Sunny Days

 
Sunny Days Monsarrat
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
Sunny Days
Sunny Days

The sun was surely shining the day that the perfectly hip eatery, Sunny Days, opened up shop on Monsarrat Ave. Bright and airy, it's just the type of place where you want to meet a friend to share a bite to eat and catch up over coffee. On my visit, I tried the Tropical Fruit Souffle Pancakes, Shrimp Sprout Sandwich and Fresh Fruit Granola. All were lovely and loaded with so many local fruits and veggies I could hardly believe my eyes! Huge, healthy portions that fill you up with all the right stuff.  I absolutely fell in love with the Green Smoothie, poured over a bed of chia seeds and garnished with a colorful orchid. Their signature sprout sandwiches, laced with a delightful egg salad and overflowing ingredients held tastily intact, are a must try! If you are into healthy eating and trying new things, Sunny Days is your spot! Plenty of healthy options served up fresh in pleasant digs; it's perfect, like a sunny day. 

Sunny Days, Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 8pm, ph. 808-792-2045, 3045 Monsarrat Ave, the 96815.

 

Spa-cation Modern Honolulu

 
The Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
Modern Honolulu
The Modern Honolulu
the96815-themodern-ijfkeridgley-web-51.jpg
The Modern Honolulu

 It's an early, already sunny Saturday morning and I'm checking into The Modern Hotel, Honolulu. No, I haven't splurged on one of their signature sleek, stylish rooms for an overnight stay just a few miles away from home, well, at least not on this occasion. Instead, I have been invited to a luxurious day of poolside bliss and pampering at their new resident spa, Lather

The day starts with a gorgeous breakfast served at the Sunrise Pool. Fresh avocado toast, colorful fruits, and a perfectly frothed cappuccino were on my menu. It's one of those slow dining experiences where you read the morning news through blacked out sunnies, looking effortlessly cool while savoring every last bite. Onto Lather, where The Modern's "all white everything" aesthetic seamlessly flows throughout the peaceful space. At the blending bar, the lovely spa director matches essential oils to my mood which are then blended with Lather's rich, creamy body lotion for my Lomi Lomi massage. Lather prides themselves on creating a personalized experience unique to each guest with the use of exceptional quality, all natural ingredients. And it's not just about my skin. The customized aromatic fragrance concocted minutes before my massage will also help to calm my mind while I'm getting a top notch rub down. 

I definitely did not want the spa experience to end, but The Modern has a way of easing you into their next pleasurable experience- pool time. Lather clients are welcome to take a dip, sip on a afternoon cocktail, or just continue relaxing at the ever so chic Sunset Pool Deck post treatment. Wake me when the fresh island fruit sorbet comes round, otherwise, do not disturb - I'm on spa-cation. 

Visit www.Lather.com for more information on their products, services and philosophy. To book spa treatments at the Modern Honolulu check out www.themodernhonolulu.com/spa-honolulu-waikiki.

Photography of Moi by Ijfke Ridgley

 

Cinco de Buho

 

On the fifth of every month, grab your friends, put on your dancing shoes and bring your appetite to the best rooftop party in the 96815 - Cinco de Buho. Yes, that's right, celebrate Cinco de Mayo style year round at Waikiki's only open air Mexican restaurant, Buho.  Enjoy delicious $2 tacos and drink specials from 6pm to 1am, while you salsa the night away with your favorite partner in tequila crime. On our visit, we did a little too much eating and regretfully didn't make it to the dance floor. It was hard to say no to the steady flow of authentic Mexican dishes making their way to our table from Chef Arturo Silva's kitchen. The fare tasted and looked both gorgeous and fresh. Buho's "AWARD WINNING" Ceviche - fresh yellowtail, serrano pepper, apple cider reduction, pickled watermelon rinds and candied jamaica - is outstanding! Eyes closed while eating the Carne Asada Tacos - yellow onion, fresh cilantro, tomatillo habanero salsa - and I'm instantly transported to some of the best street taco stands in Mexico, another paradise I once called home. A few more rounds of Casamigos tequila cocktails and I might even start speaking Spanish!  On second thought, I'll leave that to the professionals, but next time I vow to salsa to my heart's content under the glorious Mexican star filled night's sky. Oh wait, I'm in Waikiki. I meant Hawaiian...

Buen provecho en Buho Cantina!

The 96815 Tip: Cant wait until the 5th? Join Buho every week for Taco Tuesday! Drink specials, $2 tacos and live music all night long!

Buho, Sunday to Thursday 11am to 1am, Friday & Saturday 11am to 2am, ph. 808-922-BUHO, 2250 Kalakaua Ave, the 96815. 

 

Street Treats

 

Over the weekend, I was doing some shopping in the 96815 and needed to recharge with a bite to eat. There are endless edible options, but first, I'll need to identify my craving and my mood. If I'm going healthy, it's Heavenly on Seaside for al fresco dining and their Heavenly Morning Veggie. My choice of one of their locally grown, organic green salads paired with the daily fresh pressed juice, mini acai bowl and taro english muffins will happily fill my needs.

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Am I tired and sluggish? On to Honolulu Coffee Company for a caffeine fueled pick me up. My favorite is the Nutty Hawaiian, a blend of mac nut and coconut flavors topped with whipped cream. I'll enjoy it from the front porch rocking chairs of the Moana Hotel while watching the day pass by. 

My rare, but occasionally existent, sweet tooth leads me straight to Island Vintage Shave Ice on Kalakaua Avenue. The Heavenly Lilikoi, a combo of fresh Hawaiian Lilikoi, Strawberry, Boba and Mochi over perfectly shaven fine ice with an organic frozen yogurt center, is sweet, refreshing and all natural to boot!

If I'm in between meals and just need a quick delicious snack to tie me over, it's a musubi from Musubi Iyasume. I'm a simple kind of girl - spam, avocado, rice while I walk home, the returning island autumn trade winds blowing through my hair and the palms above.  So many wonderful treats just off the Waikiki streets!

Waikiki Blog

Heavenly, 342 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, the 96815.

Honolulu Coffee Company, 2365 Kalakaua Ave, the 96815.

Island Vintage Shave Ice, Kalakaua Ave @ Royal Hawaiian Center, the 96815.

Musubi Iyasume, 2427 Kuhio Ave, the 96185.

Photography by Jessica Tronoski and The 96815.