The Original Pancake House

It's been nearly 15 years that I've been to The Original Pancake House on Dillingham.   Despite the rail construction, the restaurant was quite busy for mid-morning!

Potato Omelette

The Potato Omelette is my go-to.  It's a fluffy, oven-baked omelette stuffed with bacon, green onions, and potatoes, and topped with a sour cream sauce.  The onions tasted old and frozen, unfortunately, but I loved that they didn't skimp on the bacon.  You could opt for rice, toast, or pancakes instead of hash browns.

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Buttermilk Pancakes

I always thought that The Original Pancake House had the best pancakes on the island.  My friend enjoyed them and thought they were light and fluffy.  

Service was great, and it was nice to see a long-time restaurant busy.

The Original Pancake House
1414 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
808-847-1496

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Visit Tokyo: J.S. Pancake Cafe

We were hanging out in Nakano Central Park, looking for somewhere to eat.  A quick Google search led us to J.S. Pancake Cafe right at the park!

Lemon Cream Cheese Ricotta Pancakes

Chocolate Banana Ricotta Pancakes

Blueberry Cream Cheese Ricotta Pancakes

They of course have a variety of pancakes to choose from.  Although not as photogenic as the photos on the menu and display board, they were light and fluffy.

They also have savories:

Bacon Sausage Egg Pancakes

Sweet Chili & Sour Cream Baked Potato

It was a big restaurant so there were no issues in seating our family of 5.

It was a nice find, especially if you love pancakes!

J.S. Pancake Cafe

Japan, 〒164-0001 Tokyo

Nakano City

Nakano, 4 Chome−10−1 セントラルパーク東棟 １Ｆ

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Guieb Cafe - Aiea

Ube Mascarpone Pancakes

I recently had lunch at Guieb Cafe's third location in Aiea.  Located near Cutter Ford on Hekaha Street, the family owned restaurant serves all day breakfast and lunch.  They offer dine-in with table service as well as take-out.  I love that they take reservations too because lunch can get busy.

I wanted to try everything on the menu, but I settled on the Braised short rib benedict and the Ube Mascarpone pancakes which our server recommended.  She was right, the ube pancakes were fluffy, tasty, and just the right amount of sweetness.  I would definitely order them again and again.  I loved my benedict as well!  

Service here is excellent, parking is plentiful, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. 

10oz Prime Rib Loco Moco

Corned Beef Hash

Braised Short Rib Benedict

Guieb Cafe - Aiea

98-025 Hekaha Street, Aiea Hawaii

(808) 888-2121

  

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Easy From-Scratch Pancakes

Why buy a mix when you can make pancakes from basic staple ingredients that you probably have at home?

Pancakes

Ingredients:

• ¾ c milk
• 2 T white vinegar
• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 2 T white sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• ½ t baking soda
• 1 egg
• 2 T butter, melted

Directions:

• Pour vinegar into milk; stir and set aside for 5 minutes. 
• Stir egg and butter into milk. 
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. 
• Pour flour mixture into milk mixture and whisk until batter is smooth. 
• Pour batter by 1/4 cup onto non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  
• Cook 2-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

You can find the original recipe here on Allrecipes.

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Breakfast at Basalt

The Avocado Garden Toast is almost too pretty to eat!

Basalt Waikiki located in Duke’s Lane is quickly becoming my new favorite place for breakfast!  They offer a great breakfast menu selection daily from 7am to 2:30pm and if you go during the week, it’s not at all crowded which makes getting a table or reservation very easy.  

On this occasion, I wanted something light so I ordered the Avocado Garden Toast – one of their signature dishes.  The avocado is served on grilled wheat bread with cherry tomato, micro greens, watermelon radish, and pumpkin seeds.  I didn’t expect it to be so pretty or delicious!  

I was curious about the Basalt Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes that’s topped with guava-strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and mixed fresh berries so I ordered a side pancake.  The server was nice enough to tell me the side pancake didn’t come with all the toppings and suggested ordering a short stack instead which we did.  The charcoal color is the draw, but did not affect the yummy taste of those super fluffy buttermilk pancakes.  I loved the texture of the pancakes and the guava-strawberry sauce added just enough sweetness.     

Our breakfast was so delicious and relaxing that it really made an impression.  A must try next time you are in Waikiki hungry for breakfast.     

Short stack of the famous Basalt Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes.

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Cinnamon's at the Ilikai

It's been a couple of years since our family dined at Cinnamon's at the Ilikai, and we recently returned to have brunch with friends.

