Supreme Dumpling Opens at Ala Moana Shopping Center

Supreme Tan Tan Noodles 

You can now satisfy your xiao long bao craving any day of the week at Supreme Dumplings located in the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The restaurant opened last month and features soup dumplings in a variety of fillings each folded by hand.

We ordered the Supreme Pork Xiao Long Bao and the Black Truffle & Chicken Xiao Long Bao. Each order comes with six dumplings. While they seemed good sized, they are easily eaten in one bite. Just let them cool a little first. The restaurant had an extra order of Supreme Tan Tan Noodles and let us have it on the house. That was very fortunate for us because the noodles were delicious. We ended the meal with the popular Onyx Golden Lava Custard Buns.

Supreme Pork Xiao Long Bao

Black Truffle & Chicken Xiao Long Bao

Onyx Golden Lava Custard Buns

Booth Seating

Main Dining Area

The restaurant itself is bright, modern, and fitted with both tables and booth options. The service was great as well. You can make a reservation on Yelp. My friend and I already know what we are ordering when we return!

Supreme Dumplings
1450 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 2500 

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Mango Mango x Milk & Mocha Bear Collab

Just in time for summer is the Mango Mango x Milk & Mocha Bear Collab!

For a limited time, you can get your hands on refreshing, sweet treats and exclusive merch!

I was invited to Mango Mango and was fortunate to have received the following:

Blue Lagoon Cove (MangoMango’s signature mango blend + coconut chia, mango, blue coconut jelly strips, and toasted coconut flakes.

Sunny-Coco Burst (coconut water, mango popping bubbles, coconut cream).

Milk & Mocha Tag-Along

Such a cute collab!

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Ruscello at Nordstrom

Sometimes you don't need the newest or trendiest restaurant—just good friends, good food, and a beautiful view. I recently met up with two friends at Ruscello for a long-overdue catch-up lunch, and it was the perfect setting for a midday meal.

Our reservation was for 11:00 a.m., which is also when the restaurant opens. We arrived about five minutes early and were surprised to see a small crowd already waiting at the door! A little pro tip if you're dining here: park on the bottom level of Ala Moana Center near Foodland Farms, take the elevator to the third floor, and it's just a short walk to Ruscello inside Nordstrom.

We lucked out with a window table overlooking the ocean. The view was absolutely beautiful—sorry, I  forgot to snap a photo!

To start, we shared the Crispy Brussels sprouts, which are always a good way to start a meal here. My friend who tried it for the first time liked it so much that she asked our food server for the recipe. Of course the server said she can't tell us, so we'll just need to keep coming back for more.

For my entrée, I ordered the cilantro lime chicken tacos, while my friends chose the Crispy Panko Chicken salad and the Ginger Sesame salad with added salmon. Everything was delicious. There's a reason these dishes have remained menu favorites over the years—they're consistently fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

As we were leaving, the restaurant was completely full, confirming what we had noticed when we arrived: this place is popular. If you're planning a visit, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.

RUSCELLO at NORDSTROM

1450 ALA MOANA BLVD.

808-953-6110

 

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Big Island Candies x 88 Tees Collaboration

Big Island Candies is my absolute fave omiyage to give whenever I travel, and I love that they once again teamed up with the iconic 88 Tees for a new collaboration, with a message to share aloha — not only with others, but also with the natural world around us.

With that sentiment in mind, the new collaboration features 88 Tees’ characters Yaya and Kuku having fun out on the ocean, while, a portion of proceeds from the sales of the collaboration box through June 30 will benefit 808 cleanups.

I was invited to a media event for the launch of the products - they are just the cutest!  These products are available for a limited time. Get your hands on them now and share the aloha!

Details:

• Collaboration box: includes three Milk Chocolate Dipped Macadamia Nut Shortbreads, three Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Shortbreads, three White Dipped Lemon Shortbreads, three Coconut Shortbreads, one Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownie, one Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamia Brownie, and two Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Toffees ($24.25 online and Hilo; $25.50 at Ala Moana Center).
• T-shirt, offered in pink or beige: sizes S-XL ($32.99 Hilo and Ala Moana Center).
• Tote bag ($29.99 Hilo and Ala Moana Center location.
• Stickers exclusively at 88 Tees in Waikiki ($5.00 each).

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Big Island Candies

Big Island Candies continues to be a go-to for cute gifts and thoughtful omiyage.  I recently visited the Ala Moana Center location for some omiyage.

I love the colorful packaging that can be re-used for all sorts of things, and they come out with special packaging and products at various times throughout the year (special occasions, holidays, etc.).

And I did pick up a box of their Milk Chocolate Macadmia Nut Covered Brownies too for myself (not pictured), because I love their brownies!

What's your favorite Big Island Candies product?

Big Island Candies
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd #1230

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Ringer Hut Restaurant at Ala Moana Shopping Center

Oyako Donburi

If you're like me and don't know what a Ringer Hut is, then let me tell you it's a restaurant that was founded in Nagasaki, Japan in 1974 and now has expanded to over 500 locations. Their specialty is the Nagasaki Champon; a soul food noodle dish with pork, seafood, and vegetables that originated from Nagasaki and is popular in Japan.

Ringer Hut is located in Ala Moana Shopping Center facing Kona Street. We walked in for dinner and were seated quickly. We all have our go-to order when it comes to Japanese food so it was a quick decision for us, but there is a nice selection of noodles, donburi, curry rice, and set meal choices along with gyoza and other side dishes. Most menu items are under $20.00.

