DOMODOMO

I have an affinity for golf course restaurants, so I was excited to visit DOMODOMO.

Agedashi Tofu

Chef's Choice 8-Piece Sushi Plate

Truffle Salt Fries

Miso Black Cod

Washu Beef Udon

Pork Loin Katsu

Upon arrival, we were told we had a 2-hour time limit for dinner.

I enjoyed the tofu (lots of umami) and the fries (so addicting).  I don't eat much sushi, but the kids loved it.

I had the Miso Black Cod.  I thought the carrot puree gave it a little too much sweetness, but overall the dish was fine.

The Sushi & Hand Roll Course can be shared.

Sushi & Hand Roll Course:

Seasonal Fish Crudo

Chef's Choice 9-Piece Premium Sushi

Hand Rolls

The timing was off for the coursed menu.  

We were waiting a very long time for the hand rolls to come out.  When a FOH was clearing the dishes, she asked if we were waiting for anything else, and we had to advise her we were still waiting for the hand rolls. 

Turns out, regardless of when you were seated, if you ordered the coursed menu, the third courses were all dropped at the same time.  

A server finally came out with 4 plates of hand rolls and dropped them to tables that were seated much later than us, with our table being the last to get dropped.  

We decided not to get dessert because we didn't want to wait any longer than we needed to.

Despite the timing and service issues, the food was overall good. 

DOMODOMO
91-050 Fort Weaver Rd

Ewa Beach, HI 96706

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Visit Anchorage: Akutaq at Blackbull Native Store

I saw a thread on Reddit that you can find akutaq, a type of Native Yup'ik "ice cream," at Blackbull Native Store.  

Traditionally made with animal fat (from caribou, reindeer, etc.), fish, and berries, modern versions are made with Crisco, sugar, and berries.

At Blackbull Native Store they offered a huge variety of flavors.  

The employee said to try the "OG" flavor, which was made with salmonberries. 

It was slightly sweet, slightly tart.  It was nice to try a native type of dish.   

The store also offers teas, goods, and other types of foods.

Definitely check out Blackbull Native Store to try some akutaq!


Blackbull Native Store

501 W International Airport Rd Unit 30
Anchorage, AK 99518

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Ninja Sushi

Ninja Sushi is still a go-to spot for whenever we need quick, reasonably-priced meals. 

Green Dragon Maki

Superman Maki

Udon Sushi Bento Set

Kal-bi Chicken Bento Set

California Maki

Spicy Ahi + Teriyaki Chicken Combo Bento

Curry Chicken Donburi

My go-to is the Curry Chicken Donburi.  The curry is so tasty, and the bite-size chicken pieces are always crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Ninja Sushi offers a great variety of foods!

Ninja Sushi - Mililani

95-1249 Meheula Pkwy

Mililani, HI 96789

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Visit Kauai: Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi

Crab Mac Nut Crusted Local Catch

My friends and I are big fans of Chef Roy Yamaguchi's restaurants so we planned a quick girls' trip to Kauai so we could support his latest restaurant opening. Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi opened in June at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort and Spa and is open for breakfast and dinner. Led by Executive Chef Samual Taganeca, the restaurant serves signature dishes featuring Kauai's finest ingredients.

During our one night stay at the hotel, we celebrated a friend's birthday at dinner and then enjoyed breakfast at the restaurant the next morning. The dinner menu offered appetizers, a selection of sushi rolls, noodles, and a nice variety of entrees. I ordered the rigatoni that was served with a tomato cream sauce. It was very tasty and generous in portion size. My friends also really liked their entrees and we thought service was great. My favorite was definitely the Halo Halo for dessert. It is a must order! 

If you are a Hawaii resident, be sure to ask for the Kamaaina discount. Reservations can easily be made on Open Table.

Rigatoni

Rainbow Roll

Luau Plate

Halo Halo

Chocolate Crunch Bar

Avocado Toast

Egg White Frittata

 

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Big Island Candies' Lemon Shortbread Dipped Combo Box

Mahalo to Big Island Candies for the complimentary box!

