‘Ono Buzz: 2 Dishes You Must Try This Month in Honolulu

Two things you should be eating this month.

Pie Oh My

PHOTO: KELSEY AMOS

We’ve all got go-to local goodies and treats for parties and omiyage. Here’s one more: Hawaiian Pie Co. in Kalihi offers pies and other pastries with the right combination of local flair and simple yumminess to please any crowd. Our favorite is the passion pear with “Hawaiian Topping,” which tastes like half crumble, half butter mochi. Although much is made about the buttery crusts, we found them to be upstaged by the magic filling. $5–$6 for single slices, $20–$23 for full pies.

508 Waiakamilo Road, open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday, 988-7828, hawaiianpieco.com

Brunch in Chinatown    

Photo: Martha Cheng

Grondin French-Latin Kitchen on Hotel Street recently launched a brunch menu, with new dishes including pillowy soft French toast with caramel walnuts, a chorizo omelet that comes with Grondin’s own crumbled and spiced sausage and cotija cheese, and textbook-perfect smoked-salmon eggs Benedict. And what’s brunch without cocktails? Try the smoked bloody mary or the hibiscus mimosa. 

62 N. Hotel St., 566-6768, grondinhi.com