UPDATE: Cafe Central Honolulu - HAS CLOSED

Update: 6/10/14 - Café Central closed it's doors on Friday. According to their Facebook page, their last day of business is June 13, 2014. However, the Café was closed when I walked by this morning.

Original Post: 4/27/13
This new coffee shop is located on the first floor of the First Hawaiian Bank Center. When you enter the lobby, look to the right of the elevators. The small space that was once a closet holds another option for those tired of the long lines at Starbucks. There is even a small eating area despite the tight quarters.

The breakfast sandwich is comprised of a rustic roll, bacon, chopped boiled eggs, and pesto mayonnaise ($6.95). Rich, but so yummy! Their bakery items are from Fendu Boulangerie Bakery, which is great for those of us who can't get to Manoa during lunch time. I haven't tried any of the pastries, but you can't go wrong if it's from Fendu. I ordered the grande Americano ($2.85) on two different occasions, but it wasn't strong enough for me with just 2 shots instead of 3 shots at Starbucks. A third shot would set you back 75 cents. Interestingly, the second time I ordered it, the Americano was even weaker than the first time. Perhaps they are still trying to get up to speed since they are relatively new.

I went back during lunch time a few days later and I noticed that everyone was ordering the Acai Bowl ($6.25) so I decided to give it a try. The portions were generous with several scoops of acai "sherbet" topped with FRESH blueberries, strawberries, bananas, honey, and buttery, crunchy granola. Although I don't usually have "dessert" for lunch, the Acai Bowl is refreshing and satisfying. (I tried the Acai Bowl at Down to Earth's Pearlridge store and was disappointed that the berries were still frozen and gave me a brain freeze.)

Undaunted by my so-so experience with the Cafe's Americano, I went back to try their Pour Over coffee, hoping it would be similar to Blue Bottle coffee. I asked how it was prepared when I placed my order and the barista confirmed that it was made in the same manner as Blue Bottle. Unfortunately, my large Pour Over ($3.50) was VERY watery and I didn't bother to finish it. A coworker tagged along because she wanted to try the lunch items. Her first comment was that the lunch menu was very small. She ordered the Israeli Salad ($5.95 + 50 cents each for boiled eggs and chicken) but was surprised that the salad didn't include greens to go with the delicious feta, tomatoes, chicken, eggs and abundant cucumbers. The menu didn't mention that it included greens, but my friend pointed out that some menus don't list greens as an ingredient if the dish is listed under "salad." She asked for some lettuce greens and another portion of their house made dressing. They obliged and didn't charge for the additions. Unfortunately, the oil in the dressing tasted old and on its way to being rancid. To add insult to injury, my friend's Chai Latte was also too watery.

We spoke to someone who seemed to be the manager although she never identified herself as the manager. When told that the dressing didn't taste right because the oil was old, her initial response was, "No it's not." Another staff member came over to join the discussion and smelled the nearly empty dressing container and said that it just smelled like olive oil. I don't know if they don't cook so they are unfamiliar with fresh ingredients or if they really couldn't tell the difference. (My coworker thinks that their sense of smell is dulled because they smell coffee all day.) My experienced palate detected a near-rancid odor and the "off" taste was very obvious. The manager admitted that she didn't know that oil can go bad! Although she didn't seem to agree with our assessment, the manager offered to replace my friend's salad with something else from their menu. At that point, my friend had lost her trust in this establishment and declined the offer. I had the delicious Acai Bowl (for the second time) while my friend was stuck with her bad salad.

Bottom Line: I would definitely go back for the Acai Bowl and probably for the Breakfast Sandwich and pastries. However, I will definitely NOT be going back for coffee.

Cafe Central Honolulu
999 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph: (808) 306-9284
www.cafecentralhonolulu.com

Hours
Mon - Fri: 6:00am to 5:00pm

 

Breakfast Sandwich on Fendu's rustic roll

 



The Acai Bowl

Mabo Tofu

This recipe makes very little gravy except for the liquid that comes out of the tofu. It is so delicious that you won't miss the gravy.

