GREAT EATS HAWAII: MAGNOLIA BAKERY CAFE

MAGNOLIA BAKERY CAFE

1450 ALA MOANA BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-942-4132

HOURS: Monday thru Saturday 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

www.magnoliabakery.com

Our first visit to the new Magnolia Bakery Cafe at Ala Moana Shopping Center garnered mixed reviews. While the food was pretty good, the service was less than par. We entered and were not greeted so we just stood in the small opening and waited for someone. A nice gal with a big smile approached and said there was a fifteen minute wait. She took our name and we waited outside. After a short wait the same girl came out the door smiling and calling my name. We were seated towards the back section and it took awhile before our order was taken. The waitress asked if we would like to try their Biscuits and I said no. My Daughter jumped in and said she wanted a Biscuit so we ordered Biscuits with Jam ($4). Oh..glad my Daughter ordered this. Delicious biscuit that they entire family loved. We ate the biscuit and the plate was empty. The waitress thought she forgot to bring the biscuit and brought us another one. I went for the Reuben Bake Skillet ($14) with Sunny Side Up Eggs. I was not charged the extra $3 for the two eggs and did not notice until I wrote this blog post. This was a very good a filling dish. The Corned Beef was delicious but there was not much Sauerkraut and just way too many potatoes. Was like a Potato Bake. I added Tabasco and Ketchup and really liked the dish. The Croque Monsieur ($10) got good reviews from my Wife but they forgot to put the egg on top which is an important element of the dish. I mentioned this to the waitress and she gave me an order of Banana Pudding on the house and apologized. The sandwich was also served without the side salad ordered and we had to request this from the waitress. My Daughter enjoyed the Red Velvet Pancakes ($12). Said they tasted like cake. The serving was a bit large for her and she barely put a dent in the stacks of Red Velvet. Food is good here and the prices are not bad for Ala Moana Center sit down restaurant. Just think they need to improve service and consistency a bit. And the Banana Pudding the waitress gave me to take home...DELICIOUS!!!!