Marujuu Hawaii

Gem and I recently met for lunch, as a birthday do-over. I suggested Marujuu because I'd been wanting to try their Japanese-style Hamburg steak and there is parking and it's located near the freeway. 

The funny part? Marujuu specializes in hamburg, but Gem (the birthday girl) doesn't actually eat hamburg!

Fortunately, the menu has other options. She ordered the fried chicken and French fries, while I went with the restaurant's signature hamburg steak with the signature onion sauce.

Shortly after we ordered, our server brought out soup and let us know that both the soup and rice come with unlimited refills - bonus!

When my hamburg arrived on its sizzling platter, it smelled incredible. 

The onion sauce paired perfectly with the juicy hamburger steak, and I can definitely see why it's their signature dish. Gem also enjoyed her crispy fried chicken and fries, so we both left happy despite ordering completely different meals.

The service was warm and attentive throughout our meal

I'd happily return—especially with my boys, who I know would love the sizzling Hamburg steaks, fried chicken, and unlimited rice.

 MARUJUU HAWAII

1145 12TH AVENUE

(808) 260-4967

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MNO: Upstairs at Pier 38, Thirty-Eight, and Pitch Sports Bar

Sometimes all you need is a night out with good friends, good food, and lots of laughter. That's exactly what we had during our latest moms' night out!

We kicked off the evening at Upstairs at Pier 38, where we enjoyed beautiful harbor views while easing into the night with a few appetizers. We ordered the Angry Ahi Tartare, which, despite its name, wasn't spicy at all. It was fresh, flavorful, and a great dish to share. We also enjoyed the Spanish Octopus and an order of Pommes Frites—both perfect for grazing while catching up after a busy week.

Our second stop was Thirty-Eight, a restaurant my friends had never been to before. I had visited shortly after they first opened, so I was excited to introduce them to it. We shared the Shrimp Toast, Ahi Carpaccio, Braised Short Ribs, and Choy Sum, and every dish was delicious. I was a little disappointed to discover that the Ahi Poke Crackers were no longer on the menu—they were one of my favorites from my first visit.

By the time we wrapped up dinner, it was already after 10 p.m. We had talked about making a late-night stop at Nico's, but they had already closed for the evening. Thankfully, our designated driver was game for one more adventure, so we made an impromptu stop at Pitch Sports Bar. We ended the night with a final round of drinks and an order of crispy tater tots—the perfect late-night snack to cap off the evening.

From waterfront appetizers to a memorable dinner and a fun late-night stop, it was one of those evenings that reminded me how important it is to make time for friends. I already can't wait until our next moms' night out!

Our Moms' Night Out Stops:

• Upstairs at Pier 38 – 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 
• Thirty-Eight – 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Suite B, Honolulu, HI 
• Pitch Sports Bar – 685 Auahi Street, Honolulu, HI 

 

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Chopstix

There's been a lot of buzz surrounding Chopstix, the new Chinese restaurant on Keeaumoku Street. I had heard that the owners are affiliated with Maple Garden, a longtime local favorite that sadly closed last year. Since my mom always enjoyed dining at Maple Garden, I thought it would be fun for her to try Chopstix and see how it compared.

We decided to order takeout and selected a few dishes to share: the Steamed Fish, Mongolian Beef, Crispy String Beans with Pork, and Chopstix Fried Rice.

The food was ready quickly, and everything traveled well. The steamed fish was tender and flavorful, while the fried rice complimented the other dishes perfectly. The Mongolian Beef and Crispy String Beans with Pork both had a nice kick to them—just enough spice to add flavor without being overwhelming.

Overall, everything was tasty and well-prepared. We enjoyed our meal and were glad we had the opportunity to give Chopstix a try!

CHOPSTIX

923 KEEAUMOKU STREET

808-744-4477

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Celebrating 17 years of marriage at House Without a Key

To celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary, I wanted to take the boys to the place where it all began. Seventeen years ago, my husband and I exchanged vows at the Halekulani, and it remains one of our favorite places on Oahu. What better way to celebrate than with lunch at House Without a Key, the hotel's beautiful poolside restaurant?

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The weather was gorgeous, and the setting was every bit as beautiful as the day we got married. 

We started with a Plantation Iced Tea while we looked over the menu.

Shortly after ordering, our server brought out complimentary bread rolls accompanied by lilikoi butter. The bread was warm, soft, and absolutely satisfying. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that our server kindly brought us a second basket, which disappeared just as quickly as the first!

For our entrees, I decided to splurge on the House Without a Key Burger, while my husband ordered the "Joy" Crab Sandwich. 

