Photo: Katrina Valcourt
basalt
As much as I love going out to eat, I’m put off by how many menu items I can prepare at home. That’s why lately my favorite has been Basalt. Activated charcoal may not be as popular as it was a few years ago, but the Waikīkī restaurant inside Duke’s Lane Market & Eatery continues to serve up its classic black charcoal milk pancakes, topped with strawberry guava sauce, berries, powdered sugar and whipped cream. I appreciate that they are not as sweet as a typical stack and provide balance with a savory second course. Plus, you can get three hours of free parking and a kama’āina discount. And if I do Do you feel like making it at home? The market sells the mixture. —Katrina Valcourt, HONOLULU executive editor
2255 Kuhiō Ave., Waikīkī, (808) 923-5689, basaltwaikiki.com, @basaltwaikiki
Photo: Christine Labrador
Boots and kimo‘s Home cooking
One look around the restaurant and every table has a plate of banana mac pancakes as its centerpiece. A stack of fluffy pancakes topped with Kimo’s sweet cream macadamia nut sauce, no butter or syrup required. It’s a sweet ending to sharing a savory loco moco or a hearty spinach and mushroom omelette. Extra mac walnut sauce, please! —Christine Labrador, HONOLULU Senior Art Director
1020 Keolu Dr., Kailua, (808) 263-7929, bootsnkimos.com, @bootsnkimos
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
of cinnamon
Not every pancake is worth a trip down the Pali and braving the Kailua brunch crowd, but when the guava chiffon cravings hit, I’m there, hands down. The simple cakes are buttery and delicious, but they’re really just a base for the real star of the dish: the heavenly guava topping, a two-layered syrup that combines a creamy cheese base with a sweet and light guava sauce. —Brie Thalmann, HONOLULU Home and Style Editor
315 Uluniu St., Kailua, (808) 261-8724, cinnamons808.com, @cinnamonskailua
Photo: May Hoshida
Eggs and stuff
I’m not one to rush out for pancakes, but there is one exception, the buttermilk short stack pancakes at Eggs ‘n Things. It’s a must-order as my side whenever I’m there. I can honestly say that the quality of this simple dish has not been compromised over the years. Light and fluffy, it pairs perfectly with their homemade coconut syrup. The forks cut through them effortlessly, and it polishes every time. —May Hoshida, Frolic
It’s included as a selection from the $13.95 Meat Egg and Breakfast Egg Set, as well as other Eggs ‘n Things favorites. Multiple locations, eggsnthings.com, @eggsnthingshi
Photo: Christine Labrador
Guieb Cafe
hey! Order a stack of mascarpone pancakes to share and leave a little later, after your crab cake benedict. You’ll get three fluffy, purple ube pancakes topped with a dollop of not-too-sweet whipped ube mascarpone cream, fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Delicious! (Delicious!) —CL
Multiple locations, guiebcafe.com, @guiebcafe
Jack’s Restaurant
My favorite is Jack’s Restaurant in Niu Valley. They’re traditional-style fluffy pancakes, and Jack’s always makes them perfectly. I like them because they are simple, no fruit, no cream or anything too crazy. —Aaron K. Yoshino, HONOLULU staff photographer
820 West Hind Dr. #119, China Country, (808) 373-4034, jacksrestauranthonolulu.com
Photo: Melissa Chang
Liliha Bakery
Perfectly moist yet fluffy, with a lightness that makes you think you could eat the whole plate. Not forgetting that there is a great balance of flavors. Is it butter in the dough? Or lard? They won’t reveal the secret to their mass, but I’m sure there’s something your doctor won’t approve of! —Melissa Chang, Frolic
Multiple locations, lilihabakery.com, @lilihabakery
Photo: Melissa Chang
Moke’s Bread & Breakfast
Another favorite of mine is the lilikoi pancakes from Moke’s Bread & Breakfast. Did you know they use Keola Warren’s grandmother’s recipe for this? For one thing, the pancakes themselves are lovely and fluffy, but I dream about that liliko’i sauce. I almost stole a tub of this sauce once, but that’s another story for another day. During the summer, they serve mango li hing pancakes: the sauce is infused with local mangoes, the pancakes are topped with fresh slices and dusted with li hing powder on top. —MC
Multiple locations, mokeshawaii.com, @mokesbreadandbreakfast
Photo: Christine Labrador
The Original Pancake House
Probably my favorite pancakes of all time are the Forty-Niner Flapjacks at The Original Pancake House. You get three pancakes in one order, thin as crepes and chewy like freshly made mochi with golden, toasted edges. Ask for the coconut syrup, my dad’s favorite, to finish them off. —Andrea Lee, HONOLULU Digital Editor
The Forty-Niner Flapjacks are large and barely fit on the plate. Add whipped butter to each crepe-like layer, then cut into squares for a perfectly tender, chewy bite. If you’re craving something sweet, go ahead and slide into a puddle of maple syrup. Either way, you’ll hit breakfast gold! —CL
1414 Dillingham Blvd., Kalihi, (808) 847-1496, originalpancakehouse.com
Photo: Eric Baranda
From Zippy
I’ve tried many pancakes eating out, but I always come back to Zippy’s. There’s that hint of vanilla that I really like, and when they’re done right, the panels are soft, fluffy, and moist, just the way I want them. I liked them so much that I even bought the pancake mix at Napoleon’s Bakery when it was available, but for whatever reason, I could never get it to taste the same at home. So I keep coming back. Plus, you can order pancakes any time of the day, which is great when the craving hits. —Eric Baranda, Frolic
Multiple locations, zippys.com, @zippys
Read the rest of the series: Our favorites
