Category: Tom’s Blog

12th Avenue Grill in Kaimuki is a well known hidden gem, if that makes any sense. It’s a true “neighborhood restaurant” that serves good tasting food, focusing on local ingredients and big flavors.

Mike, the manager/mixologist, is the true star of the restaurant in my opinion. Although the food is great, Mike’s cocktails are true bliss. His Old Fashioned is currently my favorite cocktail on the island. Tell him Tom from Leather Soul sent you.

Tom’s Tip: Try the “HamHattan.” (pictured) The last time I was there it was made with Mike’s specially made Kurobuta pork infused bourbon.

Categories: Tom's Blog

Mahalo to our friends, the Armoury and Ambrosi Napoli for an extremely successful first trunk show at LSDT!

To everyone who visited us, thank you for your continued support!

Our second Armoury x Ambrosi trunk show is scheduled for July. Hope to see you then!

Categories: Tom's Blog

Self Edge is the only place to go outside of Japan for the best selection of premium Japanese jeans, clothing, and accessories.

With three locations in the US: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, my friends Kiya and Demitra Babzani have an amazing business, one that I truly look up to and respect.

Tom’s Tip: Start with a lighter weight denim, then work your way up to one of Iron Heart’s famous heavier denims. They are intense but well worth their weight.

Self Edge

Categories: Tom's Blog

JJ Dolan’s has been serving the best NY style pizza in Hawaii since 2008, in of all places, Chinatown. My buddy Jay Niebuhr and his pal Danny Dolan, veterans of the Honolulu restaurant and bar business, decided to combine two of my favorite things: the Irish pub and the NY style pizza parlor, thus creating my go to “pau hana” spot, walking distance from Downtown Honolulu.

Tom’s Tip: Get the Giacomo, it’s their signature pie, but add onions to make it a Shoedaddy special.

JJ Dolan’s
1147 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808)537-4992

Categories: Tom's Blog

The Armoury in Hong Kong is my favorite menswear shop in the world. My friends, Mark Cho, Ethan Newton, and Alan See run the most incredible store you will ever step foot into. The curated selection of clothing: Ring Jacket, Orazio Luciano, Liverano & Liverano, as well as a fine tuned collection of leather goods and footwear, make this haberdashery second to none.

Tom’s Tip: Follow their Tumblr page: The Armoury Lightbox to completely and insanely inspired.

The Armoury
307 Pedder Building
12 Pedder Street
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2804 6991

The Armoury 2
B62 Landmark Central
15 Queen’s Road Central
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2810 4990

Categories: Tom's Blog

Yakiniku Hiroshi is probably my favorite place to eat in Hawaii. The quality and cuts of meat are second to none and comparable to some of the better yakiniku restaurants in Japan in my opinion.

For those who are unfamiliar with yakiniku style dining, flavorful cuts of raw meat are served to you and you grill the meat right on your table to your liking. A variety of side dishes and soups accompany the meal.

Yakiniku Hiroshi also boasts a great selection of fine wines but I prefer their Japanese “nama” or draft beer on tap.

Tom’s Tip: Order the Platinum Course. It’s the priciest course meal on the menu but also the best value and will leave you completely satisfied.

Yakiniku Hiroshi
339 Royal Hawaiian Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808)923-0060

Categories: Tom's Blog

Today I finalized finishes for LSDT with my architect Matt Goyke from Green Sand Inc. Things are progressing fast and we’re hoping for a mid December completion.

The carpet excites me the most as I have always wanted green carpet since my days working at Xavier. I will always remember and reminisce about that forest green carpet.

Categories: Tom's Blog

Mahalo to the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce for naming me 2012 Entrepreneur of the year. I am extremely honored and proud to be a Korean entrepreneur!

Categories: Tom's Blog

There is no doubt the Internet plays a major role as influencer of men’s “fashion” around the world. Just look at blogs and websites such as the Sartorialist, who give those looking for direction an opportunity to follow.

“Fashion” is a dead word to those who do not follow. The whole idea behind “fashion” is self expression and self fulfillment. One of the best examples of this is my friend Ethan Newton of the Armoury Hong Kong. Ethan is not my “fashion” role model, not someone I try to imitate or follow. He is my guide, someone I trust, someone I respect, and someone every “fashionable” man should meet.

Desu.

Categories: Tom's Blog

I recently had my friend Nick V. at B.Nelson Shoe Repair in NYC resole my “beater” Alden 986s with a red Dainite sole and natural welt. I wanted to jazz them up a bit for wear with jeans and chinos. I was quite impressed with the extremely fast turnaround and quality of their work.

LS approved! Give them a try! B.Nelson Shoe Repair

Categories: Tom's Blog