The twins shared the Melted Memories Four Cheese Pizza and a Jr. Cheeseburger from the Keiki Menu.

Everything we ordered was flavorful and beautifully prepared. The menu offers something for everyone, making it a great option for families.

Of course, no anniversary celebration would be complete without dessert. One of the twins had his eye on the Old Fashioned Waialua Chocolate Cake, while my husband and I shared Halekulani's signature Coconut Cake.

If you've ever had their coconut cake, you know it's a coconut cake like no other. Light, moist, and packed with coconut flavor.

In fact, it's one of the reasons I wanted to get married at the Halekulani all those years ago! Every bite brought back wonderful memories of our wedding day.

Between the beautiful setting, delicious food, and the opportunity to share a special place with our boys, it was the perfect way to celebrate 17 years of marriage. 

Click HERE to make a reservation on Open Table.

A HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY 

Halekulani Hotel 

2199 KALIA WAY

 

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Ruscello at Nordstrom

Sometimes you don't need the newest or trendiest restaurant—just good friends, good food, and a beautiful view. I recently met up with two friends at Ruscello for a long-overdue catch-up lunch, and it was the perfect setting for a midday meal.

Our reservation was for 11:00 a.m., which is also when the restaurant opens. We arrived about five minutes early and were surprised to see a small crowd already waiting at the door! A little pro tip if you're dining here: park on the bottom level of Ala Moana Center near Foodland Farms, take the elevator to the third floor, and it's just a short walk to Ruscello inside Nordstrom.

We lucked out with a window table overlooking the ocean. The view was absolutely beautiful—sorry, I  forgot to snap a photo!

To start, we shared the Crispy Brussels sprouts, which are always a good way to start a meal here. My friend who tried it for the first time liked it so much that she asked our food server for the recipe. Of course the server said she can't tell us, so we'll just need to keep coming back for more.

For my entrée, I ordered the cilantro lime chicken tacos, while my friends chose the Crispy Panko Chicken salad and the Ginger Sesame salad with added salmon. Everything was delicious. There's a reason these dishes have remained menu favorites over the years—they're consistently fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

As we were leaving, the restaurant was completely full, confirming what we had noticed when we arrived: this place is popular. If you're planning a visit, I'd definitely recommend making a reservation.

RUSCELLO at NORDSTROM

1450 ALA MOANA BLVD.

808-953-6110

 

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A First Look at Wendy's Minions & Monsters Adult Meals!

Mahalo to our sponsor for the complimentary meal!

The Minions are back, and ahead of Minions & Monsters hitting theaters on July 1, Wendy's has rolled out its limited-time Minions & Monsters Adult Meals, and we were invited to stop by their Honolulu location for a first look!

Each adult meal comes with your choice of a Big Bacon Burger or Chicken Sandwich, small fries, a Banana Frosty, and one of four collectible Minions-themed toys. 

We tried both sandwich options, and I have to say, they're equally delicious. It really just depends on what you're craving—a juicy, bacon-topped beef burger or a crispy chicken sammie. The fries were hot and tasty as always, making for a satisfying meal.

Let's talk about the Banana Frosty. Not gonna lie, the banana flavor is strong! 

If you're a banana fan, you'll probably love it. It's definitely a fun, tropical twist on the classic Frosty and fits the Minions theme perfectly.

These Minions & Monsters Adult Meals are available for a limited time at participating Wendy's locations nationwide, so don't wait too long if you're hoping to collect all four toys. And while you're there, quench your thirst by adding a drink to your meal. One of my favorite things about Wendy's is their Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, with over 100 beverage options and endless mix-and-match combinations to create the perfect drink.

Whether you're a Minions fan or just looking for a fun fast-food treat, Wendy's latest collaboration is a fun way to celebrate the upcoming movie!

 

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Sushi Que

 One of my husband's friends invited us to dinner at Sushi Que, and we happily accepted. The reservation was for 6:30 p.m., and when we asked if the time could be adjusted, he explained why it couldn't. Sushi Que is a cozy, intimate restaurant with just a sushi counter and a handful of tables. The tables have only one seating each night at 6:30 p.m., while the sushi counter turns over twice.

As it turned out, the single seating was one of the best parts of the evening. There was no pressure to rush through the meal or make way for the next guests. We were able to relax, enjoy good company, and savor each course at a leisurely pace.

The sushi itself was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. 

The intimate setting, unhurried atmosphere, and exceptional sushi made for a memorable evening. We're grateful for the invitation and left with full stomachs and an evening to remember!

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