Hawaiian Pie Company Ready-to Bake Pies

I know Nat and Nadia are fans of Hawaiian Pie Company, but I never tried Hawaiian Pie Company's pies until I sampled one at an event late last year.  I immediately became a fan myself.

Nat was at that same event and noticed how much I loved the pie.  A couple of months later, she brought over a frozen Ready-to-Bake Passion Pear Pie!

I actually forgot that I even had the pie, and it wasn't until just recently (four months later!) that I finally baked the pie!

It was so easy - just pop the pie out of the box, place on a baking sheet and bake for an hour according to instructions.

After letting it sit for 30 minutes, slice the pie, and give yourself the biggest piece.  It's so good!

The Passion Pear Pie is a best-seller at Hawaiian Pie Company.  Pear & lilikoi is combined and topped with their signature Hawaiian topping to create an unbelievable pie.

Hawaiian Pie Company's frozen pies are perfect to have on hand for when you have last-minute guests or need a no-fail dessert for a get-together!

You can find out what other pie flavors they have available on their website.

Thank you Nat!!

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Visit Tokyo: Zauo Fishing Restaurant

While I waited for my friends to shop in Shinjuku (I'm an eater, not a shopper), I searched for nearby family-friendly restaurants.  I found that Zauo, the popular fishing restaurant, was a short walk away, so on a whim, we decided to go.

Upon arrival, shortly after they opened, we were told that they couldn't accommodate our party of 9, but the host made arrangements for us to dine in the tatami room, as long as we were out of there by a certain time.

Of course, the big draw at Zauo is that you can fish for your own dinner.  It's actually cheaper if you catch the fish yourself.

It costs 100 yen to use a fishing rod, and bait is free.

Bait

Once you catch your fish, you give it to a server, and depending on what type of fish you catch, you can ask for different preparations (up to two methods per fish). 

Our party caught 2 sea breams. 

Sea Bream Sashimi

Deep Fried Sea Bream

Grilled Sea Bream

If you don't feel like catching fish, there is still plenty to order off the menu!

Appetizers

Fried Chicken

French Fries

Deep Fried Cheese

Agedashi Tofu

Assorted Tempura

Shrimp Tempura

Udon

Zauo also offers a great kids menu, where they can get a choice of entrees, such as hamburger, sushi, or chicken karaage.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Honey Yogurt Parfait

It was a fun dining experience!

Zauo
3 Chome-2-9 Nishishinjuku

Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
+81 3-3343-6622

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Visit Tokyo: Mos Burger

I don't recall ever going to Mos Burger when they were in Hawaii, but I finally tried the popular chain on our recent trip to Tokyo.

Hot Dog

Cheeseburger Set

Spicy Chili Dog

Onion Potato

Teriyaki Chicken Burger

Corn Chowder

Lavender Lemonade

I had the Teriyaki Chicken Burger, which was really tasty.  I also ordered the limited Lavender Lemonade, which was pretty, but it had a very overpowering honey taste that I did not care for.

The food was good, and the prices were reasonable, but I have no plans on going back to Mos Burger on any future trips to Japan.

For one thing, many items I received was incorrect despite pointing to photos on the menu (e.g. I ordered kids meals, but only got the sandwiches and not the accompanying sides).  And one employee was very rude as I tried to explain to him I was missing an item, and he pretty much dismissed me until I showed him the receipt, upon which time he became extremely apologetic and quickly gave me my missing item.   

This incident only reinforced my desire to learn Japanese!

Mos Burger
1-15-7 Shibadaimon

Minato, Tokyo Prefecture
+81 3-3432-6657

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Kailua General Store

While eating lunch at Panda Express in Kailua, my boys said they wanted to get shave ice for dessert. Since one of my sons had done well at swim class earlier that morning, I thought it would be a well-deserved treat. Our go-to for shave ice in Kailua has always been the Island Snow location a block from Kailua Beach Park, but since there was a canoe regatta going on, I didn't want to go near the beach park. So I opened my trusty Yelp app and did a search for shave ice businesses nearby, and Kailua General Store popped up on the list. I had never heard of this store before, but after skimming through the reviews, which were all four and five star reviews, I loaded the boys in the truck and headed straight for the store. 

Kailua General Store is a small hole in the wall store that sells a little bit of everything, from fishing supplies to children's books ... t-shirts to locally made soaps and lotions. 

If you've spent any time in Kailua, you will recognize the "967-tree-4" logo that a lot of people have on their car windows.  I always wondered where you can get those stickers, and now I know where.

My boys bypassed all the retail items and went straight for the shave ice area towards the back. 

They loved being able to watch their shave cones being made at their eye level.  A keiki cone is only $2 and you can choose up to three flavors!  The shave ice is very fine and they do not skimp on the syrups.

 There is a narrow bench right outside the window, as well as a smaller bench on the opposite side of the sidewalk, as well as a small trash can for your rubbish when you're done.

My boys liked it so much they wanted to go back again the next day.  At $2 per cone, I had no problem taking them back for another treat!

With all of the gentrification going on in Kailua, I'm happy to see that there are still a few of these local gems still around. We'll definitely be coming here more often from now on!

KAILUA GENERAL STORE

316 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734

(808) 261 -5740

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Rocky Road Bars Recipe

I had a bag of mini marshmallows that I've been wanting to use up for a while, so I decided to make Rocky Road Bars!

They were very quick and easy to make!  And so yummy! 

I left the bars in the oven with the marshmallows a little too long, as they all melted, so next time I'll either put them back into the oven for just a minute, or maybe not at all, so the marshmallows retain some of their shape. 

Rocky Road Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 c chocolate chips
• 6 T butter, softened
• 1 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 c flour
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 c sugar
• 2 c miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 c coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Heat 1 cup chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 60 seconds on high.  
• Beat in sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs.  
• Combine flour and baking powder in a separate small bowl. Stir into chocolate mixture.  
• Spread batter into prepared 9x13 baking pan.
• Bake 16-20 minutes. 
• Remove from oven, and immediately sprinkle with marshmallows, nuts, and remaining chocolate chips.  
• Return to oven for 2 minutes or just until marshmallows begin to melt. 
• Cool completely before cutting into bars.  

Click here for the original recipe on Very Best Baking.

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Kaimana Farm Cafe + Deli

Kaimana Farm Cafe + Deli, which opened in 2014, offers a breakfast and lunch menu that focuses on local ingredients, and many of the dishes have a distinct Japanese influence.

I dined there for breakfast and couldn't resist ordering their signature Souffle Omelet with Risotto.

It was enormous!  The souffle omelet was light and airy, which made eating the entire thing not as impossible as I thought (I almost ate it all).  You can get a regular omelet if you prefer, but try the souffle omelet.  It was delicious, and the risotto was really good as well.

Homemade Mascarpone Stuffed Caramelized Banana Chocolate French Toast

Curry Potato Salad

Spicy Tofu Poke

Both of the breakfast entrees we ordered came with a deli side. There were many delicious options to choose from, and between the Curry Potato Salad and Spicy Tofu Poke, I liked the tofu poke more, but they were both really delicious.

Service was friendly, and I'd definitely return to try lunch!

Kaimana Farm Cafe + Deli
845 Kapahulu Ave

Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 737-2840

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