Black Shamrock Tavern

We went to Downtown early to find a spot for the Public Workers' Electric Light Parade and decided to get take-out dinner from Black Shamrock Tavern.  The owner is a former partner of J.J. Dolans, so I knew the New Jersey-style pizza had to be good. 

Since I went on Shop Small Saturday, they were offering a deal for buy $100 in GCs and get a free cheese or pepperoni pizza day of purchase only, so I took advantage of that offer, and ordered a couple other items.

Pepperoni Pizza

Caesar

Loud Piggy

The LOUD Piggy consisted of Italian sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, and bacon.

I thought both pizzas were tasty, and the thin and crispy crust allowed you to fold and eat each slice, if you wished.  I did think, however, there could've been more toppings on the Loud Piggy.

Service was very friendly, and look forward to dining in one day!

Black Shamrock Tavern
902 Nuuanu Ave,
Honolulu, HI 96817

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Ali`i Coffee Co.

Although I don't drink coffee, I decided to give Ali`i Coffee Co. (the Downtown location) a try since my brother frequents the Ward location, and I knew they served food, and I needed to pick up lunch.

Breakfast Sandwich

Turkey Pesto

Ali`i Veggie

Hot Pastrami

I had the Turkey Pesto, which I thought was good and satisfying, but I did think it could've been much better with some cheese.

A friend had the Breakfast Sandwich, consisting of egg, ham, cheese, avocado, tomato, onion, and siriacha aioli on a ciabatta.  He thought it was good as well, but did think a different type of bread should have been used.

Our friends loved the Veggie sandwich (avocado, beet hummus, pickled onions, and tomato), and the Hot Pastrami Sandwich.

The staff is the friendliest, and Ali`i Coffee Co. seems to have its share of regulars, as many customers were greeted by name.

Ali`i Coffee Co. was a good choice for lunch!

Ali`i Coffee Co.
35 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 532-7928

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Gochi Grill To-Go

Gochi Grill continues to offer super delicious and affordable meals, with a weekly rotating menu and numerous specials daily M-F.

They started to offer Chicken Katsu on Mondays, but as luck would have it, they decided to offer it on a Tuesday when I was nearby!

Chicken Katsu + Curry

I think they have the best chicken katsu!  They were offering sides of curry that day as well, so of course I had to get some (I'm still waiting for the day when Chef John offers ginger sauce on the side #IYKYK).

Seared Salmon with Miso Brown Butter

Bow Tyler Pasta Salad

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Whether he makes comfort food classics or adds his own spin on popular local fare, all of his dishes are so tasty, and the portions are huge!

Gochi Grill
1111 Bishop Street Suite #112
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 585-8558

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Fête To-Go

I've been to Fête a few times, but only recently was I able to try the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich - a menu item that Nat had highly recommended.  

I did a to-go order, and ordered a 4-pack of Korean Fried Chicken Sandwiches (which is specially priced and cheaper than if you were to buy them individually).

The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich was enormous (I could only finish half), and so juicy and tender.  The crispy, crunchy, coating really held the kochujang sauce, and the Asian Pear Sauce balanced out the sandwich nicely.

We also ordered the Chaz Burger (Kauai Ranch grass-fed patty, caramelized onions, cheddar, tomatoes), Fries, and Corn Bread.

Online ordering was quick and easy!

Fête
2 North Hotel Street
(808) 369-1390

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Brunch at Livestock Tavern

PSR Garlic Fried Rice

Corned Beef Hash

I recently had brunch at Livestock Tavern.  The brunch menu is somewhat small, and I ended up getting the PSR Garlic Fried Rice.

It was very garlicky, with lots of pulled pork and roasted pork belly.  I wasn't a fan of all the celery in the fried rice (it wasn't listed on the menu), and I thought the dish was a bit pricey at $23. 

The Hash also had some celery mixed in, which was a first for me in hash, but I really liked the Country Fried Potatoes - they were tasty!

Our server was friendly and overall I thought the service was very good, and although I wasn't very impressed with the brunch menu, I am hoping to return for dinner, as I hear the dinners are great.

Livestock Tavern
49 North Hotel Street
(808) 537-2577

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Gochi Grill

Gochi Grill is still offering take-out on select days.  The selection varies each day, but whatever Chef John Iha makes is sure to please.

On one particular day, he was offering Menchi Katsu Curry, so I picked up plates for everyone in the family.