Tonkatsu with Curry

Double Tonkatsu Set

The food came quickly and we all enjoyed our meals. Service was efficient and friendly. The only downside was there was no dessert menu, but they do serve beer, wine, and whiskey with soda. We really enjoyed our experience and would recommend it for a casual dinner. 

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Ruscello at Nordstrom Ala Moana

 Ruscello at Nordstrom is one of those places that you can always count on for a great tasting meal and great service. I've never had a bad experience here. The food and service are very consistent. 

We started with the Artichoke Spinach Dip - mom's choice. 

The Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts were delicious. I wish I knew how to make this dish at home - so flavorful that you almost forget that you're eating vegetables.

The complimentary bread came in clutch since my sons were starving and they weren't fans of the appetizers. :)

My mom ordered the Ginger Sesame salad, her usual order.

The husband tried to stay healthy with the wild salmon & cauliflower. 

The son and I shared the Penne Bolognese & Meatballs. He really just wanted the pasta, and I wanted the meatballs (it was chicken meatballs), so it worked for us. 

The other son wanted Macaroni & Cheese - I thought this was a big serving for a Kids' meal!

For dessert - some sorbet and their famous lemon ricotta cookie.

As a member of team chewy, I really liked this cookie! 

And did you know you that there is easy access to the Nordstrom elevators from the ground level parking lot, to the right of Foodland Farms? My mom showed us where it was since we gave her a ride. Learn something new everyday!

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RUSCELLO
1450 ALA MOANA BLVD (located in Nordstrom, Piikoi Street side of Ala Moana Center)
808-953-6110

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Sugar Factory Honolulu

Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich

Not going to lie; when I chose this restaurant for dinner it was 100% based on cute factor. I had not read many positive reviews and many complained about long wait times and mediocre food so I went in with an open mind.

I'm not sure if our late dinner reservation at 7:45pm had anything to do with it, but our service was great and our meals came out at a reasonable time. The restaurant was still busy at this time and many people were celebrating birthdays by the looks of the staff rushing to bring the birthday dessert topped with a huge sparkler.

The Sugar Factory menu is extensive with American cuisine options that are sure to satisfy everyone; especially those with a sweet tooth. Again for the cute factor, I wanted to order the rainbow sliders with different colored buns, but I went with the birria tacos which were very tasty. My daughter ordered the hot honey chicken and waffles and she loved it. The amount of chicken they gave was generous. Sadly, the cookie skillet was sold out by the time we ordered dessert so we opted for the oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich that was just okay.

Birria Tacos

Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles

Hot Honey Pepperoni Flatbread

Overall, a super fun setting for a great dinner with friendly and attentive service. I would definitely return. 

Sugar Factory

1450 Ala Moana Blvd. 

hONOLULU, hi 96814

(808) 620-4099 

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La Brisket

While eating at the Makai Food Court at Ala Moana with the boys, the sign "La Brisket" caught my eye. I love a good brisket and I had not heard of this brand before. I took a closer look, and the guy who was slicing the brisket asked if I wanted a sample. The brisket was very tender, moist, and delicious! 

I decided to buy a plate to-go for my mom - the Honolulu Bowl, which included all three meats that they sell - pulled pchicken, pulled pork, and brisket. 

Brisket!

Each bowl comes with steamed garlic rice, L.A. Slaw, and Salsa Verde.

Elote, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, Steamed Garlic Rice, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken

Side Sauces, L.A. Slaw

Honolulu Bowl

Pulled Chicken

Brisket

Pulled Pork

My favorite of the three meats was the brisket - it was the most moist and had the most flavor. The chicken and pork was a bit on the dry side, even with the salsa verde. 

You can buy the meats ala carte, as a bowl, or as a sandwich (brisket only). If you stick with any of the brisket menu items, you won't go wrong!

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La Brisket
Makai Market Food Court (Ala Moana Center)
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.

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Lunch at Ala Moana Center: Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya

 

King Kamehameha Day is a state holiday in Hawaii, therefore the kids, hubby, and I all had the day off from school and work! We decided to make it a shopping day, so we headed to Ala Moana Center.  Before getting our shopping done, we filled our rumbling tummies with ramen at Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya.  

What I love about Tanaka Ramen is that you have the option of making your bowl of ramen. This is great for picky eaters, and those who don't like a lot of toppings on their ramen. The boys each enjoyed a bowl of ramen with half/half soup (1/2 chicken 1/2 pork broth) and noodles (one ordered thick noodles, one ordered thin noodles). No toppings.  $8 each!

Since the hubby ordered sides for us to share, I minimized my ramen bowl as well, with the half/half soup, thick  noodles, and wonton (chicken).  I really could (and should) have done without the wontons.

The hubby ordered the Beef Sukiyaki Tonkotsu - it looked really good (and filling).

We shared the pork gyoza and karaage chicken from the Izakaya menu.

The karaage chicken was really moist. 

After an hour of shopping with the boys, I needed a refresher, so I picked up a strawberry green tea from The Alley. It was my first time trying this drink and I loved it! It comes with strawberry bits and green tea jelly, and I added boba on top of it!

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TANAKA RAMEN & IZAKAYA

1450 Ala Moana Blvd (Mall Level, Ewa Wing)

808-400-0506

THE ALLEY

1450 Ala Moana Blvd (Mall Level, Ewa Wing)

808-278-9216 

(only accepts credit cards)

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