Hawaii Mom Blog: March 2013

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March 28, 2013

CPKids Birthday Club - Free Kids Birthday Meal & Dessert!

We recently dined at California Pizza Kitchen in Aiea and took advantage of a Free Birthday Meal & Dessert coupon we received for my youngest after we enrolled him in the CPKids Birthday Club (for kids 10 and under).

The complimentary bread (which my middle son could not get enough of).
Avocado Club Egg Rolls - bacon, cheese, avocado, and chicken wrapped in won tons, fried, and served with two dipping sauces (housemade ranchito sauce and herb ranch).  I loved it - it's the only appetizer I ever eat at CPK.
My oldest and youngest sons order the Kids Curly Mac 'N' Cheese.  It was a very generous portion!
My middle son ordered the Kids Pepperoni Pizza.
My husband ordered the Thai Crunch Salad with Avocado.
I ordered the Original BBQ Chicken with Bacon. I almost always order this pizza.  Delicious as usual.
For dessert, my oldest son got a brownie with ice cream.
My youngest and middle sons both got ice cream sundaes.  I thought it was a little weird that on this visit my youngest son's "birthday" sundae was a "regular" birthday sundae with walnuts, versus a "kids" sundae with rainbow sprinkles (on previous visits using the birthday coupon a "kid" sundae was served), but it didn't really matter because my son loved it anyway.


Although service was a tad slow, our server was very friendly, the food was great, and we loved the free kids birthday meal offer.

If you have a child 10 or under, sign him/her up to get a free birthday meal (valid during the child's birthday month)!

California Pizza Kitchen: 98-1005 Moanalua Road, Aiea, HI  96701; 487-7741


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March 25, 2013

Ono Steaks

Last Saturday, the hubby and I decided to take the scenic route to get from Kahala to Kailua, which is through Waimanalo.  Along the way, we stopped at Ono Steaks for lunch.  Ono Steaks started out as a roadside food truck/stand, and now they are a brick and mortar located behind Keneke's on the main highway.

They have a wide variety on their menu, and a lot of specials to choose from.  Their portions are generous and prices are very reasonable.  

$8.50 steak and shrimp combo plate.  

Garlic Ahi
Ono Steaks
41-830 Kalanianaole Highway
Waimanalo, HI 96795
(808) 688-4117

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March 21, 2013

Cherry on Top

We love taking the kids to Cherry on Top.  It's our favorite fro-yo shop.

They offer several different flavors, often adding new ones (a recent addition was Cake Batter), and they have a nice variety of toppings - M&Ms, Sixlets, Oreo Cookie Crumbs, mini Chocolate chip cookies, gummi worms, strawberries, brownie bites, cheesecake bites, cherries, mochi balls, and so much more!

The boys have a blast choosing their toppings!
The employees are always really friendly (the boys sometimes leave with little goodies like glow-in the dark bracelets that the employees give them) and they're always cleaning the area and making sure items are fully stocked.

I'm sure the boys can't wait for our next visit!


Cherry on Top:  1140 Kuala St # 112  Pearl City, HI 96782; (808) 454-4444
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March 19, 2013

Uncle's Fish Market & Grill

I recently met Nat at Uncle's Fish Market & Grill.

Even though I don't eat seafood, when I originally looked online at the menu, I saw that they served Mahi Tacos, and was planning on ordering that (since the only fish I usually eat is Mahi).  However, the online menu must've been outdated, because their current menu offered another type of fish in their tacos.

There was a chicken dish on the menu, but that dish didn't sound like something I wanted to eat, and since I was really looking forward to the tacos, the server ended up recommending Monchong (she said they were flexible in substituting the type of fish), and so I ended up ordering Monchong Tacos after Nat said Monchong is good (since she is the more experienced foodie, after all).

When I got the tacos, the smell of the Monchong immediately turned me off and I almost didn't bother trying it, but it turned out tasting a lot better than it smelled.

I still wish they had Mahi instead, but the Monchong wasn't all that bad.