Big Island Candies' Lemon Shortbread Dipped Combo Box is the perfect treat to celebrate the flavors of summer.  

The lemony shortbread is so bright and tasty on its own, the blueberry and raspberry white chocolate takes them to another level.  

Both flavors are delightful, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the blueberry.

The Lemon Shortbread Dipped Combo Box includes 8 each of the popular Raspberry White Dipped Lemon Shortbread, and the new Blueberry White Dipped Lemon Shortbread ($23 at the Ala Moana Center location and $21 online, via mail order, and at the Hilo Flagship Store & Factory).  

These cookies are an ideal summer treat!

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Special Olympics Hawaiʻi Celebrate 35 Years of Tip A Cop with Newly Rebranded Tip A Hero Event

In celebration of its 35th year, Special Olympics Hawaiʻi’s Tip A Cop fundraiser is entering a new chapter as Tip A Hero — a rebranded event that brings together more first responder agencies, restaurant partners and community supporters while continuing its mission of supporting Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. The event takes place Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, at six California Pizza Kitchen locations, three Goma Tei locations, two Olive Garden locations, one Maui Brewing Company location, and The Counter on O‘ahu.

During Tip A Hero, first responders around the island serve guests at participating restaurants by delivering meals and busing tables to raise awareness and resources for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes and programs. The event will take place during the following dates and times:

California Pizza Kitchen – Ala Moana Center, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Kahala Mall, Kailua Town, Town Center of Mililani and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Goma Tei – Ala Moana Center, Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Kahala Mall and Pearlridge
Center — 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Maui Brewing Company – Kailua Town

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Saturday, August 8: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)
● Sunday, August 9: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Dinner only)

Olive Garden – Ala Moana Center and Ka Makana Aliʻi

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The Counter – Kahala Mall

● Friday, August 7: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
● Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

“We are excited to introduce Tip A Hero, a new name and expanded vision for an event that has brought our community together for 35 years,” said Tracey Bender, Director of Development for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. “While the name has changed, the heart of the event remains the same — bringing our community together to support Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes. We are deeply grateful to the off-duty, volunteer first responders who not only make this event possible but who bravely serve our community every day. We invite everyone to join us for a great meal while making a meaningful impact for our athletes.”

Since its inception, Tip A Hero has raised $603,518 for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help Special Olympics Hawaiʻi continue to provide year-round sports training and competition and health, wellness and leadership programs for more than 3,000 athletes statewide with intellectual disabilities, free of charge. Since 1968 Special Olympics has been changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities and raising awareness to build an inclusive and unified community.

For more information on Tip A Hero, please visit www.sohawaii.org. Follow Special Olympics Hawaiʻi on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii.

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Introducing the Executive Business Lunch at Orchids Halekulani

Orchids Lunch with a View

Orchids at Halekulani may be best known for their amazing Sunday brunch, but they also serve lunch during the week. They have recently introduced an Executive Business Lunch menu that will rotate monthly and feature new seasonal dishes throughout the year. Available Monday through Friday, the Executive Business Lunch offers a two-course prix fixe menu with a choice of appetizer and main course or main course and dessert. The experience is designed to be enjoyed during the lunch hour, which makes it perfect for business meetings and client lunches.

Hawaii Mom Blog was invited to taste the inaugural menu showcasing a selection of Orchids favorites like the vine-ripened Kamuela Tomato Soup and the signature Orchids Burger. Although I was stuffed from the delicious meal, I just couldn't resist Halekulani's heavenly Signature Coconut Cake. 

If ordering the Executive Business Lunch, all guests at the table must order the prix fixe menu. While the full Orchids lunch menu is still available, the two menus cannot be combined. You can easily call the hotel to make dining reservations or use Open Table. 

Two-Course Prix Fixe $52

Vine-Ripened Kamuela Tomato Soup

Crab Salad New York Croissant

Mozzarella di Bufala Campana

Gnocchi Portofino

Orchids Burger

Catch of the Day

Halekulani's Signature Coconut Cake

Gelato

Orchids at Halekulani Hotel

2199 Kalia Road

Honolulu, Hawaii

(808) 518-2019

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