Lunch at TsuruTonTan a Hit with Our Family

Signature Lunch Special

It can be a challenge to find a reasonably priced restaurant with a large enough menu to accommodate a 10 person family with kids with picky palates. On top of that, we like restaurants with ample parking. 

TsuruTonTan is located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and opens daily at 11:30am. They offer their happy hour prices until 5:30pm. They also offer monthly specials as well as kama'aina deals. My husband was most impressed with their January $3 draft Sapporo special.

We ordered a variety of dishes and most of us had their in-house daily made fresh udon which was excellent. Service was also great. We all had a great meal and I think this may be our go to in the future!

Takoyaki

Chicken karaage

Curry Udon

Aburi Shime Saba

Spicy Chicken and Cheese

Beef Udon

Taiyaki dessert with ice cream

Parking is validated for one hour at the restaurant, but if you are Kamaʻāina or military, you can receive 3 hours free parking with a purchase of $25 or more. Guests can receive their Kamaʻāina & Military validations from Helumoa Hale Guest Services, from 11 AM through 8 PM, located Building B, Level 1, next to The Royal Grove.

TusurTonTan

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

2233 Kalakaua Ave Ste B 310 

Honolulu, HI 96815

 

 

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Botanico Waikiki

Burrata and Tomato

I was so impressed by Botanico Waikiki when I attended their media event, that I returned with my friend who was visiting Hawaii. My friend has a gluten allergy and fortunately Botanico offers gluten free spaghetti.

We started with the Burrata and Tomato appetizer and I had the House Bolognese which was one of my favorites from the media event. Dinner was delicious! 

House Bolognese

Botanico offers Kama'aina 10% off dinner and 20% off lunch for food only and excludes happy hour. Seems like you need to ask for this discount as it was not offered to me when I dined. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30am and provides 3 hours validated parking at Waikiki Shopping Plaza with a minimum purchase of $30 in the restaurant. 

Botanico
Waikiki Shopping Plaza 1F
2250 Kalakaua Ave #101
Honolulu, HI 96815

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Dinner at Earls Waikiki

My friend wanted to celebrate her birthday at Earls Waikiki and I was excited to try the new restaurant that has 70 locations in the US and Canada. Getting a reservation for a large group on a Friday night was surprisingly easy. The toughest part was figuring out where to park as the restaurant has no validated parking. I decided to park at International Market Place and get validation with a $25 purchase. 

From the parking, it's about a 7 minute walk to Earls. After you check in at the host stand, go up the escalator. The restaurant is open air and was pretty warm that busy night so dress accordingly. The restaurant looks trendy and upscale with lots of greenery and dim lighting. I really liked the fun and lively atmosphere. I was also pleasantly surprised at the variety of dishes the menu offered from pricier steaks to more reasonably priced items like burgers and salads compared to other Waikiki restaurants.  

I ordered the carne tacos and they were delicious! Our group had a great time. Our server was pretty amazing and took good care of us. We were lucky to be seated at a long table as we saw a group squeezed tightly in a booth. The restaurant was also very accommodating and allowed us to bring a cake and did not charge a cutting fee. The parking is a bit of a deterrent, but I would like to return for their brunch menu in the future. 

Carne Tacos

Truffle Tortellini add prime sirloin

Beautiful restaurant

Earls Waikiki

2280 Kalākaua Ave Ste 201 

Honolulu, HI 96815

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ALOH Health Bar & Cafe in Waikiki

Ala Moana Bowl

On a recent staycation in Waikiki, my friend suggested we eat breakfast at ALOH Health Bar & Cafe. They offer coffee, acai bowls, and toasts, but best of all it was a 3-minute walk from our hotel. Conveniently located on Seaside, it appears to be a small shop from the outside, but you will find ample seating in the spacious cozy cafe including a couch in the back.

I ordered the Avocado Toast - Vegan Sourdough Bread, Fresh Avocado, Cream Cheese, Oregano Leaves, Himalayan Pink Salt, Cracked Pepper, Bagel Seasoning, ALOH Dressing. It may not look amazing, but I enjoyed it very much. The sourdough is flavorful and chewy. My friends loved their acai bowls and favored the Caprese Toast and Basil Pesto Toast. The acai bowls come in three different sizes so my friends opted for a small size bowl to pair with their toast.

ALOH Health Bar & Cafe is open daily from 6:30am to 10pm and you can order online for pickup. After 12pm, they offer milky shave ice. 

Avocado Toast

Basil Pesto Toast

Caprese Toast

Honey Ricotta Toast

Diamond Head Bowl - SMALL

ALOH Health Bar & Cafe

407 Seaside Ave Honolulu, HI 96815

  

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Lunch Specials at Appetito Craft Pizza and Wine Bar

Granchio Fettuccine

We were speechless when we arrived to Appettito in Waikiki and learned they did not
serve their delicious pizzas during lunch. For a split second we debated whether we
should just leave, but after the shock wore off we decided to stay and check out their
lunch sets.

