Alan Wong's Kahala

Fun fact: My very first dining experience at Alan Wong’s Restaurant was about 20 years ago as a “secret shopper,” so I guess in a way that was my foray into the media / blogging world. (My name was provided by mutual colleagues at the time).

It was an excellent experience then at King Street, and now at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, that excellence continues, where guests are treated to a taste of Hawai‘i through the lens of a culinary legend.

I was thrilled to visit Alan Wong's Kahala (6 years after the pandemic forced the cancellation of my last res at King Street in April of 2020!), indulging in the classics while being treated with sincere hospitality.

"Soup and Sandwich"

The "Soup and Sandwich" is my fave.  The elevated take on a classic "grilled chilled and tomato soup" is comforting on so many levels.  

Whole Tomato Salad

Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake

Sumida Farm Leko Kalua Pig Caesar

This was a table fave.  The peppery watercress and the smoky kalua pig added nice dimensions of flavor to this local take on a Caesar. 

Ginger Crusted Onaga

For many, this Ginger Crusted Onaga dish is synonymous with Alan Wong's.

Pineapple "Shave Ice"

Frozen pineapple is shaved super fine for a delightful "shave ice" that my friend could not stop eating!

Waialua Chocolate Crunch Bars

Looking forward to returning, and also looking forward to the return of one of my fave dishes . . .

Congrats to Chef Alan, Leigh, Chef Spencer, Chef Miya, and the entire AW Kahala team!

Alan Wong's Kahala
Kahala Resort

5000 Kahala Ave #5000

Honolulu, HI 96816

Read More

The Counter at Miro

I get teased about being a picky eater, but on occasion, I will happily indulge and eat everything placed in front of me, as I did at The Counter at Miro.

The multi-course tasting menu showcased the skill and refinement that Chef Chris Kajioka is known for.

Every dish was superb, but my absolute fave was the Waygu Brioche — I could've eaten half a dozen of those.

Here is all that we devoured (huge thanks to Chef Chris for sending me the menu details!):

Oishii oyster, tosazu, kona limu 

Tartlet of lean and fatty tuna, wasabi, ama ebi, ossetra caviar 

Puff of caramelized onion, truffle and harbison cheese

Wagyu brioche, smoked oyster, hokkaido uni

Kanpachi, paste of charred scallion, ho farm tomato, tomato ponzu 

Chawanmushi, surf clam, pea and asparagus ragout, dashi butter 

Hawaiian rolls, roasted garlic and honey butter 

Scallop, shio kombu salsa verde, yuzu, crispy kombu 

Grilled shortrib, japanese sweet potato, hirabara farm carrots /  

Donabe of wagyu shortrib and fried leeks, nanatsuboshi rice 

Buttermilk panna cotta, pineapple and yuzu granita, shiso, vanilla ice cream, coconut water foam

Mignardises

Thank you Chef Chris & team for a fabulous meal!

The Counter at Miro currently offers 2 seatings, with the second seating offering a more extensive menu than the first.



The Counter at Miro
1108 12th Ave C
Honolulu, HI 96816

Read More

Feast

 We recently (finally!) tried Feast. 

Spicy Lobster Roll

The lobster roll, topped with Sho'Nuff Sambal, was really good, according to my husband. 

Chicken Shawarma

I had the Chicken Shawarma, which was really good as well.  The chicken was seasoned nicely and the pieces were tender and juicy.

Hamburger Steak

Big MacBara Burger

The Big MacBara Burger had two beef patties, along with bacon, cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and house sauce.

Feast
2970 East Manoa Road

2845 Lowrey Ave

Honolulu, HI 96822

Read More

Castaways Ice Cream

After a long day at a Robotics competition, our team stopped by Castaways Ice Cream, and it was the perfect way to wind down and celebrate the end of the season together.

Castaways focuses on island-inspired flavors made in-house, and creating a space that feels welcoming and fun. I tried the lychee mochi flavor—creamy, lightly sweet, and studded with chewy bits of mochi. A total win.

They truly mean it when they say samples are unlimited. Our kids definitely took advantage of that, and our server was more than happy to oblige—never rushed and always cheerful. Outstanding customer service. They also make cookies in-house, which you can add to your ice cream, and you can build full ice cream sundaes or choose toppings à la carte. Milkshakes are available too, including fun cereal-infused options.

Whether you’re flying solo or with a crowd, it’s a place to enjoy ice cream and good vibes.

CASTAWAYS ICE CREAM

2346 S. KING STREET

Read More

Pig and the Lady Returns to Kaimuki

 There’s something special about a full-circle moment—and that’s exactly what this visit to Pig and the Lady felt like. The Le family, who once owned a toy shop just a block over, has returned to Kaimukī—but instead of toys, they’re now serving some of the best Vietnamese food on the island. We couldn’t be happier for them.

The energy is high, the vibe is welcoming, and they’re just as popular as ever—maybe even more so now, thanks to the added bonus of easier parking in the area. I had to book our Saturday night reservation a few months in advance, so by the time the day finally arrived, we were excited and ready to eat!

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and we were seated outside, which made for a relaxed evening. 

From the Piglet menu, one of our boys ordered the Piglet Pho. 

From the Bites menu, we tried the winter vegetable rolls and the bigeye ahi tatami toasts. 

The toasts were amazing! Highly recommend!

