Sunset Hour at BLT

Sunset hour in the 96815 is our favorite time of day to take a stroll into Waikiki. As the sun slowly makes its moves on the sea below, we arrive at BLT to unwind over a pineapple cocktail and a bite to eat. Post up at the cozy bar and dine on delicious eats offered by one of the best happy hour menus in the 96815. On BLT's sunset menu, you will find everything from sushi and burgers, to oysters, and more. We couldn't make up our minds, so we ordered a little bit of everything. Short rib sliders, truffle fries and shrimp cocktail all arrived at the bar in a glamorous arrangement. Followed by the incredibly edible popovers, BLT's signature complimentary starter, we were beyond full and happy. Oh and that pineapple cocktail! The Smoked Pineapple is tequila, mezcal, triple sec, homemade habanero-pineapple syrup, lime and pineapple juice, with a smoked sea salt rim: divine! We walk off our meal along the beach watching the city lights dance on the water's edge. A perfect ending to sunset hour in the 96815.

BLT's Sunset Menu if offered daily at the bar from 4:30 - 6:30pm. Drink for $7 and eat for $5 to $14. It doesn't get much better than that!

BLT is located in the Trump Hotel Waikiki, 223 Saratoga Road, the 96815, Sunday to Thursday 4:30pm to 10pm, Friday & Saturday 4:30pm to 11pm

Leonard's Bakery

If you are in the 96815, you may want to pay a visit to the legendary Leonard's Bakery at the end of Kapahulu Avenue for their famous Portuguese malasadas. We pass Leonard's on a daily basis, desperately trying to resist their sweet temptation. At last, we fall victim and it's more delicious than the time before. The malasada is pure, sweet, deep-fried, doughy pleasure rolled in sugar. So, how did the Portuguese malasada become a must-eat for people living in and visiting Hawaii? In the late 1800s, the DoRego family made the long sea voyage from Portugal to Maui to work the sugar cane fields. A few generations later, their grandson, Leonard, moved to Oahu to open Leonard's Bakery on Kapahulu. On the suggestion of his mother, Leonard began offering the traditional Portuguese malasada. Now, in 2014, people from all over the world line up from 5:30am to 11pm to partake in this delicious treat. Two morals to Leonard's story: listen to your mother and anything is possible. 

The 96815 tip: Try the flavor of the month! On our visit, we had the macadamia nut filled malasada as well as the traditional non-filled version covered with sugar.

Leonard's Bakery, 933 Kapahulu Ave, Sunday to Thursday 5:30am - 10pm, Friday & Saturday 5:30am - 11pm

The Blues

This week, the 96815 spent a few evenings at dusk on Diamond Head beach. If you were in the 96815 over the past few days, you may have had a chance to check out the full moon casting its light on the sandy sea cliffs that meet the deep blue sea below. Down the winding path from Diamond Head Road, the sky faded from white to blue with streaks of pink illuminated by the setting sun. We wish we could live on the sparkling sand of Diamond Head all week long; basking in the moonlight and listening to the waves crashing against the shore. Forget a week, maybe we will stay here for eternity. It was heavenly. 

KCC Farmers' Market

Every Saturday morning, on the backside of Diamond Head crater, you will find the KCC Farmers' Market. Local Oahu farmers, chefs, bakers, and artisans gather here to showcase the fruits of their labor. At the market, your senses will get quite the treat. Vibrant, colorful, locally grown produce and plants, fresh baked breads, Hawaiian honey, pressed tropical juices, and more will send you into sensory overload. While shopping and browsing, you may work up an appetite, which can easily be satisfied here. Eat and drink your way through the many flavors of Oahu, offered by the variety of food vendors that line the upper path. From spicy Thai and authentic Vietnamese, to island style Poke, you may nearly forget the delicious meal you had planned to prepare with your farmer's market finds. The 96815 favorite is the fresh roasted corn from Na 'Ono, slathered with lilikoi herb butter. Capped off with a crisp pineapple guava juice from Hawaiian Crown Coolers: pure bliss.

The 96815 tip: check out the Tuesday night KCC Farmers' Market from 4pm to 7pm, where you will find a smaller, but equally delightful, version of the Saturday market.

KCC Farmers' Market, Kapiolani Community College Campus in parking lot C, open every Saturday from 7:30am-11:00am. A weekly tip sheet and list of vendors is available at http://hfbf.org/markets/markets/kcc/.