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Monday, March 30, 2026

BEST BITES OF 2026 - THE COCONUT AT ALAN WONG'S KAHALA

THE COCONUT
ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA

After a delicious meal at Alan Wong's Kahala, the dessert menu came and I saw an old time favorite called The Coconut on the menu.  This was always a "must' order at Alan Wong's on King Street for over two decades.  The presentation is stunning and the flavors are the perfect way to end a dinner at the new Alan Wong's.
Click link below to view full post on Alan Wong's Kahala;

THE COCONUT 

 

ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA

ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA
Alan Wong's is back and now you can enjoy all of the old favorite dishes at The Kahala Resort.  The Kahala and Alan Wong's is a match made in heaven and the perfect dining venue for locals and tourists alike.  You get the views, great service and classic dishes that made Alan Wong's on King Street an award winning favorite for over 20 years.  Opening the menu brought back memories with "Da Bag", Soup and Sandwich jumping out at me.  I wanted to order everything on the Appetizer menu but my wife made me keep it to only three.  First up was "Da Bag: which I always ordered on King Street.  Clams and delicious Kalua Pork.  The Kalua Pork was perfect but almost all the Clams did not open.  I pried a few open with a fork and left the rest in Da Bag.  The Ahi Poke, Avocado Salsa and Wonton Stack was beautiful and delicious.  This is more than enough for two and I could have eaten the entire dish myself.  The world famous Soup and Sandwich was just how I remembered with the Grilled Cheese Sandwich being the star.  Buttery, light with super moist Kalua Pork.  Didn't taste much Foie Gras but still loved it.  The Steamed Opakapaka was one of the best plates of fish I have ever eaten.  Super buttery with the fish being light, delicate and delicious.  The sauce shines here and you might just want to lick the plate.  When I saw the dessert menu I almost lost it.  There was The Coconut and the Chocolate Crunch Bar.  Had to order both and I darn near finished both.  The Coconut is visually stunning and the light coconut flavor pairs perfectly with the hard chocolate shell.  This was an almost perfect dinner with great food, service, wine and view.  Cannot wait to return and will be a regular here.  Make your reservations now because the prices are right and I cannot see them staying this low at The Kahala for long.  
Click links below to view previous posts on Alan Wong's;

ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA

ALAN WONG'S HAS TAKEN OVER THE HOKU'S SPOT AT THE KAHALA RESORT

THE MEMORABLE LOGO IS BACK


GREAT VIEW FROM OUR TABLE

DOESN'T' GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS FOR ME

ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA MENU

ALL OF THE OLD FAVORITES


SHOYU REPRESENTS SALT AND CHILI PEPPER WATER REPRESENTS PEPPER

AMUSE BOUCHE WAS A DELICIOUS BITE

BAKED BREAD AND BUTTER

"DA BAG"

"DA BAG" OPENED REVEALS CLAMS WITH KALUA PORK

AHI POKE, AVOCADO SALSA, CRISPY WONTON PI STACK

SOUP AND SANDWICH

STEAMED OPAKAPAKA

WAIALUA CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BAR

THE COCONUT

LOVE THE CRUNCH

LOVING ALAN WONG'S AT THE KAHALA

 

SMOKED MARLIN SANDWICHES

 LUNCH AT HOME

During my first trip to Bali I was sitting by the pool bar where there was a hand written sign that said Smoked Marlin Sandwich.  Decided to order one and I have been hooked on them ever since.  The key is to make it like I will show you below.  I usually pick up my Smoked Marlin on trips to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Mostly in Kona but I picked up this batch in Hilo during a business trip.  Ingredients are very simple.  Smoked Marlin, Horseradish, Red Onion, Capers on a Butter Toasted Bun.  Try this and you will love it!

SMOKED MARLIN SANDWICH

SMOKED MARLIN, RED ONION, HORSERADISH, CAPERS AND BUN

BUTTER AND TOAST THE BUN

ADD SMOKED MARLIN

RED ONION SLICES

CAPERS

I ADDED MORE HORSERADISH TO TOP BUN


MY BALI STYLE SMOKED MARLIN SANDWICH

ONE BITE AND YOU WILL BE HOOKED!



