Find the best in everybody. Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you. It might even take years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting. - Randy Pausch
About two years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic started and everyone's lives were put on hold because of the lockdowns, fellow Elite Debra N reached out to me to meet for lunch. We exchanged contact information through Yelp's PM because we were sheltering in place to protect ourselves, family, friends, and others around us but vowed to meet when restrictions were lifted. Fortunately, since several FDA-approved therapeutics and vaccines have been developed, we took comfort in getting together safely with others outside of our immediate circle. With our State's recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Debra contacted me to meet. We decided upon Tiny Pyramid because of its noted French pastries and French-Asian-inspired cuisine that we missed from its former Kaimukī location (JJ Bistro & Pastry).
Tiny Pyramid is located in the Nā Lama Kukui Lifestyle and Design Center, formerly Gentry Center, on Nimitz Highway. Nā Lama Kukui' on Nimitz Highway faces the Honolulu Waterfront (sorry, there aren't romantic views). Still, one can expect an industrial vibe since its neighboring businesses include the former Dole Cannery, City Mill Hardware & Lumber, and other warehouses. This design center features a large parking lot for its tenants and customers.
We arrived a few minutes before our noon meeting and checked in with Tiny Pyramid's hostess, who immediately seated us and watched for Debra (who we had never met except through Yelp profiles). I recognized Debra right away as she walked toward the restaurant. She mentioned that it was a good thing we had exchanged contact information because, unbeknownst to me, she was blocked from my Yelp posts. I think it's a glitch because I've had others block me only to find out later that it was unintentional.
While perusing the lunch menu, Debra suggested Tiny Pyramid's Four-Course prix-fixe menu, which only appears on their dinner menu. It's a good thing that Debra is a regular at this restaurant which helped to guide us to a more fabulous lunch because I was "on the fence" over two different entrées. Both Debra and I chose the Four-Course prix-fixe, while my husband chose the Soft Shell Crab BLT sandwich. After placing our lunch orders, Debra and I promptly walked in to select our dessert from Tiny Pyramid's luscious pastry display case.
FOOD:
1. Cream Corn Soup with Blue Crabmeat (option to not have the crab meat if you're allergic or don't care for shellfish)
2. Soft shell crab with a small side salad (dressed with house-made ginger-sesame seed dressing)
3. Lao Pot Pie- deconstructed pot pie with chicken breast sliced, potatoes, zucchini, onion, and carrot in chef's house tomato ragoût. The ragoût had a nice balance of tomato acidity, seasoning, and mild spiciness. The vegetables and chicken were fork tender, yet they retained their cut shapes. The stew didn't have a thick gravy as one finds in Hawaiian stew, nor was it broth-like Vietnamese cà ri gà (curry chicken stew) or bò kho (beef stew), but you'll want to sop up every drop of sauce with your puff pastry.
4. Marron Glacé: chestnut mousse with rum covered with chocolate ganache atop flaky pâté brisée. I love chestnuts and was immediately drawn to this dessert as I thought about my favorite Mont-Blanc aux marrons. I knew this dessert would get me closer to that chestnut flavor but, Tiny Pyramid's marron glacé contains rum instead of vanilla. Boy, oh, boy, this dessert delivered on its flavor and light texture to my taste buds.
Debra's Four-Course meal included the Cream Corn Soup with Blue Crabmeat, Lobster Bake, Fisherman's Pot Pie (seafood in green curry) and Chocolate Lover. I wasn't feeling particularly in the mood for an all-seafood meal which is why I selected the Lao Pot Pie but while eyeing Debra's entrée, I will consider ordering it the next time we're in the area.
During our dine we discovered similarities when Debra mentioned that I looked familiar to her and I had a glimmer of name recognition about her. We worked at and retired from the same workplace but in different departments for several decades. Geez! What a small world! Our conversations were fun, light and very enjoyable which made us realize how much we've missed getting together with others in person. Darn this pandemic and its variants!
Thanks to Debra N, we had a very enjoyable meal and get together at Tiny Pyramid. We'll have to do it again! read more