Waikiki Beach Walk is an unavoidable neighborhood for anyone staying in Waikiki during a Hawaii vacation. High-end shops full of luxury goods line the streets, restaurants both chain and classy can be found, and hotels that strive to impart a sense of ohana dot the eight acres of this shopper’s paradise.

In the past, Waikiki Beach Walk was a mess; tall buildings right up on the sidewalk, no designated loading zones for the stores and restaurants, and slow-moving tourists equaled congestion unlike anywhere else in the state. Fortunately, the completion of a long-term renovation leaves Waikiki Beach Walk much more traversable, with some green areas, and several high rises knocked down to create more air and light. Good thing, too. The previously unrestricted development of high rise buildings and ugly storefronts was practically an affront to what Hawaii stands for. This renovation was overdue, and worth it. Waikiki deserves this colorful, lively and fun cosmopolitan area after all those years of grim buildings and belching delivery trucks. I applaud the new Waikiki Beach Walk.

As with any popular, thriving city destination, Waikiki Beach Walk often gets new restaurants and shops. These are a few I enjoyed dining in or shopping in during a recent trip to Oahu.

Restaurant Picks in Waikiki Beach Walk

1. Kaiwa Waikiki: Based in Toyko, Kaiwa featured the best quality teppan fusion Japanese fare and a huge sake menu. The setting is very sophisticated and chic, with tables laid out to give a feeling of privacy despite the bustle of the popular restaurant.  I prefer the traditional shoes-off, sit at a low table type of deal when dining at authentic Japanese restaurants such as this. Some sushi rolls, sashimi, and sake are three “S” words that suit a vacation in the South Pacific well.
2. Taormina Sicilian Cuisine: What do you think of when you think of southern Italian fare? Messy red sauce spaghetti may come to mind. Forget all that — at Taormina, southern Italy is presented in the classic, classy style. Lobster and fish fresh from the sea, in traditional Italian spices, are presented in a truly elegant dining area. Antipasti, primi piatti, pesci, carne and other courses are delicious..and filling! Try to save room for the dolci course. After all, if you ever don’t want to pass on dessert, it’s while you’re on vacation.
3. Roy’s Waikiki: Chef and restauranteur Roy Yamaguchi is practically synonymous with high-end fare done right in Hawaii. Roy himself oversees all the Roy’s in Hawaii, while the few scattered throughout the southwestern and western US states are franchises. Come experience Roy’s as he fully intended it to be, on Waikiki Beach Walk. A strong emphasis of seafood indicates the importance of freshness and locality to his dishes, and many are delectable. I must say that the miso cod and short ribs at Roy’s Waikiki are just about worth the air fare to Hawaii in and of themselves.

Shopping Picks in Waikiki Beach Walk

There are a wide array of shops on Waikiki Beach Walk. Some shops are a little on el cheapo side of things (hello, Crazy Shirts) while others are absolutely stocked with luxury souvenir goods.

The ubiquitous ABC Stores outlet here is as good as any of the many, many other ABC Stores throughout the island chain; handy for one dollar puka necklaces and forgotten sundry items, it’s always worth a walk-through.

Drool over the sparkly jewelry at Maui Divers Jewelry, Na Pua Jewelers and Na Hoku. Get souvenirs of a more upscale ilk at Kuloko Arts Hawaii, Peter Lik Gallery, and Under the Koa Tree.

Cross the street to see Skye’s Koa & Ukelele shop. Skye’s Koa and Ukelele is right in the Outrigger Reef on the Beach; it’s a beautiful store, in a beautiful and friendly resort.

You can even get a spa treatment on Waikiki Beach Walk (Serenity Spa and The Shiatsu & Massage Center), though I didn’t try either of these for myself. All in all, a tourist is bound to find whatever he or she wants as a souvenir here.

Now, there are tons of chain stores, and chain restaurants in Waikiki Beach Walk. You know, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory and the like. These were all popular with tourists, and from what I could see, doing great business. However, Kaiwa, Taormina, and Roy’s are special. And isn’t a sense of speciality one of the reasons you planned a trip to Hawaii in the first place? Any of these restaurants will add to the great memories of a vacation in Oahu, Hawaii.

Honolulu

I’m sometimes envious of those people who are quite satisfied throwing down a burger from Applebee’s every weekend. How simple life would be.

