Something new: Gokoku Sushi
Get used to hearing this name: Pierthirty. It’s a Japanese company with more than 200 restaurants in Japan and China, but now has set its mark on Hawaii, with ambitious plans to open 20 restaurants (yes, 20…) here in the…
Author: Grant Shindo
Feeling nostalgic at Heights Drive Inn
Ever since Melissa Chang shared her Yoyogi Milk Hall experience, my mom hasn’t stopped talking about the days when she and her best friend used to save their money to buy Japanese magazines (that they couldn’t even read) just to…
Something new: Bethel Street Tap Room
The sudden and unexpected shuttering of Rakuen Lounge left a large vacancy in downtown’s nightlife and bar scene. Interested in who would take over this prime space, I kept walking past the storefront for an indication of what was to…
Honolulu Juice Company arrives downtown
After closing up shop in the Honolulu Club at the beginning of the year, the Honolulu Juice Company renovated and opened last month in a new location in the City Financial Tower. The cafe sits on the ground floor facing…
Something new: Doughlicious
A husband and wife team just opened a pizza shop in Samsung Plaza specializing in thin, crispy crusts, a secret tangy sauce and generous toppings. Six years ago, Greg Au’s love for making pizza started at his father’s McCully Union…
Who’s coming: Eat the Street Bacon
Eat the Street happens Friday, Nov. 21, a week early this month because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Get ready to pig out on this month’s theme — bacon! Here are some highlights: • Making their ETS debut this month are…
Where Japanese nationals eat Japanese food
No doubt, Japanese food is a staple here in Hawaii, and when we have a craving for sushi, tonkatsu or udon, there literally are hundreds of restaurants to consider. But where do Japanese nationals eat Japanese food? Are their preferences…
Chuggy’s picks: Restaurant Week 2014
Restaurant Week is typically a time for diners to flock to Hawaii restaurants for a taste of special prix fixe fare, discounted aged steaks and other promotional menu items. Between Nov. 17-23, eateries once again will be packed as people…
Something new: Choco le’a
An artisan chocolatier quietly expanded their shop in late September taking over the former LMS Boutique in Manoa. The story begins with Erin Kanno Uehara and her chocolate obsession, which led her on a search for the most delectable truffles…
Something new: Brue Bar at Paiko
The popular downtown coffee spot, Brue Bar, is opening a second location at Paiko in Our Kaka‘ako. Tucked inside the flower and plant shop on Auahi Street, Brue Bar kicks off its soft opening tomorrow, Nov. 8, from noon until…
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival Mahalo Reception
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, in partnership with Hawaii Tourism Authority and the visitor industry, presented checks to 14 nonprofit beneficiaries totaling $254,300. Since its inception in 2011, Hawaii Food & Wine Festival has raised nearly a million dollars…
New eats: Food trucks and street vendors
New food trucks and vendors continue to pop up at events, farmers markets and on the streets, serving up all kinds of dishes, desserts and drinks. Last week’s Eat the Street welcomed five new vendors, and more newcomers are expected…
Eat the Street: Dia de los Muertos
Friday’s Eat the Street celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with hungry skeletons, superheroes and actors. Five new food trucks made their debuts, offering katsudogs, cold-pressed juices, kim chee and more. Our favorite bites of the night…
Chain of Fire launches prologue exhibition
Chain of Fire: The Prologue Exhibition for the 2016 Honolulu Biennial held its opening reception Thursday evening in Our Kaka’ako, featuring a special showcase of the participating artists’ portfolios. The 11-day exhibition running through Nov. 9 is co-presented by Hawai’i…
Ask Frolic: Double date night
Ever since I started posting my eating adventures on Instagram, people around town have been asking me for restaurant recommendations for all kinds of occasions. I figure some of the information might be useful for others, so we decided to…
Where to celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a festival with Mexican roots honoring the dead with food, drink and parties. Here is your guide to the celebrations happening around the island. The ARTS at Marks Garage:…
Who’s coming: Eat the Street Dia de Los Muertos
Get ready for Mexican street foods at Friday’s Eat the Street celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. Be sure to come dressed to impress with your best Halloween costume and you’ll be entered to win…
