Tonkatsu Atmark

Tonkatsu Atmark is a new tonkatsu restaurant near Ala Moana Center. Their specialties are the pork loin and pork tenderloin katsu but they also have beef, chicken, shrimp, and oyster. I highly recommend the A5 miyazaki-gyu tenderloin katsu because the beef melts in your mouth. The pork tenderloin katsu was very good as well but it was not as tender as the beef. Their prices are high. The beef katsu set was $135 and pork tenderloin katsu set was $33. The set comes with rice, miso soup, cabbage, tsukemono, and 3 side dishes. They give free refills for rice and cabbage. They also have 3 dipping sauces for the katsu but my favorite was the mild sauce. The flavor was light and it complimented the katsu. The other 2 sauces had too much flavor. 

The restaurant is located across Hawaiki Tower between Hangang and Bernini. You should make a reservation in advance because they will turn away people who walk in. The staff are nice and they're really appreciative of the customers. The wait time for food was reasonable and I would come back again for the A5 miyazaki-gyu tenderloin katsu. For parking, there is a small parking lot next to the restaurant which is shared with other businesses and metered parking on Waimanu Street.

1232 Waimanu St Suite 101
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 200-2110

A5 Miyazaki-gyu Tenderloin Katsu (180g)

Dry Aged Pork Tenderloin Katsu (200g)

Sesame Seeds, Tsukemono,
3 side dishes

Dipping sauces

 

Juicy Brew

Juicy Brew is a plant-based restaurant that offers dine in as well as grab and go options. They are open for lunch and dinner at the Kaimuki location. The chefs are creative with the food menu and the presentation for each dish is colorful and pretty. Their flavors are on the lighter side for me since I like a lot of sauce and seasonings in my food but this was an option for eating healthy. I enjoyed the soba salad with tofu poke and the banh mi style tofu burger. Their prices range from $12 - $18 and the portions are reasonable. Since its plant based, I noticed the buns, noodles, and the desserts are more wet/sticky. Overall, the food is not bad. If you're doing a no meat diet or prefer some healthier alternatives, give this restaurant a try. 

They are located on Waialae Ave between 7th and 8th Ave block across from Finance Factors. The inside is small but they have a few tables and counter seating against the window. The staff are friendly and they gave us some good recommendations on the food and desserts. The desserts are in the fridge so save room to try the tres leches cake with blueberry compote. For parking, there is metered street parking in front of the restaurant or you can find free street parking in the residential areas of Palolo or Kaimuki.  

For more information about Juicy Brew, visit juicybrew.menu/home. 

3392 Waialae Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 797-9177 

Orange-Yuzu Hirata Buns

Soba Salad w/ Tofu Poke

Chow Fun Noodles

Banh Mi Style Lemongrass Tofu Burger

 

Oli's Kitchen

Oli's Kitchen offers local style comfort food for breakfast and lunch daily. They have a loco moco and kalbi plate but their best items are the garlic chicken, salt & pepper chicken and breakfast. They give large portions and the prices are cheap. For breakfast, the bacon waffle with peanut butter maple glaze and the stuffed french toast with peanut butter and banana are a "must try!" My favorite is the garlic chicken because it's sweet and savory with a hint of garlic flavor that's not overpowering. 

They are located at Puck's Alley next to Nijiya Market on University Ave by the bus stop. The staff are friendly they check to make sure you're all good even after you get your food. If the restaurant is half full, the kitchen does take a little longer but because the atmosphere is so chill, just talk story with your friends and enjoy the Hawaiian music over the speakers. I usually come for breakfast around 9am on weekends and do a walk in. If you are coming with 6 or more people, I recommend calling them first to see if they can arrange the tables and chairs to accommodate you. The parking in Puck's Alley is pricey if you go past 1 hour. It will cost you $3.99, pay in the Metropolis app on your phone. If you can leave in under 1 hour, the parking is free. 

For more information about Oli's Kitchen visit oliskitchenhawaii.com.

Puck's Alley
1009 University Ave
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 387-0457

 

Half n Half Chicken Plate
(Salt n Pepper, Garlic)

2 Egg Breakfast w/ 
Portuguese Sausage & Hash

Pancakes (3pc)

Stuffed French Toast w/ 
Peanut Butter Banana (3pc)

Black Shamrock Tavern

Black Shamrock Tavern is an Irish pub that serves Jersey style pizza. They have the standard pizzas like cheese, pepperoni, o'Maggie (margherita), and a white pie but what I recommend are their specials. The pizza specials are a fusion of Hawaii ingredients and it changes often. I love their pepperoni because it's only $18 but I've also enjoyed any of the specials that have burrata in it. The pizzas come to the table hot and fresh and you get that really nice cheese pull from that first slice. They have a full bar of beverages but also soda for those who don't drink.

They are in Honolulu Chinatown at the corner of Marin Street and Nuuanu Ave. Their exterior is a red brick building and you'll see a sign hanging out in front. The staff and owner are friendly. Even when it's busy, the owner stops by the table to check and make sure everyone is doing okay. That's not something I get at other locally owned food establishments on Oahu so this is excellent service. Their prices are reasonable and it keeps me coming back for both lunch and pau hana/dinner. For parking, there is metered street parking on Nuuanu Ave or the Marin Tower Municipal Parking since they are 1 block away and they rates are cheap. 

For more information about Black Shamrock Tavern, visit blackshamrocktavern.com. 

902 Nuuanu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 777-3000

Pizza Special

Pepperoni Pizza

Basket o' Fries

Jalapeno Poppers

Baton a Manger

Baton a Manger is a pop up sandwich shop in Honolulu. Their sandwiches are long and narrow and made with a flaky puff pastry. I was lucky enough to have a friend buy a few for me to try and I was very impressed. Each sandwich comes wrapped inside it's own box with a napkin inside. The packaging was definitely fancy! 

I highly recommend the Jambon Beurre which is filled with ham and cheese. The flaky puff pastry makes the sandwich lighter so you might find yourself wanting a 2nd one. The Yuzu Kosho Egg Sando was good but I'm not a fan of spicy food or egg salad. 

To find out where they will appear next, visit @batonamanger on Instagram. 

Yuzu Kosho Egg Sando

Jambon Beurre

Baton Packaging