Hiro No Uchi - Omakase Sushi

Chef Hiro

We recently enjoyed a wonderful omakase experience at Hiro No Uchi in downtown Honolulu. The location at 25 North King Street is pretty hidden. Find the intercom near the door and press the button to be buzzed in. When you walk in you will be transported to a dark, speakeasy-like place with stylish chairs leading to an attractive sushi counter that seats about eight.

Chef Hiro begins the omakase by greeting his guests and displaying what fish will be served that night. Each nigiri was thoughtfully prepared and presented beautifully. The textures and flavors made for a very happy and delicious meal. 

The cozy vibe.

Tasting plate

Engawa

Saba

Hottate

Kinmeidai

Salmon

Otoro

Amaebi

Uni and ikura

Matcha dashimaki tamago

The cost of the omakase when we dined was $150 per person and the establishment is BYOB. They have two seatings at 5:30pm and 7:30pm. They are also available for catering and private parties. You can make a reservation using this link.  

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Weekend Brunch at Smith and Kings

Breakfast Poutine

All it took was my friend to see one instagram post, and she was rallying the brunch troops to get together for Smith and King's weekend brunch. Located in downtown, Smith and Kings is open for lunch and dinner, but closed on Tuesdays. Parking is on the street or you can park in Marin Tower. 

The brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 3pm, is extensive and has you covered from variations of eggs benedict to waffles and French toasts to the classic brunch burger. I ordered the two egg deluxe breakfast which came with cornbread and bacon with a second choice of more bacon, pork belly, or sausage patties and a choice of breakfast potatoes or house grits. Our group shared the very delicious Tres Leches French Toast. The food was plentiful and tasty and we took advantage of the nicely priced $20 Mimosa pitcher. 

Biscuits N' Gravy

Two Egg Deluxe Breakfast

Tres Leches French Toast

Both bar seating and table seating is available. The service was friendly and great as well. An all around great option for brunch!     

Smith and Kings
69 North King Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
808-744-5772

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Aloha Bento

After my friend told me about a new sushi spot in Central Pacific Plaza in downtown Honolulu, I wanted to check it out. I had skimmed the reviews online for ALOHA BENTO and they were all raving about the quality and freshness. I visited their website and once I saw that online ordering was available, that sealed the deal. I placed my order on a Friday morning for pick up during my lunch break, and headed to downtown to pick up my sushi.

It was actually my first time in this building, ever. They recently renovated, so I don't know what it was like before, but I love the spacious first floor area, that has a lot of tables for people to sit at.

The online ordering receipt provided takeout information, such as where to pick up my order - next to Starbucks under the Aloha Beer sign. Good thing they included this information otherwise I would have had a hard time finding them.

Look for this sign!

I ordered three things - a salmon skin temaki for lunch, and an 8-piece Omakase bento and Hamachi Bowl for dinner later that night (to share with the person who told me about this place!).

The 8 piece Omakase Bento was amazing. The selection changes day by day. No shoyu was needed.

The Hamachi Bowl was good too! 

Aloha Bento is currently open from 11 am - 7 pm Monday through Friday. Select menu items are available during Pau Hana, which begins at 4pm.  In addition to nigiri bentos, rolls, and hand rolls, they also have beer and sake on the menu.

Validated parking is available in the building after 4 pm.

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ALOHA BENTO
Located inside Central Pacific Plaza'sTidepools (1st Floor)
220 South King Street (corner of S. King and Alakea)

 

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Brunch at Podmore

Bloody Mary - a brunch staple 

(podmore bloody mary mix, reyka vodka, house-made pickles)

After my first visit to Podmore for cocktails, I was very eager to return to the beautiful restaurant for brunch. The brunch menu offers sweet and savory dishes with a European influence. For instance, my friend had their Full English Breakfast which I am confident you cannot order anywhere else on the island. The traditional breakfast includes fried eggs, bacon, pono pork sausage, black pudding, potatoes, mushroom, baked beans, tomato, and fried bread. It's huge so bring your appetite.

