Aloha in Every Bite

While eateries have made a habit of infusing local flavors and ingredients with traditional cuisine, the culinary team at Aloha Crepes has continued to roll out an array of innovative menu creations that take the concept of fusion to the next level.

Aloha Crepes was introduced to the local market five years ago, when owner Mark Monroe’s brother Richard and childhood buddy Ron Kayano opened the first location in Waimalu Shopping Center and began selling the popular French-style pancakes that are enjoyed with a multitude of toppings and fillings. Soon after, the crepe purveyors opened locations on Waialae Avenue in bustling Kaimuki and in Windward Mall.

“The business blossomed from there,” Monroe explains. “We were familiar with traditional French crepes and recipes, and we wanted to mesh those with local flavors to satisfy diners.”

Dessert crepes offer a wide range of sweet indulgences including the appropriately named OMG ($8.50) — a crepe filled with banana pudding, blueberries, strawberries, banana and strawberry sauce topped with blueberry filling, whipped cream and powdered sugar. Whoa ($8.50) is also packed with flavor, and features banana pudding, Nutella hazelnut spread, strawberries, banana and strawberry sauce.

Aloha Crepes also serves up Snow Flakes, a creation Monroe describes as “shave ice cream.” The sweet yet light offerings have half the calories of ice cream and are available in multiple flavors and combinations ($5.50 small, $6.85 large).

In addition to familiar sweet dessert-style crepes, Aloha Crepes also offers “Savory” crepe varieties that serve as hearty meals filled in a fluffy treat. Monroe recommends Alfredo Pizza ($9.50), which features a combination of creamy Alfredo sauce, Black Forest ham, fresh spinach, tomatoes and garlic all topped with mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses. Eggs Benedict ($10.50) crepe is also available with sausage, spinach and a choice of ham, bacon or salmon topped with two eggs, hollandaise sauce and a side of rosemary potatoes.

Additional meal options are Acai Bowls ($9 small, $10.50 large) and Poke Bowls ($7.75 small, $9.75 large). The flavorful and healthy acai is accompanied by granola, banana, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries and blackberries, while the poke bowls include a choice of fresh ahi (prepared with shoyu or spicy) atop a bed of hapa rice or green salad.

Readers are encouraged to take advantage of a special Hot Deals offer good for a $35 Stamp Card — that can be redeemed for Aloha Crepes’ diverse selection of Dessert Crepes and Snow Flake desserts at either the Waimalu or Waialae locations —for just $17.50. Vouchers are available for purchase via www.HotDealsHawaii.com now through Friday, April 11, and upon each visit, customers may redeem one punch, good for $7 worth of the two aforementioned crepe varieties. As a reminder: customers must designate their desired location of redemption upon purchase; one punch may be redeemed per person, per day. The deal is not combinable with other offers; and the vouchers expire Oct. 11, 2014.

“We try to accommodate what you’re looking for anytime of the day without breaking your budget,” Monroe says of the diverse menu items, which feature fresh ingredients and are always made to order. “We’re just a couple of local kids, and are very appreciative of the support received from the local community.”

Aloha Crepes

WAIMALU SHOPPING CENTER
98-020 Kamehameha Hwy. #104
483-4448
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

WAIALAE
3620 Waialae Ave.
734-0803
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

WINDWARD MALL
46-056 Kamehameha Hwy., Lower Level C-161
990-9533
Hours vary based on mall hours

AlohaCrepes.com