mille fete

Wanted to try Mille Fete, so I went after an errand in Downtown.

Loved the interior 

Chose their kim chee reuben hand pie, this had homemade corned beef, kim chee and cheese.

It was nice that they heated it up for me. The pastry was flaky.

I also tried their citrus olive oil cake, but this was a little too sweet for my liking

Their cold brew was strong and delicious

I'm glad I tried them and want to try their chocolate cake the next time I am nearby

Mille Fete

1113 Smith Street

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hours: 10:00-18:00

finʻs bagels

Checked out Fin’s Bagel with Jenny and Chan

We all ordered the Fin’s Bagel

Choose your bagel, we all chose everything

Choose your protein, we all chose salmon

Choose your cream cheese, Jenny & Chan chose roasted garlic, Kat chose plain

Each sandwich came with sliced red onion, sprouts, cucumber, tomato, capers, dill

I am not sure if you could get the bagel toasted, but I would ask the next time

These sandwiches are huge! (I ate the other half the next day)

Very generous with the cream cheese

Would definitely get this again, maybe try a different protein

Jenny also made this spicy tofu poke (I think that is what she said it was), so ono!

Thankful that Chan works nearby and we could eat at his (air conditioned) office 

It was nice catching up with both of them, thanks for today Chan & Jenny!

Fin’s Bagels

1001 Bishop Street 

Honolulu, Hawaii

Closed: Saturdays & Sundays

Hours: 7:00-14:00

murphy’s

Went to Murphy’s with V and her daughter A

It was my first time eating here

Loved the interior 

The waiter looked Indian-ish and had a cool New York-ish accent

I tried their shepard’s pie, chunks of tender lamb and veggies, so ono!

V had their steak and A had their corned beef and cabbage

Everything came out pretty fast and looked delicious

Save room for dessert because on Friday’s there is homemade pie

V & A let me taste their mixed berry and strawberry rhubarb…the crust was so flaky and the fillings were so fresh and not overly sweet

It was nice catching up with V & A

And V was so nice to drive me to Ala Moana to change the aloha shirts she gave us and then all the way back to Pearl City

Thanks for today V & A!

Murphy’s

2 Merchant Street

Honolulu, Hawaii

Closed: Saturdays & Sundays

Hours: 11:00-21:00

the daley

Got to meet up with V and her daughter A for lunch at The Daley

Not sure when I bookmarked this place to try but it has been on my list for awhile

They do smash burgers and their menu is pretty simple: burgers, fries, drinks.

Their burgers are grilled medium with onions, a special sauce, pickles and cheese and their fries are crispy

Thank you V, I'm glad we got to see each other again and I'm glad we got to try this place

A gave us this bag clip, metal straw and her yummy guava jelly

V shared with us this huge avocado and a mango

Thanks for today V & A!

The Daley

1110 Nuuanu Avenue

Honolulu, Hawaii

Open daily: 11:00-until they run out

mr donut's & bakery

Not sure when or how I heard about Mr Donut's, but I do remember that Jalna, checked them out.

FYI: They are not the same company as Mister Donut (MisDo) in Japan.

Anyway, since I was near the shop yesterday, I went to check them out.

I bought their apple fritter...HUGE!

Bummer though not much apple in it.

If I do go back to the area, I wouldn't mind trying the doughnut holes...

Mr Donut's & Bakery
134 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.545.2961
Open 24 hours

fete hawaii & honolulu coffee

Met up with family friend, D, for lunch at Fete Hawaii.

When we got there the place was pretty empty but when we left it was packed!

I ordered the Eggplant Tartine : Grilled Fête toast, red pepper feta, Babaganoush, fried zucchini...delicious!

D chose the Brunch Sausage Sandwich : Italian sausage, sunny local egg, cheddar, maple syrup, brioche bun, field greens, frites,
bread & butter pickles, ketchup

D's sandwich was messy eats, but he said it was delicious.

Bummer that the ketchup they served the fries with was a bit watery...

D also gave me these macarons from Honolulu Coffee.

They were delicious, most were cream filled.

My favorite was the coconut (not pictured).

Downtown is still quite scary to me with all the homeless walking around, but it was nice to meet up & catch up with D.

Thanks for today, D!

Fete Hawaii
2 North Hotel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.369.1390
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 11:00-22:00
Fridays: 11:00-23:00
Saturday 11:00-23:00
Pau Hana (Happy Hour) Mondays-Saturdays 14:00-17:30
Closed: Sundays

foodie saturday

I only have a couple more days left in Hawaii, so I am trying to squeeze some foodie adventures in...

Saturday, BFF and I went to Chocolate & Vanilla Bakery, so that I could try their macaron.

I got their mint chocolate...$2.04 (tax included). I enjoyed this. The mint wasn't overpowering.