Nat ended up ordering the Poke Tower.
For dessert we shared the Japanese Cheesecake. It was really light and delicious!

There is plenty of parking and we had a friendly server, and I'm sure those who love seafood will enjoy the offerings at Uncle's Fish Market & Grill.


Uncle's Fish Market & Grill: 1135 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI  96817; (808) 275-0063
Uncle's Fish Market & Grill on Urbanspoon
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March 17, 2013

Grace's Inn - Aiea

Whenever I get a craving for Chicken Katsu, only one place comes to mind - Grace's Inn.

Although portions have gotten smaller and prices have gone up over the years (like just about anywhere else), they still give A LOT of food for the price.

DH loves their Chicken Katsu Curry.

 I love their Chicken Katsu with Gravy.

Even though they seemed to skimp on the gravy this time around, the katsu was still super good.

I have yet to find anywhere else on Oahu that makes better chicken katsu!

Grace's Inn: 98-820 Moanalua Rd # 2028, Aiea, HI 96701, 484-2028
Grace's Inn on Urbanspoon
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March 14, 2013

Cattle Company Steakhouse - Campfire Feast Dinner for Two

We always see the coupons for Campfire Feast Dinner for Two for $44 at Cattle Company Steakhouse (Black Angus), and we finally decided to use the coupon on a recent visit.

The Campfire Feast Dinner consists of a shared appetizer, two entrees from a list (each entree comes with 2 sides), and a shared dessert. 

Complimentary Bread

Wagon Wheel Sampler Platter
My husband started off with the Wedge Salad.
For his entree he opted for the New York Strip topped with Sauteed Sweet Onions ($3.29 extra), with a side of Green Beans with Bacon.

I started off with a Garden Salad.
For my entree I had the Fire-Grilled Chicken with a Loaded Baked Potato.

For dessert we got the Sky-High Mud Pie. 
Everything was delicious, and we ended up with a lot of leftovers.

The Campfire Feast Dinner for Two is a great deal.  We saved over $20 using the coupon and we'll definitely take advantage of this deal again the next time we get a coupon through the mail or via email!

Cattle Company Steakhouse (Black Angus): 98-1262 Kaahumanu Street, Pearl City, 96782, (808) 487-0054
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March 11, 2013

Off-Island: Balboa Park

While on our trip to San Diego, we visited a few other attractions in Balboa Bark in addition to the San Diego Zoo and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

We stopped by the Zoro Garden, which is a butterfly garden.  Unfortunately there were no butterflies due to it being winter.

 The boys took a ride on the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad ($3 per person).
We all took a ride on the Balboa Park Carousel ($2.50/pp or $10 for 5 tickets).
We also walked around the grounds to see all the beautiful fountains and buildings.





There is so much to see and do at Balboa Park, and we can't wait to visit again!

Balboa Park:  1549 El Prado  San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 239-0512
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March 8, 2013

Oz the Great and Powerful - Now in Theaters!

Oz the Great and Powerful is now in theaters, and I was fortunate to attend an advance 3D screening to see how Disney and Director Sam Raimi put their magical touches on characters first introduced to us by L.Frank Baum so many years ago.

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well. 

Oz the Great and Powerful introduced us to the womanizing con artist, Oscar aka Oz, who works as a magician in a traveling circus.

He finds himself in the Land of Oz one day, where he meets Theodora, a stunning witch who believes Oz must be the wizard mentioned in a prophecy - the wizard that would save the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, and who would eventually become king.

Knowing very well that he could not possibly be the wizard spoken of in the prophecy, he plays along, since after all, he is a con artist.

Theodora takes Oz to the Emerald City castle, where he meets her sister, Evanora.  Evanora tells Oz he must find the Wicked Witch and break her wand to kill her in order to become king.

Oz soon finds out that it is Evanora who is the true Wicked Witch (of the East), and he is tasked to defeat not only Evanora, but also Theodora, who transformed into the Wicked Witch of the West after Oz broke her heart.

