The Lanai at Ala Moana Center Revisited

Last year I visited The Lanai at Ala Moana Center for the first time, and was disappointed that the one thing I wanted to try - Soul Fries from Seoul Mix 2.0, wasn't available.

I recently visited The Lanai again, and was happy that I finally got to try the Soul Fries.

The fries were topped with kim chee, smoked pork, cheese, and green onions.  So yummy!

Other eats we indulged in at The Lanai were:

SPAM Musubi from Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Menehune Sliders from Mahaloha Burger

The Alan Wong from Ike's Love & Sandwiches

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Visit Auckland: Orbit

On our last day in Auckland, we decided to head to Orbit, since we thought it would be a shame if we didn't get to go into the Sky Tower.

Located on the 52nd floor, when you dine at Orbit, you not only get 360° panoramic views as the dining room rotates, but you also get 45 minutes complimentary admission to the Observation Deck of the Sky Tower prior to or after dining.

Hawke's Bay Preparation of Lamb

Spiced Bombay Hill's Cauliflower & Sorghum Risotto

Kids Spaghetti Bolognaise

Kids Pan Roasted Fish

Banana Split with Bubble Gum Ice Cream

Banana Split with Candy Floss Ice Cream

Mango & Passion Pavlova

I had the Risotto, and it was a nice, slightly spicy twist on typical risotto.  I love cauliflower, so I enjoyed it!

I had read that Pavlovas are popular in New Zealand, so I decided to try the Mango & Passion Pavlova.  It was a very light and refreshing dessert.

All kids meals included steamed greens and fries, as well as a drink and dessert!

As for the views, well, they were just incredible!  We were seated right next to the window, allowing for prime viewing of Auckland.

The windows were crystal clear, and you could easily see all of the landmarks.

We even caught daring adventurists walking the Sky Tower or free-falling in the SkyJump.

An average of $30 per person for lunch must be spent for access to the Sky Tower, but that's easily doable (kids meals are $29), and in my opinion, well worth it, because there are no crowds to fight over when trying to take photos.  It's a very relaxed atmosphere.

Orbit 
Sky Tower 72 - 78 Victoria St W

Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

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Visit Auckland: Azabu

In the Auckland Fish Market you'll find a number of eateries that sell more than just seafood.  Azabu is one of them.  They specialize in Japanese food!

Chicken Katsu Bao

Kids Teriyaki Salmon Bento Box

Kids Chicken Karaage

I ordered a Chicken Katsu Bao, which was enormous and a meal in itself!  It was good - nothing like the kind of Chicken Katsu we have in Hawaii, but still good.

The Kids Salmon Bento Box included salmon avocado sushi, rice, and edamame.  It was a lot of food!

The Karaage Chicken was tasty, but again, nothing like we can find in Hawaii.

Overall, however, the food was good, and it was a nice alternative for those who don't eat seafood.

Azabu
Auckland Fish Market
22-32 Jellicoe St, Freemans Bay

Auckland 1010, New Zealand
+64 9-303 0262

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Visit Tokyo: Natsunoie

After spending some time at Hanayashiki Amusement Park, we were hungry.  As soon as we walked out one of the exits, we stumbled upon Natsunoie, and decided to have lunch there.

We ordered set meals, which come with a choice of entree, miso soup, rice, and tsukemono.

Salmon Set Meal

Hamburger Set Meal

Pork Cutlet on Rice

I ordered the Pork Cutlet on Rice.  It was tasty and filling.

Kids meals come in a cute bullet train dish, and includes a toy!

Child Lunch

Service was very friendly, despite the language barrier, and the food was satisfying!

Natsunoie
Asakusa Taito Tokyo
東京都 台東区 浅草 2‐7‐19

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7-Eleven Hawaii's NEW Boost Snack Boxes

Disclosure:  Complimentary Boost Boxes were received.  All opinions are entirely my own. 

Earlier this month, 7-11 Hawaii stores released their new convenient and high-in-protein Boost Snack Boxes!  Our family is constantly on the go between work, school, and practice so it's awesome to know that I can stop by my neighborhood 7-11 store and be able to pick up something that's fast, tasty, and healthy.  The Boost Boxes come in two different varieties: the Boost Veggie Snack Box (pita bread, hummus, broccoli, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, chopped grilled chicken, and boiled egg) and the Boost Classic Snack Box (apple slices, grapes, carrots, cheese cubes, celery sticks, peanut butter, and boiled egg.  Both have over 15 grams of protein, are delicious, and make a nutritious snack for all ages.  Next time you need something healthy on the go, make sure you consider 7-11's convenient Boost Snack Boxes!

Boost Classic Snack Box

Boost Veggie Snack Box

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Lunch with the Family at Mexico Cantina

Several months ago I met Nat for lunch at Mexico Cantina.  I really enjoyed the food, so I thought it would be a great place to take the family for lunch as well.

Complimentary Chips & Salsa

Mix and Match - Chicken Enchilada and Shredded Beef Burrito

Chicken Chimichanga

Kids Ground Beef Quesadilla

Kids Ground Beef Burrito

The food came out very quickly once again, and I once again enjoyed the chimichanga. With the beans and Spanish rice, it turned out to be so much food that lasted 3 additional meals! The chimichanga is just stuffed with chicken and cheese!

Kids meals are $7.95, and include a drink (be sure you are not charged separately for the drink - we had to tell our server she overcharged us by $9 because she rang up the drinks separately).  Typical Mexican fare is offered, along with rice and beans (except for Nachos).  It's quite a lot of food for kids!

Service was good, and also very quick.  The food was great. I just wish Mexico Cantina had a larger dessert selection (only three dessert options!).

Mexico Cantina
1200 Ala Moana Boulevard
Ward Centers, Honolulu, HI 96814

(808) 596-4964

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Seven Palms Bar and Grille

Formerly Sam Snead's Tavern, the Seven Palms Bar and Grille boasts new decor and a new menu.

I frequented Sam Snead's while working at my former job (it was just a two-minute drive away), and I was eager to see how much better (or worse) it was than Sam Snead's.

DH ordered the Monte Carlo (yes, just like a Monte Cristo).  He said it was really good.

I ordered the BLT & A (for avocado) with Garlic Steak Fries. I was expecting a humble little BLT, but it looked like a club sandwich. Everything was delicious, including the fries.

The Kids Menu is the CHEAPEST I've ever seen anywhere - $2! That's right - TWO DOLLARS! Meals do not come with a drink, but they do come with a "popsicle."

And for $2 - the portions were pretty large!

We normally don't order any meals for DS3 - we usually share whatever we order with him, but at $2, we decided to order him a Pizza.

DS2 had the Dino Chicken Nuggets (yes, just like the frozen ones you can buy in the store, but he still enjoyed them, and at $2 - I can't complain!).

DS1 had the Mac & Cheese (he devoured the entire thing).

Here is the popsicle/ice pop the kids had for dessert.

Despite the service being quite slow, our server was really nice and the food was really good, and the Kids Meal price is just outstanding, so I'm sure we'll visit again.

Seven Palms Bar and Grille: 943 Valkenburgh St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96818; 808-421-7267

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