Affogato at Auntie Pasto’s in Kunia? Magnifico

On a recent trip to Auntie Pasto’s in Kunia, my cousin and I ordered the affogato, described in Mimi Sheraton’s “1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die” as having just two ingredients: vanilla ice cream and espresso. But at Auntie Pasto’s, the affogato ($7) arrived as a scoop of Tahitian vanilla gelato surrounded by shortbread cookies and candied walnuts, and topped with honey and whipped cream. At the table, the waiter poured a shot of espresso over the dessert. It was delish. The flavors blended together beautifully.

The Kunia restaurant, 94-673 Kupuohi St., recently became a sole proprietorship and is not affiliated with the Auntie Pasto’s in town, so you’ll find it only there. Call 680-0005.

—Melanie Kalauawa, Kalaheo, Kauai

Cherry blossoms, dogwood trees get stamp of approval

Gifts of friendship exchanged by Japan and the United States a century ago — cherry trees from Japan, flowering dogwood trees from America — are commemorated in new stamps by the U.S. Postal Service. The sharing between the two nations extends to the stamps themselves: The two that show the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol are the work of American artists, while the other two were designed in Japan and show prominent buildings in Tokyo. The stamps are also being released by the Japanese postal service. The “forever” stamps are $5.88 per 12-stamp sheet at any post office or usps.com.

—John Berger

Nijiya Market offers beauty products from Japan

Most people head to Nijiya Market in Puck’s Alley for groceries or to pick up a quick bento meal, but beauty junkies can save a trip to makeup counters by shopping Nijiya’s beauty aisle. There, you can find soaps, moisturizers and makeup from Japan, from pore minimizers to Magic Dream Tape for creating double eyelids. Assuming products are targeted toward specific Asian problems, I am drawn to mascaras that sell out quickly due to their promise to lengthen, thicken and curl my extremely straight lashes. It’s always a risk because I can’t read kanji, but for $20 it’s worth a try. Fiberwig mascara, pictured, costs about $20.

—Nadine Kam

Natural exfoliants help scrub awayplastic pollution

Come clean and get green with Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics’ new Life’s a Beach body scrub, made of fine sea salt and sand with a surprisingly refreshing vanilla-caramel scent. The scrub is finer than others I’ve tried and doesn’t rough up your skin. Lush is releasing the scrub Friday, World Environment Day, reminding consumers that many scrubs and personal care items (even toothpaste!) contain microplastic beads that wash down the drain and into our oceans. Lush will donate the entire $6.95 purchase price for each 3.3-ounce pot sold to groups working to eliminate microplastic bead pollution. Pick up the limited-edition scrub at Lush’s Ala Moana and Lahaina shops or lushusa.com.

—Christie Wilson

Decadent gluten-free scones delight

For the gluten-free eater, the height of decadence is a perfect pastry. One item on my short list is Mama’Nita’s gluten-free blueberry scones. These moist, buttery delicacies are dotted with cream cheese and the perfect amount of berry to balance a lovely sugar glaze. Mama’Nita owner Anita Rhee requires a couple days’ notice and there’s a minimum order of six, which at $3.05 apiece can seem a bit pricey. But trust me, once you’ve taken your first bite you’ll be grateful for the stash. The shop is at 31 N. Pauahi St. inside HASR Wine Co. Call 753-9108 or visit mamanitascones.com.

—Joleen Oshiro

5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.