HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 12 Best Frozen Treats for a Boiling Hot Day on O‘ahu
Labor Day might signal the end of summer elsewhere, but we’ll still be sweating through the next few months. Here are our favorite ways to cool down.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
Articles
Your guide to pickup and delivery of local snacks and essentials
Maybe you're not comfortable venturing out these days. Maybe you're tired of scrolling through Instacart looking for fresh local produce and snacks. Lucky for you, options for local delivery and pickup are increasing, not just for Island-grown fruits and vegetables but…
Ready for luxe? Little Joe's Steakhouse has a surf and turf special
Dining deals are popping up everywhere. Little Joe's Steakhouse invited us to check out its new $45 surf and turf special: an entree tbat pairs 8 ounces of filet mignon and a lobster tail, available Wednesday to Friday. The price is…
Heading back to Zippy's? Here's what it's like to eat in now
Zippy's, the iconic local diner chain, was a regular stop for many, so while they've been open for takeout, there was a collective holding of breath through the months-long closure of all their dining rooms statewide. Now they're slowly reopening,…
The Best Places To Eat Outside in West O‘ahu
When one door shuts, the outdoors open. Here are some of our favorite restaurants on O‘ahu for dining alfresco.
Find Ube and Mango Mochi Malassadas at Dukes Lane Market & Eatery
These new items in Waikīkī are fried fresh and delightfully chewy.
Vino's $58 takeout dinner for two is a deal
The pandemic has changed the landscape of dining in Hawaii, giving rise to creative pivots at restaurants that have stayed open. That's why DK Restaurants' Waikiki-based Sansei and DK Steak House have been operating out of Vino Italian Tapas &…
There's Mochi Malassadas in Waikīkī
Dukes Lane Market & Eatery sells sweetly chewy ube, mango and original mochi malassadas.
Out in the Open: The Best Places To Go For Outdoor Dining on O‘ahu Right Now
When one door shuts, the outdoors open. Here are some of our favorite restaurants around the island for dining alfresco.
First Look: Foodland Farms’ New Store and Restaurant, Mahi‘ai Table
The latest Foodland Farms opened last week in Kapolei with the chain’s first in-store restaurant, open daily for breakfast through dessert. Here’s what we found, ate and loved.
There's AYCE soup, salad and pasta in Moanalua
Olive Garden is famous for its unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks. For the month of July, locals can experience something similar — but with pasta thrown in — for $12.99 at Mangiamo by 604. AYCE soup, salad and pasta is…
Ice cream patrol: Costco has new ice cream sundaes
When Frolic assistant editor Thomas Obungen texted me that the Costco food court now has ice cream sundaes, I practically leapt off my chair. It was like my prayers for respite from the muggy, sweltering heat had been answered. I…
Sneak Peek at Foodland’s First In-Store Restaurant
Mahi‘ai Table opens July 15 along with Foodland Farms in Kapolei.
Grilled cheese 2.0: Three crispy, oozy new sandwiches
It turns out that for us, pandemic eating means comfort eating. And by us I mean me and by by comfort eating, I mainly mean grilled cheese. The quintessential American sandwich never gets old. There's something so soothing and nostalgic…
Kakaako's Bluetree Cafe now serves $5 glasses of wine
Bluetree Cafe is known for its health-conscious coffee drinks and cold-pressed juice cleanses, but when I saw a recent post on Instagram, I had to stop scrolling to make sure my eyes did not deceive me. A glass of wine for $5? Wait,…
Dine-in and takeout menus for Father's Day
What are you treating Dad to on Father's Day this Sunday? Now that restaurants can welcome diners again, you have your choice to spoil him with both dine-in and takeout specials. Whether you want the ultimate barbecue feast or a…
Kapolei gets a new ramen and izakaya spot
I don't go to Kapolei often but I found myself there twice in the same week for the new Tanaka Ramen and Izakaya. See also: Our go-to: Ramen Tanaka Ramen is in Kapolei Marketplace, in the former Agu Ramen space on the…
Changes you'll see when you eat at restaurants again
You dove into cooking at home in March, then stepped up the restaurant takeout and deliveries, and even experimented with DIY food kits for hot, fresh food with minimal effort. And now, at last, the day we've been waiting for…
Still at home? Here are fun DIY food & drink kits
Let's face it: We love our beach time, but we're still looking for ways to fill home time. Thanks to some easy DIY kits, we can be our own gourmet chef or mixologist and end up with something fresh and…
These Oahu restaurants are reopening for dine-in
Editor's note: We did our best, but we had to stop updating this list on June 4, the night before Oahu restaurants reopened their dining rooms, when announcements from eateries started coming in too fast for us to keep up.…
Two-minute takeout: 22 Kailua
Update Sept. 20, 2020: Bento offerings have changed since this post, so check and order on their social media. In other news, 22 Kailua now offers pickups in town so townies don't have to trek over the Pali. It's still…
Jolene's Market just debuted a fried chicken sandwich
