Plumeria Beach House

Best for: Beachside Brunch Buffet, Happy Hour, View
Location: The Kahala Hotel

Only $32 for a brunch buffet literally steps away from the beach

If I could only go to one restaurant before I die, I would choose the Plumeria Beach House - not necessarily because it's the best restaurant I've been to (although, it's pretty damn good), but because I have so many memories here. I practically grew up at the Kahala Hotel, as I am within walking distance and have celebrated many special occasions throughout my life at this restaurant, e.g. my high school graduation party, various Mother's and Father's Days, ballet and piano recital celebrations.

Whenever I have guests in town, I always take them here for brunch. This is the place that initiated my love for the three B's: Beachside Brunch Buffets. Of all the beachside restaurants I've been to in Hawaii, Plumeria offers the best view - unobstructed views of Portlock on the left (and sometimes other islands on clear days) and Kahala on the right.

live Hawaiian music

grilled Kahuku corn

The brunch buffet is my favorite meal here, and I usually have this about once a month. There is an omelette station at which you order customized egg dishes, bruschetta bar, miso soup station, fruit station, cereal station... so many stations! One of my favorite brunch dishes here is the thinly-rolled pancakes soaked in melted maple butter that oozes out with every bite.

Their famous pancakes - thin, rolled up, and soaked in maple butter.

gorgeous views, any time of the day

The brunch buffet is slightly over $30, which is an amazing deal for what you get. Service could use some work, but I guess I shouldn't expect much for a buffet. Service is much better later in the day, when it's less crowded.

This is obviously not my plate

they now have a bruschetta bar!

I just recently tried Plumeria's new happy hour, and it was lovely. Live Hawaiian music can be annoyingly touristy, but since it's in Kahala not Waikiki, the singing trio somehow seemed less cheesy. Cocktails are $8 and pupus are about $6-8. What a bargain! And these aren't the cheap cocktails usually available during happy hour. I ordered a Plumeria sparkling sangria, which is Chandon sparkling, grand marnier, dekuyper amaretto, orange and pineapple juice. Jae ordered a Boston sour, made of Makers Mark bourbon, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and angostura bitters. We shared two dishes, calamari and hummus. Nothing really interesting, but both tasted great. I will try the more interesting dishes next time I go.

$8 happy hour Plumeria sparkling sangria

$6-8 happy hour calamari and hummus

A couple of weeks ago, Mizuki and I had dinner at Plumeria. Secluded and beachfront, this is the perfect place for a romantic evening. Unlike the hustle-and-bustle at brunch, dinner time is more relaxed, and service is much better. We came on a Wednesday night, so I'm pretty sure the other three occupied tables were all guests at the Kahala Hotel.

 Not sure why the sky looks so purple...

Mizuki felt like celebrating (she can always find an excuse for celebration), so we started with a bottle of prosecco. I ordered the rosemary and Hawaiian salt roasted half chicken. You can't go too wrong with roast chicken and mashed potatoes, but this one was exceptionally tender and full of wonderful rosemary flavor. Mizuki had the Crab and Clam Boil ($34), of course, which came with butter poached Hawaiian white crab, king crab, clams, black mussels, sweet prawns, fesh catch fish, corn, and potatoes.

Tomato cheese soup ($10)

Rosemary and Hawaiian salt roasted half chicken with mashed potatoes ($28)

We both ended our meals with a latte, which, much to my delight, came with Kahala's signature sugar stick, which releases the perfect amount of sugar into the coffee drink.

Latte ($6.50)

I've been here for dessert a few times as well. They have about ten desserts, all delicious but none are very interesting. If you want more innovative desserts, go to Morimoto instead. Plumeria's dessert cocktails are great and about $12 each. My favorites are the Perfect Night (coffee, frangelico, Baileys and amaretto) and Keoki (coffee, Kahlua, brandy, and dark crème de cacao). What a perfect way to end the night.

Waialua chocolate mousse cake: light, creamy mousse made from cacao grown on Oahu's north shore, $10

The Counter

Best for: Burgers
Location: Kahala

1/3-lb burger with sauteéd mushrooms ($10.50)

I get the same thing every time I come to the Counter: a 1/3-lb beef burger on a multigrain bun, with gruyére, grilled onions and sauteéd mushrooms. I think the only ingredient I've altered is the type of sauce, which is selected from a list of almost 30 different sauces by filling in the bubble (my favorite type of multiple choice test!) on one of the disposable paper menus attached to a clipboard.



These types of endless, excessive options are somewhat wasted on people like me but are exactly what [supposedly] make America so great. Lettuce blend or organic mixed greens? Roasted green chilis or roasted red peppers? We are very particular because we can be. Choice makes humans happy...right?



Last night Anthony and I had dinner at the Counter because I had a "buy one get one free" coupon (crazy, right?) which had been mailed to my father a few days that I knew would go to waste if I didn't use it. I tried the chipotle aioli sauce with my gruyére-onion-mushroom burger. Absolutely delicious - although, I suppose that's not difficult to do with those ingredients. Anthony and I shared some fries, which were nice and thin, but I really miss Kua'aina's old french fries, which were crispy and sprinkled with parsley.

