Cruising down Waikiki can be a bit overwhelming. Big name brand shops here, restaurant there, little Asians passing out fliers over there, and more tourist shops here. It’s so much to take in, even for the natives, which is probably why they don’t come to this part of the island, that and they have this idea that we’re taking all their land. I’ve been living in Waikiki for a year now and I’m still uncovering hidden treasures tucked down lonely streets and buried between sky high buildings. There’s a ton of them just waiting to be explored so keep an open eye. I spotted Arancino while strolling through the chaotic streets of Waikiki. I made a turn down a quite road trying to get away from all the commotion and I came upon Arancinos.

Arancino’s is a quaint little eatery. What you see here is all there is, just two small rows of tables. We came here for lunch and as you can see they weren’t very busy.

We started off with a modest loaf of bread. The rosemary on top gives off the illusion of a fresh loaf of bread filled with herbs. It’s an illusion, rosemary was just sprinkled on top, I didn’t taste any herbs here. Ray and I have this one basket rule when it comes to bread but this time I broke it because as you can see, one basket isn’t very much. Ray hated the bread, said it was as boring as bread can be. I didn’t mind it so much with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Glancing over the menu I realized that this was one of those places that look small, cute and inviting, but is actually small, cute, inviting and not so cheap. Well that sucks because I really wanted to like this place and wanted to come back. But I guess I should of known, after-all, it’s still Waikiki right? Oh bother, let’s see what to order to fill us up without raping a hole in my wallet. Ah, here we go, The Margherita Pizza, which is just a fancy way of saying margarita pizza. The menu said it was fresh mozzarella, basil, and homemade tomato sauce, $14.25. I have tasted many margarita pizzas in my time to know that this is a sorry embarrassing example of a margarita pizza. I mean, I know the menu said, mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce, but what about the tomato slice on each piece of pizza, and look at the skimpy amount of tomato sauce, and cheese, and basil. You know those pathetic mini frozen pizzas you get at the grocery store for around $1.79 on sale, those were a million times more exciting than the one you see here. Actually those are fucking amazing when you’re a little buzzed and you’re at home watching a game and drinking beer, I know some of you can relate. Anyhow, Ray and I got to talking and it wouldn’t have taken much to make this pizza a little bit more pleasing. This is what I suggest. Cut up slices of tomato and put one slice on each piece of pizza, add a bit more tomato sauce and cheese, chop up some basil so you get to taste the fresh herb with every other bite and also leave the whole ones for garnish in the center. There you have it, a thousand times better than that sorry piece of shit you guys call a margarita pizza.

If your in Waikiki and you want pizza don’t come here. Take your money to California Pizza Kitchen about 3 blocks away. I usually don’t support corporate places but at least they know what the fuck is going on. But if you do want Italian, just not pizza and you have the cash to burn stay at Arancino and check it out. The place is adorable, the menu looked mouthwatering and service was done with a smile. Happy eating to you.

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Arancino Pizza and Pasta
255 Beach Walk
Honolulu, HI 96815

Get Directions(808) 923-5557

Kozo Sushi to me is equivalent to fast food but for sushi. Now I don’t mean that in a bad way. Sushi has never made me feel like a blubber butt after consuming it so fast food sushi can’t be that bad. If you’ve been on the island for some time you’ve probably seen a few Kozo’s around. Kozo Sushi’s are always hiring. A lot of times you’ll find a young buck back there rolling your sushi. Just like fast food, they’ll hire just about anyone, “experience not necessary.” I put that in quotes because I swear I read that on their sign once.

If your wondering why there’s no tables in this photo, it’s because there are none. I was standing in the corner trying to snap a photo of the whole place. See, what I mean by fast sushi, don’t plan on eating inside, Kozo is more of a take out kind of place. However, there are tables out front that paying customers from Star Bucks, Jamba Juice, and Kozo Sushi all share, first come first serve.

This is the Philly Maki, $3.99. As you can see, they were pretty skimpy with the cream cheese today, but no worries I stilled enjoyed this just as well.

The Spicy Ahi Maki, $5.25 is not so spicy but still just as tasty.

Ahh, the good o’ classic California Maki, $3.89, will never go out of style. I Prefer mine with as little mayo as possible.

What I don’t suggest is getting a Hand Roll from this place. Some retard came up with this wrap and it’s the most annoying thing. Basically the rice is separate from the wrapper so you have to unwrap it just to wrap it up again.

But at no more than a couple of bucks for one, sometimes I’ll just have to deal with it.

If your in the mood for fast, cheap, simple sushi Kozo sushi can’t be beat.

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Kozo Sushi
625 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Get Directions(808) 739-2785

I’ve passed by this place several times thinking, one day, I’m gonna give it a try. One day finally came and I did stop, checked out the menu and thought, “no thanks, nothing really sounds that enticing or cheap enough to convince me it’s enticing,” so I left. Finally I made my way back to this place again and thought, “fuck it, let’s give it a shot.”

There’s a few tables to the side of the building. Grab them fast or you’ll find yourself eating in the car or taking your food home.

Ray was in the mood for Banana Pancakes today, $6.50. A stack came with three large fluffy pancakes topped with powdered sugar and was accommodated with three packets of syrup and some butter.

You can see big chunks of banana in the pancakes and when Ray realized he had mowed through half the pancakes without even asking me if I wanted to give it a taste, he says, “wow, these are really hitting the spot right now.” I’m so happy those pancakes are working out for you.

I got the breakfast special, $6.50. It came with eggs, cooked the way you like, your choice of meat, I picked polish sausage, and white or brown rice, I chose white.  If you like you could also add substitute fried rice for $1.50.  In my opinion $1.50 is a lot to pay to substitute a small about of rice. It was a nice surprise to see a piece of biscuit inside because the menu didn’t mention it. I didn’t realize until I got half way through that I was really going to finish the whole plate. Everything was really good and my plate hit the spot quite nicely just as well. I cut up my pieces of sausage and sliced up my egg and just mixed it all together with some soy sauce and pepper. I hate it when my food and eggs come out super greasy and as you can see nothing was too greasy here.

Overall I think I like this place. The prices are alright and the food is really good. They also have a full menu for lunch or just come and visit the market inside. It doesn’t hurt to look and there’s a ton of stuff to see. If your not hungry now, don’t worry you will be later. You can pick out premade, not frozen meals that you can cook up later. There’s lots of wine, bread and my favorite, dessert. Oh, there’s also premade salads and wraps for you healthier folks. Come, check, check, check it out.

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Diamond Head Market & Grill
3575 Campbell Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Get Directions(808) 732-0077