Scoop of Paradise - Haleiwa

After our dinner at Pizza Bob's, we decided to get dessert at Scoop of Paradise.

The boys shared a kiddie scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream. I can't remember the exact name of the ice cream-it had something to do with the north shore or surfing (like Triple Crown Chocolate),
The boys loved it.

I ordered Cookies and Cream.

The ice cream is so rich and creamy--I definitely consider it gourmet ice cream!

Scoop of Paradise was pretty packed when we went, and there was only one person working at the time, but he was really quick and friendly.

The shop also sells all kinds of toys and souvenirs--it's a neat place!

I can't wait to go back down to Haleiwa. It doesn't matter where I end up going for dinner...as long as I end up at Scoop of Paradise for dessert!


Scoop of Paradise: 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, (808) 637-3456

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IchiBen

I planned to visit a friend and her baby girl, and I wanted to bring over lunch. Since I was in the Pearl City area prior to visiting her, I ended up picking up lunch at IchiBen.

She ordered Chicken Katsu Curry (I also picked one up for DH).

She said it was good, but the curry sauce was more mild than she usually likes it. She mentioned how she likes another restaurant's curry sauce more.

DH said it was pretty good, and he really liked how they gave the curry sauce separately (since not all places do that)--and they gave a lot of curry.

I ended up getting the Chicken Fried Rice.

It was okay.

IchiBen is a nice little restaurant, and the staff was really friendly as I waited for my food, but next time I'd probably try something else, like the ramen, or maybe even the Chicken Katsu Curry to see how I'd like it...

IchiBen: 98-1258 Kaahumanu St, Suite 106, Pearl City, HI 96782, (808) 488-4200

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American Box Car Racing International

We recently went to a birthday party at American Box Car Racing International. Located in Waipahu (Kunia) across from Walmart in the Kunia Park and Ride, you can imagine how hot it was, but to the kids it didn't matter...they all had fun, especially DS2. He had a BLAST! Kids under 7 must ride with an adult, and since all the kids at the party were under 7, they all rode with an adult...

There are two race tracks, and 3 cars race at a time.

There are several cars to choose from, including a few "sumo" cars that can hold up to 300 pounds.

DS1 rode just once...he was a little more apprehensive about racing than DS2.

I lost count of how many times DS2 went around the track. He absolutely loved it and would cry whenever he had to wait for another group to race!

Everyone had a lot of fun!

Birthday parties are frequently held on premises, and they also have open track racing as well.

They even have RC track racing!

It was a really great party and we (especially DS2) look forward to going again!

American Box Car Racing International: Rear Section Of Kunia Park & Ride; corner of Kupuna Loop & Kupuohi Street, 382-5653 or 947-3393

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Bar-B-Q-Inn

I had to pick things up in Pearl City one morning and I ended up ordering lunch from Bar-B-Q-Inn.

I grew up in Pearl City and have passed by the restaurant many, many, many times, but I never went there until a few weeks ago!

DH ordered the Special Plate, which is supposed to include B-B-Q Ribs, B-B-Q Chicken, B-B-Q- Beef, Meat Juhn, Four Vegetables, Macaroni Salad, and Rice.

The plate ended up with only three vegetables (can't choose your own), but he did get a Shrimp as a substitution.

DH said everything was good!

I ended up ordering the Chicken Cutlet.

It was okay--the gravy was a little thin, and it was mostly on the bottom (it's barely visible in the photo), but the katsu itself was pretty good.

The ladies at the restaurant were all really nice, and I'm sure I'll get food from there again in the future if I'm in the Pearl City area.

Bar-B-Q-Inn: 850 Kamehameha Highway, Pearl City, HI 96782, (808) 455-5411

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WW: Future Speed Racer

Photo taken at American Box Car Racing International.

Visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants.

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Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar - Honolulu

The first time I went to Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar was almost 5 years ago, for our girls night Christmas Dinner. It was a really nice dinner--9 girls, all of whom I've been friends with for a long, long time.

I finally went back to Shokudo last month for a baby shower for one of the girls.

It was the same group of friends (minus @incirclepets), and it's amazing how much things changed since our Christmas Dinner. At that time only one of us had a child.

Fast forward a few years and there are now 10 kids with two more on the way (and I'm sure many more will be on the way in the future).

It was so much fun, and that's probably why a lot of the photos are blurry--I think I was laughing too much while shooting in macro mode (but I do need a new camera...).

We decided to order individual lunches versus family style.

Several of us order Combination Lunch Boxes, which came with Miso Soup...

and Salad.


I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken and Chicken Karaage combo.

Everything was really good!

Others ordered Salmon and Teriyaki Chicken...

And yet others ordered Assorted Tempura and Teriyaki Chicken.

A few ordered other items off of the menu, like the Spinach Salad.

Another ordered Balsamic Beef Tataki Sushi...

and this noodle dish (I don't remember what this was).