With the guidance and encouragement of Glinda the Good Witch, along with the help of the Quadlings, Tinkers, and Munchkins, Oz is able to defeat (but not destroy) the Wicked Witches, and order is restored once again to the Land of Oz, paving the way (or should I say the "yellow brick road") to the story of Oz that so many of us have watched when we were little and have grown to love.

Overall I really enjoyed Oz the Great and Powerful. Although I was a bit surprised to see Oz portrayed as a womanizer, once he dropped into the Land of Oz, it was immediately made clear why this was necessary.

I liked that there were many funny moments throughout the movie, many of which involved Finley, a winged monkey, and China Doll, both of whom were Oz's companions throughout his journey in the Land of Oz.

As expected, Oz the Great and Powerful was special-effects laden, and at times I felt all of the imagery was a bit too overwhelming.  However, the special-effects were indeed integral to the story, especially in the climax, in which Oz's delusions of grandeur led to the illusions of grandeur that helped to defeat the Witches.

I thought Williams was wonderful as the sweet, angelic Glinda; Weisz was great as a sinister, deceitful witch; and Kunis did a nice job evolving from the naive, innocent Theodora to the almost unrecognizable Wicked Witch of the West.

Initially I thought Franco was an odd choice to play Oz, but I warmed up to his character. His quirkiness was endearing and won me over, and I thought he did well in portraying a selfish, scheming magician who ultimately had the heart to do good.

Although there were a few parts that may be a bit scary for really young kids (primarily those that involved the Dark Forest, the evil magic of the wicked witches, or the flying baboons), Oz the Great and Powerful is a movie the entire family can enjoy, and it's a wonderful way to be introduced, or re-introduced, to characters from the Land of Oz.

Oz the Great and Powerful is in theaters now (Rated PG). To find a theater near you, click here.


Thank you to the sponsor for providing passes to the screening.
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March 7, 2013

Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant - Aiea

The very first time I went to Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant I enjoyed the Nabe, but I did think it was a bit pricey.  On subsequent visits I ended up ordering appetizers and was more than satisfied, as I was on a recent visit.

On this visit I ordered the Chicken Karaage (top right) and Tofu Salad (bottom right).  Both were delicious!

My friends all ordered the Happy Hour special, which was Beef Shabu Shabu (left). 

We all ordered dessert:

Strawberry Shave Ice (top left); Ujikintoki (bottom left); Brownie a la Mode (right).

The brownie was my dessert, and it was yummy.  It was quite a generous portion - I couldn't even finish it!


Although there was some miscommunication with our server (one of my friends waited an hour for her Shabu Shabu!), the servers were all very friendly, and everything was delicious!


Ichiriki Japanese Nabe Restaurant: 98-150 Kaonohi St, Ste C-216, Aiea, HI 96701, (808) 484-2222
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March 3, 2013

Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill

Once again thanks to @melissa808's Instagram photos, I discovered a new hot spot perfect for a night of pupus and drinks with the gang.

Here are just a few of the many items our large group ordered:

Four Cheese Pizza (from the Happy Hour menu, which is 5-7pm daily)

Garlic Mini French Bread (also from the Happy Hour menu)
French Fries
Hane Cheese Gyoza
Pumpkin and Bacon Sauteed with Garlic
Homemade Menchi-Katsu
Deep Fried Octopus
Homemade Fried Chicken
Natto Cheese Omelette
Nabeyaki Udon
One of the many pasta dishes
Banana Cake

Among the favorites were the Menchi Katsu and the Four Cheese Pizza. 

Chez Kenzo turned out to be a great place to hang out with friends while enjoying some food and drinks.

Although service was a little on the slow side, for the most part our servers were very friendly.

Chez Kenzo has a really extensive menu, and there's so much more I want to try!  I can't wait to go back!

Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill:  1451 S King St, Honolulu, HI  96814; (808) 941-2439
Chez Kenzo Bar and Grill on Urbanspoon
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