Pastacceria

I got a promotion code for $5 off my first Ritual Order and decided to try out the pasta place at MARS building. 

Creamy Chicken Pesto $9.50

It was great being able to skip the lineup of people, but unfortunately, my timing didn't really work out or something because my order was barely warm when I got there. This meant that by the time I got back to my office, my pasta had sort of congealed. The portion size was okay, but the pasta and sauce weren't that great: the most pesto part of this pasta was the sundried tomatoes that they tossed in cream sauce. 

Let's Be Frank - Newmarket

After a morning hike in Mono Cliffs in the snow, I was craving Italian. 

Meatball sandwich and Chicken parmigiana

The sandwich was pretty good and the parmigiana was okay. 

Website: http://letsbefrank.ca/

Honolulu Cookie Company - Honolulu

At the airport, we picked up some souvenirs from the Honolulu Cookie Company. 

We tried tons of their sample cookies at their store on Waikiki beach, so it was easy picking up the cookie flavours we liked in pre-packaged boxes at the airport. 

Pineapple, Chocolate dipped and white chocolate dipped macadamia cookies

Super yummy! My favourite is the chocolate dipped macadamia cookie. These cookies are a must-try when you're in Honolulu! 

Website: https://www.honolulucookie.com/

The Cheesecake Factory - Kapolei

One final stop before catching our flights back home (and a necessary one to feed my obsession with the Cheesecake Factory)

When in Hawaii - you've got to get the most Hawaiian cheesecake: 

Macadamia nut cheesecake

I actually think this cheesecake tastes better in Hawaii - the macadamia nuts here are AMAZING! They're so tasty and this cheesecake was just so delicious! 

Website: https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

Camaron Shrimp & Crispy Grindz Food Trucks - Haleiwa

 

Garlic Shrimp on the left and Scampi Shrimp on the right

Both were really good and it was refreshing that we got salad and fruit as sides (haven't had that in a while). 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thecamaronfoodtruck/

 

Acai Bowl with strawberries and bananas

This was AMAZING! Until Hawaii, I had no idea what the obsession with acai bowls was - this was perfect! It was sweet, but not too sweet, and it had texture from the grains and bananas and strawberries. Unfortunately, it was a little on the expensive side, but it was such a delicious treat!

Website: http://crispygrindz.com/home/

Aloha General Store - Haleiwa

There's a pretty detailed explanation about why their shave ice is the best. 

However, here's the true test: 

It's really pretty. The ice was really fine so much so that it melted immediately when you put it into your mouth. I think I would still prefer Matsumoto's - it sat on your tongue for a little longer so you can savour the flavour and the texture. 

The flavours were good.

Rainbow! 

(That's a spoon not the lava flow of sweet cream)

Website: https://hawaiisbestshaveice.com/

Kono's Northshore - Haleiwa

Last day in Hawaii

It was really busy at Kono's Northshore - luckily there was a menu outside the store, so we could review the options!

Old School (Kailua pork, guava bbq sauce, onions and slaw) with maui onion chips

The chips were pretty good!

Delicious kailua pork!

Website: https://www.konosnorthshore.com/

Polynesian Cultural Center - Laie

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a Polynesian theme park owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Very interesting pie - it looked like a patty, but it has sweet custard inside.  

Another must-try experience is the Luau

 

Luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast with a Kalua pig (picture on the left: it was nicer when they brought it out - but I got there too late) and other yummy Hawaiian food. 

The buffet options - there were a lot of options for everyone (meats, vegetarian options, fish, vegan options). They also had lots of Hawaiian specialties like poi bread (purple bread), lomilomi salmon and poke.

Dessert options! 

A really fun experience! Dinner and a show!

Website: https://www.polynesia.com/

Mea Inu Bar & Grill @ Lilue Airport

Wailua Falls

Chicken Sandwich with fries

Cheeseburger with fries

Chicken Katsu with Rice

The Chicken katsu was alright, but it was a pretty mediocre meal before our flight to Oahu.

Kauai Coffee - Kalaheo

 

Poipu Beach Park

Hawaii is one of the two states in the US that grows coffee commercially. The Kauai Coffee Company offers free plantation tours and coffee samples.

A fun experience! We got to learn a lot about the coffee bean and coffee making process and we tried out a lot of their different samples of coffee! 

Website: https://kauaicoffee.com/

Jojo's Shave Ice - Waimea

 

Local's North Shore with Pineapple, Melon and Lychee flavours and macadamia ice cream and haupia topping

This flavour combination is really similar to the one I had at Matsumoto's - so I knew this one was it! Plus it had macadamia ice cream and a coconut topping, sounds like it was made for me! The shaved ice was a little coarser than Matsumoto's and the flavours, while good, weren't as great as Matsumoto's. However, all in all, this was a really good shaved ice in Kauai. 

Island Taco - Waimea

Waimea Canyon Park

Foggy, but stunning

Mahi Mahi tacos

The homemade tortillas were interesting - I wasn't really a fan though. The battered and fried fish was good. 

Taco Salad

Olives in a taco salad seem a little strange to me - maybe it's a Hawaiian thing?