Thirty-Eight Restaurant

Kalihi has a new seafood spot worth checking out: Thirty‑Eight, which recently opened in the former home of Nami Kaze. If you’ve been to the space before, the interior will feel familiar. The layout is largely unchanged, with a clean, modern dining room and an open kitchen that lets you watch the action.

Even though the restaurant had only been open for about two weeks when we visited, the place was full on a Friday night — always a promising sign for a brand-new spot.

We started with two cold appetizers: the spicy ahi cracker and the cabbage Caesar. Both were well executed, but the spicy ahi cracker stood out for me. Fresh ahi, avocado and tare is served over crisp rice crackers — the combination works really well. 

The cabbage Caesar was another winner. Instead of the usual anchovy garnish, this version featured fried anchovies, which added a salty crunch that made the dish very satisfying!

From the hot starters menu, we tried the shrimp toast. It came with a chili sauce on the side, but I actually preferred the toast on its own.

Another hot starter — the calamari katsu — was one of the highlights of the night. Served takoyaki-style, it arrived topped with a generous amount of savory goodness that made every bite flavorful.

To close out the meal, we ordered the fried whole moi, a dish we had noticed on many tables throughout the restaurant. After trying it ourselves, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. The fish was rich and moist, and best of all, skillfully deboned, making it easy to enjoy without having to remove the bones.

We were too full to try dessert, but they’re sourced from Please Come Again, a local purveyor in Kailua, known for unique flavors and locally sourced ingredients.

The owner stopped by to chat with us, and that's how we learned that the same team is behind several other local favorites: Paradise Poke, Nori Bar, and Chao. 

There’s more to look forward to, too. The team just launched lunch service, and they’re also planning to introduce omakase at the counter down the road.

Book your reservation on Open Table.

THIRTY-EIGHT

1135 N. NIMITZ HIGHWAY

808-468-8562

 

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Lunch at Mud Hen Water

Met a fellow runner, who happens to be a long time follower of our blog, for a quick weekday lunch at Mud Hen Water. It was the perfect place for us to sit back, relax, talk story (mainly about food, running, and mom life!) while enjoying a meal of locally sourced vegetables and fresh ahi.

We shared the BIG 5 veggie platter which allowed us to enjoy all 5 veggie sides.  I really enjoyed the 'ulu (pictured above) - the chili aioli was delicious!!

Fish or bacon is available as an add-on, we opted for the fish. Today's fish was ahi.

Of course we had to end our meal with the Chocolate-Kiawe Bean brownie, topped with black sesame gelato and Mac nut topping. This gluten-free dessert is a MUST if you dine here! 

Lunch service is on Tuesdays - Saturdays from 11am - 2 pm.

There is a small parking lot in the rear of the building (entrance on 9th Ave). Otherwise there is metered parking on Waialae Ave and free parking in the neighborhood. 

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MUD HEN WATER
3452 Waialae Avenue
808-737-6000

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1938 Indochine

I finally made it to 1938 Indochine, a southeast Asian influenced restaurant by restaurateur, Kevin Aoki.  The two story restaurant located in Kakaako is beautifully decorated.  We sat in awe taking in all the gorgeous decor around us.  Even the booth we sat in reminded me of a gilded bird cage.  Per their website, the "restaurant’s left side resembles a busy Vietnam street with a massive marble bar and communal table. In contrast, the right showcases a mixture of vintage wooden tables and banquettes decked out in decadent French Colonial style." 

1938 Indochine has fabulous cocktails to match the decor.  I ordered The Empress - butterfly pea infused aviation gin, elderflower, orgeat and my friend ordered the Orange Smoke - el silencio mezcal, blood orange, lemon.  In addition to their cocktails and wines, they offer an extensive list of bourbon and scotch with a large and exclusive selection of whisky available in Hawaii.

The Empress

Orange Smoke

We ordered dishes to share and enjoyed them all.  I had a great first time experience and look forward to returning.  Live music starts at 6pm daily and you can enjoy Happy Hour from 4pm to 6 pm Monday through Friday. 

