Kilvert & Forbes Bakeshop Featuring Maggie's Sweets

Faneuil Hall Marketplace has no shortage of sweets.  

From ice cream, gelato, cheesecake, and pastries, there are all sorts of offerings to satisfy any sweet tooth.

After walking up and down the hall, we finally decided to get some treats from Kilvert & Forbes Bakeshop Featuring Maggie's Sweets.

Chocolate Chip M&M's

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Maggie's Peanut Butter Madness

My kids opted for the gigantic cookies, but the Peanut Butter Madness Brownie was calling my name.

It was sinfully good! A brownie covered in chocolate, then covered in peanut butter chips, then topped with Reese's peanut butter cups.

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you will absolutely go mad for this treat!

Kilvert & Forbes

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
200 S Market St

Boston, MA 02109
(617) 723-6050

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Dinner at Eating House 1849 - Kapolei

The last time I went to Eating House 1849 in Kapolei I had a really great lunch, so I was eager to go back for dinner with Nadia.

Complimentary Edamame

Fresh Kamuela Tomato Bisque

Mama's Pancit Lumpia

1849 Ramen Bowl

Cinnamon & Sugar Malasadas

Churros

I ended up ordering a couple of starters. The Fresh Kamuela Tomato Bisque was amazing! I slurped up that bowl of soup in to time. The bisque was served with toasted Ohia Sweet Bread.

I also ordered the Mama's Pancit Lumpia. It was a nice twist on a couple of traditional Filipino dishes, with chicken, noodles, and shiitake mushrooms stuffed inside the lumpia.

Nadia had the huge bowl of 1849 Ramen, which was filled with pork belly, shrimp dumpling, and egg.

For dessert we got the Cinnamon & Sugar Malasadas. They were served with a Kohala Rum Caramel Sauce. I'm not a huge fan of malasadas, but these malasadas were very good. They were sweet, sugary, and crispy on the outside, and pillow-y soft on the inside (I liked them on their own, without the sauce).

I was also lucky to get some birthday Churros, but Nadia and I both agreed that the Malasadas were so much better.

I enjoyed my dinner (thank you, Nadia!), and had another great dining experience at Eating House 1849 in Kapolei!
Eating House 1849
4450 Kapolei Pkwy, Space 540
Kapolei, HI 96707

(808) 447-1849

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Visit Tokyo: NamjaTown

In Sunshine City in Ikebukuro you'll find NamjaTown, an indoor theme park that offers all sorts of games, attractions, and food.

There is an entrance fee (500 yen / adult; 300 yen /child), and if you show your international passport, you get a 50 yen per person discount.

NamjaTown is divided into three towns - Dokkingham Plaza, which offers a variety of games, Showa, which offers food and shopping, and Mononoke, which offers even more games and attractions.

Donbura Q Bath House Quiz Challenge

I, however, was only interested in visiting NamjaTown for one reason, and one reason only - Fukubukoro Dessert Yokocho!

It was a sweets-lovers dream, as the cutest desserts were offered at a variety of venues.

da Luciano - Raspberry Gelato

da Luciano - Chocolate Gelato

da Luciano - Cookies & Cream

Patisserie Cute - Cake

Ice Shop - Tamago (Egg) Ice Cream, Dekopon (Orange) Sherbet, Kokutou (Brown Sugar) Ice Cream, Banana Milk Ice Cream, Blue Salt Ice Cream, Amaou (Strawberries) Ice Cream

Crepe Shop - Panda Crepe

In NamjaTown you'll also find Gyoza Stadium, from where we picked up a variety of gyoza and other savory eats, including the best fried chicken I've eaten on the trip (and perhaps almost anywhere!).

Hokkai Tokachi - Gyoza

Hokkai Tokachi - Fried Chicken

Hokkai  Tokachi - Fried Chicken Bowl

Hokkai Tokachi - Potatoes

Paou - Gyo-Tonpou

Paou - Sausage

Maruman - Round Gyoza 

Despite the numerous eateries, there is a very limited number of places to sit. There is one general seating area, but you really have to hunt down places to sit in all the different little "alleys" and rooms throughout NamjaTown.

