Seven Brothers Haleiwa

Seven Brothers may be known for their burgers, but I love to go there because of the fries!

We recently went to the Haleiwa location, the newest location to open up on O`ahu.  

Keiki Grilled Cheese

I don't eat burgers or much seafood, so I got the Keiki Grilled Cheese, which comes with the seasoned fries.  It was a satisfying meal.

Crazy Fries

I did have to get the Crazy Fries also, which is topped with caramelized onions, cheese, and their house sauce.  So delish!

Paniolo

The Paniolo was stacked high with onion rings, pineapple, bacon, and cheese.   

Spencer

If you like spicy, you'll enjoy the Spencer which comes with jalapeno, bacon, Swiss, an onion ring, and a spicy blue cheese ranch.

Shem Burger

The Shem Burger comes with guac, bacon, and American cheese. 

Seven Brothers also offers shakes!

We got to Seven Brothers just after it opened, and there was already a short line.  There is ample seating inside and out, and we noticed 45 minutes after opening, there was no line and still plenty of seating.

The food and service were both great, and I'm happy that this third location opened up!

Seven Brothers
66-197 Kamehameha Hwy

Haleiwa, HI 96712

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Dinner at SHOR at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa

Since we were staycationing at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, we decided to have dinner at SHOR, which is on the 3rd floor of the hotel.

Pre-pandemic they had a great dinner buffet, but they currently have a menu from which you can order a variety of appetizers and entrees.  

Ahi Crudo, Pickled Pohole & Big Island Vanilla Bean Olive Oil

We were treated to some appetizers thanks to the wonderful Hyatt team.  The Ahi crudo was a hit, and I loved how the pieces of ahi were topped with Hawai`i-sourced ingredients, such as the pohole fern and Big Island vanilla bean.  

Burrata & Ho Farms Tomato

The Burrata was also a hit. It was so delicious with the fresh tomatoes, pesto, and the charred Parmigiano Reggiano flatbread that was drizzled with aged balsamic.  It was a delightful mixture of bright, acidic, and bold flavors.

Beef Tataki

Chef Mika presented us with this off-menu Beef Tataki that was outstanding!  I hope he puts this dish on the menu!

Off-the-Wall Beach Burger

Pier 38 Catch of the Day

Seafood Buccatini Aglio e Olio

Roast Chicken & Hawaiian Basil Creme Tortellini

I had the tortelleni, which I enjoyed.  The chicken was flavorful, and it was such a generous portion that I barely made a dent in it (probably because of all the yummy appetizers I ate). 

The Seafood Buccatini Aglio e Olio was a very generous portion as well.  The pasta was mixed with shrimp, Manila clams, mussels, and pesto.   This is definitely a dish for seafood lovers!

The Catch of the Day was Mahi, and this dish was prepared with choy sum, carrots, and a lemon-caper creme.  

The Off-the-Wall Beach Burger came with caramelized onions, roasted tomato, mozzarella, arugula, genoa salami, and a truffle aioli all on a brioche bun.  Talk about a decadent burger!   

Chicken & Veggies Rice Bowl

A keiki menu is offered with four options: Keiki Buccatini, Seared Fish & Chips, Chicken & Veggies Rice Bowl, and Kunoa Cattle Grass Fed Beef Burger.

We dined to live music, while watching the sunset, which was an extra special treat.  

Service was terrific, and I highly recommend Shor for a lovely dinner with friends and family!

SHOR
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
2424 Kalakaua Ave

Honolulu, HI 96815

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Gyotaku - Pearl City

Gyotaku Pearl City is a very family-friendly eatery that my kids love going to.  

For my meal, I ate a Half Mochiko Salad (it was tasty, with kaki mochi and soy beans in it), and a Karaage Chicken with French Fries appetizer.  The Karaage Chicken was nicely cooked - juicy and flavorful.

Karaage Chicken with Fries

Mochiko Chicken Salad

There is an early bird special - $16.99 for an entree + 3 pieces shrimp & vegetable tempura, California Roll & miso soup.  This special is available W-F 4-6pm only.

Kids meals are available, and they come with a drink and dessert! 

Kids Sushi

Kids Teriyaki Chicken

Kids Ice Cream

I couldn't resist getting shave ice.  They were out of strawberry syrup, which I originally wanted, but it turned out to be a good thing.  I got an orange shave ice with ice cream and snow cap.  It tasted just like a creamsicle - so yummy!

Service was great and lots of pandemic precautions were implemented.

Gyotaku - Pearl City
98-1226 Kaahumanu St
Pearl City, HI 96782

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Family-Friendly Dining at Bravo Restaurant

Bravo Restaurant at Pearlridge continues to be a very popular family-friendly eatery.  On a recent visit, we got there at opening time, and the line was already out the door!

