Restaurant Insider with Anne Lee: SALT at Our Kakaako

Anne Lee sits down for a meal with Louie Anthony Sicorsicon, Randy Marsh and Monica Toguchi Ryan.

ANNE LEE speaks with Moku Kitchen assistant general manager RANDY MARSH, Vein at KAKA‘AKO executive chef DELL VALDEZ, General Manager at Morning Brew ANTHONY SICORSICON and Highway Inn president/owner MONICA TOGUCHI RYAN

SALT at Our Kaka‘ako’s name was derived by the salt ponds that made this community. Today, though, this location boasts lots of eateries and shopping options for the community.

“The Barn (SALT’s covered outdoor space) is set up with socially distanced seating so guests and visitors can enjoy their meals, snacks and beverages in the large open-air area,” says general manager Dixie Diga. “More socially distanced tables are planned for The Barn.”

The Brew Breakfast ($9.45) from Morning Brew

This week, a few of SALT’s restaurants will share their popular dishes with Dining Out readers.

MORNING BREW
369-3444
morningbrewhawaii.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily

Note: Open for dine-in service, takeout via phone and online (morningbrewkakaako.smartonlineorder.com), and delivery through DoorDash.

Featuring: The Brew Breakfast ($9.45). This is a Morning Brew classic made with fried egg, prosciutto, grilled onion, tomato and goat cheese on naan. The Tofu Veggie Scramble ($9.45) is a savory vegan dish with scrambled tofu, veggies, onions, tomato and spinach, served over brown rice and side salad.

The Highway Inn Tasting Plate ($26.95, chicken lau lau; $27.95, pork)

“As Morning Brew develops and becomes a key member of the Kakaako community, we are driven to position ourselves as a gathering place for all.

“Whether it is to attract individuals who want to indulge in healthy alternatives or taste nostalgic dishes with a fresh twist, The Brew Breakfast and Tofu Veggie Scramble are a reflection of our efforts in captivating our Kakaako neighbors with diverse interests and tastes.

“During difficult times like these, we hope to continue to foster longevity in the Kakaako community — as we have for 25 years in Kailua — so that we nurture Morning Brew as a gathering place for all.” — Anthony Sicorsicon, general manager

MOKU KITCHEN
591-6658
mokukitchen.com
Hours: 4-8 p.m. daily

Note: Casual outdoor dining and takeout; delivery and contactless payment coming soon; check out @mokukitchen on Instagram for menu updates

Vein at KAKA‘AKO’s Seared Diver Scallop ($38)

Featuring: The Caring is Sharing takeout dinner for two ($75) includes a cocktail, organic kale salad, two pizzas of your choice and a slice of strawberry pie. Moku also showcases the Hamakua Wild Mushroom Pizza ($19), Housemade Strawberry Cream Pie ($8) topped with fresh Kula strawberries and a guava drizzle, and Monkeypod Mai Tai ($11, dine-in only) made with with local rum and topped with a honey lilikoi foam from sister restaurant Monkeypod Kitchen.

“Named after the Hawaiian word for ‘island,’ Moku is a gathering spot where anyone from elite foodies, families or people seeking an authentic taste of Hawaii can swap stories and relax with an ice-cold draft beer, a carafe of wine, and an amazing meal.

“Our reopening menu is based off of our founding principles of supporting local farms and businesses all the while creating food that is unique yet approachable. We have recently added a couple items such as lobster deviled eggs and will continue to do so over the next few weeks.” — Randy Marsh, assistant general manager

VEIN AT KAKA‘AKO
376-4800
veinatkakaako.com
Hours: 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; closed Sundays

Note: Open for dinner service at 50 percent capacity; implementing all measures for safety for guests and staff

Featuring: The Arugula and Burrata Salad ($17.50) comes with crispy prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, roasted shallots and a honey vinaigrette. Vein also boasts a Seared Diver Scallop ($38) with sautéed pancetta, alii mushrooms, Okinawan spinach, Kahuku corn, cauliflower and Vadouvan puree.

“Vein was born in 2017, and the concept of the name is where we want the guests to feel as if ‘vein’ is their own, a place where they can return to knowing that they will always feel welcomed. A place where they know the team members, cuisine, drinks and ambiance will run through them … like blood in one’s veins.” — Dell Valdez, executive chef

HIGHWAY INN
954-4955 (restaurant)
954-4955 ext. 2 (takeout)
myhighwayinn.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sundays

Note: Delivery in a 2or 3-mile radius of its Kakaako or Waipahu restaurant for $5; online platform (myhighwayinn.com) allows guests to choose curbside or delivery service; Highway Inn opened its doors at SALT in October 2013. Oct. 30 is its seventh anniversary!

Featuring: The Highway Inn Tasting Plate ($26.95, chicken lau lau; $27.95, pork) comes with poi, squid luau, kalua pig, lomi salmon, chicken long rice and sweet potato. The other dish is the Smoked Moco ($15.95). It’s kiawe-smoked meat sautéed with bell peppers and onions served with a smoked aioli and two eggs.

“We just started a Highway Inn at Home menu, which are family packs and a variety of items you can choose from. These family packs launched our Department of Health-certified vacuum-sealed packs — basically you can buy these meal packs and refrigerate them or freeze them for six months.

“We also started shipping packs to the neighbor islands. We will also have a special for the Hawaii Restaurant Card. When customers purchase a certain threshold, they can get some cash rebates back (up to $50), so they can use it for their next order.” — Monica Toguchi Ryan, president/owner

A Concise Catalog

9BAR HNL
ARVO
Bevy
Butcher & Bird
Butterfly Ice Cream
Epik Chiro
Free Parking Studio
Go Wireless–Verizon
Hank’s Haute Dogs
Happiness U
Here.
Highway Inn
Hungry Ear Records
Infinite Movement Studio
Insomnia
J’s BBQ & Grill
Juic’d Life Health Bar
Kahala
Lanikai Juice
Lash Love Beauty Lounge
Lonohana Estate Chocolate
Looney & Associates
Milo
Moku Kitchen
Morning Brew
OrangeTheory Fitness
Paiko
Pioneer Saloon
PITCH Sports Bar
Redfish Poke Bar
RevoluSun Smart Home
Salon Tiffany
Shay’s Filipino Cafe
Starbucks
Stoke House
T-Mobile
Taco’ako
The Boiling Crab
Treehouse
Urban Island Society
Vein at KAKA‘AKO
Village Bottle Shop

For a full directory, visit saltatkakaako.com.