We didn't participate in any of the games or activities, but we were satisfied with all of the yummy eats!

NamjaTown
Sunshine City
Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima, Higashiikebukuro

3 Chome−1−3, サンシャインシティ・ワールドインポートマートビル
+81 3-5950-0765

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Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

I was craving Mexican food one weekend, and my husband suggested we have lunch at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant.

It's been a little over 2 years since we last dined there.  We had a great dining experience on the last visit, so I was looking forward to another nice meal there.

Our family ended up ordering almost the same things as last time.  The only exceptions were that one of my kids ordered a Soft Taco, and instead of the Ice Cream Nachos, we ordered the Fried Banana Split.

Complimentary Chips and Salsa

Chicken Chimichanga

Kids Cheese Quesadilla

Macho Burrito

Kids Ground Beef Soft Taco

Fried Banana Split

Of course I got my "usual" - a chicken chimichanga.  Last time I thought it was too soggy, but this time the chimichanga was a lot crisper.  However, I did think the shredded chicken was a little underseasoned.  Overall it was still a great dish.

My husband once again ordered the Macho Burrito, which consists of chicken, rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.

Unlike our last visit, my kids ate up all the beans and rice that accompanied their meals (so for moms of picky eaters - there really is hope!).  Kids meals are just $6.99 and include a drink.

The Fried Banana Split was quite indulgent.  Deep fried bananas were accompanied by ice cream and lots of whipped cream.  

Service was very good, and we all enjoyed our meals!

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant
94-1040 Waipio Uka St,

Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 678-3115

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Brug Bakery

After taking my oldest son to a doctor appointment at the Ala Moana Building, we decided to get an afternoon snack.

We ended up going to Brug Bakery - my first time ever visiting!

The shop was a lot smaller than I had expected, but it offered plenty of baked goods.  I was very tempted to pick one of the savory offerings, but I resisted.

My son ended up picking the Choco Koro Korone, which wasn't a surprise.

Who could resist a chocolate-filled, chocolate- and sprinkle-covered confection?  Definitely not my son.

It was a huge treat, and my son devoured it.

I picked up two more for my other sons, who ate them for dessert.  They loved the Choco Koro Korone as well.

Brug Bakery was the perfect spot for a sweet afternoon snack!

Brug Bakery
Ala Moana Center

1450 Ala Moana Blvd #1080

Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 945-2200

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Sweet and Sour Dishes at Thai Lao

Thai Lao is currently my favorite Thai restaurant.  I recently went there to celebrate a couple of birthdays, where the hosts ordered a number of dishes, such as Spring Rolls, Pad-Ki Mao, Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken, and more.

Two of my favorite dishes turned out to be on opposite ends of the flavor spectrum.

Spicy Lemon Grass Soup

I never had Spicy Lemon Grass Soup (Tom Yum) until a little over a year ago, and it's absolutely delicious.  The herbs and spices give this aromatic soup so much flavor.  It's a nice, comforting mixture of sour and savory.

Mango with Sticky Rice

I don't really care for the types of desserts served at Thai restaurants, but one of my sons wanted the Mango with Sticky Rice.

Wow - it sure was a beautiful dessert, and it turned out to be very delicious and refreshing.  It had just enough sweetness, ending the meal on such a pleasant note.

All of the food was great, and the service was great as well.

Whatever flavors you crave, you very well may be able to find it at Thai Lao!

Thai Lao
803 Kamehameha Hwy
Ste 203
Pearl City, HI 96782
(808) 456-8088

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Matsumoto Shave Ice

We love going to Matsumoto Shave Ice.  The new location is so much bigger, and there is a lot more seating to enjoy the yummy shave ice.

Rainbow

Hawaiian

Watermelon, Cherry, Raspberry

With so many flavors to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to get (you can choose up to 3 flavors). So I decided to try the Hawaiian Shave ice (with ice cream, of course) for the first time. The flavors consisted of Pineapple, Coconut, and Banana. It was really yummy! I especially liked the coconut flavor.

