Happy Hour at Thirty Eight

I got to join my media pals for a super fun Happy Hour at Thirty Eight.

Having just recently launched, the Happy Hour menu is offered daily from 2p-5p, and features an array of dishes that are a reflection of Chef Daysen Masuda's Hilo home, his Honolulu career influences, and his culinary instincts.

I first met Chef Daysen in Hilo, having bought one of his highly sought after sushi omakase sets that he was (and still is) known for.  He had since moved to O‘ahu, where he continued to hone his craft, and is now at the helm of Thirty Eight.

Cabbage Caesar

Poke Cracker

Edamame

Kamaboko & Crab Dip

Fresh Oysters

Calamari Katsu

Maguro Cabbage

My faves were the Kamaboko Crab Dip (our table had 3 orders because someone who shall remain nameless could not stop eating it . . . combined with Mae Bo One Ton Chips - addicting!), the Cabbage Caesar (loved the textures!), and the Calamari Katsu (I could've been happy with this for my meal!).

Go for Happy Hour, and stay for dinner (stay tuned for my dinner post!).

Thirty Eight
1135 N Nimitz Hwy

Honolulu, HI 96817

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Dinner at Earls Waikiki

My friend wanted to celebrate her birthday at Earls Waikiki and I was excited to try the new restaurant that has 70 locations in the US and Canada. Getting a reservation for a large group on a Friday night was surprisingly easy. The toughest part was figuring out where to park as the restaurant has no validated parking. I decided to park at International Market Place and get validation with a $25 purchase. 

From the parking, it's about a 7 minute walk to Earls. After you check in at the host stand, go up the escalator. The restaurant is open air and was pretty warm that busy night so dress accordingly. The restaurant looks trendy and upscale with lots of greenery and dim lighting. I really liked the fun and lively atmosphere. I was also pleasantly surprised at the variety of dishes the menu offered from pricier steaks to more reasonably priced items like burgers and salads compared to other Waikiki restaurants.  

I ordered the carne tacos and they were delicious! Our group had a great time. Our server was pretty amazing and took good care of us. We were lucky to be seated at a long table as we saw a group squeezed tightly in a booth. The restaurant was also very accommodating and allowed us to bring a cake and did not charge a cutting fee. The parking is a bit of a deterrent, but I would like to return for their brunch menu in the future. 

Carne Tacos

Truffle Tortellini add prime sirloin

Beautiful restaurant

Earls Waikiki

2280 Kalākaua Ave Ste 201 

Honolulu, HI 96815

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Pasta Hour at Vein at Kakaako

Watercress Salad

I recently had an early dinner with friends at Vein at Kakaako and was just in time to enjoy their new Happy Pasta Hour! We received 18% off all pasta and appetizers from 4:30pm to 6pm. We started off with some drinks and they were gracious enough to let us modify to our liking. We then had the artichoke karaage and the watercress salad for apps and bolognese, risotto funghi, and caccio e peppe for pastas. Everything was delicious, but my favorites were the watercress salad and the bolognese.

Artichoke karaage

Bolgonese

Risotto Funghi

Caccio e peppe

Vein is also offering a ladies night on Tuesdays with half off all cocktails and glass wines. They are also serving lunch Thursday through Saturdays from 11am to 2pn. 

Vein at Kakaako
685 Auahi St Bldg 2, Ste 121 
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Visit Hilo: Happy Hour at Fairway Grill

I've done take-out from Fairway Grill in Hilo numerous times. I think the food is great, prices reasonable, and service always friendly.

For the first time recently, I dined in, and it happened to be during Happy Hour (11am - 4pm daily)!

Ballwasher

We got a couple of things off of the Happy-Hour menu:

Caddy's Kettle Chips

The Caddy's Kettle Chips were hot and fresh, dusted with a BBQ spice, and served with beer cheese.

Longanisa and Onions

The Longanisa and Onions came out sizzling!  This dish was super tasty.

We also ordered a couple of things off the regular menu:

BBQ Brisket Fry's

I love the BBQ Brisket Fry's - twisted fries loaded with cheese and huge pieces of brisket.

Hole in 10

The Hole in 10 was a basket of fried, battered calamari.

Everything was really good, and I'd order all the dishes again!

Fairway Grill is a great option for drinks and pupu after golf or to just get together with friends!

Fairway Grill Hilo
340 Haihai St.
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 731-4560

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New Chef-in-Residence, New Menu at tbd... Hawaii - a Hidden Treasure in Waikiki

Maine Crab Cakes (Citrus Aioli, Togarashi)

tbd... Hawaii is shaking things up in Waikiki!  Located on the second floor of the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head, is the new tbd... -a bar + lounge pop-up concept featuring a new menu by chef-in-residence Bryan Byard, desserts from pastry chef Michelle Baldomero, and gorgeous cocktails created by mixologist Brian Loesche.

Hawaii Mom Blog was invited to a media dinner to experience the open-air lounge with views of Diamond Head and taste the new food and cocktail menu. It was a challenge to choose a cocktail from the extensive menu, but as a fan of rum I went with the restaurant's signature Old Man's Mai Tai. I also really enjoyed a sip of the Side Street Florist. 

All night we were treated to dishes of delicious modern American cuisine with Asian and French influences. The entire menu is stellar, but my very favorites were the Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, Maine Crab Cakes, Australian Wagyu 'French Onion' Sliders with gruyere and Maui onion, and the Prime Skirt Steak 'Pupu Style' with Maitake Mushrooms.

