Honolulu | Eat + Drink

This recap includes the downtown city area of Honolulu which we ventured to twice, once for dinner at Sushi ii and once for lunch at Lucky Belly, as well as the posh city streets of Waikiki Beach. We found downtown Honolulu to be relatively quiet where as Waikiki was always bustling! 

We had our best meals of the trip on this leg of our Hawaiian journey; nowhere else overall compared to the restaurant and bar scene here. 

Mahina & Son's at The Surfjack Hotel + Swim Club 

[412 Lewers Street]

Surfjack Hotel is wonderfully hip. A retro Wish You Were Here tiled pool immediately invites you into the well manicured space. Mahina and Son's is an open concept that abuts hotel lounge and sun deck. 

We started with addicting, super spicy pickled peanuts with jalapenos. If you've never had pickled peanuts they are an absolute treat. I don't remember exactly what we drank but the cocktails were on par.

We hadn't yet tried Poi (taro root) which is a major Hawaiian crop / right of passage. It worked well in the Pa'a'ai Salad with pickled Akule (big eye scad), pohile (Hawaiian fiddlehead fern) and tomato. The first main was Monchong (Sickle Pomfret) with 'ulu (breadfruit), green bean, cherry tomato and chervil. The second was Opah (Moonfish) with savoy cabbage, purplette, u'ala (sweet potato) and a mustard-bacon broth. Dessert was the Dark Chocolate Butter Mochi with black sesame gelato and mango jam.

Sushi ii

[655 Keeaumoku St] 

An omakase menu is offered (go for it!) in this unassuming strip mall nook. A parade of impossibly fresh nigiri delights from Chef Hiro: lango, kinmedai, shima aji, toro, uni, hokkiado scallop, ikura, ama ebi...with a grand finale of miso soup!

Bar Leather Apron
[745 Fort Street Mall #127]

We ubered from Sushi ii to Bar Leather Apron for a night cap. This intimate cocktail den is located on the mezzanine level of the Topa Financial Center in downtown Honolulu. It is definitely a random, hidden location and it was a little tricky to find; part of the charm for sure. They have four old Fashioneds on the menu, naturally we each got one. 

Appetito

[150 Ka‘iulani Ave]

Appetito is a chic craft pizza and wine bar, which we chose on a whim. I took just one photo of this phenomenal pizza: KING CRAB SHISHITO with avocado, shishito peppers and arugula on a cream sauce drizzled with wasabi mayo. We had a really great time here, much in part to our amazing, personable bartender, who in hindsight I recognized as professional surfer Keala Kennelly. She totally made our night.

Queen Street Cafe + Grill
[99 Kauhale St, Aiea]

Queen St Café + Grill is actually located in Aiea - the town that Pearl Harbor is in. We had lunch time to fill between our morning arrival and our late afternoon tour of the USS Arizona, so we opted to venture off campus instead of hitting up the hot dog cart with everyone else. I'm so glad we did! (Pearl Harbor has no entrance fees or parking fees so it's easy to leave and come back in one day.) The Poke Bowl Lunch at this no frills café is easily one of the best I had. You can mix and match so I had tuna and beef with pasta salad and white rice, Bob had chicken and beef with potato salad and brown rice.

Lucky Belly
[50 N Hotel St]

We stopped in Chinatown for lunch after we checked out of The Alohilani and before we headed for the North Shore. Lucky Belly was host to a decent lunch hour crowd. We sat at the bar and sipped ice cold Asahi Beers alongside delicious food. Bob had Tempura Shrimp Tacos topped with asian slaw and yuzu mayo. As for me, you know I can't pass up a good bowl of Ramen (I think this was my third so far in Hawaii!) The Lucky Bowl with bean sprouts, soft egg, wakame, sesame seeds, green onion and ginger was excellent.

