Leahi Bar & Grill, Waikiki

Previously:

Byodo-In Temple and Kualoa Ranch/Jurassic Valley

A-must try cocktail while you're in Hawaii is the one called Lava flow.  It's a rum base drink that is blended together with strawberries and coconut cream.  It is kinda similar to Pina Colada drink but even yummier.  This tropical booze has a thick and creamy texture, sweet and very delicious.  In this restaurant, they also do Mango flow.  Both are worth to try. 

We had only some nibbles to accompany our drinking night.  We got a deep-fried calamari dish with some furikake sprinkled on top.  Never had a calamari with furikake, they actually went well together.  It gives me an idea of doing this, I will try it with some fried chicken at home.  Then, we also ordered poke dish with spicy tuna.  The first bowl was spotted on, fresh and delicious.  So, we ordered the second one exactly the same dish.  But it didn't turn up the same, still fresh though but somehow it was too salty like they forgot and drop salt twice.

We also got a medium rare ribeye steak.  You can see from the picture, the meat wasn't cook properly and different consistency too.  Some side was overcooked and some other side which mainly in the middle was still fairly raw.  The meat was really chewy too, very unpleasant to eat.  Especially, for the price we paid, I could get a really decent steak dish in Sydney.  We're extremely disappointed with this dish.  The menu here is a bit hit-and-miss, some food are fantastic but others are disappointing. 

Lava flow and Mango flow USD 15 each (around AUD 24)

Furikake calamari USD 17 (around AUD 27)

Fresh poke - spicy mayo tuna USD 17 (around AUD 27)

Ribeye steak USD 56 (around AUD 90)

Leahi Bar & Grill

2446 Koa Ave, Honolulu (Second Floor)

Ph: +1 808 762 9025

Open: Daily 11am - 2am

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Byodo-In Temple and Kualoa Ranch/Jurassic Valley

Previously:

ABC Stores in Hawaii

On our 4th day in Hawaii, we spent the day around the East coast area.  We visited Byodo-in Temple in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Kaneohe which only takes less than 40 minutes' drive from Waikiki.  The temple reminds us of Japan.  Just around an hour or so that we stayed there.  Then we had a light lunch at nearby McDonald, just opposite the Memorial Park entrance.  It was one of the most beautiful McDonald stores as they have this amazing looking mountain range as their background.  

After filled up our tummy, we then wanted to try some adventures in Kualoa Ranch which is also known as Jurassic Park Movie Site.  However, lazy us that didn't make any advance booking for the rides and we had to suffer now.  They were mostly fully booked, only the less popular one was available.  We ended up splitting into 2 groups from the eight of us and our family went to the Jungle Expedition tour while my brother-in-law fam did the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour.  At first, we thought we might come back to try another ride but thinking about it again, all the rides are too pricey and we don't want to overspend our money while we still have around a week in Hawaii.  

After we finished with the tour, we became very hungry on the way back to our hotel, so we stopped and had some huli huli chicken from Yummy Restaurant.  

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park

Byodo-In Temple

From the McDonald car park overlooking Ko'olau Mountain Range

This Jungle adventure took us on the ride though rainforest valleys to see some movie sites like Jumanji, Kong Skull Island and also Jurassic World (outside).  The roads are quite bumpy, but we got to see some nice scenic views.  But to be honest paying AUD 350 for 2 adults and 2 kids, just a little bit too much.  I mean with that kind of price, it could get me in Disneyland or other world known theme parks.  However, for an experience's sake, I think is not too bad though.

Wood roasted whole chicken USD 21.95 (you can ask your chicken to be chopped into 2/4/6 pieces)

BBQ teriyaki beef plate served with macaroni salad and rice USD 18.95

Yummy Huli Huli Chicken

49-132 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe

Ph: +1 808 376 4110

Open: Mon-Wed 10am - 4pm and Thu-Sun 10am - 6pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Leahi Bar & Grill, Waikiki

ABC Stores in Hawaii

Previously:

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and North Shore Beaches

This is the place that we most visited while we're in Hawaii.  Nearly everyday and sometimes could be twice in a day that we went there.  When we spotted a bigger store, we made sure to give it a shot because with the big shop, they have some products that other smaller shops might not have.  Me and my kids love ABC store so much and missed them a lot after we came back home. 