Full English Breakfast

I ordered the Pumpkin Bake -  kabocha squash, spicy chorizo, kale, pickled red peppers, and sous vide eggs. I really enjoyed the spicy kick of the chorizo and the texture of the pumpkin. I would definitely order this dish again.

Pumpkin Bake

The dish that had the most oohs and ahhs was the “Christmas Breakfast” potato rösti, spinach, house-smoked salmon, double yolk coddled egg, and brown butter hollandaise. Best news is that it's just not for Christmas and will stay on the menu year round.

Christmas Breakfast

Another delicious dish was the Beer-Battered Crispy Egg - mushroom ragout, blue cheese, grilled Breadshop bread, and pickles. We each really enjoyed our savory dishes and for dessert shared the two sweet dishes on the menu: the Raised Waffle (white chocolate cheesecake, dark chocolate sauce) and the Italian Toast (panettone, custard, vanilla crème mousseline). 

Beer-Battered Crispy Egg

Raised Waffle

Italian Toast

Brunch is served Wednesday through Sunday 8am to 1pm. You can easily make a reservation through resy. If you are looking to elevate your brunch plans, highly recommend dining at Podmore for the excellent experience.  

Podmore
202 Merchant Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
(808) 521-7367

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Beyond Pastry Studio - Now Open!

 

Congratulations to Cristine Nishioka on the opening of her brick-and-mortar studio in downtown Honolulu! Beyond Pastry Studio now has a permanent home.  If you work in downtown, you are lucky to be able to walk here.  But even if you don't work in downtown, you can easily find public parking in Alii Place at a reasonable rate of 75 cents per hour (the current municipal rate).

The pastries are made that morning, and the popular items sell out early. By 11:30 on a Friday afternoon, this is all they had left (see pics below). Your best bet is to call in the morning to put your desired items on hold, or go to the website and purchase the Morning Pastry Box, which is comprised of their best selling items (a great choice for first-timers!).

Here's what I ended up getting on my first visit:

Banana foster cake

Snickerdoodle

Mango Pineapple Spanish Roll

Lilikoi Yuzu biscuit

Which was my favorite? If I had to choose one, it would be the Snickerdoodle.  The banana foster cake comes in a close second - it was really moist!

Cristina plans to hold workshops in the Studio - I cannot wait for those to start up.  I'm also keeping my eye out for her Epicurean Cheesecakes to pop up on the menu. 

Follow @BeyondPastryStudio on Instagram for information and updates!

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BEYOND PASTRY STUDIO
1067 ALAKEA STREET
(808) 352-8303

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PAI Honolulu Take-Out

 Over the weekend I ordered take-out from PAI Honolulu.

Creamy Thai Basil Pesto Strozzapreti

Shrimp Chips

Focaccia Pizza

Lemongrass Coconut Curry Crab Risotto

BBQ Brisket Bao

Sopressata "Cubano" Grilled Sandwich

The PAI Special: Charcuterie Sandwich

I ordered a feast to last our family several meals.  My faves were the sandwiches (I may or may not have eaten the Sopressata "Cubano" all by myself without sharing) and the risotto (loved the Thai flavors and the crab!), and my kids loved the bao, pizza (the pizza had a nice spicy kick!), and the shrimp chips.

And of course we all loved the desserts!  The brownies are just so rich and decadent!

Dark Fudge Brownie

Red Velvet Cookies

Chef Kevin makes his own pastas, breads, cheeses, charcuterie - so you know it's all good!  

Keep up with all of PAI's offerings on Instagram - they offer a lot of great specials!

Visit https://www.paihonolulu.com/ to order!

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J. Dolan's To-Go

J. Dolan's is my favorite pizza spot on the island.  Not only do they have great pizzas, but they have great sides too!

Classic Pepperoni

Giacomo

Onion Rings, Jalapeno Poppers, Chicken Wings, Fries

The Giacomo is one of their specialties, and one of my faves! It's topped with sausage, pepperoni, salami, and black olives.

All of the sides were so good!  They were generous servings, and if I had to choose, the Jalapeno Poppers were my fave.  They were stuffed with cream cheese and served with a honey mustard sauce.

Call your order in and have some pizza, wings, and more at home!
 
J. Dolan's
1147 Bethel St

Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 537-4992

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