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A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Hawaii Eats: Restaurants on the Big Island

Probably my favorite thing to do on vacation is try local restaurants. I’m excited to share the delicious food we had at Hawaii restaurants! We try to mix it up between more casual dining and restaurants that a bit pricier. In Hawaii, we found that most places were more expensive than the mainland, which is to be expected. Here are most of my meals (with some of G’s also pictured), plus where the restaurants are on the Big Island of Hawaii. Note: Most of these are pescatarian rather than vegetarian because when in a place with good seafood, I tend to go for it. In my daily life I am mostly veggie, though.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona

We stopped at Island Lava Java for breakfast and were not disappointed. I devoured every bite of this Waipio Stack Breakfast ($14), plus some of V’s chocolate pancakes. It contained two eggs, which I ordered over hard, wheat toast, fresh avocado, tomato, arugula and chipotle aioli. (It typically comes with bacon, but I don’t eat that.) Served with fresh fruit I paired it with a vanilla frappe. SO good.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona

Basik Cafe was mostly an acai bowl restaurant. I enjoyed the Islander ($11, small), which was acai, hemp milk, granola, banana, strawberries, goji berries, coco shavings and honey. Yum!

 

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona

We visited Kona Coffee  & Tea Co. twice to pick up a quick breakfast before doing other activities. The first time we all got bagels ($2.59) and yogurt and granola. The second time I ordered a spinach tart ($6.49), which was OK. I really liked the vanilla cold brew though!

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We were starving when we arrived at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so we decided to try one of the restaurants. Volcano House was the closest option. I ordered the fish and chips ($14) while G had Asian barbecue prawns ($16). They weren’t the best fish and chips I’ve had but they did the trick. This place is more about the view! You can see the crater from your table.

Volcano House, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa

While staying at the Hilton Waikola Village, we dined at Boat Landing Cantina, which was just underneath our tower. We also ordered some to-go on another night when we were too tired to actually dine there. I wasn’t disappointed with the nachos ($14) or the fish tacos ($19). The prices are high for what you get, but the resort is so large that it’s super inconvenient to leave to grab food, especially when you’re an exhausted pregnant person.

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo

After working up an appetite on a helicopter tour, we explored downtown Hilo looking for a lunch option. We stumbled across Cafe Pesto. I loved every bite of the crab cakes ($16), which came with salad. V enjoyed her pasta with veggies and G had a pizza luau pizza ($14).

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Kope Lani, Kailua-Kona

We couldn’t go without ice cream for dessert, especially on a warm Hawaii afternoon. I loved the Kona coffee flavored cone I had at Kope Lani!

Kope Lani ice cream, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

On our last night we wanted something casual again, so we opted for takeout from Big Island Burritos. Shown below is a burrito bowl for G ($12) and more tacos for me ($12).

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

 

Waikoloa Coffee, Waikoloa

Breakfast came from Waikoloa Coffee a couple times because it was conveniently located under our hotel tower. It was pricey for what it was ($40 for two coffees, a juice and breakfast sandwiches), but it was tasty coffee.

Waikoloa Coffee, Hawaii

 

Do you see anything you’d like to try on this list? What are some of your favorite recent restaurant meals? Let me know in the comments!

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau | Kid- and Vegetarian-Friendly Option in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

 

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When choosing a family-friendly activity to do on the Big Island, a luau was an easy option. Why? It can keep a toddler entertained! We selected the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

A bonus is that you don’t need to pay for a separate ticket for children who are 5 and younger! (Tickets for adults were $72 each for us.)

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

To be honest, I don’t really think I need to go to another luau in Hawaii every time I visit, but it’s good for first-timers and kids. We didn’t upgrade our seats to the front tables, but I found that it wasn’t necessary. We could see just fine. My only complaint: We were the last table to grab our food. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem but I’m pregnant, so I am constantly hungry! Actually, I would probably still be hungry even if not pregnant, who am I kidding?

Tip: Arrive early to check into the luau. People were in line by 4:15, even though the confirmation tells you to arrive by 4:45. General seating is first come, first served.

Another bonus is that a luau experience can cater to meat and veggie eaters alike.

