Visit Waikoloa: HiCO Coffee Company

After trying the Croissant Breakfast Sandwich at HiCO Coffee Company in Waikoloa, it became one of my fave breakfast sandwiches from the area. 

Hashbrown & Bacon Croissant

The Hasbhbrown and Bacon Croissant is so filling.  All my breakfast faves in a croissant, with a yummy pesto mayo.

Smoked Ahi Cucumber Toast

HiCO Acai Bowl

HiCO is a great option for breakfast in the Waikoloa area!


HiCO Hawaiian Coffee
68-1845 Waikoloa Rd suite 126
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Waikoloa: Pueo's Osteria

While staying in Waikoloa, we decided to get take-out from Pueo's Osteria.  

We kept it simple - pizzas, salad, and bread.

Rita Pizza

Short Rib Pizza

House Made Brick Oven Focaccia

Big Island Baby Romaine

The Big Island Baby Romaine salad was like an elevated Caesar, with colatura dressing.  You could really taste the anchovies!

The pizzas were tasty, with quality ingredients and a thin, crispy crust.  I really liked the Rita - San Marzano sauce, mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. 

Pueo's Osteria
68-1820 Waikoloa Rd Suite 1201
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

 

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Visit Waikoloa: Breakfast at Hawaii Calls

I recently had a great breakfast at Hawaii Calls at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.   

Broken Yolk Burrito

The Broken Yolk Burrito was filled with bacon (or ham), spinach, tomato, your choice of cheese, and eggs.  It was satisfying and delish!

French Toast

One person had the French Toast, and it looked so yummy!

Loco Moco

Four of seven people in our party got the Loco Moco, because it's just that good.  Braised beef was perfectly tender and served with a delicious Hamakua Alii mushroom gravy.

We were all impressed with the breakfast options.  Service was great!

Hawaii Calls Restaurant
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
69-275 Waikōloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Waikoloa: HiCO Hawaiian Coffee

We stopped a HiCO Hawaiian Coffee for sandwiches.  We got them to go for the drive back to Hilo, so the pics aren't the best . . . 

Truffle Tuna

My friend had the Truffle Tuna and loved it.  From the Sundog sourdough bread to the arugula and Dijon, he was impressed by the sandwich. 

Hashbrown & Bacon Croissant

Although the hashbrown wasn't as crispy as I hoped, the sandwich was so delicious and filling.  I would never have thought to use a pesto mayo on a breakfast sandwich, but it worked!

HiCO Hawaiian Coffee
68-1845 Waikoloa Rd suite 126

Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Big Island: 4K Yakiniku Bar & Grill

 There’s a new buzz in Waikoloa Village, and it’s coming straight from the grill at 4K Yakiniku Bar & Grill—the newest restaurant to open in town. We had the chance to check it out on just their second night of business, and wow, the place was already happening! Packed with what looked like locals, friends, and family of the owners, the atmosphere was lively and full of aloha.

Since there weren’t any tables available when we arrived around 6 p.m., we grabbed a couple of seats at the bar and started our evening with drinks and pupus. We ordered the fried calamari (good, but nothing to write home about) and the ahi sashimi, which was a clear standout—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly sliced.

About 30 minutes later, our table was ready, and we were excited to get grilling. We shared the chuck tail flap, beef knuckle, and more ahi, all of which came raw and ready to cook yakiniku-style right at the table. Everything was high quality and full of flavor—the meats were so tasty they barely needed the ponzu sauce or any extra seasoning.

We also sampled the fried rice, which had a nice little kick to it (I passed that one to my spice-loving husband), rounding out a really satisfying meal.

It’s exciting to see a new restaurant bringing this kind of energy and flavor to Waikoloa Village. Between the friendly vibe, quality meats, and interactive grilling experience, 4K Yakiniku Bar & Grill is a welcome addition to this sleepy little town. Here’s hoping they thrive—we’ll definitely be back!

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Visit Big Island: Pueo's Osteria

I've been wanting to try Pueo's Osteria for a long time, and I finally had the chance while staying in Waikoloa Village for work recently.

I made reservations for 730pm.  It was pretty crowded with lots of people waiting to be seated.  At first I thought they were walk-ins, but many of them had reservations as well.  I checked in with the host a few minutes before 730pm, and we did not get seated until 752pm.  

I did overhear the host tell another waiting guest that they weren't expecting such a big crowd, but I feel like they could have managed the tables better to prevent those with reservations from waiting so long.

And then, once seated, we were not acknowledged by our server until 12 minutes later!  A simple "I'll be right with you," would've sufficed, but to be ignored for 12 minutes was quite frustrating.

I was ready to walk out, but we didn't know where else we would eat in the area after 8pm, so I just waited it out.

Fortunately, our server was very friendly and apologetic.

House Made Brick Oven Focaccia

I loved the texture of the Focaccia, but they added a little too much salt, in my opinion.  Even my friend, who loves salty foods, agreed that they added to much salt.

Big Island Baby Romaine Salad

My friend loved the salad, and said he appreciated how he could taste the anchovy in the dressing.

Mushroom Soup

The Mushroom Soup was a soup of the day.  It was a little too grainy in our opinion, but I loved the earthiness of the soup.  

