Sleeping In for Brunch

Happy Sunday, Ono readers! One of the best things about the weekend is not having to set my alarm clock for the next day (relatively speaking). And although breakfast is easily one of the best meals of the day, I sometimes have to skip it simply because I adore sleeping in whenever I can. Therefore, I happily opt for brunch instead, a combination of breakfast and lunch, where I can have the best of both worlds! I love being free to indulge in all my breakfast favorites while also having the chance to feast on lovely lunch specialties.

So, knowing there are probably many readers who also don’t want to sacrifice sleep on a Sunday morning, I present to you some amazing “Ono, You Know” brunch options that will help your well-rested self get a jump start on the day!

Kit n Kitchen

By the time 10 a.m. rolls around on a Sunday morning (or any day, for that matter), my body is in desperate need to fuel up with immaculate cuisine. Let’s be honest, sometimes breakfast just won’t cut it and brunch is the only way to go.

Enter Kit n Kitchen. This top-notch Eurasian eatery, owned by Kit Yiu and his wife, Mae, offers diners some of the most tantalizing and delicious brunch options around. Take, for example, the unique Omurice ($10.95). This hearty omelette-like creation is a must-have for me. Imagine a heaping portion of island pineapple chicken fried rice, wrapped ever so nicely in a blanket of three extra large scrambled eggs. The omelette is then bathed in homemade tomato sauce and includes a choice of bacon, Spam, link sausage, ham or Portuguese sausage, and white or wheat toast on the side. It’s definitely a bit more filling than your usual breakfast omelette.

However, Kit agrees that the Grilled Panini Sandwich, served with a green salad or side of potatoes, also will fill up any hungry stomach during the late morning hours. Choose from Chicken Spinach Pesto ($9.50) or your classic B.L.T. ($9.50). And, of course, being the New York fanatic and Europe lover that I am, I highly recommend you feast your taste buds on Kit n Kitchen’s Soup in a Bread Bowl ($8.95).

“This dish is very popular in New England, New York and Europe. I’m surprised we don’t see more of it in Hawaii,” Kit says. “We take French bread and hollow out the inside to make it into a bowl. The outside is crispy and we fill it up with soup, be it Creamy Corn Soup, Creamy Mushroom Soup or Beef Tomato Soup. The salad on the side totally completes this dish, turning it into the perfect meal of choice.”

Breakfast and brunch is served Wednesday through Monday from 8 to 11 a.m.

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab

Craving local staples in an all-youcan-eat Sunday brunch buffet? Then look no further than Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab on North Nimitz Highway, where the culinary delights of celebrity chef Sam Choy entice the appetites of hungry diners on a regular basis.

“Our Sunday buffet ($22.95 adults, $12.95 keiki ages 5-12) is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features a wide variety of local favorites,” says general manager Jeffrey Gaspar. “We have an omelette station with made-to-order omelettes; cold dishes such as Lomilomi Salmon, Pasta with Grilled Vegetables, Island Fruit Bowl, Papaya Wedges and more. As for hot dishes, the Corned Beef Hash, Chicken Long Rice with Shiitake Mushrooms and Sam’s Fried Rice are always really popular.”

And the Chef’s Special of the Day, as well as the Fresh Fish or Seafood of the Day, is always a pleasant surprise. In fact, Gaspar was more than happy to share with me that the specials for today (Sunday) include Furikake Crusted Chicken and Mahi Mahi with Fruit Salsa. Seafood lovers, you’ll also want to take note of this: Upgrade your meal by adding a side order of snow crab for $16.95 per pound!

Finally, be sure to save room for a juicy piece of flap beef from the beef carving station, in addition to the many assorted desserts, including the ever-famous Banana Bread Pudding, which has me salivating at the mere thought of it. Onolicious to the max!

Pagoda Restaurant

Escape to place of peace and tranquility at Pagoda Restaurant, as guests can enjoy their meal while taking in the aesthetically pleasing views of a Japanese garden, koi pond and waterfall. Pagoda Restaurant head Chef Jason Takemura has infused much of his culinary knowledge into Pagoda’s tasty cuisine, showcasing the wonders of Asian, Hawaiian and Western fare. I promise you, with every bite you’ll be amazed at the plethora of flavors to hit your palate.

The weekends are a busy time for Takemura and his staff, as an all-you-can-eat buffet ($25.95 adults, $12.95 children) is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, featuring a salad bar and a variety of hot entrees.

“We have everything here from breakfast items such as Eggs Florentine, French Toast and even a live waffle station and omelette station,” Takemura states.

However, when it comes to my ideal midday meal, aka brunch, Pagoda’s prime rib carving station is unbeatable by all standards, along with the crab legs, shrimp and vegetable tempura and tasty fish.

“Everything has been very well-received here,” Takemura says. “We’re also offering higher quality fish as part of our brunch buffet. For instance, we sometimes feature a whole steamed red snapper made Asian style with green onions, ginger and cilantro cooked in sizzling oil.”

Now, if you have an intense sweet tooth like I do, you’ll surely go gaga over Pagoda’s full line of exquisite desserts. According to Takemura, Pagoda has paired up with JJ Luangkhot of JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry to wow diners with Luangkhot’s decadent delights. The Red Velvet Cake, Green Tea Mousse and Chocolate Decadence will make you fall head over heels in love with Pagoda’s brunch buffet. Believe me, I speak from experience!