Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed Thanks to Avocado

Insomnia gets the best of me on most nights — and yes, I do realize how beneficial sleep is to your overall health, yet the sandman usually doesn’t make an appearance at my house until the wee hours of the morning.

However, to counteract this vicious sleep cycle of mine, I’ve decided to somewhat make up for it with excellent food choices! Hello avocados … hello antioxidants! Fresh, ripe and delicious, I’ve always held a special place in my heart for this one-of-a-kind fruit. With so many health benefits, there’s much to be thankful for. First of all, avocados can fight off sleepy eyes and signs of aging (this night owl couldn’t be happier), and a healthy dose of this green stuff also is said to regulate blood sugar, promote eye health and absorb nutrients.

While the list goes on to promote this super food, I don’t want to put you Ono readers to sleep, so instead take a food journey with me as I explore the amazing avocado fare at the following Ono, You Know establishments. Up and at ’em!

Zpizza Hawaii

Zpizza Hawaii brings a fresh and healthy approach to Italian classics since opening its doors to its Ward Centre establishment in 2008 and its Kailua location in 2010. Best known for its Southern Californian-Italian cuisine, the original Zpizza got its start in Laguna Beach, Calif., before making its way to Hawaii diners here at home.

Specializing in items such as fire-baked organic pizza, fresh salads, and a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, Zpizza is heaven-sent for those eager to eat smart.

“We only use high-quality ingredients in our cuisine,” says owner Cesar Llarenas.

And aching for avocado, I couldn’t resist Zpizza’s avocado fiasco. California Salad? Mexican Pizza? Pollo Latina Sandwich? I was all over it.

First to meet my palate was the refreshing California Salad (small $7.95, large $10.95), featuring a medley of mixed greens, red onions, crisp cucumber, fresh tomatoes, black olives and a generous top-ping of avocado with your choice of dressing. Next, Llarenas wooed my taste buds with Mexican Pizza (small $12.95, large $23.95, extra large $26.95), a pizza pie topped with salsa, mozzarella, spicy lime chicken, green onions, red onions, fresh avocado, sour cream and cilantro.

“Our avocados are farm-grown and hand-picked,” Llarenas explains. “Avocados are very good for you, and they are packed with nutrients and vitamins.”

Rich and creamy, avocados are simply irresistible. Zpizza is a pro when it comes to providing guilt-free meals abundant in taste. So, what are you waiting for? Zip on over to Zpizza Hawaii!

Pho My Lien Vietnamese Restaurant

Hungry for pho? Well, look no further than Pho My Lien Vietnamese Restaurant located in Aiea’s Westridge Shopping Center. Owners Tommy and Lien Dang serve up some of the most genuine Vietnamese cuisine and provoke all appetites with many other tempting menu options, such as chicken salad, crispy spring rolls and more. And I bet you’d never guess, Avocado Shake is a specialty here as well.

With a variety of shakes to choose from, it’s hard for an indecisive diner (such as myself) to decide on a particular one — but this time it was a no-brainer. Pho My Lien’s shakes are all made from Lien’s mother’s home recipes. Made with nothing but healthy ingredients, this Avocado Shake ($4.50) is a thick and creamy thirst-quencher made with the perfect blend of crushed ice, milk, condensed milk, sugar, savory slices of avocado and other secret seasonings.

A top choice on the most humid of days, Pho My Lien’s avocado shake is delightful in every sense of the word. And don’t turn away because of the calorie count. Although avocados are high in calories, these beneficial fruits are believed to have more than 50 percent of your recommended daily value of fiber, which gives avocados much of its fat-burning abilities. With that, drink away, this super food in milkshake form has your name written all over it!

3660 on the Rise

3660 on the Rise welcomes all appetites as it features a plethora of Euro-Island edible selections in an elegant and modern atmosphere. Located at 3660 Waialae Ave., on the corner of Waialae and Wilhelmina Rise, this family-friendly establishment is operated by partners celebrity chef Russell Siu and Gale Ogawa. 3660’s dynamite cuisine highlights a diversity of local flavors accented by European and Asian fare, and when it comes to avocados, chef Lydell Leong sure knows how to whip up an amazing creation centered around this luscious fruit.

“Our Shrimp and Scallop Duet ($12.75) features rock shrimp, an avocado Maui onion puree and jumbo scallop ravioli with Chinese black bean nage,” he explains.

However, aspiring to only feature the best in avocado this week, I solely concentrated on the first part of this remarkable appetizer. The avocado and Maui onion puree complements the morsels of rock shrimp, as it’s comprised of mayonnaise, sour cream, diced Maui onions, whole avocados and a touch of lemon zest. Believe me, it was love at first bite. Your taste buds are automatically hit with the smooth texture of the puree along with a succulent buttery flavor from the avocado and a kick of Maui onion.

I promise you, if you love avocado, you’ll be hooked, so be sure to save room for your main course — 3660 on the Rise never disappoints!