Lunch at Formaggio Grill

Dropping the boys off at Scout camp for a week is always a mix of emotions. I'm  excited for the adventures they'll have away from home (and us parents), but the house is definitely quieter once they leave! So after saying our goodbyes, one of the other Scout moms and I decided to celebrate our "kid-free" week with lunch at Formaggio in Kailua.

Since neither of us was in a rush, we decided to order a few dishes to share. Our server recommended starting with the bruschetta, explaining that the focaccia is made fresh in-house. That recommendation did not disappoint. The house-made focaccia was the perfect base for the fresh toppings and was one of my favorite parts of the meal.

Next came the veggie pizza, which featured a thin, crispy crust. It was light, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

We also ordered the salmon Caesar salad, and I was especially impressed with the salmon. The skin was crisp while the fish itself remained seared and moist. Combined with the fresh Caesar salad, it rounded out our well-balanced lunch.

Spending a relaxing afternoon catching up with a fellow Scout mom after camp drop-off was exactly what we both needed before a week of enjoying a little extra peace and quiet at home.

FORMAGGIO GRILL

305 Hahani Street

Kailua, HI

808-263-2633

 

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Faria

 Ever since Faria opened in Kailua, I've been wanting to check it out. Reservations can be hard to come by, so I was excited to finally snag a table and catch up with a friend over dinner. She had dined there before and assured me that she knew exactly what we needed to order.

Her first recommendation was the Linguica Assada, Faria's Portuguese sausage. I'll admit, Portuguese sausage isn't usually my go-to, but this dish completely changed my mind. The presentation alone was worth ordering. The sausage arrived in an adorable pig-shaped holder, and our server lit it on fire before our eyes. 

We were told it was already fully cooked and that the flame was simply to give it a little extra char to our liking. It was smoky, flavorful, and one of the most memorable dishes I've had in a long time.

Her second must-order was the Pão Caseiro, Faria's house bread basket. Served with sweet cream butter and Faria Bay butter, the basket included three different Portuguese breads, each delicious in its own way. Honestly, between the sausage and the bread, I could have happily called it dinner and gone home completely satisfied.

For our entrées, I chose the Bacalhau à Brás, a cod and potato gratin, while my friend ordered Tio Tim's Caldeirada de Pescadora, the fisherman's stew. My cod dish was good, but it wasn't the standout of the evening, especially after such an incredible start to the meal. 

My friend's stew, on the other hand, looked amazing, and I found myself with a bit of order envy. I may have to order that on my next visit.

Even though we were getting full, our server mentioned that there was only one pavlova left for dessert. How could we say no? It was the perfect sweet ending to an already fantastic meal.

Faria absolutely lived up to the hype. Between the creative presentation, delicious food, and cozy atmosphere, it's easy to see why this new Kailua restaurant has become so popular. If you're planning a visit, don't skip the Linguica Assada and the house bread basket—they were the stars of the night. 

FARIA HAWAII

306 KUULEI ROAD

808-200-4953

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Rai Rai Ramen

On New Year’s Eve, we decided to head out for an early dinner—just the four of us—to celebrate the end of the year together. We wanted something close to home, easy, and comforting. Rai Rai Ramen ended up being the perfect choice. After all, it’s said that eating noodles around New Year’s Eve brings good luck, and we weren’t about to argue with that tradition.

Rai Rai Ramen has been around since my college days, back when they were located in town. Over the years, they eventually moved to their current spot in Kailua, which works out perfectly for us now that we live on the Windward side. It’s one of those places that feels familiar in the best way—reliable, comforting, and unchanged where it matters most.

Their shoyu ramen is a little different from what some might expect. Instead of a clear broth, it’s paitan-style, giving it a cloudy appearance. 

Don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with flavor and rich in collagen, which is supposedly good for you, so I like to think of it as healthy eating.

We also always enjoy their fried rice and gyoza, especially when they’re part of one of Rai Rai’s combo meals. 

The portions are generous and perfect for sharing, making it a great option for a family meal.

Ending the year with a bowl of warm ramen at our favorite ramen-ya felt so right. Rai Rai Ramen continues to be one of those dependable spots we’re always happy to return to!

RAI RAI RAMEN

124 ONEAWA STREET

808-230-8208

www.rairairamenhawaii.com

 

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Kizuna Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

 We recently checked out the new Kizuna Steakhouse & Sushi, the second location of one of our favorite Japanese spots in Kaneohe. This new addition features a teppanyaki room, which was the main reason we wanted to give it a try.

We came on a Saturday evening just before 5 p.m. and were seated right away at a teppanyaki table—great timing! The boys shared a combo entrée with shrimp, filet mignon, and lobster. I ordered the steak, chicken, and shrimp combo, while my husband went with the shrimp entrée. 

All meals came with miso soup, salad, rice, noodles, 2 pieces of shrimp, and mixed vegetables. 

We opted to upgrade to the fried rice (just a few bucks more), and it’s totally worth it—definitely recommend.

Our chef arrived shortly after the appetizers were served. The teppanyaki show was reminiscent of Tanaka of Tokyo, though not quite as polished—understandable, as the chefs still seem to be finding their rhythm. 

The food was solid, though not quite on par with Tanaka. Still, for the Windward side, where teppanyaki options are scarce, it’s a welcome (but pricey) addition.

