Gyu-Kaku

On a recent date night my husband and I went to Gyu-Kaku where we enjoyed uninterrupted conversation and had fun checking out a new (to us) restaurant.  We discovered not only is it a good place for a date night but our kids would like it too and we can't wait to take them there.

The unique thing about Gyu-Kaku is that each table comes with a little grill and you get to BBQ some of your own meal right there in the middle of your table.

You can grill veggies, chicken, seafood, pork and/or beef.  They have a variety of marinades to choose from and great dipping sauces too.  In addition to the food that you grill you can order a variety of appetizers, noodles, bibimbap and soups that are prepared in the kitchen.

To end your meal, you can choose from a number of desserts including s'mores.  We chose a desert from the kitchen but I know when our kids are with us we'll do the s'mores and they'll love roasting marshmallows over the grill.

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  There are currently 3 locations in Hawaii:
   Windward Mall:  46-056 Kamehameha Hwy F1, Kaneohe, Hawaii
   Kapiolani Location:  1221 Kapiolani Blvd., #105, Honolulu, Hawaii
   Waikiki Location:  307 Lewers Street, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hours:
   Windward Mall Location:  Lunch from 11am to 4pm, Dinner from 4pm to 11pm
   Kapiolani Location:  Lunch from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Dinner from 3:30pm to 12am
   Waikiki Location:  Lunch from 11:30am to 3:30pm, Dinner from 3:30pm to 12am
Cost/Menu:  Here's a link to the Gyu-Kaku Menu
Parking:
   Windward Mall Location: Free parking in mall parking lot.
   Kapiolani Location:  Free parking on first and second floor of parking structure for up to 3 hours with  validation.  Street parking also available after 6:30pm.
More info:
   Windward Mall Location:  808-744-2157
   Kapiolani Location:  808-589-2989
   Waikiki Location:  808-926-2989

Crepes No Ka 'Oi

I have gotten to enjoy crepes at Crepes No Ka 'Oi in Kailua a couple of times.  The first time I went was for a date night with my husband and more recently I met up with a group of friends there one morning.    

They have savory crepes, breakfast crepes and dessert crepes.  I've tried some of each type and have enjoyed everything I've tasted from there, but I think the dessert crepes are my favorite.  In fact, sometime I'd like to stop in just for dessert.  

My daughter was with me the last time I went and she wasn't as impressed with the crepes as I was.  She ate the whipped cream off of one and then refused to take another bite.  Her loss.  I think it was because she had already eaten breakfast so she wasn't very hungry.  

I should mention that Crepes No Ka 'Oi only serves crepes, so if they are not your thing you will be out of luck.  But for those of you who enjoy a crepe, or have never had one but want to give it a try, head to Kailua and visit this little restaurant.  

Do it yourself on Oahu
Location:  131 Hekili Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 (across the street from Pali Lanes)
Hours:  Mon, Wed & Thurs from 7am to 8pm; Fri & Sat from 7am to 9pm; Sun from 7am to 2pm.  Closed Tuesdays.
Parking:  Street parking.
Facilities:  Restrooms are located behind the restaurant.  You can get a key from your server.  High chairs are available.  You can also order take-out.
Other:  The phone number for Crepes No Ka 'Oi is 808-263-4088

Casablanca: Moroccan Cuisine in Kailua

Casablanca restaurant has been in Kailua for years and years.  I know this because we've been meaning to go there for years and years and finally made it there on a date night recently.  The place has limited hours and days (see 'do it yourself' below) but we managed to coordinate babysitters for our kids with the restaurant's schedule so we could give it a try.

The atmosphere is not one you commonly find in Hawaii.  There are couches along the walls, tapestries on the walls and fabric draped from the ceiling.  Definitely a middle eastern feel.  They have small low tables and you sit either on the couches or on cushions on the floor around the tables.

The menu is a set menu and is about $35 per person.  The meal includes lentil soup, bread, a variety of side salads, a pastry/pie dish, a main course that each person gets to select, dessert and tea.  There has been plenty written about the food on TripAdvisor, Yelp and other places online and I don't consider myself a food critic so I'll skip the details but say that there was a lot of food and we really liked it.  

You eat most of the food with your fingers and they come around at the beginning and again at the end with a basin so you can wash your hands.  They also sprinkled us with orange blossom water as a happiness blessing at the end which added to the unique experience.

This is not a place to grab a quick bite, but a place to sit back, relax and enjoy an evening.  Probably not the best place to take young children but perfect for a date night or a mom's night out.

Do it yourself on Oahu

Location:  19 Hoolai Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734

Hours:  6pm to 8:30pm Tuesday through Saturday

Other:  The restaurant is BYOB.  Vegetarian selections are available.

For reservations and more info:  808-262-8196

Baci Bistro

Basketball season finally ended for our babysitters and we got an evening away!  We'd planned to get take-out and eat it on the beach, but the weather was overcast and cool and a restaurant sounded better.  On the way out of our driveway we decided to go to Baci Bistro in Kailua.

Back in the day B.K. (before kids) we loved Baci Bistro.  It's a bit on the pricey side so we always saved it for special occasions.  We hadn't been back S.K. (since kids) and wondered if it was as good as we remembered.  We ordered our old favorites and oh yum, just as good as ever!  We ended the meal with their creme brulle and the evening with a walk on the beach.  Love date nights!

Do it yourself:

Baci Bistro's webpage has almost all the info. you will need but keep reading for a couple tips from me.

• For parking, there is a public lot behind the restaurant and a parking garage across the street behind Lucy's.  Take coins to feed the meters.

• Although we went as a date night, if you want to go as a family they do have high chairs and their outdoor dining area is a bit more casual than inside.

• And last but not least, definitely order dessert!

Avatar and Mekong II

We started Valentine's Day off with a few treats for the kids to open and a delicious breakfast of homemade waffles with berries and whipped cream for all of us.  Then we ditched the kids (sounds mean, but they were excited about spending the afternoon with some big kids) and headed off for a movie AND dinner with some friends.  It's not often we have enough kid-free time to do both in one day, so even though dinner and a movie sounds like a generic date we were excited!

We finally gave into the hype and watched Avatar in 3-D and really liked it!  Then we headed to dinner at Mekong II.  I'd definitely recommend the restaurant if you're on Oahu and you like Thai food.  (And if you've never tried Thai food you should!)  Thai crispy noodles, sticky rice, a couple different curries, pad Thai noodles, a sweet and sour dish: we left feeling very full!


Do it yourself on Oahu:

• Mekong II is located at 1726 S. King Street.  Parking is located in a small lot behind the restaurant.  Double parking in the lot seems to be accepted, just let the hostess know if you've double parked.

• Check Mekong II's webpage for a menu, map, hours and all that good stuff.
• We went and saw Avatar on the IMAX screen at the theaters at Dole Cannery.  And in case you haven't seen a movie on that screen, a quick heads up that it's not the seventy-some foot screen IMAX has traditionally been known for, just a really big theater screen.  Just so you know what to expect.



Thanks to Steady Mom for hosting the Mom's 30-Minute Blog Challenge!