If you are a foodie, you might relate to the constant search for new and trendy restaurants to satisfy your must-have-variety palate. It can be tiresome, and often expensive, looking for a new place to eat all the time. Especially if you live in a town that lacks gastronomic diversity and most dining out options are limited to chain restaurants.

If you live in Colorado Springs, you may understand this dilemma. If not, don’t take it off your list of “Places to Visit to Satisfy Your Foodie Appetite.”  On the west side of Colorado Springs is the old historic town Old Colorado City. This is a place where visitors who like to eat something not so mainstream should check out.

As you head down this little section of Colorado Avenue, you won’t find any signs of fast food or chain restaurants. In the short blocks between 24th and 27th, there are at least half a dozen restaurants to choose from to satisfy your hunger. Options from Spanish to Ethiopian to Greek give you the ethic variety your taste buds crave.

Pizzeria Rustica

Being a Chicago native, I will admit I am a bit of a pizza snob. While some of my friends can scarf down a Domino’s pizza and call it good, I prefer something with a little more… flavor.

Dave Brackett, a retired Air Force pilot owns this charming pizzeria right off of Colorado Avenue.

The pizza starts with the freshest ingredients from local farmers and Italy’s finest markets. Choices include a large variety of meats and vegetables including artichokes, eggplant, sweet peppers, salami, and chicken tomato basil sausage. The pizza is cooked in a cedar wood-burning stove giving it a crispy crust and intense flavors.

The inside dining area offers a pleasant old-world Italian charm that you would find in any small trattoria in Italy. Pizzeria Rustica‘s outdoor patio provides a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere during the warmer seasons.

Besides the homemade pizzas, salads, and antipastos, you can wash it down with a selection of delicious wines and handcrafted beers.

Jake and Telly’s

If you are still in a Mediterranean mood, Jake and Telly’s brings Greek food to the table. Jake and Telly are real people – brothers in fact – that offer authentic food from their home country.

Sitting on the outside deck, you can people watch as you sip Greek wine or beer or even Ouzo on the rocks. I would recommend that you add some food in with your beverage of choice.

The menu consists of traditional Greek food so if you are looking for American fare, you have come to the wrong place. Deciding on one dish can be hard, so I would recommend getting one of the mixed mezzes (loose term for appetizer plate) to get a sample of the Greek cuisine.

Jake and Telly’s host monthly wine tastings which a well worth attending if you are oenophile (which comes from the Greek word oinos – meaning wine).

Bon Ton’s

If you happen to venture into Old Colorado City in the morning or early afternoon, Bon Ton’s Café is a must for breakfast. Going with the theme of the above restaurants, outdoor seating is the preferred option during the summer months.

Sinking your teeth into an omelet that is filled with flavors seems to be an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning. The menus are printed on newspapers, where you will find typical breakfast and lunch menu fare. Southwest specialties are my favorite! This is where the locals eat. Reasonable prices, good food, great environment. What else can you ask for?

Tapateria

The owner of Pizzeria Rustica opened Tapateria just down the street to appeal to the ethnic atmosphere of Old Colorado City. This tapas restaurant really gets it right. Long before tapas became a “thing” in the states, restaurants in Spain have served these small plates to their patrons.

The elegant restaurant offers plenty of tasty treats to nibble on – my favorites being the crab salad, stuffed peppers, bison carpaccio, and warm olives. There is plenty to whet your appetite, but unless you have $75 or more to blow, you will probably still walk away hungry. Tapas are not meant to provide a full dinner experience, but an introduction to the flavors.

The small dinner plates remind me of the time I spent in Barcelona. But, unlike Barcelona, you don’t have to wait until 9 p.m. to eat dinner.  Come early and enjoy the tapas while you and your girlfriends catch up on gossip and girl talk. Just don’t come starving!

SpringsGal Julie McElroy is a freelance writer who loves to write about food and travel. She also blogs about the all things related to writing on Inspired to Write, designed to inspire and provide tips to other writers.