Loco Moco

Meatloaf Breakfast

Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

Red Velvet Pancakes

The Cinnamon's Skillet

Guava Chiffon Pancake

I ordered the Cinnamon's Skillet - three items (I chose bacon, Portuguese sausage, and mushrooms) atop homefries or country tots (I chose tots), with an egg.  You could also add on toppings for an additional cost, and I chose to smother my skillet with hollandaise.

What a delicious breakfast!

The Meatloaf Breakfast included eggs and pancakes.

All 5 kids plus 1 adult shared the Pumpin, Guava Chiffon, and Red Velvet Pancakes.  The kids were in heaven, as it was like they were simply eating dessert.  The Pumpkin pancakes were definitely a fave.

Service was great, and we wouldn't hesitate to return!

Cinnamon's at the Ilikai
Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites
1777 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 670-1915

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Homemade Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake) Recipe

I was inspired to make homemade dorayaki from a recipe video I saw online.  Those didn't turn out, but I wasn't about to give up.  I found another recipe by Just One Cookbook that was easy to follow and turned out great!


Measurements for the sugar and flour are given in both grams and cups on the recipe link, but you have to be especially careful with the flour if you don't use a scale.  If the flour is packed in the cup, it will weigh more.  Use a scale for best results.


Another recommendation is to use a griddle for uniform color and ease of cooking.  These Japanese pancakes were a hit with the family.  You can really taste the honey in the light and fluffy pancake.  We used packaged an and it was delicious!  The pancake tastes great on its own too.   


 

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Koa Cafe

I love mochi anything so I was anxious to check out the fairly new Koa Café.  Koa Café is a new concept by the same family as Koa Pancake House and known for innovative dishes like their mochi waffles and mochi pancakes.

My son and I arrived on a Saturday morning, just early enough to snag one of the last available tables.  The ordering concept is the same as Koa Pancake House.  You order and pay; get a table; and they bring you your food. 

The décor of the cafe is nice and clean.  Bright white tables and chairs fill the dining area with bar seating lining one side of the room.  

We shared the Guava Lava Mochi Waffle and The Usual with fried rice.  I liked the sweetness of the guava puree and the waffle tasted just like butter mochi, but I wish it had been chewier.  On the other hand, I really liked the fried rice.

Glad they are opening a second location at the Ka Makana Alii in Kapolei so I can try more of their creative dishes!   

Guava Lava Mochi Waffle

The Usual comes with a meat, two eggs your way, and starch.  I subbed for fried rice.

Koa Café is open daily from 6:30am to 2pm and is located on 2700 S King Street.  Parking is available in the adjacent lot.  

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Moena Cafe Now Open at Ka Makana Ali'i in Kapolei

I'm absolutely thrilled Moena Cafe has opened a second location on Oahu at the new Ka Makana Alii in Kapolei!  Now my favorite cinnamon roll pancakes are a lot closer to home! 

They will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  Breakfast will be served from 6:30am with the lunch menu kicking in later and both ending at 3pm.  The all new dinner menu will start from 5pm to 10pm.  Not only am I curious what will be on the menu, but I was happy to hear they will be taking reservations for dinner.

The restaurant space is much larger than their Hawaii Kai location and it is gorgeous!  The decor is bright, modern, and classy.  There's also a bar area with beer on tap!  

Bright reception area!

Love the modern look of this dining room.

This main dining room faces the kitchen.

You can opt to dine at one of the tables in the bar area.

Even the restrooms are beautiful!

Short rib loco moco on fried rice.

Single Cinnamon Roll Pancake with Cream Cheese syrup.  My fave!

Even with all the new and exciting changes, be assured, it's the same breakfast and lunch menu as well as the same great service you're used to. 

They are located near Victoria's Secret in the mall, next to the Hamptons and share the parking lot with 24 Hour Fitness.

KAPOLEI

91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Suite #1001
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
(Ka Makana Ali’i Shopping Center)

Hours of Operation:
Open daily from 6:30am - 10:00pm
Phone: (808) 628-4737

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Puffed Oven Pancake Recipe

I am still amazed how easy it was to make this puffed oven pancake!  It's a variation of a Dutch baby pancake that I found in the cookbook, What Hawaii Likes to Eat by Muriel Miura and Betty Shimabukuro. 

Melt 3T butter in 10-inch ovenproof skillet at 425 degrees.  I had only a 12-inch skillet that was oven safe up to 400 degrees, but it worked fine.  Whisk 2 eggs; then beat in 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until mixture is smooth.  Don't let the mix sit.  Add the mix to the skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Top the pancake with powdered sugar and/or lemon juice and serve!  The pancake itself is not sweet and reminds me of a popover.  Enjoy!        

