Lunch at Formaggio Grill

Dropping the boys off at Scout camp for a week is always a mix of emotions. I'm  excited for the adventures they'll have away from home (and us parents), but the house is definitely quieter once they leave! So after saying our goodbyes, one of the other Scout moms and I decided to celebrate our "kid-free" week with lunch at Formaggio in Kailua.

Since neither of us was in a rush, we decided to order a few dishes to share. Our server recommended starting with the bruschetta, explaining that the focaccia is made fresh in-house. That recommendation did not disappoint. The house-made focaccia was the perfect base for the fresh toppings and was one of my favorite parts of the meal.

Next came the veggie pizza, which featured a thin, crispy crust. It was light, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

We also ordered the salmon Caesar salad, and I was especially impressed with the salmon. The skin was crisp while the fish itself remained seared and moist. Combined with the fresh Caesar salad, it rounded out our well-balanced lunch.

Spending a relaxing afternoon catching up with a fellow Scout mom after camp drop-off was exactly what we both needed before a week of enjoying a little extra peace and quiet at home.

FORMAGGIO GRILL

305 Hahani Street

Kailua, HI

808-263-2633

 

Read More

Faria

 Ever since Faria opened in Kailua, I've been wanting to check it out. Reservations can be hard to come by, so I was excited to finally snag a table and catch up with a friend over dinner. She had dined there before and assured me that she knew exactly what we needed to order.

Her first recommendation was the Linguica Assada, Faria's Portuguese sausage. I'll admit, Portuguese sausage isn't usually my go-to, but this dish completely changed my mind. The presentation alone was worth ordering. The sausage arrived in an adorable pig-shaped holder, and our server lit it on fire before our eyes. 

We were told it was already fully cooked and that the flame was simply to give it a little extra char to our liking. It was smoky, flavorful, and one of the most memorable dishes I've had in a long time.

Her second must-order was the Pão Caseiro, Faria's house bread basket. Served with sweet cream butter and Faria Bay butter, the basket included three different Portuguese breads, each delicious in its own way. Honestly, between the sausage and the bread, I could have happily called it dinner and gone home completely satisfied.

For our entrées, I chose the Bacalhau à Brás, a cod and potato gratin, while my friend ordered Tio Tim's Caldeirada de Pescadora, the fisherman's stew. My cod dish was good, but it wasn't the standout of the evening, especially after such an incredible start to the meal. 

My friend's stew, on the other hand, looked amazing, and I found myself with a bit of order envy. I may have to order that on my next visit.

Even though we were getting full, our server mentioned that there was only one pavlova left for dessert. How could we say no? It was the perfect sweet ending to an already fantastic meal.

Faria absolutely lived up to the hype. Between the creative presentation, delicious food, and cozy atmosphere, it's easy to see why this new Kailua restaurant has become so popular. If you're planning a visit, don't skip the Linguica Assada and the house bread basket—they were the stars of the night. 

FARIA HAWAII

306 KUULEI ROAD

808-200-4953

Read More

Maunawili Night Market

If you’ve never heard of the Maunawili Night Market, don’t worry—you’re not alone. A relatively new entry to Oʻahu’s night market scene, it’s quietly tucked away in the lush, serene Maunawili Valley. But once you find it, you’ll wonder how it stayed a secret for so long.

How to Get There
Getting to the market feels like you’re uncovering a local secret. From the Pali Highway, turn onto Auloa Road, then take the first left—look for a small sign pointing the way. 

Follow the winding road past open green spaces and enjoy the stunning views of the Koʻolaus. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course. 

The market takes place at “The Charming Estate” on the property, and it lives up to its name. Think elegant, laid-back vibes in a breathtaking natural setting.

The Maunawili Night Market is held on the last Friday of each month, from 5–9 PM. It’s popular enough to feel lively, but still far less crowded than the markets in town—a perfect balance.

I showed up just before 6 PM and was pleasantly surprised to see a good crowd—families, couples, friends catching up—but not so many people that it felt overwhelming.

 I headed straight for Wasabi Express by Tiger, hoping to try their famous teppanyaki lobster plate. 

Sadly, no lobster that night, but I ordered the steak and shrimp combo instead. The friendly lady at the booth told me it would be about a 30-minute wait—they cook 15 plates at a time and mine was up next. Perfect. That gave me time to explore.

Vendors were set up both outside and inside the main building. Everything was from small local businesses—handmade snacks, desserts, plate lunches, jewelry, crafts, and more. Inside was air-conditioned (a bonus), with comfortable seating areas downstairs.

 I took a walk outside, snapped a few photos of the incredible Koʻolau backdrop, and soaked in the peaceful beauty of the valley.

After checking in with Wasabi Express again and realizing my plate wasn’t quite ready, I browsed a bit more and picked up a few treats to bring home. Here's what I ended up with:

• Seafood Paella from Santi’s Paella
  Tasty, with a nice saffron flavor, though I found myself wishing it had a bit more seafood.

  
  

  

  

• Mango Sticky Rice from Olay’s Thai Food
  One of my favorite market desserts—sweet, chewy, and refreshing. (If you’ve been to any other farmers market, you’ve probably seen Olay’s there too.)

  

• Mochisadas (Poi Donuts) from Hauoli Pastry
  Light, chewy, and delicious—some of the best mochi donuts I’ve had on island.

  

  
  

  

• Brioche from Breadington’s Bakery
  They were giving out samples, and one bite of the buttery bread sold me instantly. The baker is also the chef for The Charming Estate. My son loved it so much he asked me to go back for more. Next time, I’m definitely picking up a bag of their cornbread cookies too.

