Pile On the Bread Pudding

Nothing is richer than life’s sweet blessings! And being the dessert enthusiast that I am, when we’re talking about “sweet blessings,” we obviously mean bread pudding, of course! This dessert of all desserts utilizes the most modest ingredient ever — bread — and whips it into a remarkable treat. Served hot or cold, bread pudding lures me in with its captivatingly smooth texture and divine flavors. If you’re on a diet, guess what? One bite of this heaven-sent delight and there goes your diet right out the window. It’s just too good to pass up.

We all know that bread pudding warms the heart and soul, and is just perfect at this time of year as the holidays draw near. Here at the following Ono, You Know establishments, you’ll find some of the most onolicious bread budding in town. My, oh my, I think Christmas came a little early this year!

Ocean House

Welcome home to Ocean House, situated on the beautiful shores of Waikiki. As one of Outrigger Reef Hotel’s famed restaurants, Ocean House exudes a feeling of serenity within an ambiance that is both elegant and comforting. Always keeping up with the trends, the restaurant has maintained its authentic island feel, and if your sweet tooth is one to be reckoned with, then go ahead and give in to the sweetest of temptations with Home Style Croissant Bread Pudding ($9).

“Our bread pudding starts off with a nice flaky French croissant, which has been soaked in a little rum with macadamia nuts and rum raisins. Then our chef uses a special sauce to meld everything together before he bakes it,” explains general manager David Nagaishi. “All the flavors soak into the bread pudding, and we serve it warm with a creme en glace and raspberry drizzle topped with fresh seasonal berries and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

“If you like bread pudding, this is probably the best you can get. It’s very tasty,” Nagaishi adds.

For a more traditional style, Shore Bird, the restaurant adjacent to Ocean House, offers a bread pudding as part of its breakfast buffet ($14.95), which features the establishment’s fresh baked pastries blended with cinnamon and raisins, and topped with coconut.

No matter which restaurant you choose, each bite of bread pudding is as good as the next, and the consistency is just perfect. Bread pudding is a dessert that doesn’t discriminate against breakfast, lunch or dinner, making it an all-around favorite.

Ocean House
Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road
923.2277

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab

Sam Choy’s Banana Bread Pudding ($6.95)

Celebrity chef Sam Choy is the king of local favorites, and here at Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab, the spread is second to none. How does fried poke, fried rice and crab galore sound? I know you’re getting hungry.

Located on Nimitz Highway, this renowned eatery opened its doors 15 years ago, and has been appeasing both locals and tourists who are ready to dig in to a feast.

The portions are large, but here’s a bit of advice: You must save room for dessert, especially if you’re mad about bread pudding. In fact, you may want to consider indulging in Sam Choy’s Banana Bread Pudding ($6.95) even before dinner.

“What makes our bread pudding so unique is the pieces of banana in the bread as well as the coconut glaze that we use to drizzle over the dessert,” says general manager Jeffrey Gaspar.

Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Banana Bread Pudding is a sweet specialty that holds a dear place in my heart. Served a la mode, the bread pudding oozes with rich coconut syrup, a hint of coconut flakes and a scoop of Dave’s vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, and a cherry for the finishing touch. I think I’m in love!

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab
580 N. Nimitz Hwy.
545.7979

Bali Steak & Seafood

Get ready for an evening to remember at Bali Steak & Seafood in Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Blending the best of both worlds, chef de cuisine Matt Alleshouse presents diners with simply elegant cuisine that’s steak house-driven with an eclectic island flair. According to Alleshouse, the farm-to-table philosophy is what he lives by, incorporating the freshest of ingredients into his edible masterpieces.

And although the surf and turf may take the limelight, don’t forget that the best is always saved for last. Enter Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding Brulee with Seasonal Berries ($10).

“The cool part about our bread pudding is that it’s actually two desserts in one,” Alleshouse says. “What we do is we take our croissants and we make the macadamia nut bread pudding with the cream, and then we top it off with a layer of creme brulee.”

Well, Ono readers, I think we just hit the jackpot! Delicious! Trust me, you won’t be able to stop at one bite.

“We bake the bread pudding, and while it’s still warm, we layer it with creme brulee and coat it with a sugar crust and island seasonal fruit. It’s one of our top-sellers,” he adds.

I never would have imagined two of my most favorite desserts combined into one. This bread pudding has my name written all over it!

Bali Steak & Seafood
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kalia Road
949.4321

See more articles from: Bali Steak & Seafood, Ocean House, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab