Brunch at Podmore

Bloody Mary - a brunch staple 

(podmore bloody mary mix, reyka vodka, house-made pickles)

After my first visit to Podmore for cocktails, I was very eager to return to the beautiful restaurant for brunch. The brunch menu offers sweet and savory dishes with a European influence. For instance, my friend had their Full English Breakfast which I am confident you cannot order anywhere else on the island. The traditional breakfast includes fried eggs, bacon, pono pork sausage, black pudding, potatoes, mushroom, baked beans, tomato, and fried bread. It's huge so bring your appetite.

Full English Breakfast

I ordered the Pumpkin Bake -  kabocha squash, spicy chorizo, kale, pickled red peppers, and sous vide eggs. I really enjoyed the spicy kick of the chorizo and the texture of the pumpkin. I would definitely order this dish again.

Pumpkin Bake

The dish that had the most oohs and ahhs was the “Christmas Breakfast” potato rösti, spinach, house-smoked salmon, double yolk coddled egg, and brown butter hollandaise. Best news is that it's just not for Christmas and will stay on the menu year round.

Christmas Breakfast

Another delicious dish was the Beer-Battered Crispy Egg - mushroom ragout, blue cheese, grilled Breadshop bread, and pickles. We each really enjoyed our savory dishes and for dessert shared the two sweet dishes on the menu: the Raised Waffle (white chocolate cheesecake, dark chocolate sauce) and the Italian Toast (panettone, custard, vanilla crème mousseline). 

Beer-Battered Crispy Egg

Raised Waffle

Italian Toast

Brunch is served Wednesday through Sunday 8am to 1pm. You can easily make a reservation through resy. If you are looking to elevate your brunch plans, highly recommend dining at Podmore for the excellent experience.  

Podmore
202 Merchant Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
(808) 521-7367

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Celebrating at Senia

Nadia, Nat, and Dara took me to Senia for my birthday, and of course it was a spectacular night. 

Beignets

Smoked Ahi "Cigars"

Gravlax Crackers

Parker Rolls

The Parker Rolls were a special that evening, and they were divine!  So soft, fluffy, and flavorful.  

The Smoked Ahi "Cigars" were literally served "smoking," and I loved the savory Beignets.

English Pea Agnolotti

Maine Sea Scallops

Rosemary Pappardelle

Saffron Soppressini

I had the Rosemary Pappardelle, which was served with a duck ragu, kale pesto, and ricotta.  The pappardelle was perfectly cooked, and the duck ragu was so flavorful.  

Fried Eggplant

I love the miso flavor of the Fried Eggplant, and the yuzu gave it bright, citrusy notes.

Braised `Ulu

The tender `Ulu was so delicious.  It was reminiscent of Eggplant Parmesan.

The desserts were undoubtedly the highlight for me.

Spring

Herbes Vertes

L'Opera

The desserts were as beautiful as they were delicious.

If I had to choose a favorite, it would be Spring.  The combination of Kula strawberry, rhubarb, and pandan was so delightful, and the flavors melded well together.  

Birthday treats

A birthday dessert plate was filled with some of Chef Mimi's popular confections, including my most favorite cookie!

Although there was a delay in us getting the beignets and Sides, service was otherwise wonderful.

It was such a great meal from start to end.  Thank you Nadia, Nat, and Dara, and the team at Senia!  

Senia

75 N King St, 

Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 200-5412

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Senia Bake-at-Home Cookie Kit

I love the Senia Cookie.  Whenever I'd go to Senia and enjoy the Prix Fixe lunch, I'd make sure to choose the Senia Cookie for dessert.  

Imagine how thrilled I was when Nadia dropped off a Senia Bake-at-Home Cookie Kit!

It was amazing.  The cookie kit is definitely a great alternative for this crazy time, when we can't go to the Senia to enjoy it after a meal.

Thank you, Nadia!

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Senia Takeaway

L-R: Burrata, pickled cherry, green chili jam; Pistachio & Pink Peppercorn Flatbread; Charred Broccoli, sesame, apricot, lemon; Prime Beef Ribeye Salad, hasselback potato, pickled tomato, watercress vierge; Strawberry Mousse Cake. 

Every week, Chef Anthony Rush and Pastry Chef Mimi Mendoza have been creating new menus for Senia's Takeaway dinners for two, four, or six people.  In addition to dinner, you can add on cocktails, wine pairings, pastry boxes, and bake at home cookies.

The takeaways are super popular and have been selling out fast.  I stalked resy.com for hours until reservations opened and while I thought about what time would be best to pick up, the time slot I chose got filled!  Luckily, I was still able to put in my order.

Picking up the takeaway was super simple.  They will text you for your car's make and model and your order will be ready for curbside pickup on Smith Street.

Not only was the menu amazing, the details in the presentation of the meal were beautiful as well.  Everything was ready to eat except the flatbread which needed to be heated in the oven for 5 minutes and the dressing for the salad needed to be warmed up on the stove.  The simple preparations were done in no time and we were ready to enjoy our Senia Takeaway.  We enjoyed our meal so much, we already knew we were going to order again.  

Next weekend's menu goes live Sunday night on Senia's IG! 

  

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One of My Favorite Restaurants on Oahu - Senia

Just about anyone who loves excellent food and service loves Senia. 

I recently dined there with @themaryberry because she had never been!  We met for lunch for the Prix Fixe Menu ($38 for three courses), and ended up with a bounty of dishes to indulge in thanks to Chef Chris Kajioka.

I ordered the same three dishes I did the last time I went to Senia just a month prior:

"Chopped" Salad

Fried Chicken "Caesar" Sandwich

Senia Cookie

The salad is a generous serving, and the salami gave it a pleasant saltiness, and the garbanzo gave it a nice texture.

The Fried Chicken "Casear" Sandwich is one of the best chicken sandwiches I've tried.  The chicken is perfectly cooked and seasoned!

And the Senia Cookie (aka my favorite cookie ever) is a must - with peanut butter, Valrhona chocolate, and toffee.

Mary's selections included:

Ham Hock Terrine

Spaghetti Chitarra

She also chose the Senia cookie for dessert.

And compliments of Chef Chris were:

Kalua Pork & Cabbage Croquettes

Chicken Liver Mousse

"Poke" Cracker + Kusshi Oyster

Ahi Brioche

Maine Sea Scallops

Carrot Cake Butter Mochi

Mary loved the Ahi Brioche (it's not on the lunch menu, but she was thrilled when it came out since she was hoping to try it) and the Chicken Liver Mousse, which was spread on corn madeleines. 

I devoured the Ahi Brioche as well, along with the scallops and the croquettes.

The Carrot Cake Butter Mochi is another of my favorite desserts at Senia, but I absolutely love the cookie!

The service at Senia is exceptional.  On my last visit, the server remembered that someone in our party often gets cold while dining, so he mentioned he would turn up the temp.  And on this recent visit, a tray slipped out of a server's hand, nearly hitting another guest (it was simply a freak occurrence).  The guest didn't have any issue with it, but the server ended up bringing a complimentary dessert to the guest as an "apology."  Talk about service!

SENIA
75 N. King Street
(808) 200-5412

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