One of the girls ordered this, but I can't remember what this was either...

Of course we had to get the Honey Toast. The last time we were there, the 9 of us shared 2 Honey Toasts.

This time the 8 of us ordered 4!

We ordered 3 "regular" Honey Toasts and 1 Caramel.

The Honey Toast was just as good as I remembered it...

It was such a great lunch...the food was good, our server was friendly, and it was nice being in the company of such great friends...

Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar: 1585 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814, (808) 941-3701

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Pizza Bob's - Haleiwa

I love driving out to Haleiwa to dine. Whenever we go there we try to go somewhere different, and this time we went to Pizza Bob's.

Since the pizzas take about 20 minutes to make, we decided to order an appetizer.

We got the Zucchini Fries.

They were pretty good!

Even DS1 liked them. Surprisingly he only liked the zucchini--he'd actually suck out the zucchini and leave the batter shell (the best part!) on his plate.

The boys shared Chicken Tidbits.

The chicken really did come in "tidbits"--they were pretty small.

But fortunately our pizza came shortly thereafter because they ended up eating some pizza too.

We ordered the Godfather Pizza. The pizza is topped with pepperoni, sausage, olives, cheese, and more.

It was really cheesy, and really tasty.

Pizza Bob's offers different specials throughout the week, and since we went on a Tuesday, we got $5 off our pizza order (dine-in only).

They also have sandwiches and other items, but I think we'd just stick to the pizza, because it was quite good!

The service was great, everyone was really nice, and we look forward to visiting again soon!

Pizza Bob's: 66-145 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712-1496, (808) 637-5095

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Monterey Bay Canners - Aiea

After visiting the Dinosaurs, we went to Monterey Bay Canners for dinner since I had an Entertainment Book coupon for Buy One Dinner Entree Get One Free ($18 value).

The complimentary Dinner Rolls (served upon request).

The boys shared a Kids Chicken Strips.

I was surprised that the dish came with only two little strips (in the photo they look larger than they really were), but they did taste good.

DH and I both ordered the Fisherman's Choice, where you can select from a variety of entrees to create your own combo.

DH selected the Prime Rib and Deep Fried Fish (mahi mahi)...

with a side of Steamed Rice.

He only had room for the Prime Rib and he ended up taking the Mahi home, but he said both were good!

I opted for the Sauteed Mahi Mahi and Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken...

with Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

The Mahi was really good, but the chicken was not good at all. It was really dry and flavorless. There was a fruit-style relish/salsa to go along with the chicken, but even that didn't help. Needless to say, I didn't eat much of it, and even though I took the leftovers home, I didn't even eat the leftovers!

We ended up getting dessert--Banana Fritters.

Topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce--they were pretty good!

The boys loved the ice cream!

I think I would've enjoyed the fritters more if I was able to eat them right away, but since I was busy feeding DS2, by the time I got to eat some they were getting soggy...

But they were still good!

Our server was really nice and the overall service was great.

And next time I'll know not to order the Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken again...

Monterey Bay Canners: 98-1005 Moanalua Rd # Fs8, Aiea, HI 96701-4712, (808) 483-3555

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Dinosaurs! at Pearlridge Center

We recently visited the Dinaosaurs! exhibit at Pearlridge Center.

Running now through August 15, families can visit the cool dinosaur displays all throughout the center.

There's also a Pearlridge Safari Train which children under 48" tall can ride (cost is $3).

We bought tickets for both DS1 and DS2 to ride the train, but DS1 was too scared.

The staff running/operating the train were really nice though--they offered to let DS1 try just one lap to see how he'd like it, but he still refused.

DS2 had a blast though! (I blocked out other kids' faces in the photos).

And the staff let him use DS1's unused ticket, so he went on the next ride (rides run every 10 minutes).
After DS2 rode the train, we walked around to see more dinosaur exhibits throughout Uptown (there are more exhibits in Downtown).

There's still lots more time to visit the Dinosaur! exhibits and ride the train, and I'm sure we'll be back to see more dinosaurs soon!

Pearlridge Center: 488-0981

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City Cafe - Honolulu

After dinner at the V-Lounge with @nanigurl and at @wehearthawaii, we decided to head down to City Cafe for dessert.

DH ordered a Strawberry Banana Smoothie, which he really enjoyed.

I got a Strawberry Shave Ice with Ice Cream.
YUM! The best part was the ice cream!

They do offer a lot more toppings for the shave ice, but I like it simple, with ice cream only.

I don't have a picture of @nanigurl's and @wehearthawaii's orders, but they both ordered bubble drinks.

City Cafe also offers scones, sandwiches, and other goodies.

It was a nice way to end the evening (thanks to @nanigurl and @wehearthawaii for treating us to dessert!) and maybe next time I'll be brave enough to try a bubble drink!

Thank you to @nanigurl for taking the photos.

City Cafe: 1518-F Makaloa St, Honolulu, HI 96814, (808) 398-7598

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