What to eat as a pescatarian/vegetarian at Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

You might not think a luau is the place to go if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, but it’s possible to eat well at one. This is what I ate as a pescatarian/mostly vegetarian at the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

  • Garden salad
  • Potato mac salad
  • Hawaiian sweet roll
  • Three-bean salad
  • Island fish (for pescatarians)
  • Hawaii sweet potato
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Coconut cake
  • Pineapple upside-down cake

Note: The website says they can prepare a gluten-free or vegan option if notified 24 hours in advance.

After the show, which lasts until 8 p.m., you can purchase your souvenir arrival photo for $20 if you want, but we skipped that. You can also take photos with the dancers. V really wanted to see two of them, and we were happy to do so.

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Have you been to a luau in Hawaii? What did you think?

Watch our video of the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

 

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Related posts:

Royal Lahaina Luau, Maui
Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

 

D.C./Virginia Eats | Vegetarian and Pescatarian Options

 

After more than a year of not seeing my best friend Charlsy, I visited her in Alexandria, Va., for a short girls weekend with lots of D.C. and Virginia eats and catching up. I try to frequent only local eateries when I travel and we did plenty of that! Today I’m sharing my favorite D.C. and Alexandria area restaurants and what I ordered at each. Most of these restaurants are vegetarian friendly!

Duck Donuts, Alexandria

Duck Donuts was my favorite local discovery. It’s a doughnut place where you can order custom doughnuts! You pick which frosting, topping and drizzle you’d like and you get it just minutes later hot out of the oven/doughnut maker. I immediately daydreamed about opening up my own franchise! haha We liked our doughnuts so much that we came back every day of my trip and I brought one back to Chicago for Graham. (Shoutout to the TSA for not making me throw it out or eat it right there in line!) You could buy single doughnuts, a couple, or get a half or full dozen.

We chose chocolate frosting and sprinkles and vanilla frosting and coconut flakes on our second visit to Duck Donuts.

Jinya Ramen Bar, Fairfax

I was in the mood for ramen and my friend recommended a perfect place in Fairfax, Va. Jinya Ramen Bar lets you order just about any type of ramen you could crave. I went with the spicy vegan ramen and wasn’t disappointed. I only wish I would have skipped the spinach, which becomes a bit too mushy for my taste. The broth was creamy, spicy and delicious! You can also order a noodle refill for $2! This particular ramen comes with thick noodles but you can order some with thin noodles as well. In addition to ramen you can order small plates, rice bowls, salads and appetizers.

The Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen from Jinya Ramen Bar was a filling lunch.

Busboys and Poets, Arlington

I also really enjoyed Busboys and Poets, where we went for dinner one night. (They have various locations; we visited the Shirlington restaurant.) You can find plenty of vegan and vegetarian options here, but I was craving a crab cake sandwich with spicy mayo instead of the tartar sauce it normally comes with. It also is served with fries, but I was content with my sandwich. I also enjoyed the hummus and pita appetizer we shared. I highly recommend this restaurant! It’s more than just an eatery; various events are also held here. According to its website, “Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place. First established in 2005, Busboys and Poets was created by owner Anas ‘Andy’ Shallal, an Iraqi-American artist, activist and restaurateur.” My friend mentioned that campaign events are sometimes held here.

I asked for spicy mayo instead of tartar sauce for my crab cake sandwich at Busboys and Poets.

 

Epic Smokehouse, Arlington

Epic Smokehouse, as the name implies, is all about the meats and was probably the least vegetarian-friendly restaurant we visited, but they adjusted a popular dish for me and it was mouthwatering! I ordered the Mr. H, which typically has two fried corn tortillas with chorizo sausage, scrambled eggs and home fries topped with creamy cheese sauce and fire roasted EPIC sauce. I obviously ordered mine without the chorizo sausage and I added avocado. So good! They also have bottomless mimosas for brunch, in case you’re not pregnant like me and can partake! The restaurant has a Kentucky vibe and would be the perfect place to order a bourbon with your meal.

The Mr. H. was adjusted to take out the sausage and add avocado. It comes with potatoes.

 

What have been you favorite recent local eats? Share them with me in the comments!

Related post:

Chicago Eats

 

 

Chicago Eats: Oyster Bah, The Hampton Social and Firecakes Donuts

It’s been too long since I shared some of the delicious meals I’ve had lately in Chicago. My friend’s visit for the Lady Gaga concert at Wrigley Field gave me the opportunity to try a couple of new (to me) places, and I recently met up with Jessie (of Just Jessie blog) to catch up at another great place.