Thanks to awesome recommendations from Oahu-based foodie Nathan Kam, our friends at Oahu Visitors Bureau, and our own wandering around to sniff out some budget-friendly eats, my husband and I enjoyed some great meals on Oahu during our romantic getaway there in May. Here’s where we ate:

Town The slogan at hip Town restaurant is “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always.” Indeed, we found the creative menu a bit unusual (pig spleen, anyone?) but the dishes we ordered were fabulous. I ate savory-sweet corn chowder and gnocchi with house-cured bacon, purple cabbage and tarragon, while my husband enjoyed tender grilled leg of lamb, polenta and delicious bitter greens with pine nuts and raisins. Every dish that we saw around the modern restaurant was colorful and beautifully presented. The environmentally friendly Town restaurant uses scrap menu paper for drink coasters — a huge plus in my book! 3435 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu

Mac 24/7 Bar & Restaurant This sleek and modern diner in the Hilton Waikiki Beach is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — “We don’t close unless it snows.” Breakfast is served around the clock, as are lunch and dinner items like sandwiches, soups, salads and diner entrees such as meatloaf and chicken fried steak. Only the heartiest of eaters embark on the crazy “Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge”: attempting to ingest three giant pancakes, 14 inches in diameter, within 90 minutes (no leaving your seat). Anyone who licks their pancake plates clean, gets their picture taken to hang in the restaurant entrance. We had no interest in joining the wall of fame, so we filled up on tasty egg dishes. 2500 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki

Coconut Cafe This hole-in-the-wall shop kitty-corner to our great Waikiki hotel, the Aqua Bamboo & Spa, turns out hearty sandwiches are great for late-night eats or picnic lunches. We particularly enjoyed the crab sandwich on asiago roll, but you can also choose from turkey, ham, roast beef, veggie or the local’s favorite spam on a variety of breads. Coconut Cafe also serves salads, coffee drinks, milk shakes and shave ice.  2441 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki

Cafe Kaila  We waited outside for about 20 minutes for a table at this tiny breakfast and lunch spot in a Honolulu strip mall. That’s because Cafe Kaila is incredibly popular among locals. Don’t even try to grab any empty table you see. You need to write your name on the list (directions are on the door!) and you’ll be called when a table comes up. The wait is worth it. My husband raved about his crab benedict; I loved my chock-full-of-veggies omelet. 2919 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu

Zaratez Mexicatessan Oahu’s North Shore is known for its shrimp trucks, but we adored the tacos at this food truck on the same block as famous Waiola shave ice. Yummy, authentic Mexican food in the Hawaiian islands? Indeed – thanks to Paul Zarate, a Los Angeles transplant. Try the carne asada, carnitas, chorizo, pollo asada tacos, burritos, quesadilla or mulitas. Or go meatless with cheese quesadillas or bean, rice and cheese burritos. As steady stream of fans came by the white truck (that Paul bought on Craigslist) while we ate our delicious food in a light drizzle in the early evening. Generally, Paul serves up his savory goodies Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 8 p.m. or until he’s sold out (which often happens). Currently, you can find the food truck at 3121 Mokihana Street, Honolulu, but since it’s a mobile restaurant, it has the potential to move! Check the Zaratez Mexicatessan facebook page or follow on Twitter before your Oahu vacation to confirm the spot.

If the truck is still on Mokihana Street when you visit, top off your savory tacos with some shave ice from next-door Waiola. You won’t be disappointed in this refreshing quintessentially Hawaii sweet treat!

During our short Wisconsin visit we discovered there are quite a few family-friendly things to do in Kenosha. We found interesting museums, great restaurants, a classic ice cream shop, gorgeous lighthouses and the fun Jelly Belly visitor center and tour. What I really enjoyed was seeing the five colorful restored electric streetcars zip along a 2-mile loop. Riders get to enjoy views of Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, two historic districts and the downtown business district.

Also along the route you will catch a glimpse of Kenosha’s two pretty lighthouses. The Southport Lighthouse, aka Old Kenosha Light, was replaced by the vibrant red Kenosha North Pier Light in 1906. My husband took the photos below. You can see how striking the red looks against the dreary sky.

As for restaurants there are plenty of choices. I love American-dream stories and Gerhard’s is a perfect example. This restaurant was founded by a German immigrant who arrived in the States in 1954. Today, Gerhard’s is a thriving German-American restaurant with a delicious menu and happy atmosphere. In fact, this was one of the friendliest restaurants we’ve ever visited. Not only was the staff superb but the other customers made conversation across the tables.

If you’re in the mood for Italian food in Kenosha, the 50-year old Villa D’ Carlo is your place. Be prepared for hefty portions and everything tasting so good you’ll likely leave very full (note the to-go bag in the photo below). We found this place to be very family-friendly with kid-approved food and you can draw on the table – something that’s always a hit with my children!

The most locally-inspired restaurant has to be the Boat House Pub and Eatery. As the name implies, this waterside restaurant offers an assortment of fish dishes in a nautically themed environment and has beautiful views of Lake Michigan And, yes, the fish and chips are delicious!

