Hale ‘Aina Happenings: What’s New with Hawai‘i Restaurants in January 2021
A special vegan dish, a new dinner menu at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, what you’ll eat at our third exclusive Hale ‘Aina dinner, reopenings and a Valentine’s Day dinner to book now.
January 13, 2021
Kabocha gnocchi. Photo: 12th Ave Grill & DeliCafé
From the moment this neighborhood institution reopened with new chef Mauro Gramuglia at its helm, we’ve been curious to see what he would add to the dinner menu. Now we know. The newly named 12th Ave Grill & DeliCafé launched its new menu right before the holidays with Gramuglia’s hand-cut pastas, house-made burrata and terrine at the center. For those of us with nostalgic memories of battling for the few happy hour counter seats in 12th Ave Grill’s original location, where Koko Head Café sits now, there is still baked mac ’n’ cheese, the smoked ‘ahi spread and lamb burger. But now, a scallop crudo and sacher torte make
Kaimukī’s New Sandwich Cafe Has a Familiar Name
12th Ave Grill DeliCafe is an indoor-outdoor reboot of the long-shuttered restaurant.
December 23, 2020
It started on Instagram, where photos of meaty sandwiches and lobster eggs benedicts at the new 12th Ave Grill DeliCafe caught my attention especially since 12th Ave Grill had been closed through much of the pandemic. So it was news when the longtime Kaimukī eatery re-emerged last month with a new format, a new menu and for the first time, outdoor dining.
Your first question is probably the same one I had: Where’s the outdoor seating? It turns out the DeliCafe has set up a covered open-air space in the municipal parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. Inside and outside, tables are spaced well apart. You order at the counter, find a table and they’ll bring your food and drinks, but there’s no restaurant-style table service. Or you can get your order to go.