GREAT EATS HAWAII: SCRATCH KITCHEN AND BAKE SHOP

SCRATCH KITCHEN AND BAKE SHOP

1030 SMITH STREET

HONOLULU, HI 96817

808-536-1669

HOURS: Daily 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM / Closed Tuesday

www.yelp.com/biz/scratch-kitchen-and-bake-shop-honolulu

www.facebook.com/scratchkandb/

I have heard and read a lot of positive reviews about Scratch Kitchen and Bake Shop so decided to try it out one weekend. We arrived around noon and the place was packed but there was a small two seat table in the back by the kitchen and we were immediately seated. A smiling waitress approached us and took our order pretty quickly. I saw a Muffaletta on the menu and immediately had dreams of the Muffuletta at Central Grocery in New Orleans. My Wife saw Pork Belly Pasta and said she had to try it. While we waited for our food, plates of beautiful Eggs Benedict and towering plates of Pancakes seemed to dance by our table. Hmmm. Maybe we should have ordered breakfast I thought. The Cider Braised Pork Belly and Apple Pasta ($15) arrived a good 5 minutes before the Muffaletta. The large pieces of pasta were drenched in an oily sauce and topped with Bleu Cheese. I took a bite of the pasta with Bleu Cheese and did not think that it was a good combination. The pasta without the cheese tasted much better. The verdict on this dish was not good. My Muffaletta ($13) arrived and it was hot pressed like a Panini. The ones in New Orleans are not served warm. One bite and I was pretty much done with this sandwich. It sucked. The flavors of the meat were not good and there was mayo and not enough Olive spread. Tasted nothing like a real Muffuletta. Huge disappointment. I could not even finish half of this sandwich. I tried the potatoes served with the sandwich and they were bland and not seasoned. Just seemed to be fried. People love this restaurant and the place remained packed during our visit. Something must be good here. Just not the two dishes we ordered.

Scratch is moving to Kaakako in September so I think we will give it another try then.