While the teppanyaki experience didn’t wow us, we’re still big fans of Kizuna’s other offerings. Their sushi, appetizers, and teishoku meals continue to be the main draw for us.

 All in all, it’s great to see Kizuna expanding and bringing more variety to the area.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

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KIZUNA STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI

25 KANEOHE BAY DRIVE

808-234-1687

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Vietnam Deli

This meal was complimentary, thanks to our sponsor. All opinions expressed are my own.

Vietnam Deli in Kailua Town — brought to you by the same owners as the Ripple of Smiles (formerly located in Kaimuki) — is bringing bold, plant-based Vietnamese flavors to the Windward side, and it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The menu is fully flexible, offering both traditional and vegan-friendly options — which makes it a great choice for mixed-diet groups.

Each dish on the menu can be made with regular proteins like chicken, beef, or pork, or with vegan alternatives such as tofu, vegan meat, or vegan fish. We opted for all vegan versions — partly because my husband doesn't eat meat, and partly because I was curious if the plant-based versions could really hold up. Spoiler: they absolutely can!

We started with the vegan spring rolls, which were fresh, crunchy, and paired perfectly with a savory dipping sauce. 

The banh mi with vegan fish was surprisingly good — a fun and unique take that still delivered the signature textures and tastes you'd expect from a traditional banh mi.

The pho noodles came with a rich, aromatic broth that was deeply satisfying, even without meat. It had layers of flavor and felt like a cozy, nourishing bowl.

We also tried the Favorite Sautéed Noodles with tofu. The dish was savory, well-seasoned, and packed with flavor — hearty and satisfying in all the right ways.

We washed it all down with a refreshing ginger lemonade and Thai iced tea, both of which were great complements to the meal.

Whether you're fully plant-based or just looking to try something new, Vietnam Deli proves you don’t need meat to enjoy delicious Vietnamese food. It's the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner in Kailua — and a great fit for the neighborhood’s laid-back, health-conscious vibe.

Open Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Free Parking available behind the building.

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VIETNAM DELI

573 Kailua Road

808-754-1056

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GOEN Dining + Bar Weekend Lunch

Halo Halo

I finally made it to Goen after all these years! I don't make it out to Kailua very often, but we were in the neighborhood just in time for Goen's weekend lunch offered from 12pm to 3pm Fridays through Sundays. Goen is an open air neighborhood restaurant in Kauila by Roy Yamaguchi so you will be sure to find Roy's classics like the misoyaki butterfish on the menu. 

For lunch, we opted for the Avocado Toast that is served on focaccia with arugula, sunnyside egg and bacon; and the Goen Burger with onion ring, lettuce, and secret sauce. Kudos to Executive Chef Yoichi Saito because my son said they were the best french fries he had in his entire life. We completed our delicious meal with the much talked about halo halo. The strawberry, mango, and coconut flavors were refreshing and I especially loved the flan! Really enjoyed our dining experience at Goen! 

Avocado Toast

Goen Burger

GOEN Dining + Bar

573 KAILUA RD., KAILUA, HAWAII 96734

(808) 263-4636

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Rai Rai Ramen - Kailua

Rai Rai Ramen has been in business on Oahu for years. I would consider it to be one of the OGs for ramen on Oahu. I remember going to their original location in Kaimuki many years ago (over 10 years ago) with my friends after tennis practice.  Since then, they relocated to Kailua, and more recently opened a second location on Dillingham Blvd. in Kalihi.

Recently after a late afternoon hike with my son in Lanikai, he was hungry and craving ramen, so I took him to Rai Rai Ramen. We had dined here before when he was younger, and he vaguely recalled the restaurant, but couldn't remember what the food was like.  He ended up liking it so much that he now considers it one of his most favorite places for ramen and gyoza.

We each ordered the mini combo fried rice set which comes with a mini shoyu ramen and fried rice. When you think of shoyu ramen, you normally picture a dark clear broth, however, at Rai Rai, their shoyu broth is cloudy, similar to a paitan broth.  This particular son likes tonkotsu broths, so he really liked this broth, and the ramen noodles too (prepared al dente).  

The fried rice was very tasty! We took the leftovers home for the next day's lunch.

No ramen meal is complete without gyoza. We ordered a 6-piece side order and saved some of it for the next day's lunch as well.

They seem to do a lot of take-out orders here, and we saw a few people come in to pick up their orders while we were here.  Online ordering is available!

Rai Rai Kailua is open daily, 11:00 am - 8:30 pm.

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RAI RAI RAMEN

124 ONEAWA STREET

808-230-8208

 

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Uahi Island Grill

 We continue our quest to eat at places we've never tried before with a visit to Uahi Island Grill in Kailua. We were surprised to find a lot of open tables when we arrived at around 5:30 pm on a Saturday night. We were given the choice to sit inside or outside, and we opted for a table inside, and was seated right near the open kitchen.

Furikake Calamari

Surf & Turf (boneless kale and garlic butter shrimp)

Red Curry Grilled Fish

Keiki Butter Noodles

The surf & turf was amazing! The son and I shared it and thank goodness we did, because it included a big piece of steak! The husband really liked the grill fish, and the other son enjoyed his keiki meal (which was a big portion!). Service was friendly, and we liked the island vibe, menu, and decor. 

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UAHI ISLAND GRILL
33 AULIKE STREET
808-266-4646

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