Brick Oven Pizza - Kapolei

After our family did some shopping in Kapolei one morning, we headed to Brick Oven Pizza for lunch.

I immediately noticed how friendly everyone was, and the customer service was exceptional our entire time there.

Once we put in our orders, DS2 got a ball of dough to keep himself busy until the pizzas came.

Brick Oven Pizza gives dough to all the kids so they can pretend to make their own pizza, or they can simply play with it and make objects (DS2 just kept making a big snake) until it's time to eat.

Since DH and I couldn't agree on one kind of pizza, we decided to get two small pizzas.  One was a Small Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza on Wheat Crust, brushed with Garlic Butter.

We also ordered a Small Margherita on White Crust, also brushed with Garlic Butter.

The pizzas were DELICIOUS!  I really liked them both, but if I had to choose a favorite between the two, it would be the Margherita.  The BBQ Chicken Pizza was good, but I would've liked it better if it had a little more sauce.

The small pizzas are about $15-$17 in price, which seemed a little pricey compared to other pizza places I've been to, but the great food and outstanding customer service are definitely reasons to go back, and I can't wait to try some of their other pizzas (especially their dessert pizzas!).

Brick Oven Pizza - Kapolei: 889 Kamokila Blvd. #206, Kapolei, HI  96707 

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Ka 'Ikena Laua'e

I never imagined that dining at restaurant on a college campus would be one of the best dining experiences that I've had all year. Last night we had dinner at Ka 'Ikena Laua'e, the fine dining restaurant located on the Kapiolani Community College (KCC) campus, and it exceeded our expectations tremendously.

KCC is probably the most well known and respected culinary arts program in the State of Hawaii. Ka 'Ikena gives culinary students hands-on experience in both cooking and servicing in a real-world setting. The kitchen and restaurant are run entirely by students - from the host/hostess, to the food servers, to the cooks in the kitchen.

Since the restaurant is only open during the fall and spring semesters, reservations are highly sought after, especially towards the end of the module (semester). I made our reservation on Opentable.com one month in advance.

For those of you who are not familiar with the KCC campus, I would check the map for directions on how to get to the restaurant, which is located in the Ohelo building on the KCC campus. There aren't any signs on campus directing you to the restaurant.

The dinner menu consists of four courses: starter, soup or salad, entree, and dessert. They give you several options within each course, just like a regular restaurant. The price is determined by the entree you select, and some appetizers are an extra dollar or two.

Here's a snapshot of the entrance to the restaurant. As you can see, there aren't any signs signifying that you have arrived at the restaurant.


The inside of the restaurant. At the time I took this picture, it was towards the end of the evening and the chefs/cooks were going around each table asking the patrons for feedback.


The view from the restaurant is picturesque. You get a bird's-eye view of Kaimuki and Kahala, and you can even see the ocean.

I didn't catch the name of this, but it's a piece of daikon and it served as a palate cleanser. It was complimentary.

Starter: Chinatown Duck Local Style (duck prepared three different ways)


Starter: Chili Spiced Shrimp Lemon Grass Lollipop (additional $2)

Salad: Shredded Spiced Chicken Salad

Ciabatta Bread

Entree: Szechuan Peppercorn Crusted N.Y. Steak & Kaffir Lime-Lemon Grass

Dusted Kauai Shrimp ($32)

Entree: Grilled Island Kampachi with Thai Infused Corn-Crab-Potato Cake ($29)

Dessert: Flourless Chocolate Cake


Dessert: Lilikoi Gelato


Banquet Rooms are available for private events

Customers are not allowed to leave a tip to their server, but donations to the Culinary Program are accepted at the entrance.

The food was outstanding. Every dish was bursting with moisture, flavor and seasoning. The food servers do everything by the book, which is a pleasant change from regular restaurants where food servers tend to cut corners. I was amazed at the quality of the food and service, given that these are students and not professionals.

Unfortunately tonight is the last night for the spring module, and they are probably sold out for this evening's service, therefore if you want to try Ka 'Ikena, you'll need to wait until the Fall semester.

