New Grand Menu at Genki Sushi

Hawaii Mom Blog was invited to check out the newly launched Grand Menu at Genki Sushi. The Grand menu has over 140 items, with 40 brand new items like the Wagyu Beef nigiri, Sunrise Roll, Dynamite Mushroom, Spicy Tuna Wonton, Jalepeno Salmon, Aburi Charsiu Bowl and so much more!

Genki Sushi has always been a favorite with my kids so we have already established our favorites. My son loves the California Roll, but this time also tried the Dragon Roll and while I like spicy ahi, I tried the new Jalapeño Salmon. We both tried the Wagyu Beef and loved it so much we had to put in a second order. Don't forget about dessert! There are many sweet treats available like mochi ice cream, boba ice cream bars, and waffles with cream.   

Dragon Roll

Spicy Tuna, Ahi, and Jalapeno Salmon 

Wagyu Beef

Chocolate Waffle

All the ordering is done on your phone which was very convenient, but the staff still comes by to fill water and check on you. Service was attentive and friendly. Genki Sushi has seven locations on Oahu: Ala Moana Center, Ewa Town Center, Windward City Shopping Center, Kapahulu Shopping Center, Kapolei Commons, Pearlridge Center, and Waikele Center.

   

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YogurStory - Great Brunch Spot

Ube Pancakes

YogurStory has been at their Keeaumoku location for a couple of years now, but I have only just visited. Parking can be a little tough to find because the restaurant gets busy! To avoid a wait, you can add your name to the waitlist via Yelp app. 

The restaurant is bright and spacious. Lots of good vibes with friends and families enjoying brunch and time together. Even though it was busy, our server was friendly, attentive, and never rushed us. 

I ordered the breakfast pancake combo that came with eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes. Simple, but so delicious that I decided I needed to eat here more often!

Breakfast Pancake Combo

Eggs Benedict

Loco Moco

Open daily from 7am to 3:30pm, YogurStory is a great option!

YogurStory

745 Keeaumoku St Ste 100 

Honolulu, HI 96814

   

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Lunch at TsuruTonTan a Hit with Our Family

Signature Lunch Special

It can be a challenge to find a reasonably priced restaurant with a large enough menu to accommodate a 10 person family with kids with picky palates. On top of that, we like restaurants with ample parking. 

TsuruTonTan is located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and opens daily at 11:30am. They offer their happy hour prices until 5:30pm. They also offer monthly specials as well as kama'aina deals. My husband was most impressed with their January $3 draft Sapporo special.

We ordered a variety of dishes and most of us had their in-house daily made fresh udon which was excellent. Service was also great. We all had a great meal and I think this may be our go to in the future!

Takoyaki

Chicken karaage

Curry Udon

Aburi Shime Saba

Spicy Chicken and Cheese

Beef Udon

Taiyaki dessert with ice cream

Parking is validated for one hour at the restaurant, but if you are Kamaʻāina or military, you can receive 3 hours free parking with a purchase of $25 or more. Guests can receive their Kamaʻāina & Military validations from Helumoa Hale Guest Services, from 11 AM through 8 PM, located Building B, Level 1, next to The Royal Grove.

TusurTonTan

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

2233 Kalakaua Ave Ste B 310 

Honolulu, HI 96815

 

 

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Dave & Buster's New Ala Moana Location

Prize from Human Crane Game!

Dave & Buster's Honolulu has a new home at Ala Moana Shopping Center, first level, across from Foodland Farms. The new location has a larger midway of over 120 games and VR experiences. Featured games include Godzilla VR, Wicked Tuna, life-sized versions of Hungry Hungry Hippos, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade, and the thrilling Human Crane experience.

Also new is a 49-seat state-of-the-art sports bar and a self-serve beer wall; six interactive  private Game Suites where guests can book their own dedicated space with a game choice of either High Tech Darts or Digital Shuffleboard; A VIP Room; and "The Arena" - two immersive rooms featuring interactive digital floors, walls, and ceilings. 

One of the dining areas

Basketball and Football Games

New games

Dining spaces

Pepperoni Flatbread

Southwest Salmon Bowl

Game Day Grub Sample Board

Strawberry Shortcake

S'mores Cheesecake

After attending the media event, I returned with my son a couple of weeks later to play games. It was very busy with a long line of people waiting for tables, but if you are just looking to play the midway you can access one of the many self-service kiosk to load your power card. What I was most excited to see was that you can redeem your tickets for dessert! We are definitely doing that next time when it's not as crowded.  

Be sure to check out their website for the many promotions including Half-Price Games Wednesdays and College Night Thursdays where College students receive a free $10 Power Card with a valid student I.D. (Thursdays, 9 p.m. - close, 18+ only). Military members and first responders receive 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages with valid I.D. 

