Maple Garden

This is your typical Chinese restaurant. My guess is the staff here are all family because everyone just wore their own clothes. We had reservations for dinner but there was a huge party happening in the front dining area so we were seated in the back. There were about 6 tables in the back and the atmosphere was very quiet.

The food is okay. No dish had caught my eye but I really didn't like the Peking Duck. The staff doesn't put the duck skin into the bun with the hoisin sauce, you have to do it yourself. The duck itself had bones in it. There were only 4-5 pieces that was actually suitable for putting into the bun. The ones who had a piece of bone in their duck was struggling. It totally ruined the dish. I don't think I'd dine here again.

For more information about Maple Garden, visit http://www.maplegardenhawaii.com.

909 Isenberg St
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 941-6641

Steamed Fish

Crispy Chicken w/ Chef's Special Sauce

Peking Duck

Braised Pork Thigh

House Chow Mein

Coffee or Tea?

Don't be confused by their name, they offer more than just coffee and tea. They also have Taiwanese shave ice and Chinese style snacks. The staff and the owners here are constantly experimenting so you'll always find something new on the menu.

The drinks here are customizable. You can choose as many topping as you want in your cup. The down side is that the price goes up as you add. You also get less coffee/tea because those toppings are taking up space at the bottom.

If you come here after 9pm on any day, you'll probably see groups of Chinese people hanging out in the front of the shop. They're not going to bite if you don't look Asian, just walk in and get your drink. If you decide you want to sit in, make sure you don't bring any outside food. They're super strict and the staff will yell at you. This place is cash only and the average drink costs around $3.50.

McCully Shopping Center
1960 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 942-4357

Watermelon Milk Tea w/ Boba

Lemon Ice Green Tea

Shave Ice w/ Grass Jelly, Pudding & Boba

Shave Ice w/ Condensed Milk, Pineapple,
Strawberry, Vanilla Ice Cream & Boba

Green Tea Shake

Papaya Milk

Lee's BBQ & Sushi

They are located inside of Pioneer Plaza and I believe they opened early last month. My co-worker stumbled in and so the rest of us decided to give it a try too. There were bentos on the side counter and the food looked pretty tasty but we all wanted the plate lunches. Our food took about 15 minutes and the lady forgot to give my co-worker the fountain drink she had order. That was a major thumbs down. The second thumbs down was the taste of the food. There wasn't much taste and we were all disappointed because the side vegetables shown in the photos at the shop wasn't what we got. I don't plan to eat here again.

Pioneer Plaza
900 Fort St Mall
Honolulu, HI 96813

Meat Jun (mini)

BBQ Chicken (regular)

Bar 35

I'm not a drinker but I'll come here any day because they have good food. Their pizzas are delicious. They go for about $12 each and they're perfect for sharing. For those with big appetites, you might want to just have one all to yourself.

The downside to this place is that's in a sketchy part of downtown. When I first walked in, the smell was unpleasant but then if you go all the way to the back, they have a nice outside sitting area. Since the bar is on Hotel Street, your only option for parking is the street.

For more information about Bar 35, visit http://www.bar35hawaii.com.

35 N Hotel St
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 537-3535

Triple Cheese Crostini

Sweet Bangkok

Tuscan Sun

Simple Pleasure

Italian Perdition