Westman Cafe Open in Kōʻula in Ward Village

Get the Souffle Pancakes!

Some of you die hard brunch fans may remember when Westman Cafe was open in Waikiki in the former Bills Sydney location. I remember enjoying their souffle pancakes so I was excited to have them again at their new location in Kōʻula in Ward Village. 

The cafe is bright and modern and also offers patio seating. On the menu for breakfast and brunch are signature toasts, souffle pancakes, a variety of french toasts as well as island plate options of omelet, shakshuka, loco moco, and more.

Located by the kids park

Bar seating and tables

I ordered the avocado toast for myself and the souffle pancake for the table which usually has a cook time of 20-25 minutes. We were all surprised when the star of brunch showed up first. The server explained that sometimes there will be an extra order of souffle pancakes being made and we were the lucky table. They were airy and delicious. I really could have eaten them by myself.

Avocado Toast

French Toast with Bacon and Eggs

Souffle Pancakes with lemon sauce

Japanese Style Morning Meal

We had a lovely experience and the service was also very good. Parking can be an issue as it gets crowded on the weekends. Reservations can be made on Open Table.

Westman Cafe

1000 Auahi Street 

Honolulu, HI 96814

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Visit Tokyo: Our Benizuru Fail x Yorozu Cafe

Strawberry Banana Souffle Pancakes

On a recent girls' trip to Japan, I asked my friends if we could try to get a reservation to Benizuru - a popular souffle pancake cafe that only sells 120 orders a day. They were up for it so we got in line a little before 7am, the time the restaurant begins to hand out reservations. Unfortunately for us, the line was already around the corner and sold out 40 minutes later. We had missed the cutoff by about 12 people. I'd recommend getting in line by 6am if you want to increase your chances of getting a reservation.

The line for Benizuru reservations wrapped around the corner by 7am.

Not to be deterred, my friend found Fruits Parlor Asakusa Yorozu Cafe 444 which also features souffle pancakes and was just a 15 minute walk away. The cafe seats about 12 so be prepared for a wait. We waited about half a hour before being seated, but the fluffy pancakes were definitely worth it. My delicious strawberry and banana souffle pancakes quickly made me forget any earlier disappointment. The cafe itself is very cute and cozy. There was only one server, but he was great. If you have time to spare, definitely recommend this cafe for their souffle pancakes.    

Souffle pancakes with eggs and bacon.

Fruits Parlor Asakusa Yorozu Cafe 444

4-4-4 Asakusa Mansion, Asakusa, 

Taito 111-0032 Tokyo Prefecture

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Visit Los Angeles: Gram Cafe & Pancakes

Strawberry Souffle Pancakes

Souffle pancakes are always on my radar so I made it a point to check out Gram Cafe & Pancakes on a recent trip to Los Angeles. Gram Cafe originated in Osaka in 2014 and within 5 years, they have opened over 60 locations worldwide. Gem visited one of their locations in Sydney! The LA location just opened last year.

I wanted to get to the popular cafe right at opening, but my sleepyhead son had other ideas. When he finally did wake up, the drive was about an hour because of all the lovely LA traffic. Luckily, you can be added to their waitlist via the Yelp app if you are within 10 miles. When we checked into the restaurant, we were still 5th in line. We then waited (and had a yummy churro) for them to text us when our table was ready.  

During our wait we decided we were going to share the takoyaki, cheesy gyudon, and the strawberry souffle pancakes. We opted to have the pancakes after our meal, but if you don't like waiting, recommend they serve it to you when it's ready. The food was pretty good, but the souffle pancakes were outstanding! I loved every single bite. Cade and I agreed it was the best thing we ate the entire weekend!

Takoyaki

Cheesy Gyudon - can also opt for udon instead of rice.

Side seating area. More in the main portion of the cafe.

They also serve lattes and ice cream souffle sandwiches!

Gram Cafe and Pancakes
500 N Atlantic Blvd, Ste 179, Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Visit Sydney: Gram Cafe & Pancakes

My youngest loves pancakes, so when he saw the fluffy souffle pancakes at Gram's Cafe & Pancakes, a chain that originated in Osaka and grew with locations around the world, and we made sure to make a stop to eat there.

There are several locations in Sydney, and we went to The Galeries location.

There are a number of varieties of pancakes you can choose from, as well as all sorts of toppings and accompaniments to choose from as well.

My son ordered the Premium Pancakes, which came with butter, maple syrup, and cream, and he added on chocolate sauce, bananas, and strawberries.  

A tower of three huge, fluffy pancakes was brought to our table to his delight, and he devoured them.

The pancakes turned out to be his favorite meal of the trip.

I had a bite, and it was indeed as light and fluffy as it looked.  

Gram Cafe & Pancakes
Shop RG016

500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

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Brunch at Westman Cafe + Lounge

I am a sucker for souffle pancakes so I was excited to check out the ones at Westman Cafe + Lounge, the former Upstairs Waikiki, located on Beachwalk in Waikiki.

The souffle pancakes take 20-25 minutes to prepare so it's best to order them right away.  They are available in matcha and Big Island Honey.  Because they are prepared with mochiko, they are gluten free!

My friend ordered one of the Westman specialties, the Wagyu Loco Moco, and I ordered the Avocado Toast and added an egg.  They don't do poached eggs so I settled for over easy.  The food was tasty and delicious with the portions being just right.  The souffle pancakes were definitely the highlight and the best I have had in Waikiki. 

Wagyu beef patty, egg, homemade hayashi stroganoff, multi grain rice, brussels sprouts

Homemade brioche, avocado, edamame hummus, feta cheese, pistachio, edible flower, micro greens, herb oil served with salad

Westman Cafe is a great place for brunch and also has live music on the weekends from 9:30am to 12:30pm.  Parking is available in the Bank of Hawaii lot across the street.  It costs $5 for 2 hours.  If you are kama'aina, show your ID to receive 15% off.  

Westman Cafe + Lounge 

(808) 922-1500

    

   

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Sun Tea Mix 808

Sun Tea Mix has been on my radar ever since I saw their beautiful soufflé pancakes on Instagram so it was kismet when I was invited for a media tasting.  I was on quite the soufflé pancake kick last year when I found a recipe to make my own.  See my adventure here.  They were really good, but not nearly as delicious when someone else makes them for you!  And Sun Tea Mix's soufflé pancakes have the best light fluffy texture that I have ever had!

Popular Boba soufflé pancakes.

Also on their extensive menu are delicious hand crafted drinks made with quality brewed tea and real fruit.  I had a super refreshing grapefruit mojito made with no alcohol and fresh mint.  I loved the bubbles from the soda water and I would definitely order it again.  My son had a mango smoothie topped with mango gelato.  You could really taste the fresh mango.  My daughter couldn't stop raving about her strawberry smoothie topped with cheese foam and her addition of crystal jelly.  Her eyes widened with every sip!

Mango fruit smoothie topped with mango gelato.

Strawberry smoothie with cheese foam and Grapefruit mojito.

Sun Tea Mix = All smiles!

Currently, Sun Tea Mix is only open for take out.  Which is a shame because their cafe is the cutest!  When it does reopen for dining, expect cozy seating with available WIFI.  Parking is free for the first hour at HMart or Salt without validation and with validation: $1 for two hours or less and $3 for three hours or less.

Visit them at their website for online ordering.      

    

   

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