Oyster Bah, Lincoln Park

I was drawn to Oyster Bah by an Instagram photo. Yep. While the restaurant is known for oysters, hence the name, I chose the Maryland crab cake sandwich (blue crab, romaine, roma tomato, avocado, old bay mayonnaise) with one tweak: I asked for chipotle mayo instead of the old bay mayonnaise. (It came with fries.) Amazing! I ate every single bite. I was completely satisfied and I have craved it several times since then. We sipped Rosé with our entrees.

 

The Hampton Social, River North

Hampton Social is one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in Chicago. The Hamptons/East Coast-themed restaurant is adorable, often known for its “Rosé all day” sign in one of the dining rooms. It featured a live band that was actually pretty decent when we visited for an afternoon brunch recently. While the restaurant was packed, it was easy to get a reservation for the same day (for two people). We, of course, tried the Frosé, which had a peachy flavor. Peach isn’t my favorite so I thought it was just OK. I drank it all, though! My friend enjoyed the mojito as well, while I also had a mimosa. For my entree I almost picked the lobster roll, but for some reason the fish tacos were calling my name (again that weekend). I went with the beer batter fish vs. the grilled, and they had chipotle mayo. Can you see a pattern here? I will order anything with chipotle mayo/aioli on it. The fish tacos don’t come with a side, but I found them to be filling on their own.

 

 

 

 

 

Firecakes Donuts, River North

We stumbled across Firecakes while walking to brunch, so we picked up a couple of doughnuts to try as appetizers. haha Firecakes is home to the giant birthday cake doughnut that I’m dying to purchase for someone’s birthday. I tried the peanut butter cup doughnut, which I loved, and my friend chose another (that I can’t remember now). I really want to go back and try more!

 

 

 

What awesome restaurants have you tried recently? Have you been to any of these?

 

Chicago Eats: Midnight Mac and Cheeserie, XO Marshmallow and Hutch

It’s been a minute since I’ve shared some of the meals I’ve had recently in Chicago. I like to write these posts regularly for those of you who appreciate a good meal as much as I do. Whether you live in Chicago or you plan to visit, you might consider browsing these posts to see if you want to add any of these restaurants to your Chicago dining list.

Midnight Mac and Cheeserie, Rogers Park

This restaurant took the place of Growling Rabbit, one of my favorite places for a vegan breakfast in my neighborhood. (I’m not vegan but I like to eat like one sometimes.) By the way, Growling Rabbit has the best Chai in the area that I’ve tried. Anyway, Midnight Mac and Cheeserie caught my eye because they offer so many varieties of mac and cheese, and you can build your own, too. The portions are quite large for one person, even with a small. I liked the veggie option, and the lobster was delicious, though they both become too much after a while. After so many bites I just couldn’t keep going. Bring a large appetite! As the name implies, the restaurant stays open late. When it first opened they kept having to close early because they ran out of food, but I believe they make it to midnight or later now. At first you could only order the food (like I did), but now you can dine in as well.

XO Marshmallow, Rogers Park

XO is also a new business in my neighborhood, and it’s located right next door to Midnight Mac and Cheeserie. (It’s owned by someone in the same family, too.) It basically sells marshmallow desserts, such as gourmet marshmallows in a bunch of flavors. We tried a chocolate one, as well as a classic s’more. I also order the Chai-cago, an iced Chai with marshmallow whipped cream. My total was about $14 for the three. You can also get s’more tacos and doughnut s’mores and enjoy them in the cute, pink-themed cafe. It’s quite small, with only two tables and some other seating, but it’s adorable. Besides that you can shop for mugs, T-shirts, marshmallows (including champagne!) and other goods. The s’mores were just what you’d expect in a s’more. My only suggestion would be to not serve them in plastic containers if you are eating them in the cafe. I’ve only visited once so far and I plan to return to try the other desserts.

 

 

Hutch, Lakeview

It’s been a while since I dined here with Jessie, but I liked the fish tacos ($12.99) and that they came with black beans. The sriracha aioli was delicious. I also added avocado to mine, obviously. The restaurant was nearly empty when we went, and I wondered why. The decor was so quaint; it has multiple hutch pieces, given the name.

 

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Chicago Eats: The Dawson and Tuco & Blondie

Brunch is my middle name. Among my talents is an ability to pick great brunch places. It’s a gift! I recently tried two Chicago eateries I hadn’t visited yet: The Dawson and Tuco & Blondie. I loved both for different reasons.

