If you're looking for a refreshing but also healthy drink, Lanikai juice is the place to go. In the Waikiki area, Lanikai juice is located in the Hilton Hawaiian village so you could grab your drink to go and enjoy it on the hot sand or after a day of swimming under the blazing sun. It won't only quench your thirst but give you an energy boost as well! They fill their smoothies up with awesome goodies like honey, almond butter, whey protein and fresh fruits. There are also wellness smoothies that feature ingredients such as chia seeds, probiotics, coconut oil and etc. so you can boost your immune system while enjoying a delicious drink. The menu doesn't end there though for they also offer juices that are made from fresh fruits and vegetables so they create a simple yet also very healthy alternative to smoothies. There are salads, sandwiches and even simple snacks for a grab-n-go. And to top it all off there are acai and pitaya bowls that are great for a healthy breakfast. So whether you're a smoothie/juice kind of person or want to enjoy a simple lunch and an acai bowl instead, you'll find only the best here at Lanikai juice.
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Breakfast or brunch? Doesnt matter...this French countryside influenced eatery has it all. Located on the ground floor of the Hawaiian monarch, cream pot is not only popular for its food but also its charming decor. As you walk through the white arch entryway, you are met with a pathway and steps that are surround by a garden setting. The steps lead to a patio seating area that you can choose over sitting inside. Once you've been seated, you'll be met with a menu featuring wonderful choices varying from sweet to savory breakfast items accompanied by a booklet with pictures of the food offered. Eating breakfast here yesterday, I went for a cappuccino and the strawberry souffle pancakes while my husband chose the beef stew rolled omelette and a side of hash browns. Long story short, the food was just exceptional. We especially enjoyed the soufflé pancakes which are so soft and fluffy, they melt in your mouth! That combined with the charming atmosphere of cream pot contributed to a great breakfast outing for me and my husband. I have no doubt we will be going back soon!
Sailing is one of the most popular activities done in Hawaii. My sister and her husband own a sailboat so they take it out at least once a week and we all enjoy the waters of Waikiki. When out in the ocean, there are quite a bit of other things to do with some of the favorites being snorkeling, diving and spear fishing. Recently, we went sailing to enjoy a wonderful weekend and my husband made a short video of these awesome activities. Taking a trip around the island with family yesterday, we came across a very charming burger place in North Shore called Seven Brothers. This restaurant is a branch off of Kahuku Grill and is a family run business that is known for its unique burgers, local grown salads and home style fries. With its modern take on American burgers, fries & shakes, it is a popular hangout for locals and tourists. The atmosphere is down to earth homey with a whole lotta beach vibes. And let me just say, the food is great! As my husband put it "tastes like a backyard barbecue" with the flavors of fresh cut ingredients bursting in your mouth. Hungry after a morning of swimming and exploring, we polished off our burgers and fries within mere minutes. It's safe to say that we've found a new favorite burger joint in North Shore.
Recently, my husband, myself and some friends hiked up Lanikai Pillbox Trail to catch the sunrise and boy was it worth waking up at 4am! The hike itself wasn't tough at all, although it got 27 week pregnant me panting at times for sure. It didn't take long to get to the top either and the panoramic view was absolutely breathtaking. The hike features two military bunkers and overlooks Lanikai beach as well as the Mokes and you could see out all the way to Kaneohe bay. I think the best time to hike this trail is early in the morning before dawn to catch the sunrise since it's not as hot yet and you get the view of a lifetime! Also, you can visit the gorgeous Lanikai beach right after for a cooling off swim. This hike was definitely something I very much enjoyed doing and luckily, my husband brought along his GoPro so I can share the experience with you guys. The following photos were taken on a different day during the afternoon by @marussiaofficial Every beach needs an ice cream place, don't you agree? In the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki beach is a local chain cafe that not only serves homemade ice cream in homemade cones but also coffee drinks and baked goods that feature macadamia nuts. Now that is my definition of an ice cream place! Lappert's offers a large variety of gourmet ice cream, sorbet and gelato in many creative and traditional flavors. The pastries range from croissants and bagels to cookies and brownies. The coffee selection is also great varying from dark to light Hawaiian coffee bean blends and served in cold or hot drinks. When at the beach near Hilton Hawaiian Village, this place is the best for a cone of delicious ice cream or simply a coffee with a pastry.
My husband is not a huge fan of cakes (he's more of a pastries and cheesecakes kind of guy) but I absolutely love baking cakes! I don't however bake cakes often since neither I nor he will eat them but recently I just couldn't resist making this yummy berry cake. This recipe is completely from scratch and tastes like a sweet dream! It is perfect for the summer months where you can get the seasonal berries freshly picked for the filling and topping. Bake it for a summer family gathering and you will get raving reviews, I guarantee. Cake: 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Filling: 1/2 cup puréed raspberries 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon additional water, iced Sliced strawberries and whole blackberries (or seasonal berries) Frosting: 1stick unsalted butter, softened 4 oz cream cheese, room temp. 5 cups confectioners sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter two 8 inch cake pans. Beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined. Add eggs and beat, scraping down sides of bowl when needed. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk & vanilla and beat until combined. Divide batter between pans and bake until golden (toothpick inserted in center comes out clean) about 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool completely. Filling: In a small saucepan, combine raspberry puree, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 minutes. Combine cornstarch with ice water and mix until dissolved. Add into saucepan and mix well, continuing the boiling for another minute. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Frosting: Beat together butter and cream cheese until creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to medium and add the confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add salt, milk & vanilla and beat until fluffy. Assemble: Place 1 cake layer onto cake plate and sprinkle with fresh berries generously. Spread cooled filling over berries and cover with second cake layer. *For extra frosting on the inside, spread some frosting on the bottom of top cake layer before setting it onto the bottom layer.* Spread top of cake with frosting and garnish with more fruit. Chill cake in refrigerator for about an hour before serving. In a previous post, I shared with you guys what my sister did with her lanai and today I will share what I did with mine... Living in Hawaii you are bound to have many guests whether it be family or just friends, which makes it important to have a place for them to sleep. I mean, you're not going to put everyone on the floor, right? My lanai is enclosed and has windows for a view. Since we live in a one bedroom apartment, I have converted the lanai into a "guestroom". This is very convenient because I don't have to put all my guests into the living room but instead, I give them a semi private space with a comfortable bed and a gorgeous view of the ocean. It gives my guests some personal space and makes them feel more welcome since I've put some thought into their comfort. The guest "bedroom" features a roll-away twin bed and small table with two chairs. Decorated with surfboards and a Del Mex throw blanket, I thought it was proper to give the room a beach vibe. When I don't have family or friends staying over, I use the guest room/lanai as a place to enjoy breakfast and dinner with my husband or as a little thinking nook during the day. In fact, as I am writing this post I am sitting on the lanai enjoying the view with some fresh air. |