Monkeypod Kitchen Ko Olina

Our family used to go to Monkeypod Kitchen frequently for their Happy Hour specials, but it's been years since we dined there.  I was excited to return to eat some of my favorite dishes.

Garlic Truffle Oil Fries

The Garlic Truffle Oil Fries were just as good and addicting as I remember!

Taro Ravioli

The Pumpkin Patch Ravioli was a go-to order of mine, but now they have Taro Ravioli, and it is also very delicious!

Cheeseburger

Bulgogi Pork Tacos

Wagyu French Dip (Special)

Housemade Gnocchi

The Gnocchi were pillowy soft, and I enjoyed the mac nut pesto.  The mushrooms and chèvre made the dish a little more earthy than I had anticipated, but it was still a good dish overall.  

I'm not a fan of pies, but I love the pies at Monkeypod Kitchen.  We got the Orange Creamsicle (my fave), Strawberry Cream, and the seasonal Butterscotch.

They are huge, creamy, and so decadent!

Service was excellent!  

Monkeypod Kitchen
Ko Olina Station
92-1046 Olani Street
Kapolei Hi, 96707
(808) 380-4086

Read More

Gina's BBQ Kapolei

We recently ordered the Large Family Pack at Gina's BBQ Kapolei.  The cost is $93, and you get:

6 pieces Kalbi

10 scoops rice

6 pieces BBQ Chicken, 6 pieces Bulgogi

12 Meat Jun Strips and 12 Man Du

and choice of 5 veggies.  We chose:

Corn

Shoyu Potato

Long Rice

Choi Sum

Macaroni Salad

It feeds 4-6, and all of this food ended up feeding our family of 5 for 2 dinners.  

Everything was very tasty, including the banchan.  The mac salad was seasoned well, and I love shoyu potato, but some of the huge pieces were undercooked (although the flavor was still there). 

My faves in the pack were the BBQ Chicken and the Man Du.  

It was definitely a good deal, especially considering it fed our family for two nights!

Gina's BBQ Kapolei
4850 Kapolei Pkwy suite #305

Kapolei, HI 96707

 

Read More

Mina's Fish House

I love to go to Mina's Fish House to celebrate special occasions. The view is so pretty, the food is delicious, and the service is amazing.

Amuse - Siu Mai

Garlic & Duck Fat French Fries

I absolutely love Mina's Signature Duck Fat Fries (which you can find at other establishments of Chef Michael Mina).  They come with three dipping sauces: Volcano Onion Ketchup, Dijonnaise, Tartar Sauce.  They are addicting!

Smoked Marlin and Maui Onion Dip

We were given this dip compliments of the house.  It was very tasty!

Soy-Glazed Pork Belly

Ono Tataki

Chili Miso Glazed Black Cod

I had the Black Cod, or Butterfish.  It had a pleasant kick to it from both the Chili Miso and the Garlic Wasabi Cream.  

Sesame Roasted Half Chicken

Charred Broccolini

Filet Mignon

SPAM Fried Rice

The SPAM Fried Rice was a meal in itself!  

Despite devouring nearly everything, we still made sure to get dessert. 

Dark Chocolate Mousse

The Dark Chocolate Mousse was my fave of the desserts - cocoa streusel, salted caramel, and Kona coffee ice cream.  Such a decadent treat!

Warm Malasadas

I'm not much of a Malasadas fan, but I loved these.  They were perfectly sized and had just the right amount of sugar - I didn't even need to add the caramel sauce or strawberry guava gel.  

Mango-Strawberry Shaved Ice

The Mango-Strawberry Shaved Ice was so refreshing!

The food was outstanding, and our server was Ryan, a Fish Sommelier, and he was awesome.  

It was another memorable dining experience at Mina's!

Mina's Fish House
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

Read More

Sage Creamery

I finally got to visit Sage Creamery's brick-and-mortar out in Kapolei / Ewa Beach.

I love Sage Creamery and would often buy pints when they were at the Farmers Market.

Thai Tea OREO.

Campfire S'Mores

Thai Tea OREO

Cookies + Cream

I've tried so many Sage Creamery flavors, but my fave is the Cookies + Cream.  This classic flavor always pleases, and I love that they have huge chunks of cookies in a rich, creamy chocolate ice cream.  

I also bought some pints for home and to gift.

It's a tiny shop with no seating, but there is ample seating right outside, and you can either find street parking or guest stalls in the adjacent lot.  

Sage Creamery
91-3575 Kauluakoko St #3005

Ewa Beach, HI 96706

Read More

Noe

Noe is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants on the island. 

We try to go at least once a year, and it's quite the splurge for us since we take the entire family, but it's so worth it.  The food is so amazing and the service is stellar. 

Burrata and House Bread

The Burrata is always a must-order for us, and pairs nicely with the House Bread.

My go-to order is the Noe Signature Tagliatelle.

Noe Signature Tagliatelle

It's indulgent and umami-packed, and not surprisingly a signature dish.  You must try it for yourself!

Jidori Chicken Marsala

Lobster Spaghetti

Ahi Tonnato Carpaccio

Truffle Mashed Potato

Celebration S'mores Cake

We had tried some new-to-us desserts, and they were so elegantly presented!

Gianduja Rocher

Noe Limone

Our server, Kyle, was excellent.  Four Seasons is synonymous with amazing service, and at any venue on property you'd expect such service.  The service we received on this recent visit was the best we ever had of all of our visits, and really the best service I've had all year at any restaurant.

If you live on the Windward or East side, it's worth venturing to Ko Olina to experience Noe!

Noe
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

Read More

85°C Bakery Cafe - Kapolei

85°C Bakery Cafe is a chain that offers sweet and savory baked treats at affordable prices.

Even though I know it opened in Hawaii two years ago, I had no idea there was a location in Kapolei too.

Bacon and Cheese

Cheese Dog

I ended up getting a bunch of savories that made for a great light meal.  

I loved all the bacon, cheese, and herbs on the bun.

Mochi Egg Tart

I also tried the Mochi Egg Tart, which was quite yummy!  The tart itself was nice and creamy with a mochi filling.

Definitely looking forward to going back to try more items!


85°C Bakery Cafe
91-590 Farrington Hwy #155

Kapolei, HI 96707

Read More