The Beach Bar @ Moana Surfrider Hotel
[2365 Kalakaua Ave]

Moana Surfrider is a Westin Resort & Spa right on Waikiki Beach. This was our favorite place for cocktails - the nicest bartenders, live music, hula dancing, and you are literally steps from the sand. 

We absolutely loved the food scene in Honolulu and would give all these spots our vote of approval. 

Shōjō | Chinatown

Shōjō is one of my favorite restaurants. A Chinatown mainstay dishing offbeat takes on modern Asian fare in a funky space painted with elaborate murals, you absolutely have to go and get all of the lust worthy dishes and Japanese cocktails you can manage!!

Originally I had Shōjō on the docket in my latest and greatest round up post but then, I've done that before! So that did not seem fair. I think doing favorites justice in a full post is too much (self-inflicted) pressure to write well. Deep breaths. Just show the food.

To drink Bob and I love the Yakuza Old Fashioned featuring Nikka coffee grain whiskey, bitter caramel + angostura.

Pork Belly Dumplings ($15) bathe in a sake hoisin with cilantro, radish, and jalapeno

The Shojinator ($7) is their burger! A hamburger patty with smoked bacon and kimcheese is sandwiched on a house steamed bun. Please note KIMCHEESE.

Chicken + Waffles v3.0 ($16) features juicy thighs on a Hong Kong waffle (so on point!) with five-spice butter and sizurrp. 

Suckling Pig Bao with smoked bbq sauce, kimchi and pickled cucumbers is tender, juicy, crispy + fluffy. A perfectly done bao!

In conclusion Fried Chicken + Waffles v 3.0 / The Shojinator / Dumplings / Bao / run to Chinatown, visit Shōjō and let me know if you love as much as Bob and I do!

Shōjō

9A Tyler Street

Boston, MA 02111

Hungry in Bali | Seminyak Dining

I purchased this fantastic book in advance of our trip called Hungry in Bali from The Asia Collective. This ultimate culinary island guide comes with a personal discount code; it became our trusted source for restaurant recommendations in not only Seminyak but Ubud and Bukit as well. Our little culinary bible! Dining out in Bali is inexpensive to begin with so the discounts are a fun perk of purchasing the guide. If you are going to Bali use my discount code stillhungry10 for 10% off your own copy.

In Ubud we used the book at what ended up being three of my favorite spots: Hujan Locale, Copper Kitchen + Bar and Folk Cafe Pool + Garden. In Bukit we used it for free access to Sunday's Beach Club ($25 per person) plus 10% off our total bill. 

In Seminyak we used it when dining at: Merah Putih, Tiger Palm and Kilo Kitchen. For drinks at: Motel Mexicola and Moonlight. And in Canggu at Strawberry Fields. Each of these dining experiences were so special to me, truly memorable nights out with my fiancé over inspired and impressive cuisine.

Merah Putih serves traditional and modern Indonesian in a mesmerizing space, where rainwater is captured in translucent roof columns and filtered into indoor rivers. The dining room is exquisite, sultry and romantic. The creative plates designed for sharing showcase a range of technique, spices and flavors. We had A LOT of food here and it was totally worth it to sample so many dishes. 

Bamboo Lobster Dumplings - shellfish bisque, tomato + kaffir lime 

Rujak Udang - tiger prawns with green papaya + banana blossom 

Chargrilled Lombok Octopus - watermelon radish, cauliflower, fern tip + sambal bajak*

Tongkol Gohu - manado yellowfin tuna, lemongrass + cassava

Buntut Makassar - chargrilled oxtail with soy, peanuts + leeks in kluwek* broth

Nasi Uduk - coconut + lemongrass pandan* steamed rice 

Coklat - chocolate bibka amon, mousse + banana ice cream 

Kelapa - young coconut panna cotta, hibiscus + pandan* granita

{The Hungry in Bali deal was a complimentary dessert per person}

Our first meal in Seminyak was a home run, Merah Putih is a beautiful, unique and delicious experience.