I can’t think of anything better to enjoy on vacation than ice cream! Kenosha’s Scoops ice cream shop is located in the renovated Orpheum theater. Not only is the interior decorated like a classic style ice cream shop but the treats are delicious and creative. I devoured a cone of banana fosters while my husband enjoyed the Guinness ice cream – yes like the beer! – and both kids had cones topped with birthday cake ice cream.

As you can see, whether you’re in town for a day or two weeks and looking for things to do in Kenosha, you have a nice selection. You may learn more about this charming Wisconsin town on our host’s site – Kenosha Area CVB.

Finding family-friendly restaurants should seem like a no-brainer, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes what seems like an appropriate family place to eat ends up being a quiet setting; perhaps the lights dim and candles are lit as soon as the clock strikes 6 pm, or perhaps there isn’t a kid’s menu. For my clan a family-friendly restaurant needs to meet a few prerequisites to be considered a successful experience: the kids need to blend in with the atmosphere and a kid’s menu or at least kid-friendly food should be offered. The restaurant scores extra points if there is some sort of entertainment such as coloring books or games. When we were visiting Milwaukee ‘s Historic 3rd Ward we visited some of the most family-friendly restaurant options we’ve even been to and I’m excited to share them with you today:

Chili Lili’s Chili Bar ranks high on our list for a couple of reasons. First, the food is fabulous and, second, it’s a delightful place for families. The variety (up to eight flavors) of chilies aren’t like your traditional Midwest-stew like chilies. Instead, they are inspired by Cincinnati-style chili: low in fat, high in protein, thick, flavorful and served over pasta or cornbread (my new favorite meal). As you can tell by the photo below, I sampled a couple of flavors but there are also flavors ideal for a child’s pickier palate.

We met the owner Jay, his wife and their two darling young children. The pair obviously know a thing or two about running a family-friendly business. Chili Lili’s (named for Jay’s mother) has toys to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their food. My two children had a blast with the Magic 8 Balls, Etch-a-Sketches and four pinball machines! There is also a pool table, Foosball, vintage Ms PacMan and Galaga machine. Another family-friendly feature was the wooden changing table in the bathroom…it really added to the “we welcome families” atmosphere.

As for food, the kid’s menu is impressively healthy while still being tempting to tots. Some kid menu items include chili, grilled cheese made with Verns aged cheddar and Breadsmith honey wheat, a kid’s all-beef hot dog from local Usingers and mac n cheese which is made fresh daily. My kids were thrilled with the selection of flavored milks: banana, chocolate and strawberry. As for dessert, the kids happily finished their meal with a warm cookie while Jeff and I indulged in the decadent flourless chocolate cake – don’t pass this up.

Next up is a unique place that was new to us. It’s called SPiN… this 16,500 square-foot space is a combined restaurant, bar and ping-pong club! Yes, you will find 13 ping pong courts including one with stadium sitting in the center reserved for when the pros are in town. You can eat, then rent a table for an hour. My family had a blast.

The food is top-notch. These sweet potato chips didn’t last long…

Good food with great fun – you can’t beat an evening like this. The kids were worn out after many, many games of ping pong.

Visiting the Milwaukee Public Market is another treat! A wide variety of local vendors offer fresh meals, seafood, adult beverages, baked goods, chocolates, cheeses and ethnic delights. You will have not problem finding something for everyone. The most difficult decision is trying to figure out where to order. After finally deciding on our lunch (I opted for Greek), we took our food upstairs to the seating area where we relaxed and people watched.

We also purchased a couple of reasonably priced bottles of wine for home.

I’m sure there are a number of other family-friendly restaurants in Milwaukee. If you know of some, please share. We’re always looking for new places to dine when we travel.

Thank you to these Milwaukee restaurants for hosting our meals. We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed every location. We’ll be back!

There’s a fun little corridor on Colorado Boulevard in Santa Monica that has a bunch of Los Angeles branches of companies like MTV, Yahoo! and the like. It’s a great place for hip companies for many reasons, not the least of which is because a couple miles west, Colorado Avenue terminates at the Santa Monica Pier (and, obviously, the ocean). All those young turks working in this area like to unwind after work (or, as may be the case, during lunch) at bar restaurants with relaxed atmospheres, terrific food, and a nice variety of drinks. These professionals aren’t going to get that at the local Quizno’s or La Salsa, no way — but they sure will at the Daily Grill restaurant.

