Alan Wong's Kahala

Fun fact: My very first dining experience at Alan Wong’s Restaurant was about 20 years ago as a “secret shopper,” so I guess in a way that was my foray into the media / blogging world. (My name was provided by mutual colleagues at the time).

It was an excellent experience then at King Street, and now at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, that excellence continues, where guests are treated to a taste of Hawai‘i through the lens of a culinary legend.

I was thrilled to visit Alan Wong's Kahala (6 years after the pandemic forced the cancellation of my last res at King Street in April of 2020!), indulging in the classics while being treated with sincere hospitality.

"Soup and Sandwich"

The "Soup and Sandwich" is my fave.  The elevated take on a classic "grilled chilled and tomato soup" is comforting on so many levels.  

Whole Tomato Salad

Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake

Sumida Farm Leko Kalua Pig Caesar

This was a table fave.  The peppery watercress and the smoky kalua pig added nice dimensions of flavor to this local take on a Caesar. 

Ginger Crusted Onaga

For many, this Ginger Crusted Onaga dish is synonymous with Alan Wong's.

Pineapple "Shave Ice"

Frozen pineapple is shaved super fine for a delightful "shave ice" that my friend could not stop eating!

Waialua Chocolate Crunch Bars

Looking forward to returning, and also looking forward to the return of one of my fave dishes . . .

Congrats to Chef Alan, Leigh, Chef Spencer, Chef Miya, and the entire AW Kahala team!

Alan Wong's Kahala
Kahala Resort

5000 Kahala Ave #5000

Honolulu, HI 96816

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Yohei Sushi Kahala

 So, my husband surprised me with a reservation at Yohei Sushi Kahala for our anniversary — it’s the sister spot to the original Yohei Sushi in Kalihi, which is honestly my all-time fave sushi place. We brought the boys along for the fun, and it turned out to be such a great night!

We ordered a number of items to share: 7-piece nigiri sushi, ikura and ahi nigiri, salmon roll, seared salmon roll, chicken karaage, assorted tempura, and yes — even French fries for the kids (because, priorities). 

The kids got their own keiki meals, which looked just as good as the adult menu. 

What’s cool is you can get the keiki meals either as a set or just à la carte, so one kid went for the udon and salmon set, and the other got the udon and French fries. Both were happy!

The service was super friendly and felt really genuine — kind of like we were dining in Japan. Everything tasted fresh and delicious, and the vibe was relaxed but still special for our anniversary.

According to my son, "it was very good! Not like your average supermarket sushi or other places. This was very high quality. It wasn't dry, it was freshly made - very very fresh!"

We definitely want to come back for another special occasion. If you’re in Kahala and craving good sushi that’s family-friendly, Yohei Sushi Kahala is definitely worth checking out!

Take out is available. They also have private rooms and a sushi bar strictly reserved for their Omakase experience. For more information, visit their website. 

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YOHEI SUSHI KAHALA

4210 WAIALAE AVENUE (KUONO MARKETPLACE)

808-425-4143

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Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Capriotti's, a Las Vegas-based national franchise specializing in gourmet sub sandwiches, opened its first location in Hawaii in Kuono Marketplace. I recently volunteered to pick up lunch for the office so that I could check out one of Oahu's newest sandwich shops.

One of the awesome things about Capriotti's is their online ordering system. I was able to place our order ahead of time so that I wouldn't have to wait at the shop for our sandwiches. I arrived at my designated pick up time and my order was waiting for me.

Parking is getting increasingly more difficult as tenants move in to the newish Kuono Marketplace. But luckily someone was pulling out of their space right near the sandwich shop.

In the online ordering system there is a space for you to type in any special requests.  I requested to have our names written on the outside of our sandwich for easy identification. 

I had originally ordered the "Grilled Chicken Parmesan" 5 inch sub sandwich, however, due to an error by the restaurant, I received a Chicken Cheese Steak 5" sub. The error was not discovered until I messaged the franchise on Instagram, informing them that my sandwich was missing ingredients (since I had ordered a sandwich that was supposed to have sweet peppers, marinara sauce and Romano cheese).

Don't get me wrong, the sandwich was good, but it wasn't what I ordered, and I was a tad disappointed. At least the restaurant responded to my message in a timely manner and also issued me a refund for the sub.

So here's a cross section of the Chicken Cheese Steak sub. 

I LOVED the fries! They're shaped like steak fries, but sliced very thinly!

They have loaded fries options on the menu (think of their sandwiches, except that the fillings are placed on a bed of fries instead of in a bun) - I'm definitely returning to try that next time around.

There are over 20 different sandwiches on the menu (fillings include cheese steak, turkey, chicken, American wagyu beef, Impossible plant-based meat, vegetarian, tuna, meatball,). "The Bobbie" is their signature sandwich - it's like a Thanksgiving meal in a sub sandwich. They also have grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids.

