With the volcano erupting on the other side of the Big Island, it seemed only appropriate to go to Roy’s for dinner on our first night on the Big Island. After all, they are known for their trademark chocolate souffle dessert, also known as molten lava cake.  The chain was founded by James Beard Foundation Award Winner Roy Yamaguchi in 1988 in Honolulu, and has been one of our go-to dining favorites. This location in Waikoloa was our seventh Roy’s experience including the original site, Sarasota, Chicago, San Francisco (See Post #208), and two Maui properties. Plus, when we moved to Austin, Texas the Roy’s was bought by Bloomin’ Brands, and re-branded Fleming’s Steakhouse. That company also owns Outback, Carrabba’s, and Bonefish Grill, each much less pricey and more family-oriented than Roy’s, who specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine.

Our favorite dish from Chef Roy is misoyaki butterfish, and the restaurant was in easy walking distance from our Marriott resort room. This afternoon, we moved down the beach to the classier Fairmont Orchid for an auto dealer’s convention. My wife will be attending mandatory receptions and meetings while I will pick and choose only those that serve food and alcohol. With the exception of airfare and a few incidentals, I’m now on her company’s dime, living the retirement dream. I’ll try to behave myself as her arm candy.

We spent the day by the Waikoloa Beach Marriott pool this morning, taking advantage of Marriott Rewards Points, and then began to familiarize ourselves with the Fairmont amenities, our home for the next three nights. The San Francisco Fairmont was the first in a current chain of seventy-five properties. (See Post #210). I once attended a wine tasting event in the ballroom of this prestigious Nob Hill hotel.  I’ve also stayed at the New Orleans Fairmont and enjoyed their elaborate holiday decorations, but most of their hotels are typically out of my price range.

It was 84 degrees for my run this morning, sweating out the complimentary wine from last night’s beach side cocktail party. After I cool down a bit, I’ll head down to the pool and join some of the other spouses. I did get a bit fried yesterday, so I’ll take plenty of cover. I will also book our flights to Thailand next year, as we continue to plan ahead. It will be our first experience as a Marriott Vacation Club owner, utilizing resort accommodations in both Bangkok and Phuket.  Evacuations continue of the other side of the island as lava continues to pour out of the mountain, so it’s probably best that we confine ourselves to the safety of the leeward side. Molten lava cake has a lot of calories, but it’s not destructive to property and animals

 

 

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