The Clubhouse at Mililani - Sushi, Tacos, and So Much More!

I did not hesitate to visit The Clubhouse at Mililani when it opened, and I did not hesitate to say "yes" when I was asked to attend a media invite there.  The food is just so good, and I was so happy I got to try out even more food from the menu.

With Justin Mizufuka, Chef Arturo Silva, and Chef Lance Morishima at the helm, you get flavorful, well-executed dishes that are familiar and comforting.

Raw Bar Platter

Crunch Roll

Seafood Salad

Assorted Nigiri

Loaded Tater Tot Nachos

Dry Mein

Steak

Korean Fried Chicken

Crispy Pork Belly

My faves are the Loaded Tater Tot Nachos, Dry Mein, and Korean Fried Chicken (all of which I ordered recently for take-out).

The Seafood Salad was a hit on our table, and so was the Pork Belly (definitely would pair well with some beer!).

Also - don't miss Taco Tuesdays, where you can get $3 tacos!

I predicted before they even opened that The Clubhouse at Mililani would be the go-to spot in Mililani, and I stand by the prediction.  There really is no place else in Mililani like it!  It's the perfect place for a family meal, special occasion (private dining room is available), or some drinks and pupu after a round of golf. 

The Clubhouse Mililani
Mililani Golf Club
95-176 Kuahelani Ave
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 623-2222

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CATCH “THE YEAR OF THE TIGER” CELEBRATION AT TOWN CENTER OF MILILANI FEB 5

 

WHEN: 
Saturday, February 5, 2022, 5 p.m,

WHERE: Town Center of Mililani
95-1249 Meheula Parkway
Mililani, HI 96789

WHAT:
Town Center of Mililani invites the community to greet the Year of the Tiger with a bang. The center will host a free, family-friendly celebration, featuring the Asian Lion Dance Team, fun keiki crafts and an appearance by Miss Chinatown Hawaii and Miss Chinese Jaycees. Keiki can also receive a free ​​Year of the Tiger plush toy, while supplies last. The celebration and activities will be socially distanced, for the safety of guests. 

Watch an exciting, traditional Chinese lion dance and martial arts demonstration at Center Court to mark the new Lunar Year, on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. The colorful lion, accompanied by the dramatic, clashing sounds of drums and cymbals, will make its way through the center and be fed lai see (lucky money), which is believed to bring prosperity to the giver throughout the year.

The Lunar New Year is a holiday traditionally celebrated with “lucky food” enjoyed among family and friends. You can put your own spin on this tradition by gathering the ʻohana for dinner at any one of Town Center of Mililani’s numerous eateries, before or after the celebration. Guests are also welcome to visit the center’s wide variety of stores to complete their evening.

See towncenterofmililani.com for up-to-date information on shopping and dining options, including current hours and services. Individual store policies and hours may vary, so customers are highly encouraged to check the website in advance.

Located in the heart of Central Oahu and Mililani Town, the center has a long history of connecting its community together. Follow and tag photos of #TownCenterOfMililani on Facebook @TownCtrMililani and Instagram @TownCenterofMililani. See towncenterofmililani.com.

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Chopsticks and Rice

A trip to Hawaii Kai to pick up a few items at Costco and City Mill led us to Chopstick and Rice, a newish Vietnamese restaurant located in Hawaii Kai Towne Center (opposite side to Costco, near City Mill). The restaurant is very spacious with lots of open space for dining in customers to spread out. We ordered our food to-go, since we were bringing home a plate for my mom. We ordered two cold noodle plates, and one fried chicken appetizer. I'd say the taste was consistent with most casual Vietnamese restaurants. I like how the cold noodle plates come with a spring roll, because one spring roll is usually enough for my liking. The staff is friendly, and service was quick. We'll definitely be back to try other items on their menu.