Hawaii Wiener Derby
The sixth annual Hawaii Wiener Derby brought together pet lovers from around the island for a day of fun and racing. Dachshunds of all shapes and sizes congregated at the Lucky Dog Adventure Park in Waimanalo to find out who…
Something new: Tea Boss
Yet another Taiwanense tea shop — this one called Tea Boss — has come to town, offering milk teas, ice cream floats, foam mustache teas and slushes in a variety of unique flavors, including winter melon, matcha, root beer and…
Something new: Ahi Assassins
While sitting curbside at a popular Chinatown dim sum spot, I noticed a gigantic Ford truck parked on the street, with “Ahi Assassins” painted across the side along with accompanying social media tags. I immediately checked them out on Instagram…
Our Top 5: Sandwiches in Chinatown
I’ve been a Downtown worker bee for some time now and consider lunch sacred — the time each day I can step away from the office and enjoy a quick bite before getting back to the grind. Over the years,…
Win tickets to The GIFT Foundation’s Wunderland
We’re giving one lucky reader a pair of tickets (valued at $500/each) to The GIFT Foundation of Hawaii’s annual pre-Halloween fundraising bash at The Republik on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. The costume party, themed “Wunderland,” has traditionally been…
Save the date: Hallowbaloo Music + Arts Festival
About 15,000 people are expected to converge in Chinatown on Saturday for the seventh annual Hallowbaloo Music + Arts Festival, a huge Halloween block party with entertainment, food, costumes and lots of craziness. Hallowbaloo, presented by Burger King Hawaii, happens…
Something new: Shaka Shaka Tea Express at Puck’s Alley
Hawaii’s penchant for boba drinks, milk tea and basically anything Taiwanese tea has led to another shop to open in town. Last month, the Kalihi-based Shaka Shaka Tea Express opened a second location at Puck’s Alley in the University area.…
Two pros, $400,000, one Dragon King
Japan’s most prestigious shogi tournament, Ryu-oh, comes to Waikiki this week to crown a “Dragon King” and award $400,000 — the largest purse for any shogi tournament in history. Shogi, often described as the Japanese version of chess, may not…
Liliha Bakery Nimitz grand opening
After an extended soft opening, Liliha Bakery’s Nimitz location celebrated its official grand opening Tuesday, unveiling some new menu items to debut on Friday, Oct. 17. The new dishes include roast pork, prime rib, spicy baby back ribs, along with…
Pet Walk 2014
Thousands of pet lovers gathered at Magic Island Sunday morning for the Hawaiian Humane Society’s annual pet walk. Dogs, cats, rabbits and even a pig were spotted walking around the course. Here’s who we found along the way. Pet Walk…
US-Japan Council Conference and Festival
The U.S.-Japan Council’s annual conference brought together influential members of the Japanese-American community Friday to discuss growth, security and sustainability at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Twelve sessions spanned the day, and the speakers included actor George Takei; chef Roy Yamaguchi;…
Something new: Kaimana Farm Cafe
Specializing in healthy, farm-fresh food with a Japanese flair, Kaimana Farm Cafe quietly opened on Kapahulu Avenue in late September, taking over the tiny spot formerly occupied by Meatball.Originally from Osaka, Japan, owner Junko Ikawa worked at her sister’s small…
Where real Vietnamese eat Vietnamese food
When eating Vietnamese, we know orders can be pretty standard — pho, summer rolls, papaya salad and spring rolls. We’re guilty of resorting to the basics too, even though we know there’s a lot more depth to the cuisine worth…
Win tickets to ‘Fury’
We’re giving away 10 pairs of VIP tickets to the new Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf film, “Fury,” which screens at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Ward 16 Consolidated Theatres. The VIP ticket access will allow our winners…
The Good Table 2014
Fellow Frolic blogger Melissa Chang and I took part Thursday evening in The Good Table, an annual fundraiser for Lanakila Pacific’s Meals on Wheels, which feeds needy senior citizens year round. Restaurants around town created a special menu and donated…
Something new: Cinnamon’s at the Ilikai
The popular Kailua breakfast spot, Cinnamon’s, quietly opened a second Oahu location in the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki, meaning townies no longer have to trek over the Pali to indulge in the eatery’s famous guava chiffon pancakes, loco moco or…
Favorite finds: Farmers’ markets