Like many other restaurants, Jolene's Market closed temporarily when Hawaii's stay-at-home order began. But the Chinatown food hall recently reopened for takeout, revealing a new, hugely expanded menu at Da Buttah Lobster. See also: Honolulu's newest lobster roll is in…
New Midnight Hi delivers midnight munchies
Enormous chocolate chip cookies bigger than your head. Two pounds of assorted fries with tubs of dipping sauce. Tater tots covered with mac and cheese, sriracha aioli AND Flaming Hot Cheetos. It's clear that all inhibitions are lost when you order delivery…
A new ramen restaurant just opened in Kaimuki
A ramen restaurant has opened for takeout in Kaimuki — yup, in the middle of quarantine. Noods Ramen Bar caught my eye when foodie friends posted delicious-looking bowls. Curious, I clicked on Noods' Instagram and immediately saw bowls I wanted…
Essential eats: A sweet tooth's quarantine survival guide
It's Friday and day number 102,389,787,234 in quarantine. At least it feels like it, and it's time for a treat. Working from home has made me crave sweets even more. Pandemic or not, dessert is always essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of…
60 special takeout menus for Mother's Day
Mother's Day is special, no matter what the circumstances. Whether you celebrate at the table with Mom or order her a feast to share on Zoom, there are dozens of takeout meals that will make her feel special. Scroll below…
10 Mother’s Day Meals Available for Takeout and Delivery in Honolulu
Brunch is just the beginning. Local restaurants offer everything from a 16-dish buffet experience to all-day eating to-go for mom’s big day.
Where to score taco deals on Cinco de Mayo
Ole! How often does Cinco de Mayo fall on a Taco Tuesday? Scroll below to see which restos have special Cinco de Mayo menus and other Taco Tuesday deals. See also: The best Taco Tuesday deals on Oahu Alejandros Mexican Food:…
What I found at Walmart: Millennium Falcon ice cream sandwiches
What I found at ... is a series that tests and vets intriguing store-bought foodie finds. What: Millennium Falcon ice cream sandwichesWhere: Walmart Pearl City or Walmart KeeaumokuCost: $7.13 for a box of 6 Q: Is The Force strong with…
Two-minute takeout: Ige's Lunchwagon & Catering
It's still a delicious landscape out there! As we ride out this pandemic by staying at home, many of us are trying takeout from places we've never been before. Kelli Shiroma Braiotta was craving plate lunch, so she stopped by…
Essential eats: Never fear, these ramen restaurants are still here
In these uncertain times, all we need is comfort, and nothing fills the void in our hearts and bellies like a steaming bowl of ramen. Whether you love black garlic broth, want lots of veggies or you're craving thick char siu,…
Essential eats: Where to find Hawaiian plates
It's Friday and you survived yet another week in quarantine! *Virtual high five* There's no better way to celebrate than with the quintessential Hawaiian plate. Whether you're craving lau lau, kalua pork or poi — or all three — here's where…
DIY acai kits are a new thing at House of Pure Aloha
It's only April but it feels like summer. This sudden heat wave has me craving frozen treats. Which is why when Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha announced on their Instagram that they were selling acai kits along with popsicles, ice cream…
Two-minute takeout: Fine dining from M by Chef Mavro
It's still a delicious landscape out there! As we ride out this pandemic by staying at home, many of us are trying takeout from places we've never been before. Kelli Shiroma-Braiotta picks up dinner from Chef Mavro, where dine-in prix…
Essential eats: These sushi spots are calling to you
My sushi cravings started when Hawaii's stay-at-home order forced some of my fave local spots to temporarily shut their doors. And judging by the robust response when we asked Instagrammers to tell us which sushi restaurants are still open, I'm…
Hop to it: These restaurants are doing Easter takeout
Easter is right around the corner —this Sunday, to be exact. Though it's hard to remember what day it is with all this COVID-19 craziness. Whether you want a bougie brunch spread or a complete lamb, prime rib or steak dinner,…
Bakeries, boba shops & more show the true meaning of aloha
It's Friday morning and in Kalihi, there's a line of cars stretching down Puuhale Road. They're there because Sun Noodle is giving away 1,000 ramen kits — each with 10 servings of noodles and soup base — "to share and…
Essential eats: Where to get your manapua fix
Nothing embodies comfort like a fresh manapua. The soft, pillowy bun filled with savory-sweet pork is like a warm hug. Thankfully, the Oahu manapua shops below are still open. Clicking on each store's name will take you to its Instagram page…
Essential eats: Here's what farmers markets are doing now
Note: The farmers market info at the bottom of this post is current as of August 2020. No doubt you've seen the long lines at Costco, Sam's Club and other stores and supermarkets. But what's the scene at your local…
Essential eats: These bakeries want you to know they're open
In times like these, pastries, housemade breads and snacks from your fave local bakery can make all the difference. So we posted a question on Instagram asking which ones are still open — and got well over 100 responses. Scroll below to…
