Visit Hilo: Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe

I think Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe has some of the best sandwiches around!  We picked up lunch from there recently (I conveniently ordered online), and I couldn't resist picking up some sweet treats as well!BLTAThe BLTA - bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, was served on their housemade focaccia bread.  The bread is amazing,...

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Visit Hilo: Kandi's Drive Inn

There are not too many spots in Hilo that are open at 5am, but Kandi's opens early, and it was where we went to pick up bentos before drone fishing one morning.  They have small and large bentos, along with a bunch of other grab-and-go eats, or you can simply order some local eats off of the menu.We picked up large bentos, which included...

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Ahualoa Family Farms

Ahualoa Family Farms on the Big Island cares for over 90 acres of macadamia nut orchards, and Hawaii Mom Blog was lucky to have sampled some of their products, including their macadamia nuts and macadamia nut flour.At Na`au, we received some macadamia nuts, and Chef Brian made some amazing brittle with it.  He made a Macadamia Nut Brittle...

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New Tasting Menu at the Beachhouse at the Moana

Ahi Pokeisland big eye tuna, maui onion, guacamole, cassava chips, bubu arare, wasabi aioli The Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa has reopened for dinner with a new three or four course tasting menu with a variety of options for each course. Hawaii Mom Blog was very grateful to be invited to a media dinner to experience...

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Elena's To-Go

It's been a long while since I've been to Elena's, and since I've had many discussions with friends about Filipino food lately, I made an order there.They have really great take-out deals!Their April Special is a huge plate for just $14.99, and consists of lechon special, pancit, pork adobo fried rice omelette, Shanghai lumpia, and pork adobo.They...

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Celebrate Mother's Day with Big Island Candies

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Mother's Day is just around the corner, and Big Island Candies has a couple of sweet gift ideas perfect for the occasion!At the center of the From the Heart Gift Box is a huge Heart-Shaped Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownie!  I would be excited just to get that brownie...

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Visit Big Island: Merriman's Waimea

Although I've been to several of Chef Peter Merriman's restaurants, so many have told me I need to go to the flagship Waimea location, which they deem to be the best.  And finally, I went!Merriman's Mai TaiI went on a Sunday, where in addition to the lunch menu, they also offer brunch.CevicheTomato SoupCaesar SaladFish SandwichPunaluu Sweet Bread...

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Cocobonz by Coco's Cravings

Another great local business that was born during the COVID-19 pandemic is Coco's Cravings, specializing in homemade Japanese milk bread.  They first started out making just savory milk bread, but now they have branched out to cinnamon rolls (which they call COCOBONZ)!Available by pre-order only (pick-ups are usually on Saturdays), these Cocobonz...

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Visit Hawaii Island: Island Lava Java

I visited Island Lava Java in Waikoloa for breakfast a few years ago, and I recently did take-out lunch there. We ordered Ali`i Sandwiches and Mauna Kea Sandwiches. The Ali`i Sandwich consisted of a garlic and herb-marinated chicken breast that was topped with provolone cheese, crispy fried onions, a chipotle aioli, and organic arugula.  The...

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Leung's Chop Suey House

Chef John Iha often mentions Leung's whenever I go to Hilo, and I finally had a chance to try it out with my Na`au co-worker!The restaurant offers a menu you can order off of, or ready-to-eat items that you can pick and choose from.  Fried Noodles, Roast Pork, ChickenThey did not have Oyster Sauce Chicken the day we went, so the lady ended...

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Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya Cook-at-Home Ramen Kits

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya now offers Cook-at-Home Ramen Kits!  I was lucky have been invited to try a couple of these kits (currently only available at the Ala Moana location), which include prepared soup broth, a package of noodles, and garnishes.  There are four varieties to choose from: Tanaka Classic, Tanaka Tori, Tanaka Rich Garlic,...

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Rokaru Shabu Shabu

The last time I went to Rokaru Shabu Shabu was shortly after they had just opened nearly 5 years ago.  Rokaru BentoThe Rokaru Bento consists of rice, gyoza, arabiki sausage, sukiyaki beef, fried chicken, tonkatsu, and tsukemono.The serving of tonkatsu was a lot smaller than what I saw on the original photo on their Instagram, but it was still...

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