Sunday, March 29, 2026

BUTTER ROLLS - 4 SISTERS BAKERY

BUTTER ROLLS
4 SISTERS BAKERY, MAUI

When a customer on Maui requested that I bring Butter Rolls to his office rather than lunch 
I was surprised.  "Butter Rolls" I asked and he said "yes, they are life changing".
Well, I can honestly say that these Butter Rolls are life changing and they are worth waiting in line for at 4 Sisters Bakery in Wailuku.
Click link below to view full post on 4 Sisters Bakery Butter Rolls;

4 SISTERS BAKERY BUTTER ROLLS

 

BEST BITES OF 2026 - AHI POKE STACK

AHI POKE STACK
JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL, HILO

This Ahi Poke Stack at Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill in Hilo was visually stunning and equally good.  The sauces were simply amazing with each one having its own bold flavor.  Combined they were magical with the fresh Ahi.  Damn good looking and damn good!
Click link below to view the full post on Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill;

AHI POKE STACK

WATCH THE VIDEO



 

BEST BITES OF 2026 - AHI TARTARE

AHI TARTARE
JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL, HILO

One big bite of Ahi Tartare from Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill in Hilo and my eyes rolled back.
I was in heaven as this fresh Ahi went down like butter.  
Click link below to view post on Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill;

AHI TARTARE - JACKIE REY'S, HILO

 

JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL - HILO

JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL
64 KEAWE STREET
HILO, HI
808-961-2572

WOW.....one of the best lunches of 2026 was enjoyed at Jackie Rey's in Hilo.  This place rocks and the Chef should get a big hug.  Loved the space, food and service.  Nice to have the owner stop by and share a little history about the restaurant and offer up an amazing Ahi Tartare which was also one of my favorite bites of 2026.  The Ahi Tartare Stack was visually spectacular and included some of the best tasting sauces I have ever enjoyed in Hawaii.  
The combination of flavors, textures and colors made this dish amazing.  I was not able to enjoy the Crispy Pork Ribs or Kalua Pork Spring Rolls because it was Friday during Lent.
They looked so good that I wanted to cheat but didn't.  They were gobbled up by the rest of the table and everyone loved them.  I had the Fresh Marlin with Black Rice as my entree and it was delicious.  Again, the sauces took the dish to another level.  Our waitress was incredible and she knew every dish and their ingredients.  Truly impressed with Jackie Rey's and it will be a must stop for me every time I visit Hilo.  This is a Hilo gem that should not be missed!

JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL

WATCH THE VIDEO

LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN HILO

BEAUTIFUL SPACE INSIDE A FORMER BANK


JACKIE REY'S MENU




KALUA PORK SPRING ROLLS

AHI TARTARE

AHI POKE STACK

CRISPY PORK RIBS

FRESH MARLIN WITH BLACK RICE

LOVIN JACKIE REYS WITH A NICE GLASS OF VINO

 

OLIVINE - WALDORF GRAND WAILEA RESORT MAUI

OLIVINE
GRAND WAILEA RESORT
3850 WAILEA ALANUI DR
WAILEA, HI 
808-875-1234

Enjoyed a very nice business lunch at Olivine at the Waldorf Grand Wailea in Maui.
This is one of my favorite resorts in Hawaii and I love to bring customers and out of town guests here.  Lunch at Olivine was excellent.  Really enjoyed the Roasted Beet Salad which had big pieces of super fresh beets and a lot of Arugula.  Wish the salad had a better assortment of greens that were not so bitter.  Pizza was good and so was the service.
Click link below to view previous post on Olivine;

LUNCH WITH A VIEW AT OLIVINE

OLIVINE MENU




SPICY SAUSAGE AND PEPPERONI PIZZA

BEET SALAD

VIEW FROM OLIVINE

THE GRAND WAILEA MAUI