Now that's what I call medium rare

a legit old fashioned

Anthony's a snob about old fashioneds, so we were relieved when his cocktail came with all the proper components. Good job, Counter, you have now joined the ranks of Lobby Bar and Ruby Tuesday's. Apparently Anthony was in a Greek mood because he ordered his 2/3-lb burger with feta cheese and tzatziki sauce. I suppose this is a legitimate reason for having too many options - we can now cater to our every cultural craving at any moment. We both left stuffed and brought home almost half of our meal.

 

The following day, I pan fried my leftover burger and fries on low heat without oil and chopped some parsley for the fries. The bun now had a nice crisp to it, the cheese was even more melted, and the fries were properly seasoned. I've always been a fan of bringing home leftovers because 1) I hardly ever finish my meal in its entirety, and 2) I feel like a saint - it's like recycling, but tastier! But who knew leftovers could surpass the original?

my kahala plantation tea

The Veranda at the Kahala

Best for: Unwinding
Location: Kahala Hotel

Come to the Veranda to unwind in the stunning lobby of the Kahala Hotel. Don't, however, come to eat. I've been here a couple of times for dessert and have always been slightly disappointed, perhaps because I just expect too much from the Kahala, or perhaps because I forget that people aren't here to have an intensive dining experience; they are here to enjoy the high ceilings, live entertainment, impeccable service, and those famous Italian glass chandeliers.

fancy sugar stick for her latte

In the afternoon, the Veranda offers afternoon tea service, which I haven't tried because I've heard the afternoon tea at Halekulani and the Moana are slightly better. In the evening, the Veranda uses the same drink, pupu, and dessert menu as Plumeria, one of my favorite restaurants, located just downstairs. However, Plumeria is a favorite due to its breakfast buffet and happy hour cocktails. The drinks, pupus, and desserts are not impressive - at Plumeria or the Veranda.

ice cream trio

In conclusion, for those of you who have seen the lobby of the Kahala - perhaps the most beautiful lobby in Hawaii? - you can probably understand why some would venture out here just to relax and take in the ambience; I've done it [and attempted to read War and Peace here a few times]. However, for desserts and drinks, I'd much rather go to Lewers, Nobu, Salt, or the Beachhouse at the Moana.

Barnes & Noble Café

Best for: justifying a seat in the bookstore
Location: Ala Moana, Kahala Mall

honey roasted turkey pesto wrap, sea salt chips, pepperoni pizza, double chip frappuccino

I know it's a bit superfluous to write a review for the Barnes & Nobles café, but did you know that the secret to finishing one of those turkey wraps and/or frozen mini pizzas that tasted amazing for the first ten bites but eventually made you feel sick from all the grease is to add crushed potato chips to them? It's all about texture.

I know. Mindblowing.

Olive Tree Cafe

Good for: Supporting Greece, i.e., patting yourself on the back
Location: Kahala

mussels, Greek salad, and a glass of white wine

My mom and I used to come here every time my dad had a dinner to attend because it's her one chance to eat Greek food (my dad's not a fan). The Olive Tree Cafe is a better-than-average Greek restaurant on the outskirts of Kahala Mall, at which you stand in line to order your food and wait to be called. Greek food in Hawaii is like Thai food in Portland - both are somewhat exotic but easy to eat, and thus hip, for each city. What I'd really like to see in Hawaii is more Middle Eastern food.

Ham, cheese, and pita

A few days ago, I had dinner at Olive Tree Cafe with Mizuki and Anthony around 6:30 and was amazed that a table had cleared up just in time for us. It's always packed, which is why my mom and I typically dine here right when it opens at 5. Mizuki ordered her usual mussels and salad, while Anthony and I shared the ham & cheese pita plate and two lamb dishes: souvlaki and shawarma. Mizuki went next door to Oliver and bought us two bottles of wine: a bottle of red and a bottle of white. Lamb and wine -- no wonder it was such a good night.

Lamb souvlaki and lamb shawarma. Can you tell which one is which?

Olive Tree has a low-key yet energetic atmosphere, filled with sounds from the kitchen and conversations from other tables of mostly east Honolulu residents who also crave a simple, satisfying meal. Hawaii doesn't have a large Greek population, so my standards for Greek food aren't necessarily high. That being said, Olive Tree seems to be Hawaii's best place for their food. And we all know we need to support Greece in times like these.

Lam's Garden

Best for: Chinese
Location: Waialae/Kahala

steamed fish fillets with ginger and green onion sauce

Lam's Garden is my family's default restaurant when we're lazy and want cheap, dependable Chinese food. It's about a 5-minute drive from our house and never disappoints. Some of my favorite dishes include the minute chicken cake noodle and fish fillet with tofu and ginger. The fish is soaked in a soy sauce and melts in your mouth. Dishes are served family-style and are about $10-15, which means you can easily feed a family of four for $40. In times like these, thank god for China.

hot and sour soup made with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, red peppers, vinegar, and tofu

salted fish fried rice