GREAT EATS HAWAII: BREAD + BUTTER

BREAD + BUTTER

1585 KAPIOLANI BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-949-3430

HOURS: Daily 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

www.alohabreadbutter.com

The owners of the longtime successful Shokudo Restaurant on Kapiolani have designed a beautiful little restaurant and bar right next to Shokudo. Bread + Butter is their new venture and to tell you the truth, I do not know what to make of this place as it is a bit confusing. When you walk in there is no reception desk and it has kind of a coffee house feel. There is a bar, tables, Deli Counter, Take Out Counter and another counter near the kitchen. We walked around and did not know whether we should take a seat. Some of the staff smiled but nobody greeted us or told us what the concept was here. We finally realized that you order at the counter near the kitchen. Menus were on clip boards on the counter so we picked one up. We ordered the Margherita Pizza ($12.95). This was a very cheesy Margherita Pizza. So much cheese in fact it was all you could taste. I ate one slice and did not go back for a second. The Lobster Bisque Mac n' Cheese ($9.95) came out in a bubbling hot skillet and was a bit brown. The dish was super greasy and cheesy. There were some pieces of Lobster in the dish and you could really taste the Bisque. My Daughter enjoyed it. The Ham + Salami + Cheese Sandwich ($12) surprised me with its nice size. The taste however missed on all marks. First off they use a very soft sweet bread that does not go with the Italian meats. This sandwich needs to be on a Hoagie Roll or Baguette. The sandwich also needs some kind of dressing, sauce or condiment like mustard to add some flavor and maybe some lettuce for texture. Probably one of the blandest sandwiches I have ever tasted. I ate 1/4 of the sandwich and threw in the towel on this one. The salad served with the sandwich had so much dressing that the lettuce was actually soaked and limp. The Chicken Liver Pate +Truffle Oil ($7) was disgusting and non eatable. Again they used a soft bread. Pate needs a harder bread or even a cracker would be better. The taste of the Pate was fowl. It had an overpowering aftertaste that I am still trying to shake off. I think Bread + Butter has some good things on the menu and I would like to find them. The Wine Bar looks interesting and I may go back in the evening to enjoy a glass here. This place needs an identity. Seems like great location as the place was pretty filled at lunchtime. Good looking younger crowd.