Latest posts from our Honolulu expert:
Down to Earth
This is one great reason vegetarians and organic food junkies can celebrate. Down to Earth, the country's largest all-vegetarian natural food chain hit Oahu's shores just 30 years ago and has grown in popularity ever since. Now with five convenient locations (three on Oahu and two in Maui), this fantastic supermarket and café is one of the best ways locals can feel healthy.
The Honolulu store, located at the corner of King and University, has rows of local veggies, fruits, cereals, and organic products. It has a café in the back with seating upstairs that serves a rotation of yummy buffet items and filling smoothies.
Keeping company with only two other health food stores in town, Kokua Market down the street and Umeke Market across from Kahala Mall, Down to Earth remains the best and biggest market for your vegetarian needs.
Hank's Haute Dogs
When Hank’s Haute Dogs first opened about one year ago, there was huge hype about these Chicago-style gourmet hotdogs that some locals drove all the way into town from Ewa and Waimanalo to have a first taste.
The mastermind behind these delicious dogs is Henry (“Hank”) Adaniya, a local who gained restaurant fame as a chef in Chicago, but decided to move back to Honolulu to open a hot dog stand that could offer locals with a taste of gourmet hotdogs. Popular dogs are the Chicago dog, chili cheese dog, and the vegetarian “No Dog.” Bold eaters can have a taste of Portuguese, chorizo, or strange meat (like alligator or rabbit!) dogs. Add all your desired fixins at no extra cost. Even creatively concocted dogs are under $10!
http://www.hankshautedogs.com
324 Coral St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
#808.532.4265
HOURS
Mon–Thurs 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m
Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream Parlor
No other ice cream parlor comes close to the yummy, homemade ice cream and desserts at Bubbies. The original Bubbies in Moili’ili, across the street from the old Varsity Theater, has been serving gourmet ice cream with local flavors like azuki, lychee, and green tea as well as pies with enticingly sexual names like “Come Here Little Girl,” “Mr. Momentum,” and “Prisoner of My Mind.” There are also a wide assortment of mochi ice cream, which are small couple-bite-sized globs of ice cream wrapped in a chewy and sweet rice flour dough. Both stores provide a comfortable, old-fashioned atmosphere for customers to enjoy their tasty dessert or after-dinner coffee or tea.
Whatever hour you manage to make it to the store, you are bound to encounter a line that sometimes pours out the door and onto the street. The one on University has an influx of customers after dinner, and the one in Koko Marina tends to have a decent crowd that likes to hang out at the tables outside.
http://www.bubbiesicecream.com
Varsity Center
Across Varsity Theater on Coyne Street
1010 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mon-Th 12 PM - 12 AM
Fri - Sat 12 PM - 1 AM
Sun 12 PM - 11:30 AM
Hawaii Kai
Koko Marina Shopping Center
7192 Kalanianaole Hwy D103
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 396-8722
Sun - Th 10 AM - 11 PM
Fri - Sat 10 AM - Midnight
W & M's Bar-B-Q Burger
This historic barbecue joint has been serving up gourmet barbecue burgers for over fifty years and locals can't help but come back for more. The secret to success is in the way the burgers are flavored: simple and sweet, with a little kick. They dip each burger three times. First, before it hits the grill; second, when it's flipped; third, before it goes on the bun. The fries are delicious too, with perfect crispiness on the outside. The simple menu offers either burgers or steak burgers with fixins', fries, and fountain drinks. Everything is priced under $5. Customers sidle up to the order window, then wait for someone to call their number at the pick-up window. This is your typical hole-in-the-wall take out joint, but its system is efficient and works!
This place is very popular at all hours, so be prepared to wait 15-20 minutes for your order to be ready. With only five stalls in its tiny lot, parking can be a hassle. It is recommended to call in your order so you can get in there and on your way.
(808) 734-3350
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday - Friday 10:00 - 4:30
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 - 4:30
W and M Bar-B-Q Burger
3104 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI, United States, 96816-1510
808.734.3350
Therapy Sports Bar and Grill
If you're looking for a place to wind down with locals in a comfortable setting, the new Therapy Sports Bar and Grill in Koko Marina Shopping Center might be the place.
