Minato Japanese Restaurant

Where's the best place to for lunch if you're in the mood for inexpensive Japanese food? Minato Japanese Restaurant in Moiliili.

Part of what allows them to keep their lunches at a low price is that you order and pay up front, pour your own water, and set your own table. But, they do bring out your food for you, and they clear your table once you're done eating.

Chicken Sukiyaki

Katsu

Sukiyaki with Tanuki

Two Item Combo: chicken karaage and saba

Ramen + One Item combo

Chicken Karaage

Minato Japanese Restaurant

930 Hauoli Street

(808) 956-1322

Read More

Big City Diner - Aiea and Twitter Tuesdays

I've been following Lane Muraoka, Owner/President of Big City Diner, on Twitter for a while now (@BCDlane), and I always get hungry whenever he tweets about the specials or the desserts...

And every week he tweets the Twitter Tuesday password, with which you can get 20% off dine-in food with the purchase of a drink per person (up to 4 guests per table).

We finally had the chance to take advantage of Twitter Tuesday recently at the Aiea (Pearlridge) location.

I ordered one of my faves (not pictured), the Malibu Chicken Sandwich with Garlic Fries.

DH ordered Grandpa's Wasabi Cucumber Burger with Cajun Fries. He said the burger and fries weren't too spicy, and he enjoyed everything!

As for the service, overall it was good. Our server was very friendly, but once we got our food, she seemed to have disappeared. It took a LONG time for us to get our check, and when we did get it, she realized she forgot to deduct the Twitter Tuesday discount, so she went to correct the receipt, and we had to wait even LONGER.

Despite that, I know we'll be back again one day. I always enjoy the food at Big City Diner!

Big City Diner: 98-211 Pali Momi Street, Aiea, HI 96701-4314, (808) 487-8588

Read More

WW: Supermoon Weekend (3/20/2011)

Read More

Kunio Restaurant

The other day I was craving Japanese food, so we went to Kunio Restaurant in Waikele.

Here are the appetizers, Miso Soup, and Tsukemono that came with our meals (I only ate the Miso Soup).


I ordered the Chicken Katsu and Vegetable Tempura combination plate.

The katsu was good, the tempura was okay.

DH ordered the Chicken Teriyaki and Teri Ahi. He said the chicken was really good (and it was--the sauce was very tasty), but the ahi was not that great.

The menu only has one keiki item on it, but it's $10.95! It includes chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura, gyoza, rice, and dessert). We knew there was no way DS2 was going to eat even 1/4 of all of that, so we decided to just share our food with him.

The service was nice, but a little slow that day even though we got there early (10:30am) and the place was quite empty (only 2 other tables filled).

Also, compared to other Japanese restaurants, I think the price was pretty high for what we received ($17.95 for my combo, $19.95 for DH's combo).

The next time we go I'll stick to chicken (katsu and teriyaki) and I'm sure DH will try something other than the ahi...

Kunio Restaurant: Waikele Center, 94-799 Lumi’aina St.Suite 2F, Waipahu, HI 96797, Phone: 808.680.9188

Read More

Hot Dog on a Stick - Windward Mall

I didn't think we'd be back to Windward Mall so soon, but DH's sister and SO were in town, so we ended up taking them there.

Of all places in the food court, I went to Hot Dog on a Stick. I don't even eat hot dogs, but I saw that they had zucchini on their menu, and I LOVE fried zucchini, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I ordered DS2 the kids meal, which included any stick item (I got him a Hot Dog on a Stick), fries, and a lemonade.

He liked the hot dog and fries, but didn't care for the batter.

Here's the Zucchini Platter.

OMG. I didn't know the platter would be this big. I couldn't even finish it.

Although I like when the fried zucchini is in smaller pieces, this zucchini was still really good--the batter was crispy and the zucchini was tender.

I also ordered American Cheese on a Stick.

It was okay--nothing special.

Apparently the lemonade is really popular there, since I saw so many people ordering it.

Maybe next time I'll try it...

At least I know where to go if I need to satisfy a craving for fried zucchini!

Hot Dog on a Stick: Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Space #G-085, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Read More

Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant

Not too long ago we were at Ala Moana Shopping Center, and we usually go to the same places for lunch, but this time we decided to try somewhere different--Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant.

The lunch buffet is $19.95 per adult.

Although I don't eat sushi or seafood, I knew there'd be other dishes I'd eat, so I didn't mind spending that much money, especially since I figured DH would get his money's worth.

I basically ate Vegetable Tempura, Tofu Jun, Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken, and tried some of the Mahi Mahi. I also had some ramen, and ended with shave ice!

DH ate a lot of sushi and everything else I don't eat.

Here are shots of some of the various food stations.

We went on a Saturday and it was PACKED! We went just after 11am, and it was already pretty crowded, but just about 1/2 an hour later the lines for the stations were really long, but they did move quickly.

Both DH and I wished there were a bit more variety in terms of the dishes available, but overall we enjoyed our lunch and the staff was very friendly and attentive.

It was a nice change of pace for us in terms of dining at Ala Moana!

Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant: 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814-4634, (808) 237-5444

Read More

WW: Sunset from the Elks Club

Read More

Ono Cheese Steak - Windward Mall

While at the Windward Mall Food Court the other week, DH decided to eat from Ono Cheese Steak.

He ordered the Ono Philly Mushroom Cheese Steak.

He said it was really good.

I'll take his word for it.

He also ordered the Beer Battered Onion Rings, which he also said was really good.

I'm sure he'll be eating from there again!

Ono Cheese Steak: Windward Mall, Food Court, 46-056 Kamehameha HWY, Kaneohe, HI 96744, (808) 234-1010

Read More

Ben & Jerry's - Windward Mall

Although I've eaten pints of Ben & Jerry's from the grocery store, it wasn't until recently that I went to one of the Scoop Shops.

The boys shared a Milk & Cookies: Vanilla Ice Cream with a Chocolate Cookie Swirl, Chocolate Chip & Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies.

And I had Chocolate Therapy: Chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls of chocolate pudding.

Both orders were "small" and they sure do give a lot. They even ask if you want another flavor in the same cup so you can try more than one.

And OMG--the Chocolate Therapy was so good! I wanted to go to the store so I buy some to have at home whenever the urge for ice cream struck. However, when I checked the Ben & Jerry's website, I could only find it on the Scoop Shop menus!

Oh well, I guess I'll have to visit a Scoop Shop again soon...

Ben & Jerry's Windward Mall 45-056 Kamehameha Highway, Suite H-4, Kaneohe, HI 96744808-236-0904

Read More

Chinatown Express - Windward Mall

After taking the kids to the Indoor Play Area and on the Train at Windward Mall, we headed to the food court.

I ended up getting a two choice plate from Chinatown Express--Tangy Orange Chicken and Mushroom Chicken with Fried Rice (for $6.99).

The food tasted fine--similar to other "express" Chinese food restaurants, but they seemed to give a little less than the other places.

I would still eat from Chinatown Express again though, maybe even the very next time we go back to Windward Mall...whenever that will be...

Chinatown Express: Windward Mall Food Court: 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, (808) 236-1688

Read More