Himalayan Kitchen

Honolulu $$ *****
This is an adorable Nepalese and Indian restaurant, almost completely hidden from the rest of Kaimuki's restaurant row. After going up some stairs, past an open courtyard with some tables and chairs, I entered a festive room filled with Himalayan art. For lunch, I ordered the lamb kachoura (curry), which came with rice, some vegetables, and my choice of the following: eggplant, matar paneer, aloo gobi, mix vegitable curry, or house special lentil of the day. I ordered the matar paneer, which is a savoury curry with a surprising mix of peas and cheese. The naan was as good as always, and service was friendly. This has become my new favorite Indian restaurant in Hawaii.

Himalayan Kitchen (Kaimuki)
1137 11th Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816

Banana Leaf Italian Bistro

Honolulu $$ *****
Not a fan of the name, but I'm definitely of this restaurant. There are two - we went to the one at Market City, in the old Blockbuster lot. Cute and bright inside. I ordered a $10 margherita pizza. Unfortunately, I'm not a huge tomato person, but I still liked it. It's very tasty, with lots of cheese and spices. There were slices of tomato and sun-dried tomatoes covering the cheese. I wish they had offered a pepperoni pizza. Pretty good portions. Their specials are a good deal too.
Banana Leaf Italian Bistro (Kaimuki)
2919 Kapiolani Blvd # 221
Honolulu, HI 96816
Daily 10-2:30, 5-10pm

JJ Bistro & French Pastry

Honolulu $$ *****
My family used to be regulars at JJ when it was just starting a few years ago, but now we only go about once a year. Since opening, JJ has doubled in size, hired new workers that I don't recognize, and has become renowned throughout the island. Fortunately, its chocolate pyramids taste the same.
Yes, that's right. CHOCOLATE PYRAMID - JJ's specialty and the reason why this place exists. Sure, JJ also has a small French menu for lunch and dinner, and, sure, there is a huge glass display of their other amazing desserts. But the chocolate pyramids are a must. These pyramid-shaped mousse cakes are for chocolate lovers only. There is a chocolate cookie-like texture layering the bottom. The rest of it is pure rich chocolate mousse, and the entire thing is covered with cocoa powder. Yum. The regular size can feed 2 people and is $4.50. JJs offers bitsize ones (but why would you only want one bite???), 1/2 a pyramid, and larger-than-life sizes that you should probably bring to a party so you don't die of chocolate right there.

JJ Bistro & French Pastry (Kaimuki)
3447 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
Mon–Sat 9am–9pm
Sun noon–9pm

town

Honolulu $$ ****
Unsurprisingly, town (yes, lowercase "t") is owned by the same guy that owns Downtown @ the HiSAM. town is located in Kaimuki, one of my favorite underrated neighborhoods in Hawaii, because of its array of eateries and unpretentious charm.
The atmosphere of town is quite different from that of Downtown. While Downtown is bright and airy, with lots of light wood tones and artwork hanging on the walls, town is darker with a more industrial feel (think stainless steel tables, concrete floors, dark woods). However, both have quirky light fixtures, and both are very appealing.
Similar menu as Downtown, but at town, since it's located in Kaimuki instead of in the middle of downtown, you can actually see the tomato plants growing outside (all their food is organic and many of the menu items are grown right in their garden). I ordered a grass-fed hamburger on potato bread and french fries. The hamburger was pretty good, nothing to get excited about, but the fries were great, just like the ones found at Kua'aina. Thinly-cut and salty, just the way I like it. Large portions - I took home more than half of my lunch. Even Chelsea brought home leftovers, and she NEVER has leftovers!
Overall, I prefer the food at town more than at Downtown, but the atmosphere is nicer at Downtown - plus you get to go to the free art gallery. Regardless, I always enjoy my lunches at these two places.

town (Kaimuki)
3435 Waialae Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
Mon-Thu 6:30am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat 6:30am-10pm

The Fat Greek

Honolulu $$ ****
Hawaii does not have many Greeks and, therefore, does not have many Greek restaurants. The Fat Greek arrived last summer in Kaimuki. It's a cute place where you order and pick up at the counter and can get unlimited soda. The food isn't the best, but it's unsurprisingly cheaper than the Greek place in Kahala.
The Fat Greek (Kaimuki)
3040 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
Daily 10am-10pm