1 block firm tofu (14 oz), cut into 1" cubes
1/2 - 3/4 lb ground pork
1" x 1/4" piece fresh ginger, peeled and crushed slightly
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 - 2 tsp Chinese black bean garlic sauce
1 tsp Chinese chili garlic sauce
2 stalks green onions, sliced
1 Tbs canola oil
White pepper to taste

1. Heat the oil in a pot or skillet. Add the garlic, black bean sauce, and ginger. Brown lightly.
2. Add the pork, breaking up the meat into small pieces. Sauté until the pork is cooked.
3. Add the tofu cubes, chili sauce, and white pepper.
4. Turn down the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Add the green onions during the last 5 minutes.

Review: Ala Moana Farmer's Market

Updated 08/03/13: The Farmer's Market has moved due to the construction work being done at the former Sears store. They now occupy a portion of the parking lot across from Morton's Restaurant. The new space is narrower so the vendors are lined up in one long row. Tables and chairs are still available for customers to have breakfast or lunch while enjoying the live music. Here are a few photos I took at the new location:

 

Original Post:
 

My husband and I stopped by the Farmer's Market at the Ala Moana Shopping Center parking lot yesterday morning. I knew that a few of the vendors sold ready to eat food and I was hungry for breakfast. As I was looking at the pasta vendor's wares, a woman walked by with a plate of food. I asked her what she was eating and she said it was the special from the Le Crepe Cafe stand. She also said that it was very delicious so I headed over there to check it out. We ordered two plates of The Special ($7) which consisted of a large thin crepe filled with fresh banana and strawberry slices, whipped cream, butter, and a light sprinkling of cinnamon, made to order. My husband also ordered the Eau de Jovence ($2) which is a lemonade drink with orange water, mint and strawberries. We sat at a table under the tented eating area and enjoyed the live Hawaiian music while we ate those scrumptious crepes. My husband liked his drink, but it was too tart for my taste. Instead, I bought a cup of 100% Kona coffee from Kona Pele ($3 for 8oz cup). The coffee was nice and smooth and didn't have a burned, bitter taste like the coffee at a local restaurant chain we frequent.

Afterwards, we walked around and browsed the fresh produce, eggs, flowers, baked goods, chocolate, pet snacks, and other locally grown products. I bought fresh kale, Ewa sweet onions and a rainbow papaya ($8.50). The Baker Guys booth was also very popular with a long line of customers buying pastries and loaves of fresh bread.

The Ala Moana Farmer's Market is open every Saturday (8 am-12 pm) and Tuesday (4-7 pm). They are located in the Makai Ewa corner of the second floor parking lot near Sears. Just look for the white tents.

Le Crepe Cafe has a shop located at 1160 Fort Street Mall where they sell crepes and panini sandwiches. I plan to do a site visit during lunch sometime soon. Be sure to check back for another post.

"The Special"

Review: Highway Inn Restaurant & Catering

Update 5/31/13: We just spoke to the owner and Highway Inn is planning to open a second location in Kakaako in a few months! Stay tuned!

Original Post:

My husband and I headed for Highway Inn this past weekend. He was hungry for their beef stew and their mouth-watering pipikaula so we decided to see if we could get a table at this popular family-owned eatery. Highway Inn is split into a fish market/general store on the left and a restaurant, specializing in Hawaiian cuisine, on the right. The decor is very casual with photos and souvenirs on the walls depicting the restaurant's past and its connection to Waipahu's plantation heritage. We have been coming here since the early 1990's after moving back from Washington DC. Besides the delicious food, the staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable.

My husband ordered the Stew Combo ($10.95) which includes your choice of beef stew, tripe stew or naau puaa. All combo plates also include a choice of rice or poi, lomi salmon or macaroni salad, their famous pipikaula, and haupia. I didn't feel like having Hawaiian food so I flipped the menu over to view their American menu. I ordered the hamburger steak with grilled onions, rice, and mac salad ($10.30). Yes, it blew my diet but it was totally worth it! I usually order the Lau Lau Combo ($11.05) when I'm craving Hawaiian food because it's hard to resist the larger-than-usual piece of salted butterfish in the middle of their house-made lau lau. The combo plates are served in nostalgic plastic school lunch-type sectioned trays, reminiscent of a bygone era. All of the food is made from scratch and you can really taste the difference.

