FLAVORS

Rowan Gard breaks a lot of eggs to find the ultimate breakfast.

Words/Images:: Rowan Gard

“Folks who wake up and eat breakfast before rushing out the door
tend to lead less chaotic lives, and are more prepared to deal with
the challenges of daily life, not just physically but also mentally.”

The beloved author C.S. Lewis once jested that “He that but looketh on
a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed
breakfast with it in his heart.” I’d like you to commit breakfast, and
not just in your heart, but in your mouth – today, tomorrow and every
day of 2010.

It’s the New Year and you have likely committed to a new you (or at the very
least, we can agree that a better version of you sounds like a good
idea). So then why should you develop (or further confirm for the
believers in the room) a nearly religious devotion to breakfast as
part of this new you, circa 2010? Well, recently researchers at
Harvard University found that children who regularly ate breakfast had
higher achievement test scores in all subjects, not to mention
significant improvement in mathematics and reduced overall illness
rates (looks like your parents were right, you really should have eaten those
Cheerios).

Medical studies have shown that adults who eat breakfast do not suffer
the same late-morning mood and cognitive performance dips as their
non-breakfasting counterparts do.  Meanwhile, researchers studying
nutrition and long-term weight control found that eating a healthy
breakfast is essential for those who want to lose and keep weight off.
Also, breakfast lovers as a lot are not a violent crowd (you have to
admit there’s something about a Belgian waffle that really cages the
rage). Folks who wake up and eat breakfast before rushing out the door
tend to lead less chaotic lives, and are more prepared to deal with
the challenges of daily life, not just physically but also mentally. I
have a theory – I call it my blueberry muffin theory – where the
simple act of enjoying a good meal, preferably anything involving a
blueberry muffin (as they have a charm rating of 10), leads to a
deeper appreciation of the food itself as well as a greater
appreciation for life.  Just think about it, Charlie Manson, Ted
Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer – clearly not breakfast lovers (curiously, a
death row inmate has never requested a final meal involving a Belgian
waffle, a hot bowl of oatmeal with raisins, or even the simple glory
that is a pancake; I think that fact right there should make you want
to eat a breakfast involving all three as quickly as possible).

Breakfast Restaurants in Hawaii

To recap, not only does breakfast help make you smarter, skinnier, and
healthier, but you’re also less inclined to be moody and violent
(especially helpful on a Monday morning).

Café Kaila
Market City Shopping Center
2919 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, O‘ahu, HI 96826
(808) 732-3330

Café Kaila is hands-down my favorite place to eat breakfast in
Honolulu. There, I said it. I thought about not including Café Kaila
in this review for purely selfish reasons, as their food is so good that
there is just about always a line of folks waiting to get in.
Simply put, Café Kaila is excellent, great fresh food at good prices,
nice folks as wait staff, and a relaxed atmosphere. Breakfast
recommendations include: the breakfast quesadilla, French toast plate,
and any of the omelets. Prices for breakfast entrees start around
$8.00.

Island Lava Java Bistro Grill
75-5799 Alii Dr, Ste A1
Kailua-Kona, Big Island, HI 96740

www.islandlavajavakona.com 808.327.2161

My personal motto of breakfast beverages is generally in keeping with
actor W.C. Fields’ – “I never drink anything stronger than gin before
breakfast.” However, Lava Java’s 100% Kona coffee made me change my
mind, what with it’s oh-so-smooth kick. But don’t get the wrong idea
about Lava Java, it’s much more than a coffee shop, as it boasts
beautiful ocean-side dining and amazingly fresh food.  They only serve
grass-fed Big Island beef, free-range Big Island chicken, Big Island
organic goat cheese, and locally grown, direct from the farmer organic
produce.  On a recent trip to the Big Island I ate both breakfast and
dinner at Lava Java on the same day (yep, they’re that good). Breakfast
recommendations include: the Eggs Benedict (with the best hollandaise
sauce I’ve ever tasted in Hawai‘i!), the half papaya filled with
yogurt and topped with granola, and the cinnamon rolls, which are
baked fresh daily on site. Prices for breakfast entrees start around
$8.00.

Longhi’s Restaurant
Ala Moana Shopping Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96814   808. 947.9899
Additional locations in Lahaina and Wailea.

With sweeping views of Ala Moana beach and décor accentuated with
dollops of old Hawai‘i charm, the award winning Longhi’s has a
wonderful atmosphere. On my last visit to Longhi’s I lingered over my
breakfast and drank another cup of coffee just to stay a bit longer.
You’ll want to stay a little longer too, maybe for lunch and dinner,
which they do up quite nicely as well, not to mention the full bar…
Breakfast recommendations include: the Lobster Benedict, the Eggs
Florentine, and the pancakes with fresh mixed berry topping. Prices
for breakfast entrees start around $12.00.

If you’d like to serve the author breakfast in bed, then you should
start by following her blog — Respect the Food — at
www.strowanrespectsthefood.blogspot.com, or you can always just email
her a brunch invitation at [email protected]

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