Hilo on the 4th
By Alan Okami
Took a long needed break this past 4th of July weekend. Was mainly to visit family, but Hilo has been a terrific place for me to unwind and do NOTHING. Feels good to do nothing from time to time. Between work and baseball, it's been brutal.
Sometimes, you discover a gem when you look a little bit. Just opened for 5 weeks, Puff City. Kinda sound like something from Spongebob Squarepants, but it's not. This place serves onolicious cream puffs.
Here are the ladies, hard at work, creating the puffs and deli style menu items. The charm of this place is so old school Hilo as they are located in a cozy little building.
Their cooler is filled with all kine cream puffs like custard, chocolate, guava and more. The pastry shell is light and fluffy and the fillings are smooth and delightful.
Here are the store hours, but you have to hurry and get some if you ono for that. They usually open at the regular time and stay open only until they sell out. Puff City, 1348 Kilauea Ave. Hilo, HI Tel 808-961-6964.
In the background is the kitchen where all the puff pastry magic happens. There's a special machine that makes the pastry shells that await their cream filling.
Being smart business persons that they are, Puff City shares the kitchen with Aloha Mondays catering. Pictured is owner/chef, Kanoa Miura. He and I were trying to figgure out why we were so familiar to each other. Haven't figgured that out yet.
Kanoa does parties, wedding and whatever you need for catering. Menu items include: banana blossom slaw, local fresh fish and more. More to come from my Hilo adventure...I mean, break.
Kaleo O Kalihi
July 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Oh brah, You when go before me. Man I never go yet. Looks so ono. I gotta go try out. Wassap wit dat yeah. I live dea an den.
Glad you could find time to chill and unwind. We need that so we stay sane. Welcome to my home town.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
After noticing the prices in the display case, if they were in Honolulu, they would be sold out early in the day.
Next time I'm in Hilo, I'll give them a visit.
Thank you for the heads up Alan.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Maybe, Kanoe is related to Kelli?
July 12th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Sorry, I meant Kanoa.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Wow, this is pretty funny. All of the blogs I read recently were about food. Kelli Miura's, Cat's, Kim's, and now yours. Thanks for the report on the trip outside of Mr. Okami's neighborhood.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:21 am
My son told me to check out your blog and I must say I'm impressed, very helpful.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Good Morning Alan!
I haven't been to the Big Island in awhile. It's time for a visit.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:37 am
got some work buddies going to Hilo this week, I going ask them to check this place out. mahalos fo the info.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Ooooh Thanks Alan, that looks guud! Hopefully they'll still have some when I go later this week! Perfect timing post, hee hee.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hey Alan. Good to meet you IRL.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Ynaku,
Relax? I wish. Baseball baseball baseball. Summer season mercifully coming to an end soon.
Ed,
Was so ono. Too bad I no have a sweet tooth. Mostly a salt and fried tooth. Not sure about the Miura connection.
David in Oregon,
What better way to celebrate our communities than food? Soo many good things to eat. Soo many pounds to collect.
Laura White,
Thanks for tuning in. I'll try to keep good posts coming.
M,
Fares and rates are down, no better time than now.
B,
Tell them to get there early if you like them bring the omiyage back. Sell out fast everyday.
HNL2LAS
Puff City, baby! Make sure to eat one for me.
Ukuhead,
Was nice to meet you too. I'm all sun burnt today.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Alan, they were closed already! I guess they ran out! I was so bummed.... I was only there on Sat/Sun and they're closed on Sunday! Oh well, next time! Thank you for blogging about it though!
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Aloha, Alan! I'm proud to be your uncle-in-law and enjoyed reading about "It" in today's Sunday Advertiser. I,too, am helping others, but on the other extreme end. Every weekday morning after qigong and taijiquan exercises for senior citizens in the pergola of Kukui Plaza, I give manuahi (professional) massages to makules that want it. I know you enjoy bringing happiness to kids as I enjoy bringing good health to the mo'opunas. Keep up the good work. Kou makuahunoaikane, Howard Saiki