, yum it all sounds and looks delicious, well except for the iced tea. With a diverse world now many first world countries have a wide range of restaurants from many cuisines in the main cities. I agree with the author, there is little excuse now not to try some new culinary delights.
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1/2/2013 03:40:43 pm
Not a fan of iced tea? Or just the picture of it? I agree, there are so many options for international dining now it no longer has to seem exotic, unfamiliar or unattainable. With societies and cultures getting more and more interconnected, even "small towns" have culinary secrets to be found.
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Michelle
1/2/2013 03:59:30 pm
Why hello there anonymous commenter. :) Thanks for reading and glad you shared a similar food viewpoint. As JR added-it's true that food treasures seem to be found in small cities nowadays. To explore and taste is when the adventure begins! Seems like you may have tried some "new culinary treats" yourself?
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Ai
1/5/2013 07:04:41 pm
Hi Michelle!!! I really enjoyed your post!! Hmm,,,yum yum!!!!
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Michelle
1/6/2013 01:28:42 pm
Thanks so much for reading Ai! Miss you my friend. Glad to hear from ya.
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Ai
1/6/2013 06:16:51 pm
>J.R. Of course! We gotta get Hawaiian Pineapple Ice Cream or Taiwanese cookies with fresh orange juice!!
Michelle
1/7/2013 02:40:55 pm
Yes, good memory. Davina from Kihei. I don't know how long they will be in New Zealand but I could email you Louis's (Davina's hubby) email address if you want. I think the email I have for Vina is wrong. That would be awesome if you met up with them!
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Ai
1/8/2013 05:13:53 pm
>J.R. Food down here is awesome!!! I'm so happy to be with Chinese friends cuz they cook beautiful!! 1/10/2013 03:18:58 pm
I have to agree, Chinese food is AMAZING! So much variety and too many choices. Sounds like you're having a great time, Ai, I hope you're taking lots of pictures.
Michelle
1/9/2013 04:08:35 pm
I hope you get to see them and hang out! Sounds like you are all having a wonderful, spiritual time. Enjoy it! I have a Samoan "granny" over there, Henrietta McPharlin. I don't know if she's there in the Samoan section but she's incredible. She's a widow and came to visit Maui maybe 5-6 years ago? I know she lives in Auckland and she mailed me a Samoan gown...forgot what the exact name of it is. But how long are you gonna be in NZ Ai? I'll have to make plans to visit...like JR lol.
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Ai
1/13/2013 07:21:05 pm
I found Davina and Louis from the crowd!!!! I can't believe the convention is over...and finally got the new DVDs and brochures!!! We'll have CO from tomorrow... busy busy busy but happy! and always good food with CO visit! lol 1/15/2013 02:22:42 pm
Hey Ai, sounds like you're having a great time there. Be sure to take lots of pics and share that with us. If you want to a write-up on your adventures there in New Zealand, just let me know! ;-)
Ash
1/6/2013 10:51:44 am
wow...you did it!...turned out YUmmmy...yah I think i gotta go scour the fridge now cause I'm hungry. But we are blessed with a pretty good variety in Hawaii as far as food is concerned, looks like I gotta head over to Maui now to eat that! I will let ya know Michelle!
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1/6/2013 12:29:51 pm
Let me know what you think about it, Ash! And I really can't wait to see everyone when I get back. We should camp out at Hulopoe.
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Michelle
1/6/2013 01:33:14 pm
Thanks for taking the time to read Ash! Happy you enjoyed it. You're definitely right about having a variety of food here in Hawaii. (For ex. just had some yummy vietnamese food with the parental units after meeting!) Oh yes come to Maui anytime! Let me know. ;)
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SUBSCRIBEABOUT MEI'm JR. I come from a long line of adventurers, some were nomadic explorers of the sea and others wandering cultivators of the earth. Ultimately, this legacy of drifters has deeply affected my view of travel. Read more...
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