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

 

Read More

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.

_____________________________________

KIZUNA STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI

25 KANEOHE BAY DRIVE

808-234-1687

Read More

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya - Kailua

[Thank you to our sponsor for the complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.]

Kailua just got a much-needed ramen refresh — and it couldn’t have come at a better time, with the recent closure of Miyoshi Ramen. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya, recently opened its sixth Hawaii location right here in Kailua, and while their ramen concept differs slightly from Miyoshi’s, it’s a welcome addition that brings comforting bowls of broth and noodles back to Kailua Town.

We stopped by Tanaka Ramen on a Saturday evening at 5 p.m. and were pleasantly surprised to find it relatively quiet, with just one other group dining in. That likely won’t last long as word gets out, so now’s a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowd.

To start, we ordered the ika geso karaage (fried squid), which came with a side of spicy mayo. 

The dipping sauce wasn’t very spicy, but it was still a great complement to the crispy squid. Definitely a nice way to kick off the meal.

For our main dishes, I went with the Tanaka Rich Garlic Ramen, while my husband opted for the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen.

If you love garlic, the Rich Garlic Ramen is for you — it’s loaded with roasted garlic flavor. 

That said, the garlic is strong — so unless you’re committed to smelling like garlic for the rest of the night, you may want to explore other options on the menu.

Now, the Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen came with a surprise. Despite the creaminess, the spice level was intense. 

My husband can usually handle heat, but this one pushed the limit. Halfway through, he gave up on the broth and transferred his noodles and toppings into my garlic broth to finish the meal. So, fair warning: if you're sensitive to spice, you might want to steer clear or ask if they can tone it down.

Beyond the food, the ambience at this Kailua location stands out. Unlike Tanaka’s mall locations (like Ala Moana and Pearlridge), which tend to feel darker and more enclosed, this new spot is bright and airy, thanks to its large windows and natural lighting. This location also has outdoor seating which is popular amongst the Kailua clientele.

Great service, a comfortable setting, and flavorful ramen options make Tanaka Ramen’s Kailua location a solid choice for ramen in Kailua!

Open daily: 11:00 AM -  9:00 PM

______________________________________________

TANAKA RAMEN & IZAKAYA

108 HEKILI STREET (NEXT TO FOODLAND)

808-200-3166

 

Read More

Moke's Bread & Breakfast

After running 13.1 miles in the Uloha Half Marathon, my niece and I rewarded ourselves with a hearty breakfast at Moke's Bread & Breakfast in Kailua.  I chose Moke's because it's very casual, laid back, and it feels like you're eating at someone's house. It was my niece's first time here, and I knew she'd love it.

We got the last open table when we arrived. The food came out pretty quick considering the restaurant was full. We shared the following two dishes:

Home-made corned beef hash (there was an upcharge for the fried rice)

Sunrise Breakfast #2 

This was a nice balance of carbs and protein, which we both craved after running for 2+ hours. 

If you're not wanting to drive out to Kailua to check them out, you can go to their second location in Kaimuki!

____________________________

MOKE'S BREAD & BREAKFAST
27 HOOLAI STREET
808-261-5565

Read More

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.

-------------------------------------

RAI RAI RAMEN

124 ONEAWA STREET

808-230-8208

 

Read More

Le Crêpe Café - Kailua

We were intending to eat lunch at another eatery in Kailua, but after seeing there was nowhere to sit, we decided to look for another spot to eat, and found Le Crêpe Café.  

Their menu is pretty extensive, offering all sorts of crepes, as well as sandwiches, waffles, and even omelets!

Chicken & Pesto Omelette

The Chicken & Pesto Omelette was not your typical omelette, but it was actually very delicious!  It was akin to a baked mixture of egg and chicken, I loved that they didn't skimp on the pesto.  Served with a nice side salad, it was a lovely lunch!

Sweet Karma

The Sweet Karma crepe was filled with bananas, caramel sauce, and cinnamon, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge was filled with turkey, cheese, basil, and tomatoes.

The Veggie

The Veggie was loaded with cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and basil.

Leila Et Malik

The Leila Et Malik waffle was covered in strawberries, bananas, and Nutella!