And speaking of kids, they also have a display of lollipops for kids who go in the store.  

Seating is available inside and outside.  

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CAPRIOTTI'S SANDWICH SHOP
4210 Waialae Ave (Kuono Marketplace)
808-739-9070

 

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Purvé Donut Stop - Kahala

I finally made it to the Purvé Donut Stop in Kahala!  I've only been to the original location, but since we were nearby, I thought we should stop by the Kahala location.

Immediately upon entering the shop, we were warmly greeted.  My kids' eyes lit up at the donut display, and they didn't take long to select their donut choices.

They ended up getting the Weekly D (Cookie Butter Glaze, OREO, Toasted Marshmallow), as well as familiar faves - Hulk Smash, You're Killing Me Smalls, Aloha Mac, Unicorn Butt Sneeze, and Smurf Balls.

It's hard to resist the colorful donuts and all the flavorful combos!

I also found out this location serves breakfast donut sandwiches, as well as Unicorn Milk Bombs (donut sundaes!!).

I was very impressed with the service, and I am eager to go back for savory sandwiches and donut sundaes!
 
Purvé Donut Stop
Ku‘ono Marketplace

4210 Waialae Ave

Honolulu, 96816

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Kapa Hale: Autumn Tasting Menu

Head over to Kapa Hale for dinner to try their Autumn Tasting Menu - you don't want to miss it! For only $60, you get a appetizer trio, choice of main course, and choice of dessert. For only $20 more you can add the wine pairing.  

The "V is for Vegetable Trio" appetizer comes with Ho Farms Eggplant, Curried Samosa, and Chilled Butternut Squash Soup. My favorite of the three was the eggplant - I love anything with tempura batter on it. The soup was served chilled and very refreshing. 

My friend selected the "Chop it Like it's Hot" for her main course - grilled Kauai Coffee Rubbed Pork Chop, Couscous, with Mole Sauce. 

I selected the Tagliatelle Optimus Primavera - I LOVED this dish!!

For dessert, Da Kahala Shuffle was an amazing way to end our meal. The pie was rich, but I would say it's one of the best chocolate pies I've ever eaten. 

 The Autumn Tasting Menu will only be offered for a limited time. Click here to reserve your table! 

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KAPA HALE
4614 KILAUEA AVE
808-888-2060

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Great Harvest Bread Co.

 

Since we were in the area, we decided to stop at Great Harvest Bread Co. for some snacks.

The first time I had Great Harvest Bread Co. was years and years ago, when a friend brought me some of their amazing Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones.  I was nearly tempted to get that again, but I couldn't resist the enormous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

It was really delicious and on the chewy side (I am team chewy when it comes to cookies!).

Cinnamon Roll

My middle son scored - a second cinnamon roll was thrown in because they baked up smaller than usual.  How nice!

Cinnamon Chip Cream Cheese Scone

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Scone

The treats were devoured in no time, and I'd gladly stop in again for scrumptions sweets!


Great Harvest Bread Co.
4400 Kalanianaole Highway 7
Honolulu, HI 96821
(808) 735-8810

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Don't Miss the Chicken and Waffles at Kapa Hale Brunch

KFC Chicken and Waffle

My family and I recently went to Kapa Hale for brunch and we pretty much ordered everything.  While we loved EVERYTHING we ate, the crowd favorites were the ʻŌmaʻomaʻo Garlic (a perfectly crispy house cream cheese rangoon with Kolea Farm green garlic and spinach) and the KFC Chicken and Waffle (Keaka's fried chicken, country gravy, and grilled lemon honey).  Located near Kahala Mall, Kapa Hale serves brunch on the weekends from 9am to 2:30pm. 

CORNY BREAD - grilled corn bread with lilikoi and honey.

WHEN I DIP YOU DIP Smoked Catch of the Day Dip, Toasted Bread

'ŌMAʻOMAʻO GARLIC

House Cream Cheese Rangoon, Kolea Farm Green Garlic, Spinach

ORDER THIS!!!

I GOT YOU BAE 

Bacon + Avocado + Egg Sando, Cheddar, Tomato, Anchovy Garlic Aioli

PANCAKE OF THE MONTH 

DA WEEKENDER BURGER 

Parker Ranch Grass-Fed Beef Patty, Teriyaki Glaze, Cheddar Omelette, 

Bacon, Tomato, Garlic Aioli, Chips

GREEN EGGS & HAM 

Kolea Farm Green Garlic Verde, Soft Scrambled Eggs, Grilled Pork Belly, Rice

SHAKA-SHUKA

Spicy Peppers & Tomato, Stewed Egg, House Focaccia (I LOVE this one!)

Thank you Chef Keaka for my birthday ice cream!

And for this delicious matcha creme brulee! 

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