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Catania Ristorante Italiano in Waimalu Shopping Center

Shrimp Vegetable

It was my first time at Catania Ristorante Italiano located in the Waimalu Shopping Center. Our dinner reservation was at 7pm, but I suggest if you are dining with a group, come earlier as they promptly close at 8:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

I ordered one of the house specialties - Chicken parmigiana and meatball which was plentiful and flavorful. All the pasta orders were huge servings and our group enjoyed our meal. Service was wonderful and it is BYOB.

Toss Green Salad

Fresh Clam Casino

Chicken Saltimbocca

Shrimp Anchovy Olio

Chicken Parmigiana & Meatballs

They are open for lunch and dinner dine in and take out and also offer a catering menu. Lunch is served Wednesday through Sunday; dinner is served Mondays and Wednesday through Sunday; and closed on Tuesdays. 

Catania Ristorante Italiano
Waimalu Shopping Center 
98-020 Kamehameha Hwy 
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 528-4588

 

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Menu Hacks at Raising Cane's!

This past weekend my teens and I were invited to a media lunch at Raising Cane's in Mililani. We were already familiar with the menu, but this time we learned all the secret menu hacks that we are excited to share with our readers!

If you ask my kids what their favorite Raising Cane's menu item is, they will definitely tell you it is the Texas toast. On this visit we learned that you can "BOB" your toast. That is, order butter on both sides which they both did and loved.   

My go-to order is the chicken sandwich which I learned that I could substitute the bun for two pieces of Texas toast! I could also order my chicken naked -  meaning the chicken is fried without any batter.

Next time, I may try my chicken sandwich with Texas toast!

The kids asked the cashier to "BOB" their toast!

Did you know that sides are swappable? Colesaw, extra fries, and Texas toast can all be swapped for a different side or an extra Cane's Sauce. We were told that in Hawaii, 1 out of 4 people like Cole Slaw which rang 100% true in our household!

Another secret - Raising Cane's has an "off-menu" honey mustard dipping sauce that you can simply ask for when you order. Last hack we learned is that you can order your chicken fingers or fries extra crispy!

Raising Cane's has eight locations on Oahu and one on Maui. The Pearl City and King Street Cane’s are open daily until 1 AM.

Thank you to Raising Cane's and Lance Rae for the media lunch!

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Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki

Bulgogi pork tacos

If dinner with a sunset view and gorgeous ocean seating is on your radar, then Monkeypod
Kitchen Waikiki is a great option. Located in the Outrigger Reef Waikiki, this location is the
largest of Merriman’s Monkeypod Kitchens in the state, but rest assured the menu is structured the same with fan favorites like the garlic truffle fries and their famous cream pies. One thing that is different is that the Waikiki location offers breakfast.

We were glad we made reservations because the restaurant was packed and the wait for walk-ins was over 45 minutes. Bar seating is first come first serve. Although we had a reservation, we waited for an ocean side table to become available.

Garlic truffle fries

Kalua pork and pineapple pizza

Gorgeous view

Before arriving to the restaurant I knew the Outrigger charged $15 for valet parking for four hours with restaurant validation. I must admit, I was a little salty about it, but after my dining experience I didn’t mind as much. The restaurant has a great ambience, our food was delcious, and our server was excellent. It made for such a wonderful and fun night that I could overlook the higher-than-normal parking charge.

Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki2169 Kalia RdHonolulu, HI 96815

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Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera

Earlier this year, Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera opened with so much buzz that I knew that would mean long wait times so I didn’t go even though I wanted to. Last week the self-imposed restriction was lifted and we decided to check out Honolulu’s first upscale kaiten sushi restaurant located on King Street. Through their Instagram account, we made a same day reservation and had the choice between box (booth) and bar seating.

The restaurant is bright and spacious and I loved the large booths. Service was great as the staff regularly checked on us and brought our drinks. You order everything through the iPad with the limit of 4 orders at a time. The sushi was delicious and was made so quickly too! We also ordered some fried items, but the sushi is where it is at. We had a great time and we look forward to returning. Be sure to follow them on IG for up to date specials!   

Chutoro 

Sushi is delivered to your table on conveyor belt

Black sesame ice cream

Order with ipad

Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera 2680 S King StHonolulu, HI 96826

   

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Heavenly Island Lifestyle Hawaii Kai

Avocado Toast

Did you know that Heavenly Waikiki and Heavenly Hawaii Kai has a common brand story? The former restaurant is themed around a 27 year old surfer girl and the latter sees her lifestyle eight years later married with children with a focus on family and a health conscious lifestyle. This carries over to the restaurant's warm, relaxing, and family friendly ambience.

We stopped in after a hike and was excited to see the new restaurant with breezy marina views. I had a green juice and the avocado toast. The breakfast and lunch menu has a variety of options including acai bowls and and savory options like the Beef Sukiyaki combo. The food is delicious and the setting is cute and relaxing. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Acai with Peanut Butter

Green Veggie Juice

Matcha Latte

Beef Sukiyaki

Bar Seating

Tables and booth seating as well as window seating available.

Heavenly Hawaii Kai
7192 Kalanianaole Hwy
Koko Marina Center

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