One of my kids got the Rainbow - Strawberry, Lemon, and Pineapple; another got Watermelon, Cherry, and Raspberry.

The day we went there was no line (we went fairly early in the day). The prices are cheap, and it's just such a cool, tasty treat!

The only thing that's a bit of a turn off is that there are flies everywhere!

So just be sure to be able to keep one hand free to fend off flies.


Matsumoto Shave Ice
66-087 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712

(808) 637-4827

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Visit Maui: Hula Cookies & Ice Cream

Our ice cream stop on our most recent trip to Maui brought us to Hula Cookies & Ice Cream.

Hula Cookies have been making cookies on Maui since 1999, and the worker at the shop kept going on and on about how she was so busy that she didn't have time to bake cookies yet that day, but we didn't mind, since we were there for the ice cream!

Chocolate Chip Ripple

Aloha Cherry Truffle

Mint Chip

Kona Mud Pie

Hula Cookies & Ice Cream serves made-in-Maui brand Roselani ice cream.

I had the Kona Mud Pie - coffee ice cream with a mocha fudge sauce and chunks of chocolate cookie pieces - so yummy!!

Kids sizes are available, though still pretty pricey.

A lot of people order ice cream sandwiches - a scoop of ice cream between two Hula Cookies. Perhaps next time we'll try that.

Hula Cookies & Ice Cream
300 Maalaea Rd # 207

Maalea, HI 96793
(808) 243-2271

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Cowboy Cookie at Cattle Company Steakhouse

Our family loves going to Cattle Company Steakhouse.

They offer great coupon deals (the Campfire Dinner for Two is a fave), and if you sign up for their Prime Club, you'll get a coupon for a free dinner, and you'll also get a complimentary Cowboy Cookie dessert!

Cowboy Cookie

A warm, gigantic, chocolate chip cookie is topped with vanilla ice cream.  It's the perfect treat for sharing!  It's so indulgent!

Cattle Company Steakhouse (Black Angus) 

98-1262 Kaahumanu Street

Pearl City, 96782

(808) 487-0054

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Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting from Rise and Shine Cafe

Rise and Shine Cafe is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, and dessert.

On a recent visit, my kids kept begging for something sweet from the display case, so I let my oldest son pick something out.

He chose the Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting.

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Since I'm not a fan of cakes, this would not have been my first choice, but I'm so glad my son picked it out.  The cake was so moist, and the peanut butter frosting + chocolate cake combination was divine!

Rise and Shine Cafe offers a lot of great desserts, but this is a no-brainer for those who love chocolate + PB!


Rise and Shine Cafe 
95-1057 Ainamakua Dr Ste F-6
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 260-9312

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Miso Mochi Ice Cream at Gyu-Kaku

On our family's most recent visit to Gyu-Kaku, I noticed a new dessert on the menu - Miso Mochi Ice Cream. Intrigued, I just had to give it a try!

Miso Mochi Ice Cream

It was so good!  The miso flavor was really subtle, and I enjoyed the chunks of mochi throughout the ice cream.  I'd definitely ordered that again!

My kids ending up getting the S'mores (Cookies & Cream; Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate also available).

Although they had difficulty getting the marshmallows all toasty, they sure loved putting together the S'mores!


Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Mililani
95-1830 Meheula Parkway,
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 600-5848

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Chocolate Cream Pie at Fish House Ko Olina

Fish House at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is one of my new favorite restaurants on the island, offering great food, service, and views.  After eating some very tasty tacos at the Dub Box just outside the restaurant on a recent Taco Tuesday, my friend and I went into Fish House for dessert.

After perusing the dessert menu, I decided upon the Chocolate Cream Pie - OREO Crust, dark chocolate cream, vanilla, chocolate shavings.

It was pure chocolate decadence!

The Passion Fruit Carrot Cake is amazing as well, but if you love chocolate, definitely try the Chocolate Cream Pie.

Fish House 
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079

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