Imperial Roll

Hoanh Thanh- pan seared chicken and cabbage dumplings dressed

in light soy sauce and slices of Thai chili

Banh Mi Sliders

1938 Indochine 

602 Ala Moana Blvd. Honolulu, HI, 96813
808-545-7777

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Viaggio Restaurant Celebrates 1 Year and Welcomes Chef Jeffrey Vigilla

Last week I attended an event at Viaggio Restaurant to celebrate their 1 year anniversary, and to also welcome new Executive Chef Jeffrey Vigilla.

His new menu features local ingredients incorporated into popular Italian dishes.  Here is what we got to try: 

Antipasti Misto

I never met a meat and cheese board that I didn't like!  I especially loved the gorgonzola and soppressata.

Crudo

Many raved about the yuzu vinaigrette that accompanied the Nairagi Crudo.

Fritti

The Fritti included calamari and Kauai Shrimp.

Polpo

The Polpo was complemented with sauteed potatoes and a saffron aioli.

Tricolore

I loved the Tricolore salad, which was full of arugula, radicchio, and endives.

Puttanesca

 I couldn't stop eating the Puttanesca, which had a nice olive tomato spicy sauce.

Pan Roasted Kampachi

The Pan Roasted Kampachi was accompanied by a cannellini bean confit and a lovely lemon basil oil. 

Filet di Manzo

The Filet de Manzo was topped with an amazing gorgonzola butter, and sat in a delicious porcini sauce.

Assorted Sorbet and Gelato

Tiramisu

Apple Crumble

Of the trio of desserts, my fave was the Apple Crumble.  I loved the combination of textures.  

I look forward to returning to try out the rest of the new menu!

Viaggio Restaurant

888 Kapiolani Blvd

Honolulu, HI 96813

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Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant

The hardest decision at Los Chaparros is figuring out what to order, because everything sounds so delicious - crispy tacos, soft tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, tostadas, burritos, fajitas, soups...

After much deliberation, I decided on an enchilada with chicken, and made it a combination plate so that I could get the mexican rice and refried beans (YUM!).  

I also ordered the churros for dessert - this was also a hard decision to make because the banana flautas also sounded really good!!

There's always next time!  

If you're lucky, you can find a stall right in front of the restaurant. Otherwise, you can find street parking on one of the side streets. 

LOS CHAPARROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

2140 S Beretania Street

(808) 951-6399

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Nat's take on FISH Honolulu

After reading about Gem's first dining experience at FISH Honolulu, I was hesitant to try it so soon after she went. But my friend wanted to check it out, and so we did.

We decided to share the crab cake appetizer and Fish Tacos Baja Style. It took a while for our food to come out, but at least it was correct.

I absolutely loved the crab cakes - I thought it was one of the best crab cakes I've ever had. There was a lot of crab meat in there, and not that much fillers.

The tacos were good too.  The fish was moist and the outside batter was crunchy.  I just wish there was more than two tacos, since it is considered an entree.

I thought it was a little pricey for what we got, but I liked the taste of the food and ambiance of the restaurant. 

FISH Honolulu

324 Coral Street (SALT Kakaako, 2nd floor)

(808) 600-3160

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New Breakfast Items at Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar

Today Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar (a client) will be introducing new breakfast items!

Signature Breakfast Pizzas

All pizzas served with a glass of selected juice or coffee + country potatoes

Greens and Pork (kale, bacon, mozzarella)

Bacon Carbonara (bacon, fresh Waimanalo egg yolk)

Classic Breakfast (egg, ham, avocado)

Kiawe Wood Baked Piadina Sandwich

Sandwiches served with glass of selected juice or coffee

Italian Salami (salami, ricotta, arugula)

Local Kale (farro, semi-dried tomatoes, Fuji apple, bleu cheese crumble, pomegranate dressing)

Chicken Casear (chicken breast, romaine, boiled egg)

My faves were the Greens & Pork Pizza, and the Italian Salami Sandwich.

Classic menu items, such as pancakes, French toast, and a frittata will still be offered for breakfast.

If you love breakfast as much as I do, be sure to make a visit to Appetito!

APPETITO CRAFT PIZZA & WINE BAR

150 Kaiulani Ave.

(808) 922-1150

Validated parking at Ohana East ($6 for four hours) 

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