Blind Ox - CLOSED

Blind Ox is a speakeasy located in Kapahulu. You can spot their modern exterior at the corner of Paliuli Street and Kapahulu Ave. They offer whisky flights and pages full of other drinks. I mainly came for the food and to see friends. The prices are high but their portions are big so they were perfect for sharing. The crispy pickled duo, nori shrimp, and bone marrow were my favorites.

They have outdoor seating which is well lit and casual with couches and low tables. The indoor seating has beautiful decor, dim lights and an ox sculpture greeting you. I recommend the indoor seating if it is available. I went on a weeknight and they were busy; the wait for food was long. I suggest making reservation at least 1 week in advance. They only offer valet parking.

For more information about Blind Ox, visit blindox.com.

829 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Crispy Pickled Duo

Escargot

 Kampachi Tartare Taco

Bone Marrow

24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken

SXY Szechuan

SXY Szechuan offers Sichuan cuisine. The interior of the restaurant is spacious and has a modern design. The tables are spaced out with social distance in mind. The spice level for each dish is very different. I don't eat spicy so all the items I ordered were mild. I recommend the fried lamb on toothpicks because the lamb was tender and there was a good amount of seasoning on every piece. The fried frog was spicy. I picked out the chilies and there was still quite a bit of heat on every piece. The dan dan mian was mild and it helped balance the heat from the fried frog. Their prices are high but the entree portions are big. This place is good for groups or a family meal. 

They are located in the ewa wing of Ala Moana Center on level 2, next to Jamba. They face the parking lot. I did a walk-in for 2 people on the weekend at 12pm and we were seated right away. If you're coming with 4 or more people, I suggest making a reservation. 

For more information about SXY Szechuan, visit sxyszechuan.com.

Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2870
Honolulu, HI 96814

Fried Lamb on Toothpicks

Fried Frog w/ Vegetable Mix

Dan Dan Mian

Baking For Funsies

Basque cheesecake has become a popular item during the pandemic. After seeing the posts on social media, I gave Baking For Funsies a try. I enjoyed the original flavor but I highly recommend the chocolate. The cheesecake is gooey in the center and not overly sweet. It is rich so portioning the cake out to 6 or 8 pieces would be best. The cheesecakes are sold as a whole and depending on the flavor, it costs between $45-$50.

For more information, visit @bakingforfunsies on Instagram.

Basque Cheesecake

Matcha Basque Cheesecake

Chocolate Basque Cheesecake

Farmhouse Cafe

Farmhouse Cafe is a brunch spot in the 808 Center. Their specialty is the potato mille feuille and I highly recommend ordering it. The food portions were good and everything tasted delicious but the prices are high. The breakfast and brunch items ranged from $10 to $18.

They have a limited menu; this might be due to the pandemic. The wait for food was longer than most brunch places and it seemed like the staff was still in training. The interior decor is rustic but the dine in space is tight. They have 3 table outside by the entrance but it can get busy with people waiting for table. If you are concerned with social distancing, take out would be you best option for you. You can also get pastries and coffee to go. For parking, I suggest parking on the street in the residential area or at a metered space on the street. If nothing is available on the street, you can drop off your vehicle at the 808 Center vertical garage and let the staff park it for you. I'm not sure what their parking rates are.

808 Center
808 Sheridan St., #107
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-2055

Potato Mille Feuille

Soft Scramble Omelette Parmesan & Herbs

Hironouchi

Hiro is a private chef who creates sushi bentos that are available for order. The pick is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday each week. Each Hirokase box comes with assorted nigiri, maki, ikura, and a small appetizer. Each piece of the nigiri has a different flavor and you don't need shoyu. To order, DM @hiro_dreams_of_sushi_808 on instagram. 

Hiro-no-uchi
(415) 342-9838

Hirokase Box