The complimentary garlic rolls are hard to resist.   Ask for a side of the garlic sauce to drizzle onto the rolls, or even onto your pizzas and pastas!

Meatball Sandwich

Three Sausage Pizza

Bravo Melt

The Bravo Melt has been a fave of mine.  This lunch special comes with a side of either fries or pasta salad.

Kids meals are very reasonably-priced, with the most expensive dish, the Chicken Parmigiana, at just 6.99.

Kids Cheese Pizza

The Kids Cheese Pizza is just $3.79!

Kids Chicken Parmigiana

Death by Chocolate

Banana Chocolate

My favorite dessert is Death by Chocolate - it is so rich and decadent!

The pie of the day (from Anna Miller's Restaurant) was Banana Chocolate.

Service was prompt and friendly, and the food was great!

Bravo Restaurant

98-115 Kaonohi Street

Aiea, HI  96701

(808) 487-5544

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Breakfast at Maui Brewing Co.

On Black Friday, our tradition has been to go hiking with friends and enjoy a nice breakfast after.  This year, we went to Maui Brewing Co.

Two Farm Eggs

Loco Moco for Days

Bruleed Apple Banana Pancakes

Side Breakfast Potatoes

Pork Belly Benedict

Stuffed French Toast

Keiki Pancakes with Side Bacon

I had the Pork Belly Benedict, which I thought was tasty.  Thankfully my friend's daughter shared some of her side order of Breakfast Potatoes (it was a generous portion), because the plate seemed like it was missing an accompaniment.  The potatoes were seasoned well and really yummy!

Two Farm Eggs also comes with toast, a choice of meat, and Breakfast Potatoes.

They were out of ketchup, so they offered us their spicy housemade version, which I thought was okay.  

A keiki menu is offered, and everything is just $7.

Service was great, and we had a lovely post-hike meal.

Maui Brewing Co.

2300 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

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The Pizza Press

I went to the The Pizza Press media preview nearly a year ago, and since then it has become quite a popular eatery in Pearl Highlands Center.

The pizza shop offers a variety of signature pizzas, or you can Publish Your Own.

I published my own, and chose a spicy sauce with caramelized onions and bleu cheese for my base; added bacon, pepperoni, and chicken for the meats; olives, scallions, red onions, and mushrooms for veggies, and finished it off with cilantro.  YUM!

The Jr. Editor meal is available for kids, and includes a 1-topping 6-inch pizza, a drink, and a cookie!

The Pizza Press is a great spot for everyone in the family to customize their meals to their liking!

The Pizza Press
Pearl Highlands Center
1000 Kamehameha Hwy Suite 233
Pearl City, HI 96782

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Restaurant Kuni

One of my favorite restaurants in Waipahu, which also happens to be one of my favorite spots to get Chicken Katsu from, is Restaurant Kuni.

Namasu

Oyako Don

I ordered my "usual" - Chicken Katsu & Chicken Teri Teishoku (teishokus come with tsukemono, miso soup, morashi, and salad).

Miso Soup, Tsukemono, Salad, Morashi

Chicken Katsu

Chicken Teri

A keiki plate is offered for just $9.95, with choice of an entree, plus miso soup, fries, mac salad, and a drink.

Chicken Katsu

Tofu Steak

Both the food and service are consistently good, and are reasons why I keep going back to Restaurant Kuni.

Restaurant Kuni
94-210 Leokane St

Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 671-7270

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The Veranda at The Kahala Hotel & Resort

During our (too quick) staycay at The Kahala Hotel & Resort, we had dinner at The Veranda, a casual, family-friendly spot that still offers a level of food and service that you'd find in most fine dining restaurants.

Cured Meats & Cheese Board

Kahala Pupu Platter

Mixed Kula Green Salad

The Kahala Pupu Platter consisted of Chicken Wings, Calamari, Wok-Fried Soft Shell Crab, and Soy Braised Short Rib & Avocado Tempura.  I really liked the tempura!

And it's hard to go wrong with a Meat & Cheese platter.  It was a nice variety of meats and cheeses, and even my kids dug in!

A kids menu is offered, and I must say, I was quite envious of the keiki meals!

Wagyu Burger & Fries

Bolognese Pasta with Crimini Mushrooms & Parmesan

Grilled Catch of the Day

 Of course we couldn't leave without dessert!

Assorted Ice Cream

Hoku's Warm Chocolate Coulant

Chocolate and vanilla ice creams were served atop a pizelle cookie and accompanied by fruits.

The Chocolate Coulant was rich and decadent, and I loved the caramel ice cream that was served along with it.  It was a perfect match!

Service was a bit hurried, but still very friendly and accommodating.  

The Veranda
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5000 Kahala Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816

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