The Brilliant Ox

When @WeHeartHawaii suggested that we try The Brilliant Ox for lunch, I was skeptical at first, since a few of my friends gave it unfavorable reviews. However, the food looked so good on social media that I just had to try it.

You need not worry about coming here for lunch without a reservation, because only a couple of tables were occupied at 11:30 am. 

We decided to order family style so that we could try a few dishes on the menu.  

Okinawan Sweet Potato Croquettes - the lap cheong jam is what makes this dish outstanding! 

The Mochiko Chicken Thighs were okay, but nothing special. If you like yuzu, you'll want to get it with the yuzu-black pepper sauce. 

The Brilliant Ox Burger was delicious - two four-ounce burgers with american cheese melted between the two patties. 

It was messy but oh-so-good!

 I would love to return to try the Brilliant Ox Fries and Teriyaki Beef Shortribs. Anyone care to join me? :)

THE BRILLIANT OX
1450 Ala Moana Blvd. (Hookipa Terrace, 3rd Floor)
(808) 377-4803

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Pint + Jigger

My friends and I have been wanting to try one of the several gastropubs that have been popping up around town lately, so we recently headed to Pint + Jigger.

We arrived early (5:45pm), and it was fairly empty, so we had our choice of seats, and the server recommended one of the long picnic tables (there were only 5 of us so we took up only 1/2 of the long table).

My co-editor, Nat, happened to go a few days before I did (you can read her review here), so I asked her what I should eat, and she recommendation the Applewood Smoked Double-Cut Bacon and P+J Fries, so that's what I ordered (I actually don't eat a lot of the other items on their menu anyway)

I thought the fries were really good and so was the bacon, but I do wish it was cooked a bit more - I like it a lot crispier.

Other items the girls ordered were:

Red Devils on Horseback

 Ramen-Crusted Shrimp + Chips

Pint + Jigger Oatmeal Stout Burger
 

A few of the girls did order beers (I can't remember which ones), and overall we all thought the food was okay, but quite salty (a friend said her chips were very, very, very salty).

Our server was friendly and helpful, and although she would often go unseen for quite a long stretch of time, I thought it was nice how she didn't try to rush us or try to get us to leave, since it got really, really crowded (and loud).

On site is a shuffleboard as well as a large chalkboard that you can write messages on.

We had a nice time at Pint + Jigger - I just wish they offered more food items!

Pint + Jigger: 1936 South King Street, Honolulu, HI  96826; 744-9593

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Pint + Jigger

Gastropubs are popping up all over Honolulu. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, Wikipedia defines it as "a bar or restaurant that serves high-end beer and food". In other words, it's a place with an extensive beer menu and food that pairs well with beer.

Although the main attraction to any gastropub is the beer, that's not why I came here. I came here to sample the food. If you're looking for traditional Hawaii bar food, don't come to Pint + Jigger. You won't find pork chops, edamame, sizzling steak, poke, and fried rice on the menu.

P+J is located on S. King Street next to Jimbo's. It's in the spot formerly occupied by Kochi. The doors with frosted glass fronting the parking lot are not the entrances. Go to the left of the glass doors and look for the doorway leading to the entrance to the building.

Top: Red Devils on Horseback $9 (bacon wrapped strawberries)

Bottom: Beer Braised Brats $12.50

Left: garlic parmesan popcorn $3

Right: P+J fries $4

Top: Applewood Smoked Double-Cut Bacon $12

Bottom: Hickory Wood Smoked Sausage Sliders $10

Left: Handcrafted Pigs in a Blanket $10

Right: Spiral-cut Potato Chips $4



Shuffleboard - free :)

My personal favorites from the menu were the applewood smoked double-cut bacon, the sausage sliders, and the P+J fries. The bacon wrapped strawberries were unusually good - worth trying at least once. I would pass on the popcorn - it was soggy and stale.

P+J is a great place to come with a group of friends for pau hana drinks, pupus, and a friendly game of shuffleboard.

Pint + Jigger
1936 South King Street
(808) 744-9593
Twitter: @pintandjigger
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PintandJigger

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