Longhi's Ko Olina

Although I've been to Longhi's in Ala Moana Center (since closed), I've been wanting to check out the Ko Olina location for a long time.

Cauliflower Sicilian

Cauliflower was breaded and fried, and topped with cheese, garlic, capers, chili flakes and parsley.  I enjoyed all of the flavors (and what a great way to get the kids to eat cauliflower!).

Zucchini Fritta

Three large pieces of zucchini were breaded and deep fried.  Very tasty!

Mac Nut Crusted Mahi

The Mac Nut Crusted Mahi was served atop a ube mash, with a lilikoi beurre blanc.  This dish is reflective of what I've seen at a number of touristy / resort restaurants - it seems to be a favorite amongst the visitors.

Seared Ahi Poivre

Filet Mignon

Egglant Parmesan

The Eggplant Parmesan was a generous portion.  It was served with a Cappelini Pomodoro.  It was a lot of food, although both the Eggplant Parmesan and pasta were a bit underseasoned.

Keiki Chicken Fingers

A keiki menu is available.  

Chocolate Cheesecake

Panna Cotta

Budino

We ordered a trio of desserts, and the cheesecake was my fave.  It wasn't as dense as I normally like my cheesecakes, but it was still good.

The view was stunning, although depending on what time you arrive, the weather, and the time of year, you may be one of the many tables that get seated directly facing the sun as it sets, like we were.  Thankfully our server helped us move our table behind a pillar to keep us out of the blazing heat.

Our server was very prompt and friendly, and the food was satisfying.

Longhi's is a lovely spot for a nice family meal with familiar dishes.

Longhi's Ko Olina
92-161 Waipahe Pl
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 671-8887

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Visit Kauai: Anuenue Cafe

Anuenue Cafe is a great breakfast spot in Kauai, with many menu items named after surfing-related terms.

Tow-In

Surfer Bowl

Banana Mac Nut Pancakes with Side Bacon

Hitting Reef Omelet

Keiki Breakfast

I opted for the Surfer Bowl, which included potatoes, eggs, salsa, bacon, avocado, and cheese sauce.  It was a very hearty and delicious bowl, with all my breakfast faves.

The Hitting Reef Omelet consists of avocado, grilled salsa, and queso fresco. It is served with your choice of scalloped potatoes, rice, or fruit.

The Tow-In is French toast topped with haupia and roasted mac nuts.  It comes with eggs and choice of meat.  A great combo of sweet and savory!

A single menu item is served under the keiki section - a pancake (buttermilk or banana) with a piece of bacon or Portuguese Sausage (suggested for those under 6 years old).  

Prices are on the high side, but we all enjoyed the breakfast and left happy and satisfied.  

Anuenue Cafe
Poipu Shopping Village
2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr,

Koloa, HI 96756

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Visit Kauai: Holoholo Grill

Holoholo Grill is a great family-friendly eatery at Koloa Landing Resort.  During our stay at the resort, we dined at Holoholo Grill for both lunch by the pool, and dinner.

The poolside eatery's staff will come around the pool to take orders and deliver satisfying eats to you so you don't need to leave your lounge chair or cabana. 

Chicken and Fries

Macho Nachos

Macho Nachos included a heaping pile of chips topped with kalua pork, queso fresco, smash avocado, salsa, and sour cream. 

Guests who stay at Koloa Landing Resort get coupons for complimentary Koloa Tradewind Cocktails.

Koloa Tradewind

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

BC's Fish and Chips

The Crispy Chicken Sandwich was one of the best chicken sandwiches I've had.  The lilikoi ale beer battered chicken was perfectly cooked, and the sriracha aioli and namasu gave the sandwich great flavor and texture.  I ordered Onion Rings with the sandwich, and they were really good as well. 

A keiki menu is offered and the prices are quite reasonable.

Short Dog

Ohana Burger

For dessert, I couldn't decide on just one, so I ordered two:

Holoholo Pie

Bread Pudding

The Holoholo Pie consisted of mac nut ice cream atop an OREO crust, and covered with a chocolate glaze.  Talk about decadent!  This dessert was amazing.

The Bread Pudding was delicious as well, but I love all things ice cream, so the Holoholo Pie was my favorite of the two.  

Service was great during each dining experience.  

Even if you're not staying at the resort, Holoholo Grill is worth checking out!

Holoholo Grill
Koloa Landing Resort
2641 Poipu Rd

Koloa, HI 96756

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Goma Tei - Kahala Mall

Even though I enjoy Goma Tei's ramen, I usually order non-ramen items when I dine there.

I was recently at the Kahala Mall location, and I ordered Chicken Tatsutaage, and asked for Ginger Sauce on the side.

Chicken Tatsutaage

The ginger sauce actually goes really well with the chicken wings too.  If you love ginger sauce and fried chicken, try it! 