Though I wished that the outer "shell" was mint and the filling was dark chocolate...

We then bought a Champion malasadas....$.85 (plus tax) each.

Still as good as ever.

(I couldn't believe a guy actually walked in, took a look at the glass case and menu, then walked out without even buying a malasada!)

And enjoyed it with a cold brew coffee from Starbucks...$3.61 (tax included).

We then walked around Ala Moana a bit then headed over to J.J.Dolans for pizza.

It had been about 4 years since my last visit. Their pizza is still delicious.

Bellies full, lots of talking, and lots of laughs...it was a great day.

Thanks BFF!

jj dolan's

Last year when I was home during the summer, BFF, said that JJ Dolan's pizza was some of the best pizza she's had.

So, the other day, we went to check them out.

We tried the Giacomo (Jock O'mo): sausage, pepperoni, salami and olives. I think their pies are all large.

The crust is thin but chewy.

Oh, their plates are paper and if you need utensils, just ask, they'll bring out some plastic ones.

The place is a sports bar, so don't expect good lighting for blog photos.

So was their pizza the best? I think so, as far as thin crusts go.

For a thicker crust I think I would still choose Big Kahuna.

And you can never go wrong with a photo of Duke Kahanamoku and Babe Ruth together.

They have other pub food on their menu too.

We'll be back. (Thanks BFF!)

JJ Dolan's
1147 Bethel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.537.4992
Open Monday-Saturday 11:00-26:00 (2:00 am)

foodie wednesday

My BFF needed a ride into town for an appointment early Wednesday morning, so I stopped into the Beach Bum Cafe for some coffee, which I had heard about from Rick.

I tried their Honey Typica which was grown on the North Shore of Oahu. I liked this. It was a medium dark roast with only a little acidity...$2.25 for an 8-ounce cup.

I also tried their peanut butter cheesecake...$3.85. This was a little hard, but delicious.

Then, since I had some time to kill, I walked around. There were many spots for wi-fi, so I sat around using it.

I then came upon a bagel shop called "This is it...too!" and decided I should actually have something for breakfast.

I tried the Rossi's omelet (hash browns, bacon, egg & cheese) on a bagel of your choice. I chose their whole wheat.

For some reason, many on the web, don't like this place for bagels, but I enjoyed this, every breakfast item rolled into one omelet and their bagel had cranberries here and there too....$4.50

Afterwards, I played tourist...loved the reflections on the buildings.

Have you seen the new "Hawaii Five-O"? This is where their "headquarters" is located, right across from the Iolani Palace...ooh and last time I was home, I spotted Daniel Dae Kim near Whole Foods in Kahala. (see, I still need that camera in my eye...)

All in all, despite a few drizzles it was a great day.

Beach Bum Cafe (closed 2014)
1088 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.521.6699

This is it...too!
1001 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.526.2280

p.s. Happy 49th wedding anniversary to my Mom & Dad! Love you guys!

bws cafeteria

My blog friend, Nate, had posted about the BWS Cafeteria awhile back. (BWS stands for Board of Water Supply, by the way.)

Since he's back in the Islands now, we met up there for lunch yesterday.

Just park in the back of the office--the building with the fountain out front on Beretania Street. (Parking is FREE) and check in at the desk. You'll need to show ID, so don't forget something with a photo on it. They'll give you a badge and then you're on your way.

Take the retro looking elevator to the 4th floor and you'll be in the Employee cafeteria.

This cafeteria has many tables and chairs, there is no air conditioning, but you don't need it.

Two guys run the place (whom I understand are brothers). Check out the menu on the wall and be prepared to order, when someone comes out of the kitchen, that's your chance to order. Don't expect to rush in and rush out with your food, they cook mostly everything after you order it.

When your order comes out, pay for it. I loved watching the guy ring it up on the old fashioned cash register, he actually had to punch in the numbers then turn a crank to "ring" it up.

Nate and I tried the ox tail soup (US $7.50). This was the most expensive item on the menu. (They also have breakfast and sandwich items starting from US $2.) It came with rice and tsukemono (pickled veggies). A hearty, rich broth scented with star anise. Chunks of ox tail that are so tender it falls off the bone. I hadn't had this in ages! and was happy with this choice. Nate says he prefers his own version with daikon and mushrooms.

When you're done eating, bring your plates and trays back to the kitchen.

Not many know about this place, it isn't fancy, the water comes out of the water fountain next to the register, but if you want a good meal, at a nice price, this is the perfect hideaway!

BWS Cafeteria
630 S. Beretania Street 4th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone:808.748.5977
Open M-F 8:00-14:00 (except State and Federal holidays)

UPDATE: Nate passed away so his posts are no longer accessible.