I stopped in with a friend two months ago just after the bar opened, and the bar was relatively uncrowded. It has a nice clean setting with a bar in the front, games along the wall (including basketball and computerized darts), karaoke TV's, and two pool tables in the back. I imagine a day visit would be worthwhile too, as the entire back wall overlooks the lagoon and boat harbor.
My second trip a few weeks later demonstrated its already increasing popularity. This place cooks up pupus and food all day and night and can hold large parties up to 12.
Now, if my friends and I don't know where to go at night, Therapy usually tops our list. It's great when you tell your friends you're "going to Therapy" now because the phrase takes on a whole new meaning.
Happy hour is from noon to 3 p.m. with half-off drinks (excluding super premiums and bottled beer). Weekdays from 4 to 8 p.m. it’s $2 beer and half-off well drinks.
Koko Marina Center
7192 Kalanianaole
Honolulu, HI 96825 (808) 394-8200
With its palm trees, tropical valleys, and rugged Ko’olau mountains, it’s not difficult to see why Honolulu continues to be ranked as one of the top ten “green” cities in the United States. In keeping with this, Kristine and Todd Brown opened a hidden little kitchen that prepares creative and delicious “bento” plates for a reasonable price.
What’s a bento?
A bento, a popular lunch food in Hawaii, is a Japanese-style packed lunch consisting of rice, vegetables, and (usually) sashimi — or raw fish. Bentos are healthy, complete meals in a box. So, in keeping with this idea, the Brown’s prepare for you a very tasty box lunch made from completely organic produce.
Everything at Well Bento is made from scratch daily, and there are no unnatural ingredients, meaning they are free of chemicals, additives, preservatives, and refined sugars.
Todd, an Iron Chef competition winner, and Kristine, a certified nutritionist, know exactly what your body needs to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The menu is so diverse (with both “vegetarian” and “transitional” bento items) and so creative (doesn’t the “Zen Macro” just make you want to become like Buddha?) that your mouth will water just thinking about the food.
Where is Well Bento?
There is no dining room at Well Bento. In fact, this kitchen is located on the second floor of the East West Building at the corner of University and King Street (across from Puck’s Alley). The best option for you is to check out their menu online at www.wellbento.com, call in and order your food at #808.941.5261, pick up your food, and enjoy!
Well Bento
2570 S. Beretania, Suite 204
Honolulu, HI 96826
Well Bento
2570 S Beretania St #204, Honolulu, HI, United States, 96826-1594
808.941.5261
Spam Musubi
I once wrote an acrostic poem about my love of spam that went something like this:
Salty slab of not quite bacon —
Pig flesh so curiously pink,
Are you ever not on my mind,
Mocking my every taste bud?
I take comfort in the fact that I can buy a spam musubi from any 7-Eleven in Honolulu for just $1.09. If I need a pick-me-up or just something to fill my tummy, I head to the local convenience store and purchase this Hawaiian staple.
Spam is prepared in other foods too, like next to scrambled eggs for breakfast or in fried rice for dinner. It really is the other white meat — except it’s pink.
And there is a reason why we Hawaiians love spam to such a degree that we consume more of it than any other locale in the world. (Almost 5 million cans of Spam are purchased per year). As the major Pacific port during World War II, spam was brought to the islands by the boatload mainly because it didn’t require refrigeration and it provided protein and sustenance for military personnel. For nearly 60 years now, numerous spam dishes have been invented and several continue to be special local recipes.
To be honest, though, I am only partial to spam musubi, which is really just a warm sushi. If you’re brave enough, here is my personal recipe to try it for yourself.
SPAM MUSUBI
Makes 16
Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked short- or medium-grain rice
4 cups water
4 sheets of sushi nori (seaweed in big squares)
1 12-ounce can spam
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
Water
Instructions:
1. Prepare rice.
2. Cut nori into quarters.
3. Cut spam into 16 thin, rectangular slices. In a large un-greased frying pan over medium heat, fry slices until brown and slightly crispy. Remove from heat.
4. In a small saucepan over high heat, add soy sauce and sugar; bring just to a boil, then remove from heat. Add spam slices to mixture.
5. Place spam on top of ? cup of cooked rice and wrap with seaweed.
Enjoy!