The Le Fried Chicken Wings were a standout as always. Both sons absolutely loved them, which is always a win.

We also tried the chestnut and mushroom pâté, which came with sourdough madeleines. This one was definitely an acquired taste—quite different from anything else on the table. While it wasn't my personal favorite dish of the night, I appreciated the creativity and the way it was presented. Adventurous eaters might enjoy exploring this dish. 

For my main, I ordered the bo kho pappardelle, and it was hands-down my favorite dish of the night. 

 It had a nice kick of spice, but nothing overwhelming; just enough of a kick to keep things interesting.

My husband and our other son both went with the Pho 75 and thoroughly enjoyed it. As with any great pho, the broth is what makes the dish, and Pig and the Lady absolutely nails it—deep, fragrant, and soul-satisfying.

Dessert was non-negotiable. One son had his heart set on the lilikoi “crunch”— he loves anything lilikoi—and it absolutely delivered!

 We also couldn’t leave without ordering the signature P&L Soft Serve Swirl, which changes flavors regularly. That night’s swirl featured salted dulce de leche custard paired with coconut black sesame sorbet, finished with crushed coffee brownie brittle.

 It was the perfect way to end this incredible meal.

Our experience was outstanding from start to finish, and seeing the Le family’s continued success makes it even sweeter. Kaimukī is lucky to have them back—and we’re already counting down to our next visit (I'll be jumping on OpenTable right after I write this to book another reservation!). Next time, we might go for lunch, since the lunch menu offers a different lineup (including their signature Pho French Dip!!).

If you're not able to dine-in, they do offer take-out, and you can also find them at the Farmers Markets at KCC on Saturdays or in Kailua on Thursday evenings.

________________________________________________

THE PIG AND THE LADY

3650 WAIALAE AVENUE (GROUND FLOOR, NEXT TO GOODWILL)

808-585-8255

Civil Beat Plaza
(Ground floor, next to Goodwill)
3650 Waialae Ave., #120
Honolulu, HI 96816

Civil Beat Plaza
(Ground floor, next to Goodwill)
3650 Waialae Ave., #120
Honolulu, HI 96816

Read More

Hua Mochi Aloha

 Sometimes the best food discoveries happen completely by accident. I was heading to Kahala Mall with my coworkers to grab lunch when a bright pink food truck parked along Kilauea Avenue caught my eye. I had no idea what it was, but I knew I had to walk over and check it out.

Turns out, it was Hua Mochi Aloha, a local vendor that regularly pops up at the KCC Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Mililani Farmers Market on Sundays. I had somehow never heard of them, but clearly plenty of people have — they’re known for their fresh mochi stuffed with whole strawberries.

Once I learned that, choosing what to order became very easy. I went straight for the classic strawberry mochi and also bought two of the strawberry chocolate. At $5 a piece, it’s definitely on the pricier side for mochi, but I don’t mind paying a little extra when something is genuinely good.

And these were good. Soft, chewy mochi on the outside, fresh fruit inside, and just the right amount of sweetness. Not something I’d splurge on every week, but absolutely worth trying at least once — especially if you’re a mochi lover or just appreciate a fun local treat.

I’m glad that pink truck caught my attention. If you ever spot Hua Mochi Aloha around town or at the farmers markets, give it a try!

Read More

The Original Pancake House

It's been nearly 15 years that I've been to The Original Pancake House on Dillingham.   Despite the rail construction, the restaurant was quite busy for mid-morning!

Potato Omelette

The Potato Omelette is my go-to.  It's a fluffy, oven-baked omelette stuffed with bacon, green onions, and potatoes, and topped with a sour cream sauce.  The onions tasted old and frozen, unfortunately, but I loved that they didn't skimp on the bacon.  You could opt for rice, toast, or pancakes instead of hash browns.

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Buttermilk Pancakes

I always thought that The Original Pancake House had the best pancakes on the island.  My friend enjoyed them and thought they were light and fluffy.  

Service was great, and it was nice to see a long-time restaurant busy.

The Original Pancake House
1414 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
808-847-1496

Read More

Istanbul Hawaii

Istanbul Hawaii does not disappoint! 

Mosaic of Meze Platter

Of course the Meze Platter is always a must.  The platter contained hummus, muhammara, baba ganoush, truffle-honey labne, spanakopita, aegean olives (with pits), fermented purple cabbage, and sourdough pide.  I loved the labneh, muhammara, and hummus most, but everything on the platter was absolutely delish.  I got so full off tasting all the amazing dips that I didn't know if I could even touch my dinner . . .

Jidori Chicken Tenderloin Shish

But I did!  The chicken was so tender and flavorful.  My chicken-averse friend said it was absolutely delicious as well.  

Bedouin's Lamb Shank Tagine

We were incredibly stuffed, but decided to try the Hatay Kunefe at the recommendation of our server. 

Hatay Kunefe

This sweet and savory dish was so addicting.  The gooey cheese combined with the crispy phyllo made for such a pleasant dessert.  

Service was excellent, and we were lucky to see Chef Ahu while we were there.

Istanbul Hawaii does such an amazing job in incorporating local ingredients into Ottoman and Mediterranean cuisine.

Mahalo to Chef Ahu and the entire team for a fantastic meal!

Istanbul Hawaii
1108 Auahi St STE 152

Honolulu, HI 96814

Read More