Mahimahi Soba Salad Lunch at HAA

In my first job after college I worked as a general dogsbody at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. It was one of the best jobs I have ever held, both because I got to inventory every single piece in the collection from gorgeous Korean ceramics to gold pieces thousands of years old to modern paintings and European decorative arts, and because I met wonderful people there who are still friends today, forty years later. One of those lovely people invited us to join her for lunch at the Academy Cafe while we were in Hawaii for Christmas. She's a wonderful lady who, in her 80s, still plays tennis three days a week and still doesn't need glasses.

This is the meal I chose.

Topping the cool, crisp greens and cubed cucumber dressed with a light vinaigrette were cold soba noodles and two triangular pieces of sauteed mahimahi fresh out of the ocean. Mellow carrot strips and tiny, sharp sprouts added zing to the salad as well as visual interest.

We reminisced about our days at the Academy (she worked there for more than 50 years, I a paltry four) and enjoyed the breezy almost-outdoor ambiance of the cafe while we enjoyed our leisurely and carefully prepared lunch. If you are going to Honolulu, don't miss the beautiful museum and its very special cafe!