All That Cake Co.

All That Cake Co. sells cake by the slice with unique flavors that you won't find anywhere else on the island. They pop up at the Kakaako Farmers Market on Saturdays and Kailua Town Farmers Market on Sundays. From time to time, they will also be at events around the island. My favorite is the Fuji apple crumble. It taste like a pumpkin pie and I feel like I'm in the fall season with all those warm spices. Her cake slices are boxed and chilled in a cooler. They are $11.95 per slice. She usually has a special flavor that will be posted on Instagram, @allthatcakeco.hi, prior to the farmers market day and then 2 other flavors available. The chocolate PB&J was too rich for my liking but I've seen other combinations of chocolate cake. I do plan to visit them again soon and try other flavors. 

For more information about All That Cake Co., visit their Instagram, @allthatcakeco.hi.

Fuji Apple Crumble

Chocolate PB&J

  

Flair European Steakhouse

Flair European Steakhouse is in the Shops at Keahou Lane in Kakaako. Their food is French and Italian inspired but I was most excited for their steaks. My favorites were the carpaccio de boeuf and wagyu ribeye. I recommend sharing the steak, pasta, and sides but the appetizers and desserts are portioned for 1 person. The prices are high but it's worth it. All the food tasted amazing and the service was excellent. They have live music playing indoors. If you're on a budget, they have a happy hour from 4 - 6PM at the bar. The dress code is business causal but if you want to dress up, that's fine too.

For parking, you can park in the Keahou Lane garage and they will provide validation. It was busy between on a weeknight from 6pm - 8pm so I'd suggest making a reservation 1 - 2 weeks in advance so you can secure that prime dinner spot. 

For more information about Flair European Steakhouse, visit flairhawaii.com.

502 Keawe St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 462-3312

Carpaccio de Boeuf

Kanpachi Crudo

Pear ala Flair

Pappardelle al Tartufo

Wagyu Ribeye (14 oz) 
w/ Olive Oil & European Salts

Truffle Fries

Creme Caramel

 

Paris Hawaii

Paris Hawaii specializes in modern French cuisine. They offer a prix fixe menu for $85 per person with supplements. I selected all the supplements because I was there for a special occasion and I'm glad I did because it turned out to be a really nice 3-hour dinner. You can add on a wine pairing or the non-alcoholic beverage pairing but I did not. The flavors of French food are much lighter than what I'm used to because I eat a lot of Asian food with bold flavors. Nothing felt heavy or rich and I was full halfway through the duck breast (entree). My favorite dishes were the corn soup because it was a cold soup with crunchy Kahuku corn kernels, the washugyu tenderloin because it was so tender, and the smooth and light chocolate mousse with fresh figs.

They are in SALT at Kakaako. There are 2-seatings per night, 5pm and 7:30pm. Please make sure you arrive on time for your reservation because the chef and kitchen staff will serve everyone at the same time. The service from the staff was excellent and I recommend sitting at the counter so you can watch them prepare the food. To dine here, reservations are required and I recommend making the reservation at least 2 weeks in advance on Open Table. For parking, you can park in the SALT at Kakaako structure and get validation or do meter street parking.

SALT at Kakaako
324 Coral St
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 752-2312

 

Caviar Dip (supplement) w/ Bread

Radis Au Beurre

Eclair Aux Legumes

Kahuku Corn Soup

Kona Kampachi Carpaccio

Garlic Shrimp

Garlic Lobster (supplement)

Wheat Bread w/ Sea Asparagus Butter

Duck Breast (supplement)

Washugyu Tenderloin (supplement)

Chocolate Mousse w/ Seasonal Fruits

Broome St General Store - CLOSED

There is a pop-up cafe inside Broome St. General Store that serves coffee, matcha, and pastries. They are located at Ward Village in Kakaako near Whole Foods Market. I enjoyed the miso caramel latte since that's not a drink I've seen anywhere on the island. The olive oil lemon cake and the chocolate banana mascarpone loaf were also delicious. The toasts are photogenic but they're $13 each. The whipped ricotta toast comes with jam and they have a bunch of different flavors. You can choose 3 jams and make it a "rainbow style" toast for an extra $1.50. The pastries are about $8 each. The drinks range from $4 - $10 depending on what you add in (espresso shots, oat milk)

If you are in the Kakaako area, this is a nice spot to hang out at since they have outdoor seating. There are 2 tables that have an umbrella and the rest are partially shaded or might be in the sun depending on the time of day you go. They do get busy and you'll see the line coming out the door but it's worth the wait for the drinks and pastries. If you eat there, I'm not sure if we're supposed to clean up our own table but we did. Some customers don't clean up and just leave their dirty cups and plates and another customer does it so they can use the table.

For more information about the cafe at Broome St. General Store, visit their Instagram @broomestgeneralhawaii.

