After writing about the Greek Corner not too long ago I got a few comments mentioning the Olive Tree Cafe from Alan of Maona, Nate of Hwn Pake In Okinawa and Nicolas of Aventures a Hawaii. Of course I had no choice but to check it out. There’s a lot a things I really like about this place and a few that I don’t. I’ll start with the things I didn’t like. First, the service wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t pleasant either. You order at the counter at this place. There was a small line, but when it came time for us to order the young lady that was just so friendly to everyone all of a sudden turned her switch and instantly became a bitch. Alright, maybe that’s a little harsh, but she gave off the impression that she wanted us to hurry up and order because she didn’t know us. I thought that maybe I was just over analyzing but then Ray goes, “is it just me or was she a total cunt?” Oh, how I love when my honey calls other chicks a cunt, it’s like sweet melodies to my ears. There was a tip jar at the counter and of course I wanted to take money out rather than put money in. They don’t have any to go menus and they charge you extra for petty things that should be free like, dressing or extra sauce, .96 cents, fucking greedy bastards.

We ordered the hummus for starters, $4.78. I tried making hummus once and came to the conclusion that some things just taste better when someone else makes it. I probably will never make hummus again, but I’ll eat the garbanzo beans out of it if someone else goes through the trouble of making it. I really enjoyed the hummus here. The little puddles of olive oil really added richness and flavor to every bite. The pita bread was soft and delicious, exactly the way it should be but it wasn’t homemade because Ray saw them taking it out of a bag and wondered what brand it was so we could purchase it next time we were at the grocery store. If your a huge hummus fan I also recommend the Greek Corner. They have amazing hummus along with everything else.

We also ordered Lamb Souvlaki, $10.51. My camera ran out of batteries and died before I could snap a photo but we really enjoyed it. I took a photo of their menu on the board so you guys could check it out.

Overall, I really like it here. The place is really cute and just makes you want to stay for hours and since you could bring your own wine, for a small fee, I wouldn’t mind doing so the next time I’m around. If I remember correctly they charge a very reasonable .50 cents for each glass that is needed for wine but you could bring your own wine glasses if you mind drinking out of water glasses. It didn’t look like they had any restrooms, so I would recommend doing your thing before you come here. Also, come early and guard a table because this place is known to get pretty busy. Happy dining to you!

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Olive Tree Cafe
4614 Kilauea Ave # 107
Honolulu, HI 96816

Get Directions(808) 737-0303

The Contemporary Museum is the only museum in Hawaii committed solely to contemporary art since 1940. It’s educational, entertaining, affordable, interactive and a perfect way to spend the afternoon. I came here with a group of friends. It cost $5.00 each to get in and parking was free. When we arrived the cafe was full and had a 45 minute wait so we decided to put our name on the waiting list and go through the gallery first. I was impressed with all the interactive art that was offered. After what seemed to be one hour we headed to the cafe for some grub. I was mentally prepared to spend a little more since I was at a museum but pleasantly surprised to find that lunch here was quite affordable.

There is seating both inside and outside

We started off with two Spinach & Artichoke Dips, $7.00 each. It came with slices of warm pita bread. I loved it, thought it was really tasty and wished everyone had their own bowl, or at least I wished I had my own bowl. Shane is the one who is crazy about spinach & artichoke dip, especially the one from California Pizza Kitchen. Every time we go there he orders one thing and one thing only, spinach and artichoke dip. He said this one doesn’t compare. I beg to differ but, he has more experience in this dish than I do.

We also got Hummus & Pita, $6.00. It was served with warm pita bread, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, feta cheese & kalamata olives. I have nothing bad to say about this dish. It’s pretty hard to fuck up hummus and fresh vegetables. Not that I really know how to make hummus. I guess the real work comes in presentation and to me it looked yummy and that it was. Everything tasted fresh and the bread was warm to the touch.

Sara ordered the Portabella Mushroom Burger, $10.50, baked portabella mushroom on a kaiser bun dressed with sun dried tomato pesto, basil pesto, lettuce, tomato, & gorgonzola cheese. It was accompanied with some more hummus and chips. This dish was delicious. The mushroom was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right.

Huumm, I wonder who ordered a sandwich? Could it be Ray the whore of most sandwiches. Yes Ray ordered this sandwich, the Cuban Style Ham & Turkey Sandwich, $11.00. It came with fresh turkey, black forest ham, pickles, mayo, lettuce and tomato all on a soft baguette. Ray said the bread was much too hard, so hard that he started eating the insides and left the bread for dead. He also said that it was a petite sandwich that didn’t serve his hunger justice.

This dish too came with chips and hummus.

And here is my dish. I was quite content with my pick, Shrimp Roasted Shallot & Tarragon Salad, $12.00. The tarragon dressing was lite, slightly sweet and oh so good. The sauteed onions were a little over done but the shrimp was grilled to perfection.

When we got to the cafe we were one of the last 3 tables. It took about 45 minutes to get our food after we had already ordered it. This sucked because we had already waited 45 minutes just to get sat. My friend, Ona actually cancelled her Turkey Avocado Wrap because she was tired of waiting and irritated that all of us had gotten our food already. The service wasn’t bad, it was the waiting when it wasn’t busy that annoyed the hell out of us. By the time we got our food we were the only ones there. It just didn’t make any sense. But I do want to say that we were the last table and they were probably just getting ready to close down lunch. After we ate we went for a walk around the garden. Here are some pictures I took.

Pretty cool place right? All I have to say is, today was a good day. My experience here was whimsical.

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The Contemporary Museum Cafe
2411Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 532-3362

The Greek Corner is a cute little cafe close to the University. From my experience, the closer to the college means the cheaper the food. This place had good service, nice atmosphere and fair prices with hefty portions. Gyro sandwiches were $5.96, the most expensive salad was $6.95, appetizers were affordable and didn’t go over $6.00. I ordered hommos, for $4.95 and that’s the way it was spelled on the menu. I’ve always seen it spelled hummus but hommos is a little more entertaining to say. It was a little oily but still delicious and came with a pita bread cut into four pieces. The pita bread was good but was hot like it was microwaved rather than hot like it was fresh. There wasn’t enough bread and we had to order more for .75 cents. I didn’t mind because they really gave generous portions of hommos. Yes, hommos is definitely more amusing to say, even if it is pronounce hummus. I prefer homos. The hommos was fantastic but a bit greasy. There’s just so much hommos, don’t you think? Alright, let us move on.

I also ordered a Mixed Plate. It was a nice variety of gyros beef and lamb topped with Tzatzif, (I don’t know what that is either), along with marinated boneless chicken baked in slow fire, and topped with a garlic mayo sauce, served with a Greek salad and pita bread. All for the special price of $10.95. Ray and I shared it and it was more than plenty. Everything was scrumptious. I definitely will be back.

Directions to The Greek Corner