For a casual breakfast/brunch, check out Cinnamon's Restaurant in Kailua. I love the loco moco there. A few blocks away is Agnes' Bake Shop. The malasadas are the best, better than Leonard's! Have fun, I'm jealous you are in Oahu. Chuck
Chuck, who by the way has a terrific food blog called Sunday Nite Supper, was right on the money.
Ending up in Kailua around lunch time one day, I suggested we give the place a try. Cinnamon's is hidden away inside a business complex in Kailua which is on the east side of Oahu. The menu is extensive and serves breakfast well into the lunch hour, which pleases the proponents of "second breakfasts" in our group. The friendly waitress typified the kind of hospitality you find almost everywhere in Hawaii--making suggestions, giving us extra time to figure out what to order and chatting with the kids at the table.
So what did we order? Lots of delicious things from both the breakfast and lunch menu. I had the Hawaiian plate which was enormous. Sumo size I'd say. I couldn't eat the whole thing. The lau lau was possibly the healthiest thing on the plate. A goodly portion of steamed taro leaves was filled with chunks of pork. The Kahlua pork was very smoky despite having been made in the oven. It was also juicy and not the least bit greasy.
Lee had what he proclaimed to be the best loco moco ever. Loco moco is a crazy dish of a hamburger patty, fried egg and gravy served over rice. It's filling and rich and somehow manages to be comfort food. Is the oozing egg yolk? The gravy and rice? I'm not sure. But it was tasty.
My father had a special item called guava chiffon pancakes. The buttermilk pancakes were just perfect--luscious and tender and topped with two tropical sauces. Delish.
Thanks for the comments and though I don't ask that often, thanks especially for your recommendations next time I'm leaving room for the malasadas...
Cinnamon's Restaurant
315 Uluniu Street
Kailua, Oahu
808.261.8724