310 Kamakee St B
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 480-9031

Whipped Ricotta Toast

Olive Oil Lemon Cake

Chocolate Banana Mascarpone Loaf

Avocado Beet Hummus Toast

Iced Aina Cloud Latte

Iced Miso Caramel Latte

Iced Ube Horchata

 

Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe

Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe is a Japanese bakery in Ward Village that offers fresh baked pastries and breads. They also serve matcha, coffee, and teas. My favorites are the salt & butter roll, strawberry milk cream croissant, and the white milk cream bread. The salt & butter rolls taste amazing if you can get them fresh. It's soft with a buttery core and some salt sprinkled on the top. The pastries range from $2 - $5 and the drinks range from $4 - $7. I recommend going before 11AM to get the best selection.

Their shop is small but they bake all day so you can still get some fresh items from the oven in the afternoon. They have a few tables and chairs outside where you can sit and enjoy your pastries and drinks. This used to be the former space of Starbucks Coffee at the corner of Auahi Street and Kamakee Street by the Consolidated Theaters. For parking, the closest parking lot would be the one where you park for the theater.

For more information about Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe, visit okayamakobousa.com/honolulu.

Ward Village
310 Kamakee St.
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-0724

Strawberry Milk Cream Croissant

Matcha Sea Salt Coldbrew, Mocha Latte

Strawberry Milk Cream, White Milk Cream

Croque Monsieur, Salt & Butter Rolls,
Le Chocolat, Chocolate Croissant

Citrus-ade

 

Straits Hawaii - CLOSED

Straits Hawaii serves Singaporean dishes with bold flavors. If you like spicy food, you'll enjoy this place since a lot of their signature dishes have chili peppers in it. I ordered dishes that were mild and they were delicious. My favorites were the garlic noodles, Yeo's chicken salad, and the bone marrow. The drinks are interesting and worth trying. The service was good and our food time came out in a timely manner even with a full restaurant. The prices are high with entrees ranging from $25 - $30 and the seafood items for double that price.

I recommend making reservations in advanced if you want to sit at a table. If you plan to do a walk in, the bar is available. They are located at Ward Village in the former space of Big City Diner next to the movie theater. The interior of the restaurant had dim lighting and loud music during my dinner. As far as space, it is tight. I tried to find the big gaps between 2 chairs so I wouldn't hit anyone getting to the table and leaving after dinner.

For more information about Straits Hawaii, visit straitshawaii.com.

Ward Village
1060 Auahi St #4
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-0683

Singapore Satay Sticks

Straits Frites

Yeo's Chicken Salad

Garlic Noodle

Roasted Bone Marrow

Pandan Soda

Giovedi

Giovedi is a pop-up restaurant that offers an Asian Italian tasting menu. The menu is priced at $95 per person and consists of 5 courses. The staff were friendly and when each dish came to the table, they shared the idea/inspiration behind it, and the ingredients used. All their food was delicious, and I liked the Chinese and Japanese flavors that were incorporated. My favorites were the Hokkaido milk rolls with saffron honey butter, marlin with Calabrian chili crisp, linguine vongole, and the pork alla char siu. They encourage you to BYOB so bring a few bottles and come with your family or friends to celebrate a special occasion.

Their dining room is on the 2nd floor of Island Sausage (formerly Vino) and you enter from a door in the parking lot. You will see small sign on the wall with their logo and the door next to it. Since their space is small and they only offer dinner on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making the reservation was a bit challenging. I suggest making a reservation 3 weeks in advanced on Resy. They will provide parking validation if you park inside the Waterfront Plaza.

For more information about Giovedi, visit giovedihawaii.com.

Waterfront Plaza
500 Ala Moana Blvd #6F
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 723-9049

Hokkaido Milk Rolls
Saffron Honey Butter

Crudi
Tuna, Marlin, Octopus

Linguine Vongole

Pork alla Char Siu

Nanatsuboshi Rice, Lamb Pancetta

Kahumana Farms Carrot

Coffee Budino
Coconut Whipped Cream

Rinka

Rinka offers authentic Japanese cuisine. They are open for lunch and dinner. I recommend the sushi rolls and sashimi. The Uni Ikura Wagyu Roll was a special item, and it was the best roll I ever ate. The presentation for that roll was beautiful. It was topped off with gold flakes and truffle salt on the side. Other items I enjoyed were the sashimi, tempura, and the beef tongue. Their items are pricey, but they use quality ingredients, and the portions are reasonable. The service was excellent, and they did a great job timing the dishes, so my table didn't get overloaded.

The entrance to the restaurant is on the back side of Whole Foods by the parking for the movie theater. The interior of the restaurant is modern and spacious. This restaurant would be great for group because they have private dining rooms. If you plan to come for dinner, reservations are recommended. If you plan to do lunch, walk ins are okay but come when they first open because it can get crowded. For parking, you can park inside the Whole Food parking garage on level 4 or higher.

For more information about Rinka, visit rinkahawaii.com.

1001 Queen St #105
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 773-8235

Uni Ikura Wagyu Roll

Sardine w/ Tofu Salad

Crab Cream Croquette

Tempura

Sashimi Combination

Beef Tongue

Fried Tofu w/ Miso

Kinako Chiffon Cake

Houjicha Jelly