Ka 'Ikena Laua'e
4303 Diamond Head Road, Ohelo Building 2nd Floor
(808) 734-9499 (daytime reservation line)
(808) 734-9488 (evening dining room line)
Open during the Fall and Spring semesters only
Free parking

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Tiki Island - Marine Corps Base Hawaii

We recently celebrated DS3's 1st birthday at Tiki Island, which is located on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

For birthday parties, there are two party packages available to choose from.  Each package includes use of a tent and unlimited play on the bumper boats and miniature golf courses during a 3-hour block. One of the package includes food and drink, but if you prefer, you can customize your own menu just as I did (outside food is not allowed with the exception of celebratory cake and ice cream). 

The Miniature Golf Courses:

The Bumper Boats:

The food was catered from Samuel Adam's Sports Grill, which is right next to Tiki Island, and everything was delicious.

Crab and Artichoke Dip

Spring Rolls

Fruit Platter

Regular and Garlic Fries

Lunch consisted of White Rice (not pictured), Tossed Green Salad with Ranch Dressing (not pictured), and the following:

Teriyaki Beef

Beer Battered Cod

Garlic Chicken

Char Siu Chow Mein

My personal favorites were the Spring Rolls, Garlic Chicken, Cod, and Chow Mein.

Dessert was cupcakes from The Patisserie (ordered through Samuel Adam's):

Carrot Cake

Dobash (even though I ordered Dobash, and the box said Dobash, it was frosted and stuffed with Chantilly icing, so I'm not sure if that's how the Dobash cupcakes are supposed to be or if it was an error - either way I didn't mind, since I prefer Chantilly and the only reason why I ordered Dobash is because @nanigurl said Dobash would be a hit with the kids).

Red Velvet (this happened to be the biggest hit).

Everything at DS3's Tiki Island Birthday party was GREAT!  The food was delicious, the service was wonderful, and everyone simply had a BLAST!

For more information on Tiki Island party packages, click here.

Tiki Island - Marine Corps Base Hawaii: 808-254-1601

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Soon's Kal-Bi Drive In

Several weeks ago some friends and I went to pick up food from Soon's Kal-Bi Drive In, a popular spot for Korean food, and a spot my former co-workers and I used to frequent.

I ordered the Fried Chicken.  It was quite good - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Another friend ordered the Bar-B-Q Chicken.

And another ordered the Meat Jhun.

The food was ready VERY quickly and everyone enjoyed their food.

If you're looking for reasonably-priced Korean food, check out Soon's Kal-Bi!

Soon's Kal-Bi Drive In: 898 Ala Lilikoi Street  Honolulu, HI 96818; 836-7665

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Waialua Bakery

After our visit to Pizza Bob's for breakfast a few weeks ago, we decided to take the boys to get some cookies at Waialua Bakery.

DS2 got a Chocolate Chip cookie.

DS1 had a Blue M&M's cookie.

And I got a Red M&M's cookie (of course I had to try a cookie myself!).

Each cookie was a $1.  They're large, soft, chewy, and delicious!

I think the next time I go to Waialua Bakery I'll try one of their sandwiches - it seemed to be a popular item.

And I'll try another cookie!

Waialua Bakery: 66-200 Kamehameha Highway  Haleiwa, HI 96712; 808-341-2838

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Alan Wong's Restaurant Honolulu

Alan Wong's Restaurant has been an island favorite for over 15 years. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just going for dinner, it's sure to please.

The food is amazing and the service is exceptional. For the full experience, you must order an appetizer, entree and dessert. Can't decide on what to order? Let the tiny pineapples on the menu guide you - they denote Chef Wong's signature items.

On a side note, President Obama has dined here during his annual vacations in Hawaii. If the President of the United States eats here, it has to be pretty good, right?

Alan Wong's Honolulu
1857 South King Street
(808) 949-2526
Reservations highly recommended

Nori Wrapped Tempura Ahi

Crab Tofu Agedashi

Macadamia Nut-Coconut Crusted Lamb Chops

Seafood Duo

Kula Strawberries Romanoff

Banana Split

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Lobster King

If you are allergic or have an aversion to seafood, this is not your place!

People come here for one reason only - $10.99 lobster. And the lobster is good, especially when it's drowning in black bean sauce.

What's the catch? You have to buy a qualifying entree to get the $10.99 price, and as you may have guessed by now, the entrees are pricey and the quality and taste does not live up to the prices.

Lobster King
1380 South King Street
(808) 944-8288

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