Two of our friends, Malia Hutton (@koreankitkat) and Laurie Oue (@konaish) are farmers’ market fanatics who continuously snap photos of their delicious finds from a variety of vendors and post them on social media for the rest of us to…
Something new: Maguro Bros
Brothers Junichiro and Ryojiro Tsuchiya are fishmongers who spend the early morning hours hand-selecting fish at the fish auction and preparing them for delivery to restaurants. Originally from Kawasaki, Japan, they come from a family ingrained in the restaurant business.…
Who’s coming: Eat the Street Oktoberfest
We can’t believe how time has flown this year, but yes, it’s time for Eat the Street Oktoberfest, with sausage, sauerkraut and other German delights on the menu.As part of this month’s theme, there will be a best sausage contest…
Best Barman in the World at the Halekulani
The world’s best barman starts the night with a story. He has a distinguished English accent and shares the details of his travels. Colin Field, head barman at the Ritz Hotel Paris and creator of the famous Hemingway Bar, brings…
Something new: Izakaya Mai
A new restaurant, Izakaya Mai, has opened on Kapiolani in the former Ojiya Restaurant space across from the Hawaii Convention Center. Originally from Tokyo, Izakaya Mai owner Yoichi Ito worked in the airline industry as a dispatcher, but loved to…
Frolic picks: Weekend events
Thursday, Sept. 11 Courtyard Cinema: ’16 Acres’ Sept. 11, 6 p.m. Ward Village Ward Village, in partnership with the Hawaii International Film Festival and Consolidated Theatres, hosts its monthly film series event, Courtyard Cinema, on Sept. 11 at 6…
Our Top 5: Bento
With bento being one of Hawaii’s most beloved foods, I’m sure everyone has a favorite. The variety of meat, veggies, egg and rice make it perfect for field trips, picnics and lunch on the go. If you’re like me, I…
HFWF 2014: Halekulani Master Chefs Gala
Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival held its Master Chefs Gala at the Halekulani hotel Friday, allowing attendees who paid $1,000 per tickets to mingle with and feast on dishes by chefs Jose Garces, Johnny Iuzzini, Richard Rosendale, Iron Chef Hiroyuki…
HFWF 2014: A Farmers’ Food Show and Laulima at He’eia
The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival continued Friday with two day events, Laulima at He’eia and A Farmers’ Food Show Chef Welcome Reception, an invite-only gathering at Pier 38, where the daily Honolulu fish auction is held. Sponsored by Kamehameha…
HFWF 2014: Caviar and Krug Degustation
The Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival arrived Wednesday at the Halekulani Hotel with Caviar and Krug Degustation, a $400-per-ticket, sold-out event that let 36 lucky people experience the luxurious French Sturia caviar and some of the finest vintages of Champagne…
Beyond shrimp: North Shore’s new food truck scene
We’ve been hearing a lot about North Shore’s current food truck scene and how it’s evolved way beyond garlic shrimp plates. Although the guidebooks and tours may still lead visitors to the likes of Giovanni, Fumi, Mackey and Romy, hidden…
5 questions with Art Smith
As an official media partner of this year’s Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival, we’ll be interviewing several of the noteworthy chefs who be attending this year’s event, which runs Aug. 29 through Sept. 7. Chef Art Smith will be returning…
5 questions with Adam Richman
Photo courtesy of the Travel ChannelAs an official media partner of this year’s Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival, we’ll be interviewing several of the noteworthy chefs who be attending this year’s event, which runs Aug. 29 through Sept. 7. Adam…
Coming soon: Hawaii’s Favorite Kitchens
Rainbow Drive-In co-owner Jim GusukumaPhoto courtesy of Catherine TothThe iconic Rainbow Drive-In plans to launch a new venture in mid-September, called Hawaii’s Favorite Kitchens, in a space next door to its current Kapahulu digs.The legendary drive in’s co-owner, Jim Gusukuma,…
Dumpling making from ‘All Day Wong’
I’ve been a fan of Lee Anne Wong ever since she emerged on season 1 of “Top Chef,” so when Koko Head Cafe’s star chef sent me a copy of her new cookbook, “Dumplings All Day Wong,” I decided to…
Something new: Kaimuki Superette
Town’s Ed and Kristen Kenney on Monday launched their latest venture — Kaimuki Superette — a casual eatery and market specializing in foods from local farmers and ranchers.The Kenneys, in partnership with Dave Caldiero, opened the business across the street…
Something new: Lucy’s Lab Creamery
When we first heard about Lucy’s Lab Creamery and its creative assortment of ice cream flavors, we knew we had to try it. So on Friday, when the shop opened to the public, we stopped by for a taste.What we…
