Worlds are colliding... The purple food craze continues and dripping, drooling, insta-worthy foods are still making businesses. 

Now this treat is slightly pricey, but take into account the time and effort it takes to make one, it seems your bites to savor it would also need to appreciate the care for each and every slice. 

Enter... the crepe cake. This version feature ube, the purple yam, that has got mouths watering near and far. Often mistaken for the Okinawan sweet potato, which may assist with coloring, the Ube is actually a different ingredient. 21 layers of paper-thin crepe creamy goodness with fluffy cream and drizzled with ube creamy syrup. This is a delicate and more creamy than anything take on cake. The crepes give it a slight sense of texture amidst the fluff while also beholding its delicate taste. 

While you might think this is overly sweet and overwhelming it is actually very delicate and more creamy than anything else. They also have other flavors like strawberry and chocolate but those can't hold a candle to the vibrance and brilliance that is the ube purple goodness. 

Now the cost per slice direct from Miss Chen's is $6.50, but if you purchase this from another retailer it is going to cost you $8.38 with tax. Take into account the process, painstaking layer by layer application and then the uniqueness of the product. is it worth it? Yes, but not an everyday purchase. 

Miss Chen's Cake
808 Sheridan Street
Honolulu, HI 96814

Conveniently located at the corner of Nimitz Hwy and Kalihi Street is Poke By The Pound! Here you'll find some of the freshest poke on the island along with some outstanding flavor combinations. 
Open seven days a week Poke By The Pounds' mission is to respect the ocean and its sea life, while also serving delicious fish. They offer market fresh poke and fresh fish plates. 

The poke is insanely fresh and expertly cut and prepared. The signature flavors of fresh poke include: Shoyu Onion, Limu Kukui Nut, Spicy Tuna, Tako Poke, Marlin Poke, Hawaiian Salt and classic plates are: Ahi Belly, Ahi Steak, Furikake Salmon, Miso Salmon, Poke On Rice and Sashimi Plate. They also feature daily specials and pop-up specials depending on the day.

With the mission to serve fresh fish, never frozen, you'll find the poke is supremely delicious with tender juicy cubes and it's innovative ingredients. Our favorites are the classic Shoyu Onion, Garlic Ahi and Hawaiian Salt. From time to time they will also offer specials like the Gingahspread Poke and The TKO Special which includes ahi belly smothered in mayo with imitation crab and mushrooms. 

Go, go check um, go!
Poke By The Pound
322 Kalihi Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Pokebythepound.com 
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The sister pub to Aloha Beer Co. in Kakaako has recently opened in Downtown Honolulu, located in the brand new renovated Central Pacific Bank location off of Alakea and S. King Streets. Within the spanking new lobby of the branch you'll also find a Starbucks, sit-down seating, WiFi and easy order, grab-and-go access. 

The concept is quick service, meets pau hana and they also offer alcoholic beverages including brews. The bank lobby also serves as a public meeting space and offers distanced tables, open seating and natural bright sunlight for a relaxed overall feel. 

The menu includes their famous flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, fries and beer of course. The flatbreads are sized well enough for one person to be content and the sandwiches are massively generous in portion. We thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ Chicken Flatbread, the Tuna Melt was hearty and gigantically dripping with tuna and lettuce. Meanwhile, the cheesy waffle fries were flavorful but disappointing as the packaging left them very moist and lacked crunch or crispness. 

Overall, this is great value for the price, easy access and great to support local businesses and new developments. It is located downtown, but not in the heart of downtown so it is easier to find parking and just two crosswalks away from Iolani Palace. 

Aloha Beer Company Downtown
Mon-Fri 10am-7pm
Happy Hour 2pm-4pm
Also offers vegetarian options and popcorn. 
CPB - Main Branch
220 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

There's a new love child born in Chinatown in Honolulu, Hawaii. This love child makes amazing pizza! From the owners of Encore and The Daley (Burger) meet the owner of Brick Fire Tavern (which recently moved out of Chinatown and into Kaimuki). Now Encore and The Daley are right next door to where Brick Fire Tavern once was and they all partnered to birth a new baby that serves up two distinct styles of pizza. (Located in the old Brick Fire Tavern Spot). 

Meet your new friend Pizza Mamo!

Pizza Mamo is a mainly takeout spot on Hotel Street that crafts oven roasted and pipping hot fresh pizzas. 

Brookyln-Style: New York style with it's thin and crispy crust the pie is 16-inches or more and emulates everything we love about those New York pizza memories. The dough is light, crisp and the pizza is massive. $21-$28
Now meet Detroit-Style: Not really deep dish but more of a pan pizza, Detroit is a hardier pizza, herb seasoned crust and oozing with more cheese than the New York as it is made in a pan and smaller in size as well. The crust is crunchy and firm while the density of the pizza is flavorful. $19-$24

Overall, we loved the Brooklyn-Style for it's size, texture and quality. The Detroit was a little on the salty and dry side, despite the pour of tomato sauce on the top. 

Pizza Mamo is a delicious new addition to the Chinatown, Hawaii vibe and serves up incredible fresh pizzas. 

16 N. Hotel Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
(808) 369-2445

*Everyone was ordering takeout, we sat at the one table inside, which was tiny. Their drink menu is limited and they don't have utensils or plates at the moment. 

Purve Donut Stop opened 2 1/2 years ago and takes donuts to the next level. Their cake donuts are made to order, fluffy, warm, delicious and always boast a unique flavor profile with hip and trendy names. Crafted to make your mouthwater and make your tummy happy they are always full of color, made with the finest ingredients and offer an experience like no other. The shop is colorful, booming with music and an overall fun atmosphere. The founders were once bartenders who opted to get out of the bar scene and into the donut making world... and incorporated both elements when you experience your donut ordering and pick-up.

You can now order online and for delivery. Here are some of the secret menu items you can order based on availability and if you wanna go off menu at the moment.

Peanut Butter S'more - Peanut Butter Maple Glaze Oreo Crumbs and Toasted Marshmallow
Dirty Sanchez - Cinnamon Sugar Caramel Cream Cheese Drizzle and Chocolate Drizzle 
Dark Horse _ Chocolate Fruity Pebbles and Cream Cheese Drizzle
Tush Push - Chocolate Oreo Crumbs Cream Cheese Drizzle 
Mint Oreo Toasted Marshmallow 

You Killing Me Smalls - S'more Chocolate Graham and Marshmallow (pictured but on the menu right now)

Purve Donut Stop 
1234 Kona Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

Traditionally steakhouses in Taiwan serve up cuts of meat on a sizzling cast iron skillet, with that you will also find noodles or pasta, veggies and an egg. This traditional style of eating and enjoying has now come to Hawaii and North School street to be exact. 

Brand new DT Steak House serves complete meals with yummy corn egg drop soup, light cabbage salad, your choice of entree and pineapple li hing mui shave ice for dessert. The main dishes include steak, shrimp, chicken and a combo. 

The combination of chicken. steak and shrimp came out sizzling hot. The sauces were bold yet not too bold and packed with flavor. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and adding the egg to your pasta and the overall meal adds moisture and a sense of creaminess. 

Most of all this new eatery in Kalihi, Hawaii boasts great value. For the price you get a full meal with all the accompaniments along with enough for leftovers. Prices range from $17-23 and you'll most definitely leave full.

Parking can be found along School Street on just behind the building in two parking lots that are open and free. We thoroughly enjoyed the soup and the sizzling plate with shrimp. This gives you a good taste of Taiwan cooking and also allows you to order milk tea from next door's Dragon Tea, which is the same owner as well. 

1339 N. School Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
​(808) 888-2800
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