The lunch sets feature an assortment of delicious sounding pastas and a daily
sandwich. Each special comes with a salad and soft drink, coffee, or tea. While we missed the pizzas a lot, the pasta dishes were definitely a welcomed consolation. 

Homemade Lasagna

Bacon and Eggplant Arrabiata

Shrimp Genovese Pasta

Daily Sandwich - Egg salad

Salad with set

Lunch is served from 11am to 1:30pm followed by Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm. Hopefully, they begin to serve pizzas at lunch. Service was friendly and attentive. Validated parking is available at the Outrigger Waikīkī Paradise Hotel (formerly Ohana Waikiki East).

Appetito Craft Pizza and Wine Bar

150 Kaiulani Ave Honolulu, HI 96815

808-501-2001

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Graduates Eat Free Promo at Arden Waikiki

Celebrating with Baked Hawaii

I've been wanting to take my family to dine at Arden Waikiki for awhile so when I spotted their Graduates Eat Free promotion, I knew it was time to make that reservation. From May 14 through June 15, graduates dine free with parties of four or more which was perfect for our family to celebrate my daughter's graduation from high school. 

The menu by husband and wife duo, Chefs Makoto Ono and Amanda Cheng, are meant to be shared family style. We were off to a great start with the Smoked Ahi Poke served with sweet potato chips and  Fries with Mentaiko Smoked Trout Roe. My daughter liked the fries so much, we requested another order. For the rest of the meal we shared the Mushroom Rice, Brussel Sprouts, Ahi, Kanpachi, and Ribeye which was more than what we could eat. All the dishes were beautifully presented and very tasty. My favorites were the poke, ahi, and mushroom rice. My son loved the juicy ribeye and we devoured all the desserts. It was a great dinner! The food was amazing, service was excellent, and the venue was relaxing.  

French 75 and Calpico Sour. So delicious!

Smoked Ahi Poke

Fries with Spicy Mayo + Mentaiko Smoked Trout Roe

Mushroom Rice

Brussel Sprouts

Charcoal Grilled Peppercorn Ahi

Steamed Kona Kanpachi

16 ounce Ribeye

Brownie Bar, Laie Vanilla Panna Cotta, and Baked Hawaii

For the promotion, Arden Waikiki is celebrating all graduates; any type from preschool to college and on. The promotion requires you to present a diploma, photo with diploma, or proof of graduation. The graduate will receive a credit equal to the average food cost per person, up to $80. One discount per table/per party and not combinable with any other discount or promotion. You can make a reservation on Open Table.

Self parking available at the Lotus Hotel.

Arden Waikiki

2885 Kalakaua Ave Fl 2 

Honolulu, HI 96815

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Breakfast at Basalt Waikiki

Pork Belly Fried Rice

My family recently celebrated Mother's Day with breakfast at Basalt Waikiki. Already a favorite of ours for dinner, it had been awhile since we dined for breakfast. Located in the Dukes Lane Market, Basalt is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner.

I like that the breakfast menu is not overwhelming and that there is something for everyone. Plus, the entrees are reasonably priced; especially for Waikiki which makes it a great value for families. 

Avocado Garden Toast + salmon

Basalt Breakfast

Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes

Loco Moco

Eggs Benedict

We had a lovely time at breakfast and service was great! There's both indoor and outdoor seating. Basalt offers complimentary validation for self-parking at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Hotel (entrance off of Seaside). 

Basalt Waikiki
2255 Kuhio Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815
808.923.5689

 

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HALEKULANI'S LA MER ANNOUNCES SPECIAL TASTING DINNER WITH CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC + May events

 

On June 27,  2025, La Mer proudly welcomes the Grands Vins of Château Cheval Blanc, St.-Émilion, along with its  esteemed Cellar Master, Carole André. Guests will embark on an unforgettable journey through a meticulously curated menu paired with some  of the most iconic vintages from Château Cheval Blanc, Cheval des Andes, and Château d'Yquem. Each  dish, crafted by La Mer's Executive Chef Alexandre Trancher, will be harmoniously paired with  exceptional wines selected by Sommelier Kevin Toyama and guided by Maître d’ Stephen Oyadomari. 

Ms. André will guide attendees through an immersive tasting experience, exploring the rich heritage and  history of one of Bordeaux's most celebrated Châteaux. As a pivotal figure in the wine industry, Ms.  André oversees the cellar teams across three estates, enhancing the precision and quality of their wines. 