Tagliatelle alla ragu Bolognese

The sauce was delicious and full of veal, beef, and pork, but the pasta was overcooked and not al dente.  

Spaghetti Carbonara

The Carbonara was delicious - nice and creamy, with saltiness from the pancetta and guanciale. 

We ended up being seated next to the window that looks into the kitchen, and the chef had said that table comes with perks, so he gave us a lovely crudo with bright flavors. 

Portions are huge and the vibe is much livelier than I had expected.

Despite the poor first impression, the night ended better than it began, and I would definitely give the place a second try.

Pueo's Osteria
68-1820 Waikoloa Rd Suite 1201

Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Kona: A-Bay's Island Grill Hawaii

We stopped at A-Bay's Island Grill Hawaii in the King's Shops, on the way back to Hilo.  

Two Eggs Your Way

You get your choice of meat plus potatoes and toast with Two Eggs Your Way.  

Chef's Corned Beef Hash Skillet

I thought the fried rice in the Corned Beef Hash Skillet was a little too salty and peppery, and I wish the corned beef hash was a bit crispier, but it was a very hearty dish.  

The breakfast menu is decently-sized, with classic and local favorites. 

The restaurant was a lot smaller than expected, and it was pretty crowded, with just one server, but he was excellent.  He was very welcoming and friendly.

There aren't many other breakfast spots open in the area at 8am (outside of the hotels), so A-Bay's is a nice option in Waikoloa Village.
 
King's Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort
250 Waikoloa Beach Drive

#J106Waikoloa, HI 96738

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Visit Hawaii Island: Hawaii Calls Restaurant

While at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, we dined at the Hawaii Calls Restaurant for both breakfast and lunch.

Broken Yolk Sandwich

The Broken Yolk Sandwich was on the menu when I visited 7 years ago, but now it's so much more elevated!  The bread was an olive hazelnut yuzu bread, and the hash browns were extra crispy!

The Rancher Omelet

The Rancher Omelet consisted of bacon, Portuguese sausage, smoked ham, and a cheese blend  It was a satisfying breakfast!

Island Club Wrap

The Island Club Wrap was enormous!  It was stuffed with a lot of turkey, as well as bacon, provolone, lettuce, and tomato.  I could only eat half!  

Grilled Mahi Sandwich

Mauna Kea Mud Pie

To beat the heat, I indulged in the Mauna Kea Mud Pie.  It was the perfect treat!  Kona Coffee and vanilla ice creams sat atop an OREO crust, with chocolate and caramel drizzled all over.  YUM!

Hawaii Calls Restaurant
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
69-275 Waikōloa Beach Dr

Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Big Island: Sweet Indulgence Hawaii

On the way to Mauna Lani one morning, we knew we had to get some food ahead of time since there may not be a chance to eat until late at night.  I researched to find what would be open for breakfast options, and found Sweet Indulgence Hawaii, which offered both sweet and savories.

Braised Short Rib Banh Mi

Bacon and Eggs Sandwich

The sandwiches were huge and stuffed!  The short rib was so tender, and I loved the pickled veggies. 

The Bacon and Eggs Sandwich included tender braised pork belly and a delightful sweet chili aioli.  Both sandwiches were made with housemade ciabatta.

Quiche

We picked up some quiche for our teammates - they looked so delish!

Lilikoi Crunch Cake, Lilikoi Cheesecake, Caramel Mac Nut Cheesecake

And let's not forget the desserts!  I loved they had so many varieties of cheesecake.  They are my weakness.

The cheesecake was creamy and rich, just the way I like it.

But surprisingly, it was the Lilikoi Crunch Cake that really won me over.

I wasn't planning on getting it because I'm not much of a crunch cake (or cake in general) fan, but my friend insisted.

I'm so glad he did, because it was the best crunch cake I ever had (and he enjoyed it was well).  The cake was so moist, and the lilikoi was just so pleasant without being overpowering.

Chef Leah was so sweet and gave us some homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, and it paired perfectly with the crunch cake. 

I am excited to try more cheesecake flavors, and I definitely will be order the Lilikoi Crunch Cake again!  


Sweet Indulgence Hawaii

Waikoloa Plaza
68-1820 Waikoloa Rd

Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

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Visit Hawaii Island: The bakery at KTA Super Stores Waikoloa

I've been visiting Waikoloa for years, and I never knew about the bakery at KTA Super Stores in Waikoloa Village until now, and boy have I been missing out!

When we visited Waikoloa last month, I told my family I wanted to check out the bakery at KTA Super Stores before heading to the hotel. We got there at around 11:30 am and unfortunately they were sold out of most of the items I wanted to try! The lady gave me look as if she was thinking "lady, you need to come earlier!".  So the next morning, I got the family up early and we drove back up to Waikoloa Village at 7 am and their display was full of pastries!

Here's a few pics of their offerings:

And this is what I ended up buying ... one box for our family and one box for the in-laws:

John really wanted to try the roll topped with macadamia nuts - he said it was really good! 

I REALLY liked the ube mochi donut. I liked it so much that I asked the husband to go to back to KTA again to buy more before he returned to Oahu (the boys and I returned a few days before he did).

And as a side note, KTA sells Two Ladies Kitchen mochi!

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KTA Super Stores - Waikoloa Village

68-3916 Paniolo Ave.

Waikoloa Village, Hawaii 96738

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