Ah, the pancake. Stoutly stacked, the sweet and fluffy pancake is a breakfast staple, and for good reason. The basic pancake is simple to make, yet the possible pancake permutations are endless. You’ve got the classics like banana pancakes and blueberry pancakes. In Hawaii, macadamia nut pancakes commonly pop-up on cafe menus. But beyond these #basic pancakes is a movement toward more intricate pancakes with much more vivid flavor profiles. In this 5 To Try, we highlight 5 of the most creative, drool-worthy, and instagrammable pancakes on the island. Hungry? You will be after you read this post.
Waikiki
Basalt At Duke’s Lane: Where Black Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes Are A Thing
If you’ve been to Waikiki then it’s very likely that you’ve shopped in an ABC Store – the ubiquitous everything store for visiting tourists (and locals). Duke’s Lane Market & Eatery is a new concept food hall from the founders of ABC Stores. Of the handful of eateries in Duke’s Lane, Basalt stands out as the most modern and refined. Think fancy casual.
What To See At The Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikiki Aquarium was always one of my favorite places to visit when I was a child. On any given day, my dad would often bring both me and my younger sister to either the zoo or the aquarium. I always preferred the aquarium because of the jelly fish and the air conditioning. Now that I have a child of my own, I am finding joy in sharing the experiences that I enjoyed in my youth with my son.
Alohilani Resort: An Aloha Chic Experience
What was old is new again. In 2016, the then Pacific Beach Hotel underwent a massive $100+ million redevelopment. The complete makeover involved all 800+ hotel rooms and included all public spaces. The fruits of this investment was partially unveiled in late 2017 when the hotel was rebranded and reimagined as the Alohilani Resort. What can you expect? A modern and contemporary vibe that evokes calming relaxation, or, as they like to call it, Aloha Chic.
Lychee: A Waikiki Brunch Experience At The Alohilani Resort
Tucked away on the second floor of the reimagined Alohilani Resort is Waikiki’s newest brunch experience, Lychee. During a recent stay at the Alohilani, we were invited to experience the extensive brunch buffet. You’ll find the usual suspects, including eggs, sausages, and baked goods. Beyond that, expect a variety of seasonal fruits like rambutan and mango, seafood including sashimi, opihi, taegu prawns, and snow crab legs, a prime rib carving station, cuts of bone marrow, and even a milk tea and boba bar.
The Herringbone Brunch Experience
Herringbone Waikiki is as imaginative with its menu as it is Instagram friendly. You’ll want to take a photo of everything you see and taste at this International Market Place dining establishment. The Herringbone experience is one for all of the senses to enjoy. They’ve recently started to serve weekend brunch, and I think they’ve nailed it. And by the way…the weekend (at Herringbone) begins on Aloha Fridays…so plan accordingly.
5 To Try: Waikiki Coffee Shops You Must Try
There’s a lot going on in Waikiki, and to experience it all, you’ll need fuel..and I can’t think of anything better than a nice hot (or ice cold) cup of coffee. Turns out, there’s no shortage of coffee shops in Waikiki.
Happy Hour At Flour & Barley Waikiki
Flour & Barley is always looking for ways to make your Waikiki dining experience that much better…they did it with brunch…and now they’re doing it with a festive Happy Hour selection of beers, cocktails, and food specials. They invited us down to sample some of their new offerings and we enjoyed it all. Happy Hour at Flour & Barley is daily from 2pm to 6pm and from 10pm to closing. What are you waiting for? Get down there!