Mochi Lab - CLOSED

Mochi Lab is known for their butter mochi creations. They put filling into the center of the butter mochi so it has an extra burst of flavor. You can only find them at the Farmers Market (Blaisdell Concert Hall, Kailua, and Ala Moana Center). The butter mochi is $3 each but you're going to want to buy more than one. My favorite is the pandanilla because it's different and no one on the island makes mochi with pandan. If you follow @mochilab808, you can find out their flavors of the week.

For more information about Mochi Lab, visit mochilab808.com.

Pandanilla, Purple Sweet Potato, Lilikoilada

Ricado's Italian Restaurant

Ricado's serves up delicious Italian food for a reasonable price. They are located inside the Pearl Kai Shopping Center a few doors down from Baskin Robbins. The interior of the restaurant has dim lighting but the space is big. The wait staff is super nice and they will keep refilling your bread basket with fresh bread while you wait for your food.  I recommend the cabonara because it's different from the other Italian restaurants. They don't crack a raw egg on top of it but it's still really tasty.

This is a popular dinner spot for locals who live on the West side of the island.  If you plan to come for dinner, reservations are recommended because it gets busy. The best time to eat is before 6pm. After 6pm, there is a crowd and the parking lot is full.

98-199 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 484-0215

Caesar Salad

Carbonara

Veal Saltimbocca

Fettuccine Salmon Alfredo

Kona Coffee Purveyors | b. patisserie

Kona Coffee Purveyors | b. patisserie is a coffee shop in the International Market Place. They are located by the Kuhio Ave entrance of the market place. The beverage menu is small but they have a variety of pastries and desserts. My favorite is the kouign amann by b. patisserie. I was surprised that it's consistent with the kouign amann I ate at their San Francisco shop. If you're visiting from out of town, I recommend the black sesame kouign amann because you won't find at the SF shop. The mocha from Kona Coffee Purveyors was good but it was strong. I stayed awake for more than what I needed.

There are a few tables inside and some outdoor seating in front of the shop. The prices are high. If you plan on getting a beverage and a pastry, it will be around $10. If you park in the International Market Place structure, you can get validation if you make a $10 purchase. The validation will give you free parking for 1 hour.

International Market Place
2330 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 845-1700

Kouign Amann

Sesame Kouign Amann

Croissant

Cafe Mocha