Back when I worked at Aloha Airlines, a nearby restaurant at one of our office locations would have a secret "Aloha Special" - fried chicken wings + ginger sauce, that was a huge hit amongst employees. 

I love that Goma Tei has a Keiki Ramen, which is very reasonably priced.

Keiki Ramen

One of my kids wanted to eat curry instead, so luckily they also offer an add-on Mini Curry Rice as an option if you order an entree (it's a pretty generous serving!).

Mini Curry Rice

Tan Tan Ramen

Gyoza

Service was great, and you can be sure I'm getting chicken and ginger sauce again the next time I'm at Goma Tei!


Goma Tei 

Kahala Mall
4211 Waialae Ave

Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 732-9188

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Nabe Now Available for Lunch at Minori Craft Japanese Tavern

The Hawaii Mom Blog team was invited to Minori Craft Japanese Tavern, which officially opened earlier this year. 

They offer appetizers, lunch set menus (1 or 2 choices), bowls, noodles, sushi, sashimi, and even a kids menu!

And starting today, the Minori Beautifying Hot Pot will now be available for lunch!  Previously only available for dinner, the popular nabe, consisting of Minori's Collagen Broth, made from a white chicken stock soup, can be ordered with chicken, pork belly, prime ribeye, or beef tripe.  The soup comes in original chicken paitan, spicy miso, or sukiyaki flavors.  All-you-can-eat salad bar is included with the nabe.  For an additional cost, you can order add-ons such as udon, ramen, seafood, and gyoza.

All-you-can-eat Locally Grown Salad Bar

The salad bar, although small, features a rotating selection of locally-grown produce from Ho Farms.

Our first stop was the salad bar, where we selected cucumbers, tomatoes, string beans, eggplant, lettuce, and watermelon radish for our nabe.

Once we added the veggies and proteins into the soup, we couldn't wait to try it out!

We were given the Original Chicken Paitan broth, something that Nat and I agreed that we would not have initially chosen for ourselves, but we are so glad we tried it.  It was so delicious and comforting.  

We were running low on broth, and a server poured in more broth and encouraged us to get more veggies from the all-you-can-eat salad bar.  You can definitely get full from the flavorful soup and veggies.

We also tried a few other specialty dishes:

BBQ Harami

Housemade Cold Aloha Tofu

Kakuni Pork Belly

Nat and I both loved the silky, soft Tofu, and I loved the Pork Belly.  I ate nearly the entire dish by myself, whereas Nat preferred the BBQ Harami (and ate nearly that entire dish all by herself).

Polar Bear Shave Ice

For dessert, we were treated to the Polar Bear Shave Ice (available for dinner only).  It was yummy and refreshing!

Service was great, and I'm eager to return to try new dishes!

Minori Craft Japanese Tavern
1731 Kalakaua Ave

Honolulu, HI 96826

Thank you to the sponsor for hosting our meal.  Gratuity was paid on our own.

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Uncle's Fish Market & Grill - Pearlridge

Uncle's Fish Market & Grill recently opened in Pearlridge Center.

Big Uncle's Combo

Fresh Fish & Chips

 Our family ended up ordering a lot of fried foods!

The Fish & Chips were delicious.  The fish of the day was Mahi, and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked.

The Big Uncle's Combo consisted of two pieces of daily fresh fish, two pieces of giant white gulf shrimp, two calamari strips, fries, and coleslaw.

A keiki menu is also available.  Meals include a drink.  The kids items seemed a bit pricey ($9 for Grilled Cheese; $12 for Shrimp & Chips), but my kiddos ate everything up.

Grilled Cheese & Fries

Shrimp & Chips

For dessert, we ordered the very delicious Uncle's Homemade Bread Pudding.

Uncle's Homemade Bread Pudding

Service was a little on the slow side, but our server was friendly, and we liked the food.  We'd definitely return.

Uncle's Fish Market & Grill

1135 N Nimitz Hwy

Honolulu, HI 96817

(808) 275-0063

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Moena Cafe

After having such a great dinner at Moena Cafe, I returned with the family a few days later for brunch.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Fish Loco Moco with Fried Rice

Short Rib Loco Moco

Strawberry & Milk Pancakes

I ordered the Fish Loco Moco (the fish was shutome that day) with Fried Rice.  The dish was so good!  Especially with all of that delicious gravy all over.

Moena Cafe does offer a kids menu, but we decided to order pancakes for the kids to share. Both pancakes were really good, but the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes were my fave by far. It was like dessert for brunch!

It was extremely busy the morning we went, and the food took a really long time to get to us, but the food was great, and our server was very friendly!

Moena Cafe
91 Kapolei Pkwy #1001
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 628-4737

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