Bravo Restaurant

If you've never eaten here before, you have to come and try their complimentary Garlic Rolls. I know it's greasy but it's good grease and it's full of garlic flavor. You have to eat them right when they to your table. If you let it cool, the rolls get hard. If you finish the basket they'll refill it.

They cook their pasta a little longer. It's probably because locals prefer their noodles soft. If you want yours "al dente," tell the waiter.

For more information about Bravo Restaurant, please visit http://www.bravorestaurant.com.

Pearl Ridge Center
98-115 Kaonohi St
Aiea, HI 96701

Garlic Rolls

Calamari

Rotisserie Chicken

Linguine w/ Clams

New Empress Restaurant - CLOSED

This restaurant has gone through so many owners. The service used to be really bad but they're slowly improving. I was there twice last month. During the week days, it's more of a hang out for retired folks. On the weekends it's mostly Chinese families.

The taste of their food is okay. They don't put much thought into presentation. What you ask for is what you get and that's probably how they keep the cost down. It's not bad, give it a try if you're in Culture Plaza.

Chinese Culture Plaza
100 N Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Ha Gau (Shrimp Dumpling)

Beef Ball

Chicken Feet

Tripe

Roast Duck

The Alley Restaurant

The locals love coming here! I went on a Tuesday night and it was packed. It took one hour to get a table. The food was greasy but it was so delicious. You must order the mega crunch fries and lemon crunch cake. I thought their ox tail soup was okay. They put a lot of Chinese spices in there and I didn't think my taste buds liked those flavors.

Also on Tuesdays, the restaurant has something called "Tasty Tuesdays" where they serve upscale dishes. They require you to make a reservation. If you're interested, the menu is posted on their website.

For more information about The Alley Restaurant Bar & Grill, please visit http://www.aieabowl.com/restaurant.htm.

Aiea Bowl
99-115 Aiea Heights Dr, Ste 310
Aiea, HI 96701

Garlic Mega Crunch Fries

Beer Battered Onion Rings

Alley's Caesar Salad w/ Tasty Chicken

Ox Tail Soup

Tasty Chicken Bowl

Alley Mix Plate (Loco Moco & Tasty Chicken)

Lemon Crunch Cake

Yanagi Sushi

We all know that sushi and sashimi can be really expensive. At Yanagi, their items are affordable. The color of the sashimi is always nice and no fishiness. It's probably not the highest grade fish like the other fancy restaurants but I'm fine with it. There are times where I can't be spending $50+ on a normal dinner.

This place is really good for groups. Depending on how busy they are, you can make a reservation 20 minutes in advanced and they can set up the room for your party. If the regular menu is still to expensive for you, you can come for their late night special. For late night you have to park your own car, there's no valet service. If you don't want valet during lunch and dinner, you can park on the street.

For more information about Yanagi Sushi, please visit http://www.yanagisushi-hawaii.com.

762 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96813

Sashimi Deluxe

Toro Tataki

Fresh Salmon w/ Maui Onion

Spicy Hamachi Roll

Anago Roll

Sushi Deluxe

City Cafe - CLOSED

On a hot afternoon, you might want to swing by this place and try their Taiwanese shave ice. They flavor the shave ice with a brown sugar syrup and you have a choice of 1-6 toppings. Some toppings I recommend are almond jelly, coffee jelly, and pudding. Since the ice is shaved so thin, you have to eat this really fast or you'll be drinking sweet soup. If you don't feel like getting the Taiwanese shave ice, you can try the bubble drinks or the sandwiches.

1518-F Makaloa St
Honolulu, HI 96814

coffee jelly, coconut tapioca, mochi balls

mochi balls, almond jelly, coconut tapioca

almond jelly, pudding, coconut tapioca

Moon Garden

The restaurant is in a slightly sketchy area but don't let that stop you from going. They have really good Chinese food. I've been here 3 times and I've always walked away satisfied.

The restaurant is very small and their parking lot is always full. I recommend making reservations 2 days in advance. If you don't plan on making a reservation, the best time to come is before 6:30pm. It also helps if you can speak Cantonese.

578 N Vineyard Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96817

Fresh Prawns

BBQ Spareribs

Fish Fillet w/ Vegetables

Choy Sum

Salted Duck Egg & Preserved Duck Egg w/ Spinach

Seafood Cake Noodle