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Breakfast at ShoreFyre

After finding out a restaurant we wanted to go to for breakfast in Waikiki recently discontinued the service, I scrambled to find another breakfast spot, and our family ended up at ShoreFyre.

Banana Mac Nut Pancakes

Eggs and Bacon (accompanies Pancakes)

Local Boy Omelet with Fried Rice

Potatoes with Omelet

Strawberry Kiwi Pancakes

The Local Boy Omelet, stuffed with Portuguese sausage, onions, and cheese was extremely filling and very tasty. The accompanying potatoes were pretty tasty as well. One of my sons and I shared the omelet, and it was more than enough for the both of us.

My husband had an omelet with fried rice, which I liked more than the potatoes.

The pancakes were delicious, and come with 2 eggs and choice of meat. A single order is a big enough meal for 2 kids to share!

We did encounter some service issues.  The restaurant was supposed to open at 7am; we arrived at 7:04am and were told it would be another 10-minute wait since they were running late (2 employees showed up late), and one employee incorrectly inputted an order (my husband asked for a Local Moco, but he was given the Local Boy Omelet - it was an honest mistake, and the employee did offer to fix it), I thought the food was great and the prices were very reasonable.

Get there early, order takeout, or be prepared to wait for a table - only 3 tables inside, a few outside, and some bar seating available.  By the time we finished our breakfast, a line started to snake out the door!


ShoreFyre
2446 Koa Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7007

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Cream Pot

During a recent Waikiki staycation, our family dined at Cream Pot for breakfast.

The Classic Crepe

Homemade Baked Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

S'mores Souffle Pancake

The Classic Omelet

Keiki Strawberry Crepe

Cream Pot's menu lists items under sweet and savory categories.

I love a savory breakfast, so I opted for The Classic French Rolled Omelet (they are generally prepared soft, but I asked for it to be firm). The Classic Omelet was filled with bacon, mushrooms, caramelized onions, potatoes, and Gruyere Cheese. It was fantastic! All of the flavors melded together to create a super yummy omelet that I would gladly order again.

One of my sons ordered The Classic Crepe, which included the same ingredients as the omelet, and it was finished off with a Bechamel sauce.

My husband ordered the chef-recommended Baked Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast, which was topped with strawberries and a strawberry coulis.

I mistakenly mentioned the S'mores Souffle Pancake on the specials board to my oldest son, before I even noticed the price - $20.50! That's right. $20 for pancakes. Yikes! The light pancakes were topped with melted chocolate, marshmallows, bananas, and caramel sauce. They were too sweet for my preference, but my son loved them.

There is a Keiki menu item - a crepe (either strawberry or banana) and it comes with a strawberry lemonade.

The charming restaurant serves breakfast and brunch, and although pricey (probably the most expensive breakfast we've ever experienced - not including buffets), everyone really enjoyed their meals, and the service was excellent.

Cream Pot
444 Niu St
Honolulu, HI 96815

(808) 429-0945

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Brunch at Sunny Days

Sunny Days opened up just a few months ago in October on Monsarrat Avenue, and our family recently dined there for brunch.

Tropical Pancakes

Very Berry Pancakes

Eggs Benedict

Loco Moco

SPAM Musubi

The small, seat-yourself eatery was a little crowded when we arrived, but thankfully a couple of sweet gals switched from a four top to a table for two (and we squeezed in another chair so our entire family could fit at the table).

After putting in our orders, we had an extremely long wait for the food - 45 minutes!  Diners who were there before us had very long waits as well, but the servers did thank us for our patience once the food arrived at our tables.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict, and it was delish!  It had bacon, tomato, and avocado, all smothered in a hollaindaise sauce.

My husband had the Loco Moco, which he enjoyed.  Both of our dishes were served with a lovely salad.

There is no kids menu, but thankfully there are pancakes on the regular menu, which my kids wanted to order.  The Pancakes, made with ricotta cheese, were served as a trio surrounded by an array of beautiful fruit.  They were super yummy!

A close-up of the pancakes

Presentation for all of the dishes was quite pretty.  Even the SPAM Musubis were served on a nice platter!

Food is on the pricey side (the SPAM Musubis were $2 each; everything else ranged from $14 to $17), but the quality of food was great.

Sunny Days is a nice spot for a lovely brunch!


Sunny Days
3045 Monsarrat Ave,

Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 792-2045

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