We gathered together for a champagne brunch buffet at The Willows yesterday to honor Lisa. As usual, the international cuisine and champagne were excellent. Best of all, we were outdoors. Here are photos of the restaurant:
The weather was perfect: sunny with a cool breeze. In fact, it might have been too breezy, as the wind messed up my hair. Lol. Anyway, here is a photo of my family:
Me, David, Lisa, Rylan, Maria, Julia, and Grant.
Maria and her kids with my 96 year old mother.
A photo of the entire group of attendees (my mother, sisters, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nephew and his girlfriend, husband, children, son-in-law, and grandchildren):
I always like to find any excuse to have a family gathering. It was so pleasant to share humorous anecdotes about our lives and to catch up on the news. And who knows when we will see Lisa again? Congratulations and bon voyage, Lisa!
P.S. In 2008, I took photos of the food at The Willows. Here is the link to that post:
http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/the-willows-restaurant/
June 4, 2012 at 1:31 am |
That restaurant looks amazing! I think Lisa looks like her dad while Maria looks more like you! Yes, family gatherings are so important!
June 4, 2012 at 4:57 am |
Actually, they both look Caucasian.
June 4, 2012 at 2:34 am |
You got some great photos to help you remember this important family event. It looks like a beautiful place.
All the best to Lisa in her new adventures.
June 4, 2012 at 3:17 am |
What a nice going away party and such a lovely place. You can always go visit her and electronics will make the miles shrink in the mean time. What an exciting time for her though probably a bit scary.
I wasn’t aware how much taller David is and your mother is lovely for any age but 96? Wow..
June 4, 2012 at 4:58 am |
David is 6’1″ tall. I am 5’1″ tall.
June 4, 2012 at 3:36 am |
What a nice family gathering! And a wonderful family gathering.
June 4, 2012 at 3:38 am |
How wonderful to have these pictures to remember the occasion. And you will be using Skype to talk with her, if I remember correctly.
June 4, 2012 at 4:57 am |
Of course! Lol.
June 4, 2012 at 5:03 am |
The Willows is beautiful and a perfect setting for your family get-together. Bon Voyage and good luck to Lisa!
June 4, 2012 at 5:56 am |
Such a beautiful restaurant and gathering. I’m sure this day will be remembered fondly as Lisa leaves Hawaii. As you mentioned, Willows is not cheap, but again you’ve made a wise decision to trump the expensive price tag for some lasting memories. I’m thinking back to my childhood, where the standing rule was “cannot help” ….not very good for building self esteem. Sigh….not an easy rule to break either.
L. from W.
June 4, 2012 at 6:26 am |
Surprisingly, the restaurant gave seniors (65+) a 10% discount.
June 4, 2012 at 6:10 am |
What a beautiful place to have a family gathering. I love the landscaping around the restautant. Hopefully the food was also first class. Good luck to Lisa. I was always sad when kids left, and also happy for them having new adventures. My oldest son lived in Europe for 10 years, although it gave me a good excuse to travel.
June 4, 2012 at 7:01 am |
What a lovely family celebration…congrats…!!!!!
June 4, 2012 at 7:31 am |
Charming & exotic place to dine. Landscaping is superb. And the family photo is lovely. Cheers to Lisa !
June 4, 2012 at 7:59 am |
What a gorgeous group. It is fun to be surrounded by family.
June 4, 2012 at 12:25 pm |
What a beautiful environment. All the old-timers in my Hawaiian family started going to the Willows way way back in the day. Could it have been as long ago as the 1920s and 1930s? It’s always had the most wonderful ambiance and was a great place to honor Lisa. She’s going into a field that will always be needed. Just last week, my cousin had a heart attack. Next step? Why rehab of course.
.
June 4, 2012 at 12:35 pm |
Sorry to hear about your cousin’s heart attack. Glad it was not fatal.
June 4, 2012 at 12:44 pm |
I remember dining there in the 1960s. I ordered frog legs — while hearing the bull frogs croak in the pond. Now, frog legs are NOT served and the pond is free of frogs and fish.
June 4, 2012 at 1:28 pm |
Did you take any pictures of the food by any chance? I haven’t been to the Willows for years. Thank you Gigi.
June 4, 2012 at 1:40 pm |
Palolo, in 2008 I took pictures of the food at The Willows. Here’s the link to that post:
http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/the-willows-restaurant/