I hardly ever get into Kailua, so I didn't even realize that there was a changeover from Crepes No Kai Oi, but it turned out to be a great, impromptu meal.

Le Crêpe Café

143 Hekili St Suite 130

Kailua, HI 96734

Read More

Double Three - Kailua

On our way to see the lights on Christmas Lane, we decided to get dessert at Double Three.  They had an X'mas Special Set that was just too cute to resist!

It was so festive!

You can also customize your own creation.  You choose your flavor of bubble waffle, ice cream, toppings, and syrup.  

Here is a chocolate bubble waffle, chocolate ice cream, mini marshmallows, Reese's, and chocolate syrup.  Yum!

Double Three
322 Kuulei Rd
Kailua, HI 96734

Read More

Willow Tree Korean Restaurant

If you're from the windward side, you should be familiar with Willow Tree Korean Restaurant - it's regarded by many windward residents as one of the best Korean restaurants on that side of the island.

The Combo Dinner is an excellent option, as it comes with BBQ Beef, BBQ chicken, and a generous assortment of tempura (two pieces of shrimp, two pieces of carrots, two pieces of zucchini, and two slices of onions).

The combo comes with rice, kim chee, and assorted veggies. Soup is not included in take-out orders, but is available for purchase.

No meal of Korean food is complete without some fried mandoo!

Willow Tree is currently open as of the date of this post, for take-out only.

WILLOW TREE KOREAN RESTAURANT

25 KANEOHE BAY DRIVE (Aikahi Shopping Center)

(808) 254-1139

Read More

Over Easy

Back in 2016, Over Easy was making waves as Kailua's newest hot spot for breakfast and brunch. It's taken me four years to finally get down here to check it out!

The restaurant has three seating options for diners - at the counter overlooking the restaurant's open kitchen, inside seating, and outside seating. 

The hubby ordered the Kalua Pig Hash - kalua pork, Okinawan & fingerling potatoes, lomi tomato, OK Poultry Farm eggs, green goddess, and cilantro. 

Needless to say, he was a fan.  A huge fan. He did have to add a side of wheat toast though, because it was so rich. 

I ordered the custard French Toast - one of the restaurant's signature items. It was absolutely amazing.

 It is made with sweet bread from Puunaluu Bake Shop, soaked in custard, and coated with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal - how can you go wrong??  But there's more - the orange crème fraîche served on the side was the icing on the cake. 

Closed on Mondays. No reservations.

Over Easy
418 Kuulei Road
(808) 260-1732

Read More

Kono's Northshore - Kailua

The original Kono's Northshore in Haleiwa has been a fave of mine for years now.  They serve filling and tasty Breakfast Bombers (breakfast burritos) that are popular with tourists and locals alike.  They are known for their 12-hour slow roasted kalua pork, which you can find in the Breakfast Bombers, as well as in salads and sandwiches. 

I was lucky to have been invited to try out some menu items at the Kono's Northshore in Kailua, which was buzzing with a post-beach crowd. 

Old School Sandwich

Pig on Grass

I loved the Old School sandwich.  Filled with the signature pork, a tangy guava BBQ sauce, grilled onions, and slaw, the sandwich was delicious.  Just eating the pork by itself was satisfying, but the bread soaks up all that yummy bbq sauce, making the entire sandwich just so good!

The Pig on Grass consists of a Mesclun salad, tomatoes, and cucumbers, piled high with the 12-hour slow-roasted Kalua pork.  It's served with a tasty housemade papaya seed dressing. 

If you have a sweet tooth, Kono's makes milkshakes (perfect for the extended summer we've been having)!

Lava Flow

Kono's Mud Pie

If you love coffee, you'll love the Mud Pie milkshake.  I don't drink coffee, so my fave was the Lava Flow, which was very tropical and refreshing.

Kono's even makes their own hot sauces (my fave was the habanero!).

Service was excellent while at Kono's, and the menu offers a variety of options whether you are ravenous or craving something lighter.

I'm eager to go back with the fam (they offer a keiki menu!).

Kono's Northsore
131 Hekili St #102

Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 261-1144

Read More