Beet Box (Edinburgh Gin, Beet, Lemon, Ginger, Rhubarb Bitters, Dill), Barking up the Right Tree (Hornitos, Coconut Oil Washed Mezcal, Lime, Cinnamon Bark, Velvet Falernum, Orgeat, Egg Whites, Nutmeg), and Old Man's Mai Tai (Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry Rum, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, Velvet Falernum, Absinthe, Orgeat, Lime, Dark Rum, Pineapple + Banana Foam).

The Butterfly Effect (Peppercorn Infused Roku Gin, Yuzu, Jasmine, Butterfly Pea Tea, Cucumber Bitters) and Side Street Florist (Tito’s Vodka, Génépi, Domaine de Canton, Lemon, Rosemary, Lavender, Club Soda). 

Ahi Tostadas (Wonton, Avocado Puree, Wasabi Aioli, Ponzu, Chili Oil, Local Radish).  

Ahi made even better with the crunch of the wonton.

Arugula Salad (Grana Padano, Aged Balsamic, Olive Oil, Local Tomato, Fried Shallot). 

I really liked the fried shallots in this salad.

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts (Pickled Fresno Chilis, Peanut, Cilantro). 

I have never had tastier brussels!

New Zealand Mussels (White Wine Fume, Leeks, Heirloom Tomato, Baguette). 

Seafood lovers will enjoy this colorful dish. 

Garlic Baguette (Local Lehua Spiced Honey). 

This one's a sleeper hit! Love that the honey has a kick to it!  

Australian Wagyu 'French Onion' Sliders (Brioche, Gruyere, Maui Onion, Garlic Aioli, Veal Jus, Pickles). Super yummy! Don't miss out on these.

Garlic + Furikake Fries. Perfect to pair with your sliders!

Prime Skirt Steak 'Pupu Style (Maitake Mushrooms, Yuzu Ponzu). Tender and tasty and really nice with the hearty mushrooms.

Strawberries and Cream (Vanilla Bavoirs, Strawberry, Ginger Curd). 

Get a little of everything for a perfect bite.

Chocolate + Hazelnut Panna Cotta (Carmelized White Chocolate Croquant). 

Firm texture and not overly sweet makes for a great combination.

tbd... Hawaii gives off great vibes! 

Love the spaced out tables with the open floor to ceiling windows. 

I really believe you are going to love the new tbd...pop-up and recommend checking it out sooner than later as it won't be around forever. Perfect for any occasion, tbd...is open Wednesday through Sunday with a daily Happy Hour from 5-6 pm with $2 off all shared food plates and $3 off beer, wines by the glass, and the signature Mai Tai cocktail. Complimentary self-parking is available at the hotel.

tbd...Hawaii 
2885 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 791-5164

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Happy Hour at Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

Poke Nachos

My friends and I recently met up at Rooftop Restaurant and Bar for happy hour.  The two-story restaurant and bakery offers happy hour from 4pm to 7pm with $3 pints, $5 pitchers, and $5 drink specials of popular cocktails. The restaurant serves brunch and dinner with rooftop outdoor dining and bar area and indoor bakery and coffee. They are also available to host events and parties.

Our service was great and the food we ordered was very delicious which was a nice surprise!  The fried mandoo and poke nachos were both tasty and I think I could have eaten the entire plate of salmon and fried rice by myself!  It was also nice to dine outside.  If you check out their happy hour/dinner on the weekends, you'll be treated to live music.  

Fried Mandoo

Salmon and Fried Rice

Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

938 Piikoi Street

   

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LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge

LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge is a trendy outdoor bar located next to Jinya Ramen Bar in Ward and features signature cocktails and small plates.  Guests have the option to order from the menus of both Robata JINYA and JINYA Ramen Bar as well.  

My friends and I had dinner on a busy Friday night and were seated at one of the low tables.  The lounge is very pretty with dim lighting giving perfect date night vibes for those seated at a high top, but for us I found it to be too dark. I have to caveat my review with the fact that I don't enjoy dining anywhere too dark or too loud and by writing this I acknowledge I have officially turned into a grumpy old person.  I couldn't see the paper menu or even my food as I was eating or have a conversation without straining to hear.  The lively ambience only got more energetic when the DJ arrived.

Please don't get me wrong, the food and service were great and they also have a happy hour from 2pm to 6pm.  It's me and not them.  

Tsukune from Robata JINYA

Salmon Avocado Roll from Robata JINYA

California Poke Bowl from JINYA Ramen

Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna from JINYA Ramen

LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge

1118 Ala Moana Blvd. Ste 100

Honolulu, HI 96814

  

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Happy Hour at The Counter

I was recently invited to try out the Happy Hour menu at The Counter at Kahala Mall.

Happy Hour is 3pm-630pm daily M-F, with food ranging from $4-$8, and drinks from $5-$7.  Such a deal!

I love Happy Hour - it's such a great opportunity to try a variety of items at prices that won't break the bank.  The Counter offered a lot of familiar faves!  

Classic Mule / LA Rum Punch

Fried Zucchini

Fried Chicken Sliders

Guac & Chips

Buffalo Wings

Housemade Potato Chips

Sweet Sriracha Wings

Mini Cheeseburgers

Buffalo Cauliflower

Sweet Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Parmesan Fries

Loaded Tots

My faves were the tots (of course), brussels, fried zucchini, and cauliflower.

Perfect for Pau Hana!

The Counter
4211 Waialae Avenue
(808) 739-5100

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