I have never tried their breakfast but I have used their catering service. Be sure to place your catering order early to ensure that they can accommodate your order.

Highway Inn is located in a small strip mall across the street from Don Quijote (Ewa end). If you call their phone number, this is just a friendly warning that their voicemail message is hilarious. Select the option to hear the business hours and you'll see what I mean.

Highway Inn Restaurant & Catering
94-226 Leoku Street
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
Ph: (808) 677-4345
www.myhighwayinn.com

Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9:00am-8:00pm
**Table Service: 9:00-2:00 and 4:30-8:00
**Counter Service Only: 2:00-4:30
Sunday: 11:30am-2:00pm

Country Store

Beef Stew Combo with poi, haupia, pipikaula, and lomi salmon

Hamburger Steak with grilled onions, rice and potato/mac salad

Weekday Recipe: Pork Chops with Mushrooms

Ingredients:
2 pork loin chops
1 tsp olive oil or butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
8 fresh mushrooms, sliced (1 cup)
1/4 cup white wine
Seasoned Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Cooking spray

1. Season pork chops with seasoned salt and pepper.
2. Sear pork chops in a skillet coated with cooking spray.
3. Turn down heat and cover until pork chops are cooked through. Remove pork chops from the pan and keep warm.
4. Turn up the heat and add the oil/butter to the skillet. Add the garlic and mushrooms and sauté until browned.
5. Add the wine and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste to make sure alcohol is burned off.
6. Place pork chops on plates and pour mushroom mixture over each chop.

Makes 2 servings.

Review: Grand Cafe & Bakery

I visited family-owned Grand Cafe & Bakery for the first time since they reopened at their new location on the ground floor of the Hawaii State Art Museum. Making a lunch reservation was no problem even though I only called this morning. I arrived early since the restaurant is only two blocks from my office in downtown Honolulu. That gave me time to browse through the museum's small gift shop, which sells locally made clothing, soaps, jewelry, greeting cards, and other items of art.

Grand Cafe & Bakery is small and popular so reservations are recommended. The space is bright and cheerful and the service was very good, even though our waitress seemed to be a novice. I read reviews by others that complained about slow service but that problem seems to have been addressed.

My husband and I shared the restaurant's famous Missionary Chowder ($7.95) which the menu said included seafood, potatoes and fine herbs. It was delicious and thick but I could only identify clams and no other seafood. Still yummy! In addition to the chowder, I ordered the Caesar Salad ($10.95) with garlicky shrimp ($4.50). The romaine lettuce was tossed with a creamy garlicky dressing, a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, and a few crunchy croutons. The five pieces of shrimp were lightly grilled and very fresh. My husband ordered the Tipsy Cranberry Salad ($10.95) which included dried cranberries, bleu cheese, candied walnuts and house dressing on mesclun greens. He also ordered a side of grilled chicken for an additional $3.50. Both salads were gargantuan and delicious.

The restaurant is known for their desserts so we ordered their prize-winning Old Fashioned Lemon Cake. The double layered cake was moist with a touch of real lemony tang. However, I would have preferred a frosting that wasn't so sweet. Also, the presentation wasn't very special as you can see from the photo below.

I'm planning to bring my best friend from high school to celebrate her birthday here. I also want to try their Sunday Brunch which is supposed to be very good. However, I may have to twist my husband's arm to come back again. He thought that the lunch menu selection was very limited.

Grand Cafe & Bakery
No. 1 Capitol District Building
250 S. Hotel Street, 1st Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 531-0001
http://grandcafeandbakery.com

Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:00pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday Brunch - 8:00 am - 1:00pm

Caesar Salad (with garlicky shrimp) and Missionary Chowder

Tipsy Cranberry Salad

Old Fashioned Lemon Cake