Post Dinner Drinks @ Motel Mexicola

A taqueria by day and one of the best parties in Seminyak by night; we showed up to a tequila infused crowd dancing on all the tables. I borrowed their website photos above to showcase the colorful, upbeat, retro Acapulco vibe - the interior is ridiculously awesome. 

{The Hungry in Bali Deal at Motel Mexicola is a complimentary taco per person} 

On our second evening out in Seminyak we enjoyed dishes inspired by Southeast Asian street food at Tiger Palm. The chefs inspiration plus high quality ingredients transcends to fragrant, spicy, rich and comforting dishes. 

Chinese Stuffed Prawn Wonton - homemade mayonnaise + chili salt 

Oxtail + Wild Mushroom Arancini - shredded slow cooked oxtail with basmati rice, chili, turmeric, mozzarella + parmesan 

Black Cod Teriyaki - char grilled with a radish, edamame, sweet corn + cherry tomato succotash 

Caramelized Duck Leg (probably my favorite entrée this trip!) - coriander, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, tea smoked egg, spring onion + lime dressing

{The Hungry in Bali deal was 10% off our total bill}

Post Dinner Drinks @ Moonlight 

A contemporary Asian rooftop space overlooking Double Six Beach where we sipped espresso martinis late into the evening. 

{The Hungry in Bali deal was 20% off our total bill}

On our third night we switched it up and ventured slightly north to soak in the boho vibes in Canggu at Strawberry Fields. This laid back jungle-canopy oasis lit by chandeliers and playing old school hip hop specializes in Australian breakfasts and gourmet burgers. I had the Royale with Cheese and Bob had a Big Mac alongside well made cocktails. 

[Pool table photo credit]

{The Hungry in Bali deal was 2 for 1 - buy one main dish to receive one complimentary}

Post Dinner Drinks this evening were @ Char Char

Char Char in Seminyak Square is one of those places you spot and can't help but want to be a part of the scene. Their front wall features a set of steps creating a tired terrace that overlooks the buzzing street front. (Blurry photo taken from a moving taxi...)

Travel Tip: Speaking of taxis, Seminyak was the first place we encountered where taxi drivers tried to rip us off. (Our first encounter entirely with anyone being rude in Bali!!) Always ask them to run the meter. If they refuse just find another cab as they are required by law to run them. There is no way a taxi ride across town should cost almost as much as a car to get to the airport. 

Kilo Bali was the encore meal in a string of hits, proving Seminyak's food scene absolutely kills it. The sleek and hard angled concrete space with slanted floor to ceiling windows feels ultra modern. Leafy green potted plants and woven rugs add a touch of cozy to the otherwise minimalist vibe. They serve soul nourishing Asian-Western fusion cuisine.

Sake Sangria - Kiki-Masamune Sake, ginger, orange, mint

Crispy Soft Shell Crab - compressed watermelon, Thai red curry gravy

Black + White Prawn Ravioli - sake butter sauce, rocket, parmesan

Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks - mashed potato, shimeji*, hot and sweet thai glaze, kemangi*

Coconut Tembleque - chocolate cinnamon, pineapple, oat crumbs

{The Hungry in Bali deal was 15% off our total bill}

Post Dinner Drinks @ Moet + Chandon Champagne Bar

Back in the hustle and bustle of Seminyak Square this rowdy bar was the perfect spot to celebrate on our final evening of the trip. This entire adventure has truly been an eye opening travel experience, not to mention engagement-moon bliss!

Travel is meaningful - not only because almost every trip you take will move you outside your comfort zone, but also because every interaction is a chance to contribute a mutual understanding between people. The power of hospitality allows citizens to find common ground and to discover the beauty that lies across borders. (source)

*sambal bajak = multi chili relish

*kluwek = nut from the Pangium, a tall native mangrove tree

*pandan = herbaceous fragrant tropical plant

shimeji = mushrooms native to east Asia

*kemangi = lemon basil