Donut Muffins

One of the things I love about Instagram is seeing all the food photos, especially all the homemade food products, and when I saw a photo of Donut Muffins in my @808gem account by @darleeneisms, I knew I had to try out the recipe (from Allrecipes)!

Donut Muffins (recipe credit Allrecipes)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 3/4 t ground nutmeg
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 1/2 c white sugar
• 1 t ground cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray a 24-count mini muffin tray with cooking spray.
• Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
• Stir in the milk, then mix in the baking powder and flour until just combined.
• Fill the prepared mini muffin cups about half full.
• Bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
• While muffins are baking, place 1/4 cup of melted butter in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of sugar with the cinnamon.
• Remove muffins from tray and dip each muffin in the melted margarine, and roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Let cool and serve.

Note:  I made a double batch of these delicious muffins, and for the topping, I used 1/2 cup butter, but the amount of sugar and cinnamon remained the same (1/2 c white sugar, 1 t ground cinnamon).

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Nordstrom Marketplace Cafe

During a recent visit to the Ala Moana Center, we took the family to Nordstrom Marketplace Café for lunch.

Roast Chicken Focaccia Club

Pepperoni & Wild Mushroom Pizza

Kids Chicken Fingers

Kids Macaroni & Cheese



I had the Chicken Club, which was huge.  I could barely finish half of it.

The kids meals are a good deal, and they come with fresh fruit and a drink.

My husband had the pizza, and he devoured the entire thing!

Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious.

Service, however, was mixed.  Upon arrival, an employee warmly greeted us and gave my boys some bread to share before we put in our order.  The person who serviced our table was not too friendly, but he was very efficient.

Overall it was a very enjoyable lunch!

Nordstrom Marketplace Cafe
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 953-6100

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Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill

A bunch of friends recently gathered at Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill.

Thai-Style Steamer Clams

Calamari

Veggie Quesadilla

Bo's Big Nachos

Ahi Poke

Fried Ice Cream

HoBos

I noticed they didn't serve complimentary bread like the last time we went there, but the food was still really good.

In addition to the above, our table ordered a lot more items that I didn't get a chance to take a picture of, such as the Spinach Salad, Spinach Artichoke Crab Dip, Seafood Ceviche and Boca Rota (you can see photos of some of these items on a post I did for my previous visit here).

Of the pupus we ordered, my fave was the Nachos - crispy won ton chips loaded with toppings like ham, kalua pig, cheese, and onions.

Of the two desserts we ordered, my favorite was the HoBos (taro beignets). 

Uncle Bo's is a great place to hang out with friends for some drinks and pupus.

Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill
559 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 735-8311

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Kailua Beach Park

Kailua Beach Park is one of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu. 

Both locals and visitors alike flock to this beach, and can often be found kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, or simply strolling the white sandy beach.

Popoia Island - where many kayakers and surfers make their way to

Our kids had a blast splashing around in the water and building objects in the sand.

It was such a beautiful day, and we look forward to going again soon.

Kailua Beach Park
450 Kawailoa Rd
Kailua, HI 96734

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Poi Dog Snack Shop at TASTE

Poi Dog Snack Shop, a food truck in Philadelphia, is in town for a series of pop up lunches and dinners at TASTE in Kakaako. After seeing pictures of the tacos and cookie butter mochi on Instagram, we packed up the boys and ventured to Kakaako for a quick, casual dinner. 

Follow them on twitter: @poidogphilly

Ahi Ceviche

Pork Belly Adobo Tacos

Mahi Mahi Tacos

Cookie Butter Mochi

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Wing Ice Cream Parlor

I LOVE ice cream.  My flavor of choice is Cookies 'N Cream, but I was prepared to try something more adventurous stepping into Wing Ice Cream Parlor.

Nutella Bella

Fig & Candied Walnut

I had the Nutella Bella, and yes, I admit that it doesn't sound too adventurous, but of the homemade flavors that were still available, it was the one that appealed to me the most (and seemed more adventurous than chocolate or peppermint).  

It was a nice combination of Nutella and coffee, with bits of strawberries.

And getting it in a homemade waffle cone was a must.

My husband had the Fig & Candied Walnut - a flavor combination that grew on him and turned out to be a great choice.  I thought it was nice how owner Miller Royer offered an extra scoop of this flavor since the ice cream turned out too crumbly.

New flavors are added often - I've heard some of very funky ones (e.g. pizza, hurricane popcorn), as well as some others that sound like ones I'd definitely want to try (e.g. cookie butter, OREO S'mores).

I can't wait to see what flavors are available the next time I stop in!