Guests will begin the evening with Champagne Krug, Grand Cuvée 169ème Édition Brut, setting the  stage for a spectacular dining experience. The menu celebrates culinary artistry and wine excellence,  beginning with a Scallop-Kiwi Salad accompanied by Lemon Parsley Sorbet, Caviar-Sesame Tuiles, paired  with Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2021. Diners will then savor Abalone-Escargot complemented by Roasted  Cauliflower Mousseline and Cheval des Andes 2021. The journey continues with Steamed Turbot  Matelote, Maui Onion Stew, and Chasseur Garnish, paired with Château Cheval Blanc, Premier Grand  Cru Classé 2012, followed by Wagyu Beef with Pea Purée and Sugar Pea, paired with Château Cheval  Blanc 2009 and 2006. To conclude, a delightful Vanilla, Banana, and Apricot dessert paired with Château  d'Yquem, Sauternes 2016. 

Date: June 27, 2025 
Time: 6:30 pm 
Location: La Mer – Halekulani – 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96813 
Price: $675.00 per guest (inclusive), 21 and over only. 
No menu substitutions

UMI BY VIKRAM GARG IS CELEBRATING ITS TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday, May 11th, UMI by Vikram Garg celebrates its second anniversary and Mother's Day with a special five-course dinner menu featuring spring vegetables and fruits, inspired by Chef Garg's mother and mother-in-law.

Enjoy a seafood-centric menu with seasonal ingredients and bold global flavors. For more information or reservations, call 808-724-4244.

Breakfast Served Daily: 7:00 am -11:00 am (Last Seating 10:30 am)

Sunday Brunch: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm (Last Seating 12:30 pm)

Dinner Served Wednesday to Sunday: 5:30 pm -10:00 pm (Last Seating 8:30pm)

LEWERS LOUNGE PRESENTS CLOVER CLUB & MILADY'S TAKEOVER. MAY 18-19, 2025
For two nights only, New York City's acclaimed bars, Clover Club and Milady's, bring their signature cocktails to Lewers Lounge. Julie Reiner, renowned mixologist and owner of both establishments, returns to her Oahu roots to craft exclusive creations alongside our Director of Mixology, Tuda Sarian. Savor Clover Club's award-winning classics, like the Clover Club Cocktail, on Sunday, May 18, and experience Milady's vibrant energy on Monday, May 19. A rare chance to indulge in world-class cocktails, island style

THE WAITIKI 7 RETURNS TO HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY! MAY 23-25, 2025

    

Back by popular demand, The WAITIKI 7 will captivate audiences with their "Exotica" music—a blend of easy listening instrumentation and faraway soundscapes. Featuring unforgettable music in a serene island setting and perfectly themed drinks, this experience is not to be missed! A $7.00 per person entertainment cover charge will apply. To reserve your table, please call 808-518-2019. Inquire about the VIP Pass to meet the band before the concert.

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Redfish Poke Bar Waikiki

Thank you to our sponsor for this complimentary meal. All reviews and opinions are my own.

Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland, tucked away in a quieter corner of Waikiki, is a hidden gem that offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the main streets. The location, off the beaten path, makes it easily accessible by car and provides a more laid-back vibe, perfect for those seeking a relaxed, open-aired dining experience.

What sets Redfish apart is its innovative approach to poke. The menu features a creative array of poke varieties, available in unique flavor combinations that are sure to satisfy any craving. Whether you're a traditionalist or looking to try something new, there's something for everyone. In addition to their poke, Redfish offers a selection of "small bites" — perfect for appetizers — and "medium bites," which are ideal for sharing family-style.

For families, the keiki menu is a great option, and for those looking to unwind, the happy hour (2 PM - 5:30 PM daily) is not to be missed. The beverage menu is just as diverse, featuring both boozy and non-boozy drinks that complement the fresh, flavorful dishes.

We had the pleasure of trying a few dishes during our visit, and we were impressed by the bold flavors and fresh ingredients. 

Okonomiyaki Fries

Crispy Chicken Wings

Poke Flight

Hamachi (Ginger Scallion +$3)

Salmon (Hawaiian)

Ahi (Hawaiian)

Short Rib Loco Moco

Shrimp & Garlic Noodles

Malasada Bites

Chocolate Haupia Sundae

The highlight of the meal was definitely the Poke Trio. The poke was incredibly fresh and packed with flavor. The Okonomiyaki Fries would delicious but it would have been even better if the fries were served hot. The malasada bites were our favorite dessert of the two desserts we tried. 

A big thank you to our sponsors for inviting us to experience one of Waikiki's best spots for local favorites and poke!

Hours:

Sunday - Thursday, 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday & Saturday, 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Located in the Wayfinder Waikiki

2375 Ala Wai Blvd.

Honolulu. 96815

(808) 921-3220

Validated Parking: $6 for 3 hours (valet only)

Kama'aina Discount: 10% off with Hawaii I.D.

redfishpoke.com

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