Grilled Pork and Spring Roll Vermicelli Cold Noodle

Grilled Shrimp and Spring Roll Vermicelli Cold Noodle

House Fried Chicken

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CHOPSTICKS AND RICE
333 Keahole Street
(808) 460-9898

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Oatmeal Banana Chia Muffins

 

I saw a recipe for muffins in Health magazine that called for ingredients I already had on hand, so I decided to give it a try, with some tweaks (I added chia seeds and used chocolate tahini).  

These muffins are great for breakfast, snack, or even dessert!

Oatmeal Banana Chia Muffins

Ingredients:

• 3 large bananas - 1 mashed, 2 cut into slices
• 1 1/3 c almond milk
• 3 T chocolate tahini
• 2 T ground flaxseed
• 1 T chia seeds
• 5 T maple syrup
• 2 c old fashioned oats
• 1 1/4 t baking powder
• 3/4 t ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 t fresh lemon juice

Directions:

• Combine mashed banana, almond milk, chocolate tahini, ground flaxseed, and chia seeds in a medium bowl.
• In a separate medium bowl, combine oats, baking powder, and cinnamon.
• Stir banana mixture into oat mixture.
• Stir in sliced bananas.
• Pour batter into prepared muffin tin.  
• Place a sliced banana on each, and sprinkle with more chia seeds.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.

You can find the original recipe in the May 2021 issue of Healthy magazine.

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Visit New York: Norma

Our East Coast friends took us to Norma in New York City one night, where we had a taste of authentic Sicilian cuisine. 

Complimentary Bread

Carpaccio di Polipo

Caponata con Crostini

Panelle

Cous-Cous con pesce

Porchetta Pizza

Ragu Arancine

Nero di Seppia Arancine

Al Burro Arancine

Norma Arancine

Pasta con le Sarde a Timballo

My faves included the Panelle (Fried Chickpeas), the Al Burro (saffron) Arancine (all the arancini are huge - not the small round balls I'm used to seeing, and are meant to be shared), and the Cous-Cous con Pesce, which was so comforting and delish.

I loved the Caponata con crostini as well (eggplant and olives just pair perfectly with bread!).  

The Pasta con le Sarde a Timballo is like a tower of spaghetti mixed with sardines and fennel.  

Of course, we couldn't leave without some traditional Italian desserts.

Cannoli

Tiramisu

Every single dish was delightful, made with simple, yet quality ingredients.  I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

Norma
438 3rd Ave

New York, NY 10016

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Aloha Mamacita - Honolulu

On our quest to find our favorite place to get birria tacos, we decided to give Aloha Mamacita a try. Aloha Mamacita started out as a food truck in Ewa Beach, then they opened their first brick and mortar restaurant in Waipahu, followed by their second location in town near Costco Iwilei.  It's a little tricky to find if you're not familar with the building they're located in. Just head to Nimitz Center (where Eagle Cafe and Siam Garden Cafe is, facing Nimitz Highway), and you'll find them on the mauka side of the Center (you can take the back road off of Alakawa Street by turning by Best Buy). 

We were really impressed with the size of these birria tacos. They're larger and heftier than the ones from another food truck we've tried. I like how they load on the meat, cheese and onions. The consommé has some spiciness to it, so if you're like me and do not like spicy foods, be prepared to have a tall glass of water nearby! A plate of 3 birria tacos with consommé is currently priced at $15.

And since I was enjoying these delicious tacos at home, I cooked up a batch of Sun Noodles ramen to enjoy with the leftover consommé.  

 

To see their full menu or to place an order online, visit their website.

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ALOHA MAMACITA - NIMITZ
1130 North Nimitz Highway
(808) 650-0029

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Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies taste just like Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, but in cookie form!  So yummy!

Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 overripe medium banana, mashed
• 1/2 c melted butter
• 3/4 c brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 c flour
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 1/2 c chocolate chips

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and mashed banana. 
• Mix in the egg and vanilla.
• Mix in flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 
• Mix in the chocolate chips. 
• Scoop 2-inch balls of dough and place onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
• Bake for 12-13 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven.
• Let sit on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

View the original recipe here on Broma.

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