Gastronome

Signature Hawaiian Combo Plate

HIGHWAY INN
680 Ala Moana Blvd. #105 Honolulu, HI
Phone number (808) 954-4345
websitemyhighwayinn.com

I was craving Hawaiian food last week. Then Kamele Eskaran (who designs this very page) showed up to lunch with homemade lau lau, and I knew it was a sign.

So one night after work, I stopped in at Highway Inn — located in SALT at Our Kakaako and a stone’s throw away fromMetro‘s office.

I love it there. Some people say the portions are smaller than what you get at its original Waipahu location, and that it’s pricier.

Honestly? I don’t really care. What I get at its Kakaako location always is more than enough for me anyway, and I’m willing to pay a little more for the convenience of walking just a block from the office. (I never feel like I don’t get my money’s worth, either.)

Plus, I love, love, love the service there. I’ve been in a fair amount of times. I doubt they remember me, but it always feels like they do.

And then there’s the food.

I used to always get the Lau Lau Combo Plate, but then one day, my boyfriend opted for the Stew — we went for beef, but you can also ask for na‘au (chitterling) or opu (tripe), too. I took one bite (and then several more) and have pretty much made that my regular order.

There’s nothing remarkable about it. Chunks of beef, carrots and potatoes are really all that’s in it and it’s not unlike the way my mom makes it. But that’s exactly what I like about it. It’s a meal I can simply sit back and enjoy that almost always feels nostalgic.

With any Signature Hawaiian Combo Plate (entrée options other than Stew include Lau Lau — pua‘a (pork) or moa (chicken) — and Pua‘a Kalua, aka kalua pig), you also get poi or rice, ‘uala (sweet potato), haupia, and a choice of lomi salmon, potato mac salad or nalo greens with a lilikoi dressing. (Highway Inn also gives you the option to substitute for fried rice and a house-baked dessert.)

Yes, it is a lot of food. But if somehow that isn’t enough, you also can make it a “super combo” by adding kalua pig, chicken long rice, pipikaula or squid luau, and there are a number of a la carte items as well.

I usually take this route: Order everything I could possibly want to eat (always more than I can finish) and bring the leftovers for lunch the next day.

BECAUSE… BAKED GOODS

A New York City staple is set to make its Hawaii debut at Ala Moana Center in November. Magnolia Bakery will open two concepts: a dedicated bakery and a full-service restaurant — the brand’s first in the nation.

If the name alone didn’t stir any excitement, let me help you. It’s been featured in TV shows like Sex and the City and Saturday Night Live, and in films like The Devil