Wing Ice Cream Parlor
1145 Maunakea St., Ste 4
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 536-4929
           

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Koa Pancake House - Kapolei

It's been several years since I last went to Koa Pancake House, and after this recent visit, I will probably go back more often.

Banana Short Stack

Chocolate Chip Short Stack

Spinach, Bacon, & Cheese Omelette with Pancakes

Ham, Mushroom, & Cheese Omelette with Home Fried Potatoes

After I put in my order, I immediately went to go get 5 cups of water for my family.  When I returned to the table, the pancakes arrived before I even sat down.  The omelettes were served shortly thereafter.

I couldn't believe how quickly the food was out!

Everything was delicious, and the portions were huge and reasonably-priced.

Koa Pancake House is now on my list for top breakfast spots!


Koa Pancake House
91-590 Farrington Highway
Kapolei HI, 96707
808-693-8855

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Angelo Pietro

A bunch of us - 30+ friends and their kids, gathered recently at Angelo Pietro to celebrate the holidays.

Complimentary Bread

Chicken & Eggplant Ginger-Orosi Sauce

Shrimp Hot Arabiata

Kids Cheese Pizza

My meal was the Chicken & Eggplant, and it was very flavorful. My husband thought his meal, the Shrimp Hot Arabiata, was just "okay," but my kids loved the bread and pizza!

I thought the prices were reasonable, and service was as efficient as could possibly be given our large party. 

I remember the last time I visited Pietro's the dish I ordered wasn't memorable and lacked flavor, but the next time I visit I will definitely order the Chicken & Eggplant dish again!

Angelo Pietro
1585 Kapiolani Blvd #110
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-0555

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Ko Olina Children's Film & Music Festival

On Saturday our family went to the Ko Olina Children's Film & Music Festival, a benefit for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

We arrived in Ko Olina just before the 1pm start time, and there was already a line for parking (fortunately it moved quickly).

Upon arrival and receiving our hosted wristbands, my kids immediately partook in the activities, which were spread out between the Aulani and JW Marriott Ihilani properties.

They made egg shakers, spun a wheel to get prizes, golfed, played with bubbles, took ukulele lessons, and so much more!

Making egg shakers

Spinning the Pearlridge Wheel

Getting some golf tips

Bubble Zone

Ukulele Lessons

There were several performers to entertain the guests, and we were fortunate to be able to watch a few of them, including James McCarthy, ukulele duo Honoka & Azita, and the Samadhi Hawaii Aerial Troupe.

James McCarthy telling a story

Honoka and Azita

Samadhi Hawaii Keiki Aerial Troupe

Disney documentaries and animated films were also shown throughout the day.

I really liked that there were a variety of activities that guests could choose from, and that there were lots of friendly and helpful volunteers and adequate signage so visitors could find their way to the various activities.

I also enjoyed roaming through the properties - Ko Olina is just a stunning place with gorgeous views!

It was a very beautiful day, but the heat and lack of shade was a bit of a deterrent for some of the activities and performances.  Also, a few of the activities had very long lines, (the face painting/tattoo line was extremely long with waits of over 45 minutes), but guests still enjoyed themselves, and the kids seemed to be having a blast (especially in the Bubble Zone!).

By 6pm, as the sun started to set, the Kohola Lagoon was already filled with people waiting to watch the feature film - The Lion King.

Visitors waiting on the beach for The Lion King to start

It was a fun-filled day at Ko Olina!

 

Disclosure: I was provided complimentary tickets for the event.

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Visit Lanai: ONE FORTY

On our last day in Lanai, we had breakfast at ONE FORTY, located at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

The Lanai Breakfast - Farm Fresh Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Crisp Bacon



Keiki Pancakes with Fresh Fruit


All of my kids were going to order the keiki pancakes, but the server advised that my youngest two could eat for free, so she suggested they eat from the buffet (the "I'm Hungry" Keiki Breakfast Selection) so they could eat pancakes as well as anything else they desired from the buffet.

The buffet included bagels, pastries, fresh fruit, a smoothie station, an omelet station, made-to-order waffles, homemade donuts, and so much more!

My husband and I both had the Lanai Breakfast.  It was tasty and satisfying.

My two youngest kids only ended up eating a couple of pastries, bacon, pancakes, and a waffle from the buffet, but they were full and content! 

What I loved about the buffet is that hot items are made to order - whether it's pancakes, bacon, a breakfast burrito, or any other of the hot selections - they're made fresh and not just sitting around in a pan.

We definitely want to go back the next time we visit Lanai, and we definitely want to try the buffet!

ONE FORTY
1 Manele Rd
Lanai City, HI 96763
(808) 565-2000

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