The Dawson, West Town

I caught up with friends recently at the Dawson on the most gorgeous 65-degree day. We sipped on Bellinis ($11) as we waited for a table on the patio, which has a fireplace and plenty of seating areas. I basked in the sunshine while trying out the smoked salmon ($16), a large, beautiful platter. It was the best breakfast I’ve had in a while. The restaurant would be a great place to hold private events!

Tuco & Blondie, Lakeview

I came across this Mexican food restaurant while perusing the #InfatuationChi tag on Instagram. The food, drinks and decor looked amazing, so I suggested it to Jessie, who is quickly becoming a favorite brunch companion. I ordered the chilaquiles ($12) minus the chicken. It’s two overeasy eggs over tortillas in red sauce and avocado, corn, tomato. It’s also topped with sour cream. I paired that with black beans and rice. The rice wasn’t the best I’ve had, but I loved the beans. I also enjoyed the red sauce, though I wish I would have ordered the eggs overhard (just my preference). I also had a classic margarita because when in Rome … I also loved the decor. The walls next to the bar displayed framed cactus prints and a cactus adorned with holiday lights stood a few feet away from our table. We couldn’t resist a photo with the mural outside, either.


What restaurants have you been loving lately? 

Related Chicago Eats posts:

A Few Hours in Savannah, Georgia

I recently had a chance to either have lunch in Atlanta or Savannah during a road trip, and I jumped at the chance to see the latter, even if only for a little while. I knew we didn’t have much time, so I wanted to explore whatever we could.

We headed toward what seemed to be a cluster of restaurants listed on Yelp. That took us to East Bay Street. We parked next to Emmet Park for $4 and then walked toward the uneven, historic steps of River Street, which lies alongside the Savannah River. I instantly fell in love with the Spanish moss and cobblestone streets.

 

 

 

 

After checking out a few of the souvenir shops and being jealous of the people embarking on the history-tour buses, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Huey’s. When I saw a crab cake sandwich on the menu I was sold, so we walked in.
The restaurant ended up being more New Orleans style, but I am so glad we went there. I ordered the crab cake sandwich, which came with red beans and rice. Amazing and filling! I scraped my plate clean and wanted seconds. I left room for beignets to go instead, and the server was nice enough to give them to us for free!

 

The beignets were not nearly as good as those at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, but they were still tasty.
Huey’s windows face River Street and the Savannah River, offering a view of passers-by and the water. It was a lovely restaurant for lunch and I imagine dinner is more of the same. The server was professional, friendly and attentive.
I wished I had time to explore the Historic District and many more of the restaurants I passed by in Savannah, but just a little taste made me want to return in the future.
Have you been to Savannah? What are your favorite things to do there?

Road trip footage:

Pescatarian Diet on Florida Vacation

When you don’t eat meat, it can be tricky to find foods to eat on vacation. I do eat fish, so that expands my options. The tricky thing is being somewhere like at an amusement park where you are unfamiliar with the food selection. I did the best I could when choosing food options. Are you pescatarian? Here are ideas on what you can expect to find at various Florida locations:

Orlando:

  • Ceasar Salad ($9.99): What you would expect from a salad. I was able to share this with V and we were both satisfied.
  • Veggie burger and fries (about $10): The worst veggie burger I’ve ever had. Fries were good.
  • Veggie omelet and small orange juice ($13.08): Decent, filling. Shared the omelet with my daughter, who seemed to like it.
Magic Kingdom
  • Zucchini burrito with beans and rice ($10.49): Delicious and filling. Could have used some salsa.
  • Mac and cheese ($8.19): Large, creamy portion. We could have shared one bowl instead of buying two.
Animal Kingdom
  • Hummus with veggies and falafel ($11 total): The falafel was great. Hummus was just OK. The portion was a lot more than necessary for amount of veggies and pita you get. Great veggie option.

  • Mickey Mouse pretzel with cheese sauce (about $6?): What you would expect from a pretzel. A filling snack while walking around the park.

Islamorada, Florida Keys

  • Ceviche (I think $15): Yum! Not as great as my mother’s but decent.
  • Veggie enchiladas ($9.99): I ate every bite of the green-sauce enchiladas. Delicious, filling.
  • Fried ice cream ($4.75): Just OK. Not as crunchy or flavorful as I would have liked.

  • Crab cakes ($8): Yummy. Would order again.
  • Lobster tacos (about $14): Just OK. They were filling and I liked the avocado. 