People in Los Angeles are familiar with the small chain of Daily Grills.  There’s a few scattered across the country, but Daily Grill got its start in LA, and there are more here than any other city. The Daily Grill in Santa Monica, like its sister sites in Brentwood and in downtown Los Angeles, offers friendly, unrushed service, skilled mixologists, and fantastic American cuisine.

I’ve been going to the Daily Grills since I moved to Los Angeles, because they hit my “sweet spot.”  That is, they’re not hipstery so that the trendoids have taken over, yet not sedate so that eating there feels like I’m part of the Early Bird Special crowd.

Lunches include kid-friendly selections for families, but the Daily Grill on Colorado Blvd caters to local professional go-getters; midday meals are business lunches at the Daily Grill more often than not, especially with Universal Music and Comedy Central offices a block away. The Chicken Caesar Salad is large and filling, and California Turkey Melt, with its cranberry tomato chutney, is both sweet and tangy. I love it.

Dinners and nighttime at the Daily Grill, at least in the Brentwood and Santa Monica restaurants, are great for those of us who enjoy quality meals in fun spots where hanging out and talking with friends is welcomed. The Chicken Parmigiana hits the spot in terms of freshly prepared comfort food, and even though I don’t normally go for pork chops, the Blackberry Pork Chop is something special.

It’s not a trendy joint, not an overly loud club with a line of barely legal gals trying to get past the bouncer — instead, the Daily Grill balances between bustling midday dining and adults drinking responsibly at night. For those of us who don’t quite get the appeal of deafening house music drowning out any chance of a conversation over creative drinks and delicious food, the Daily Grill in Santa Monica is a great place to go.

The Daily Grill in Santa Monica recently hosted an event for the Los Angeles Consortium of Online Travel group, of which I am a co-chair. There was no expectation of an exchange of goods for services, however. The friendliness and capabilities of the staff there impressed everyone.

Thank you to the Santa Monica Daily Grill and general manager Jensen Kumamoto. The crab cakes were delicious!

One of the adventures of traveling is finding good places to eat with the appropriate family ambiance. Oftentimes, my family finds restaurants that we consider just okay but during our most recent trip we were pleasantly surprised to find really some terrific restaurants in Winnipeg.

Breakfast. Trays of decadent goodies, tall bread loaves in a basket and the scent of espresso and eggs lingering in the air. That’s what you’ll find at Stella’s Breakfast Café and Bakery. During our stay in Winnipeg my family enjoyed Stella’s our first morning in town. In fact, we liked it so much we returned the day of our departure. I’m not sure if it was the freshly made preserves or the fine combination of ingredients in our omelets, but we couldn’t wait to go back.  On day one my kids indulged in fluffy pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar. My husband ordered the veggie omelet and I had salmon and scrambled eggs. All received an A+. On day two my husband tried the house specialty, an egg bake and I had the veggie omelet and it was still as good as the bite I stole the first day. The kids ordered the waffles topped with whipped cream and berry topping and I’m not kidding when I say these were the best waffles we’ve tasted. Hours later my daughter said, “Remember those waffles we had this morning? Those were the best I’ve ever had!”

Vietnamese: We were surprised to see so many Asian-inspired restaurants in Winnipeg, but we think we enjoyed one of the best. Pho #1 Vietnamese Restaurant at 81 Isabel Street has a full menu consisting of  traditional items such as noodle and rice bowls and various pork, beef and chicken items. The kids gobbled up their chicken noodles and my husband and I tried a bevy of other menu items including chicken and veggies and spring rolls. We would have happily returned for dinner. Our host recommended salad rolls, noodle bowl,  sizzling curried chicken, lemon chicken and BBQ beef rib. Beware, portions are huge! The service also gets a thumbs-up. You won’t be sorry.

Italian. Mona Lisa Restorante is another restaurant in Winnipeg doing it right. It’s located across the street from Brushfire Studios, one of the family activities we enjoyed while in Winnipeg. This little Italian restaurant was quaint with good food. We were impressed with the antipasti spread guests can enjoy while waiting for their food. Try not to fill up before your meal. My husband and I ordered paninis off the menu which were absolutely the perfect size and delicious, while the kids had noodles. I thought it was cool how many people were enjoying a bottle of red wine during lunch. I think Canadians know how to lunch!

Thank you to Travel Manitoba for assisting with some of our expenses at these restaurants in Winnipeg. We had a wonderful experience.