During my last visit to Hawaii I was torn between visiting the places I have always known and loved, and trying out all the great new places the community has to offer. On the one hand, I now only spend between five and fourteen days in Hawaii, which means there is limited time to enjoy my favorite beaches, restaurants and bars (I can only have Keneke’s once a year!?). On the other hand, I only get one chance each year to make it home and try out all the new and unexplored places I’ve heard about!
One morning, I decided to meet my friend Dylan at a new restaurant in Koko Marina, Moena Cafe. By now, the restaurant is over a year old but back in December, I’d already heard good things. The owners, Eric and Nicole Chang, joined their backgrounds in cooking and business to create the successful restaurant, which is small but bright and inviting. I ordered a toasted baguette with artichoke spread (the waitress warned me it contained sardines, which I’m not a big fan of, but the fishy flavor didn’t really come through). On top were two poached eggs, and on the side, fruit and Portuguese sausage. The spread was nice and creamy but a bit mild; Tabasco was a great addition. I loved how the dish was more “American” than Hawaiian (artichoke and baguette are certainly not Hawaiian at all), yet incorporated some of Hawaii’s signature breakfast items, fruit and Portuguese sausage. This is a place I would definitely return to, I’d love to try some of their other dishes!
Moena Cafe
Open: 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily
Location: 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy Suite #D-101 Honolulu, HI 96825
Phone: (808) 888-7716
Tagged: American, artichoke, baguette, bread, breakfast, Dylan Henderson, egg, eggs, fruit, Hawaii, Hawaii Kai, Hawaiian food, Honolulu, hot sauce, Koko Marina, pineapple, poached egg, Portuguese sausage, restaurant, sardines, sausage, spreads, strawberry, Tabasco, toast, vacation, winter