  

  
  

  

• Steak & Grilled Shrimp Combo from Wasabi Express

Served with garlic fried rice, seasonal veggies, and their made-from-scratch yum yum sauce. The steak was tender, the shrimp perfectly grilled, and we especially loved the rice—savory, garlicky, and full of flavor.

I’m officially in love with the Maunawili Night Market. The setting is dreamy, the vendors are all local and passionate about what they do, and the food? Top-notch. If you’re looking to escape the hustle of town and support small businesses in a truly stunning setting, this night market is a must-visit.

Tips:

• Arrive early if you have your eye on something specific—some items do sell out, or the wait times get longer as it gets later)

• Bring cash (some vendors don't charge tax if you pay with cash)

• Don’t forget your reusable bags and a camera—the views alone are worth the trip.

___________________________________________

MAUNAWILI NIGHT MARKET

770 AULOA ROAD

LAST FRIDAYS 5 PM - 9 PM

Read More

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya - Kailua

[Thank you to our sponsor for the complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.]

Kailua just got a much-needed ramen refresh — and it couldn’t have come at a better time, with the recent closure of Miyoshi Ramen. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya, recently opened its sixth Hawaii location right here in Kailua, and while their ramen concept differs slightly from Miyoshi’s, it’s a welcome addition that brings comforting bowls of broth and noodles back to Kailua Town.

We stopped by Tanaka Ramen on a Saturday evening at 5 p.m. and were pleasantly surprised to find it relatively quiet, with just one other group dining in. That likely won’t last long as word gets out, so now’s a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowd.

To start, we ordered the ika geso karaage (fried squid), which came with a side of spicy mayo. 

The dipping sauce wasn’t very spicy, but it was still a great complement to the crispy squid. Definitely a nice way to kick off the meal.

For our main dishes, I went with the Tanaka Rich Garlic Ramen, while my husband opted for the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen.

If you love garlic, the Rich Garlic Ramen is for you — it’s loaded with roasted garlic flavor. 

That said, the garlic is strong — so unless you’re committed to smelling like garlic for the rest of the night, you may want to explore other options on the menu.

Now, the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen came with a surprise. Despite the creaminess, the spice level was intense. 

My husband can usually handle heat, but this one pushed the limit. Halfway through, he gave up on the broth and transferred his noodles and toppings into my garlic broth to finish the meal. So, fair warning: if you're sensitive to spice, you might want to steer clear or ask if they can tone it down.

Beyond the food, the ambience at this Kailua location stands out. Unlike Tanaka’s mall locations (like Ala Moana and Pearlridge), which tend to feel darker and more enclosed, this new spot is bright and airy, thanks to its large windows and natural lighting. This location also has outdoor seating which is popular amongst the Kailua clientele.

Great service, a comfortable setting, and flavorful ramen options make Tanaka Ramen’s Kailua location a solid choice for ramen in Kailua!

Open daily: 11:00 AM -  9:00 PM

______________________________________________

TANAKA RAMEN & IZAKAYA

108 HEKILI STREET (NEXT TO FOODLAND)

808-200-3166

 

Read More

Uahi Island Grill

 We continue our quest to eat at places we've never tried before with a visit to Uahi Island Grill in Kailua. We were surprised to find a lot of open tables when we arrived at around 5:30 pm on a Saturday night. We were given the choice to sit inside or outside, and we opted for a table inside, and was seated right near the open kitchen.

Furikake Calamari

Surf & Turf (boneless kale and garlic butter shrimp)

Red Curry Grilled Fish

Keiki Butter Noodles

The surf & turf was amazing! The son and I shared it and thank goodness we did, because it included a big piece of steak! The husband really liked the grill fish, and the other son enjoyed his keiki meal (which was a big portion!). Service was friendly, and we liked the island vibe, menu, and decor. 

------------------------------

UAHI ISLAND GRILL
33 AULIKE STREET
808-266-4646

Read More

Le Crêpe Café - Kailua

We were intending to eat lunch at another eatery in Kailua, but after seeing there was nowhere to sit, we decided to look for another spot to eat, and found Le Crêpe Café.  

Their menu is pretty extensive, offering all sorts of crepes, as well as sandwiches, waffles, and even omelets!

Chicken & Pesto Omelette

The Chicken & Pesto Omelette was not your typical omelette, but it was actually very delicious!  It was akin to a baked mixture of egg and chicken, I loved that they didn't skimp on the pesto.  Served with a nice side salad, it was a lovely lunch!

Sweet Karma

The Sweet Karma crepe was filled with bananas, caramel sauce, and cinnamon, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge was filled with turkey, cheese, basil, and tomatoes.

The Veggie

The Veggie was loaded with cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and basil.

Leila Et Malik

The Leila Et Malik waffle was covered in strawberries, bananas, and Nutella!

I hardly ever get into Kailua, so I didn't even realize that there was a changeover from Crepes No Kai Oi, but it turned out to be a great, impromptu meal.

Le Crêpe Café

143 Hekili St Suite 130

Kailua, HI 96734

Read More

Double Three - Kailua

Double Three - Kailua is a great spot for truly decadent ice cream treats.  

You choose your type of bubble waffle, ice cream, toppings, and syrup to create the confection of your dreams.  

Bubble waffle varieties include original, chocolate, matcha, and red velvet (prices vary for each), and you then choose from vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and any special ice cream flavors that they are offering.

You can choose up to two toppings, such as brownies, OREO crumbs, and Fruity pebbles, and add more for extra cost (certain toppings may cost more than others).

You then choose your syrup (chocolate, caramel, strawberry, Nutella or whipped cream).

The combinations are endless!

Double Three - Kailua
609 Kailua Rd
Kailua, HI 96734

Read More