  • Large Greek salad ($11) and baked potato (about $2.50): Basic, not that impressive, but filling. Lots of feta. I wasn’t really in the mood for anything else. The views from the oceanfront restaurant are serene.
  • Breakfast bullet ($13): I made myself a bagel with cream cheese and salmon, onion and capers. I also had eggs with spinach and feta and breakfast potatoes. I loved it all.

Phoenix Eats: Pure Sushi

One of the best parts about visiting my old Phoenix neighborhood is seeing it grow from when we lived there. It was already becoming a dining hot spot when we moved to Chicago in 2015, and even more change has come about since then. One of the newest restaurants I’ve tried is Pure Sushi at the Colony development near Seventh Street and Missouri in Phoenix. It’s next to the Herb Box and Stock and Stable, which I’ve visited in previous Phoenix trips. Pure Sushi was next on the list because it serves one of our favorite foods.

The restaurant was quiet early on a Friday night. We ordered just three rolls to try, because we weren’t terribly hungry. We tried two signature rolls and one spicy tuna. The presentation was nice, but I couldn’t help but compare the sushi negatively with the place we regularly go to in Chicago. The local spot in Rogers Park, Chicago, is so much better, in case you were wondering.

Signature rolls were $13 and up, while the spicy tuna was $6. Signature drinks were about $13, while my glass of Riesling was $9, slightly more than I am used to paying. It was delicious, though. I wanted to try the Patron Margarita, but part of me felt like that was an odd pairing with sushi. Riesling might have been just as odd, though, so what do I know?
Pure Sushi didn’t blow my socks off, at least these three rolls didn’t, but I would revisit to try more rolls and because I don’t know of many other sushi places nearby besides Stingray Sushi at the Biltmore shopping center on 24th Street and Camelback Road, where we used to get sushi when we lived in Phoenix. Actually, there are more sushi places, but not many catering to this clientele that prefers a trendier setting. 
What delicious restaurant have you tried recently? What did you think? Share with me in the comments!

BYOB Sushi 101 Class With Dabble.co Chicago

 

** I received a complimentary Sushi 101 class from Dabble.co. All opinions are my own. In fact, I loved Dabble.co before becoming an ambassador.
I was nervous about my sushi-making class on New Year’s Eve. I had many excuses for not going: I wouldn’t know anyone there, it was a chilly day in Chicago and I was exhausted after running a half-marathon, but I didn’t let any of that stop me from attending BYOB Sushi 101 with Chef Samantha that I found on Dabble. And I am so glad I didn’t let fear stop me!
The Dabble.co class ($40) is normally held in an events space, but ours was in Chef Samantha’s cozy home. She had a long workspace set up with each student’s necessary tools: a rolling mat, water bowl, food ingredients, chopsticks, a container for soy sauce and more. She also gifted the class Dabble koozies and bottle openers, a nice touch.
Samantha quickly explained the sushi basics to give us enough time to start making our rolls. We had enough rice to make three sushi rolls each: tuna, lobster and crab (although the ingredients can vary in each class). You should also let your instructor know if you have dietary restrictions. We also could add whatever we wanted: avocado, cucumber, sprouts, etc. I was the last student to actually try to roll my sushi, because I was sure I’d mess it up. I asked Chef Samantha to show me once more, and I was able to do it! She was nice enough to cut up our sushi perfectly for us so that we don’t cut ourselves with the sharp knives, and then it was time to eat! As the class title suggests, you can bring your own beverages, and my classmates did.

 

The hourlong class flies by, and before you know it, you’re done. Chef Samantha supplied us with a to-go box to take home any sushi you didn’t eat. I brought some home so that Graham could try my sushi creations.
Sushi 101 Class With Dabble.co Chicago
If you’re looking to try new things in the new year, or challenge yourself to do things alone and meet new people, Dabble.co can help. In each class I’ve attended, students start off a little nervous and quiet, but by the end of class you’re chatting it up and offering tips on good sushi restaurants, the best Asian markets to shop at and other Dabble classes you’ve enjoyed. There’s nothing to fear!
As I have mentioned before, I am a Super Dabbler, aka an ambassador. If Dabble is in your city, you can use the link bit.ly/MaretteDabbles10 for a discount! Let me know which class you’d like to try in the comments!
Note: As an ambassador my class was complimentary, but all opinions are truthful.

Previous Dabble experiences:

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