They are very easy to find.  They have shops everywhere and in nearly every corner.  You can get some snacks or heavy meals to desserts, some common drinks like juices and milk to alcohol beverages too, some necessities and ranges of souvenirs as well.  

At that time when we were there, they run this promotion where you purchase stuff for USD 100 or more, you can get a free gift in exchange.  If you buy more than USD 300, the better the gift is.  Make sure you keep your receipts.  It doesn't have to be in one slip.  

Sushi salmon nigiri USD 11.99

Salad BLT cobb USD 13.99

Poke bowl ahi spicy USD 8.99

Musubi chicken katsu USD 4.49

Ube haupia pie USD 5.99

Regular price is 99c but in the afternoon, sometimes they sell 2 for USD 1.75

This strawberry and pineapple soft serve USD 6 is actually from Lawson.
 It was very refreshing on a balmy night

ABC Stores

Everywhere

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Byodo-In Temple and Kualoa Ranch/Jurassic Valley

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and North Shore Beaches

Previously:

Dole Plantation

Hey, while you're here in Honolulu, this sauteed garlic shrimp on rice from Giovanni's shrimp truck is a must try.  Just before our visit to North Shore beaches, we stopped at this food truck area where there are a few vendors selling food and drinks in this same space.  There is a small fee to pay for the car park if you come with a car.  Also, a few seatings area, so pretty convenient to eat in.  In there, we got the famous garlic shrimp and a crepe as well.  

Most popular menu - scampi USD 17.50
(all plates served with a dozen of jumbo shrimp and 2 scoops of rice)

We got the original menu called scampi, where a dozen of big shrimps sauteed with olive oil, fresh chopped garlic and lemon/butter.  The garlic is very bold.  It is a very oily dish, so whoever doesn't like oily food, this may not be for you.  But for me, this super garlicky and super oily dish is just perfect, especially with those extra garlic oil on top of steamed rice.  It enhanced the flavour, plus freshly squeezed lemon over the shrimp elevated the dish.  However, the thing that ticked off was that they didn't peel the skin, because all the spices, all the flavours are on the skin.  Pity to peel and chuck them off but not so enjoyable to eat it either.

Just a short drive from that food truck place, you can find beautiful white sandy beaches around the North Shore.  Overall, North shore is not far at all from Waikiki, around 1 hour drive.  We got back to our hotel not too late but ended up with some light dinner from ABC store.  

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

66-472 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa

Ph: +1 808 293 1893

Open: Daily 10:30am - 5pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

ABC Stores in Hawaii

Dole Plantation

Previously:

Green World Coffee Farm

Dole plantation is a pineapple farm that also provides some fun activities, especially for families.  You can ride on the Pineapple Express train or participate on a walking tour around the plantation garden or challenge yourself in the world's largest maze or simply just to sample some sweet pineapples here or might as well do them all together.  The place is not so far from Waikiki, only about 40 minutes' drive.

Nice looking tree skin, looks like they have been painted

Ice cream with fresh pineapple pieces and mango popping - very refreshing USD 11.45

Fresh pineapple covered with chocolate USD 6.95

Loco moco with meat patty and sunny side up USD 23.95

Loco moco dish is basically a patty over steamed rice smothered in gravy sauce and topped with sunny side up egg.  One of a must try local dishes.  But of course here may not be the best place to try it because although the portion is huge, I found that the patty was a little dry.  You may get a good loco moco dish from Liliha Bakery, I heard they make a delicious loco moco.

Pineapple chili dog with melted cheese USD 11.95

Dole Plantation 

64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa

Ph: +1 808 621 8408

Open: Daily from 9:30am - 5:30pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck and North Shore Beaches