Local-style, elevated comfort food is the best way to describe Gochi Grill food.  It's simply delicious. The curry was so good (I kept the leftover curry to eat with chicken I made the next day), and the Menchi Katsu was super filling.

Chef John also gave me some Miso Eggplant to try.  I wish I could make eggplant this tasty and tender!

Keep an eye out for the menus on Gochi Grill's Instagram!

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Gochi Grill To-Go

I love how Chef John Iha of Gochi Grill is constantly coming up with new dishes, often times putting his own unique twist on familiar faves.  

He makes it easy for the busy parent (or parent that doesn't know how to cook) to get dinner on the table every night.  On a recent visit, I picked up a quiche and some soups!

Quiche

I love soup.  I could eat soup every day.  His fusion Kim Chee / Egg Drop Soup was hearty and delish, with a hint of kick from the kim chee.  I loved all the tofu and mushrooms!

Kimchee Egg Drop Soup

His Chicken Noodle Soup was loaded - you could easily make a meal out of it.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Follow @gochigrill on Instagram to find out what Chef is cooking up!

Gochi Grill
1111 Bishop Street Suite #112
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 585-8558

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Gochi Grill To-Go

Gochi Grill reopened on September 1st, and I was eager to get my fix of my favorite Chicken Katsu!

Chicken Katsu

I also ordered some of his regular menu items:

Meatloaf

Seared Salmon

I ordered a couple of specials as well:

Kim Chee Cake Noodle

Curry Croquette

Chef John is always coming up with creative new specials in addition to offering practical meals that can simply be reheated.

Be sure to follow Gochi Grill on Instagram to find out what the latest offerings are!

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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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My Favorite Chicken Sandwich on the Island at Senia

For the past few months, there has been a frenzy over a certain chicken sandwich from a certain fast food chain. 

I have yet to try it, but I'm in no rush, because just yesterday I had my favorite chicken sandwich on the island - Senia's Fried Chicken "Caesar" Sandwich.

It is so good - you just have to try it.  Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside - and simply perfect!

Each time I've visited over the past several months, I've ordered the same things from the Prix Fixe menu - the Fried Chicken "Caesar" Sandwich, the "Chopped" Salad, and the Senia Cookie.

The salad is a generous portion and a meal in itself. 

The cookie is simply amazing, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Senia was offering a scoop of housemade vanilla bean ice cream to go along with it.

Heaven!

I hope all of these items stay on the menu!

SENIA
75 N. King Street
(808) 200-5412

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One of My Favorite Restaurants on Oahu - Senia

Just about anyone who loves excellent food and service loves Senia. 

I recently dined there with @themaryberry because she had never been!  We met for lunch for the Prix Fixe Menu ($38 for three courses), and ended up with a bounty of dishes to indulge in thanks to Chef Chris Kajioka.

I ordered the same three dishes I did the last time I went to Senia just a month prior:

"Chopped" Salad

Fried Chicken "Caesar" Sandwich

Senia Cookie

The salad is a generous serving, and the salami gave it a pleasant saltiness, and the garbanzo gave it a nice texture.

The Fried Chicken "Casear" Sandwich is one of the best chicken sandwiches I've tried.  The chicken is perfectly cooked and seasoned!

And the Senia Cookie (aka my favorite cookie ever) is a must - with peanut butter, Valrhona chocolate, and toffee.

Mary's selections included:

Ham Hock Terrine

Spaghetti Chitarra

She also chose the Senia cookie for dessert.

And compliments of Chef Chris were:

Kalua Pork & Cabbage Croquettes

Chicken Liver Mousse

"Poke" Cracker + Kusshi Oyster

Ahi Brioche

Maine Sea Scallops

Carrot Cake Butter Mochi

Mary loved the Ahi Brioche (it's not on the lunch menu, but she was thrilled when it came out since she was hoping to try it) and the Chicken Liver Mousse, which was spread on corn madeleines. 

I devoured the Ahi Brioche as well, along with the scallops and the croquettes.

The Carrot Cake Butter Mochi is another of my favorite desserts at Senia, but I absolutely love the cookie!

The service at Senia is exceptional.  On my last visit, the server remembered that someone in our party often gets cold while dining, so he mentioned he would turn up the temp.  And on this recent visit, a tray slipped out of a server's hand, nearly hitting another guest (it was simply a freak occurrence).  The guest didn't have any issue with it, but the server ended up bringing a complimentary dessert to the guest as an "apology."  Talk about service!

SENIA
75 N. King Street
(808) 200-5412

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