Teenagers need reco for FUN dinner please!

[TwinMommyDec05]

Hey everyone, I need a reco for a FUN dinner with teenagers. We are here now and we’ve done the character dinner, Ama Ama etc. Please do NOT say MonkeyPod (I don’t get the obsession with that place, LOL). Nothing stuffy or bland. Isn’t there a fun, happening place around? Thoughts? The teenagers thank you in advance

 

[kyton]

We only have 1 teen along with an 11yo and 9yo so our version of fun would no doubt be different to yours. We love MonkeyPod, Ama Ama and Roy’s. You’re fairly limited unless you are willing to drive.

Have you looked at Longboard at Marriott? It’s only a 5min walk and they have live music some nights. Eating House at Kapolei has great food but it’s not necessarily “fun”.

 

[nkereina]

sn’t there a fun, happening place around?

You're in Ko Olina, which is a known secluded area of Oahu. I don't know of any fun or happening places in the immediate vicinity or in Kapolei, which is the next town up (7-10 minute drive). Kapolei is full of chain restaurants, if that appeals.

Have you visited Waikiki? I would think teenagers would enjoy the hustle and bustle of the strip and the shopping. Some unique stores too (we loved 88 Tees). Duke's is a casual popular beachfront spot and there's tons of other places to choose from. Haleiwa Beach House is another great spot near the North Shore, but not sure I'd consider it fun or happening. Just a nice dinner spot.

What didn't you like about Monkeypod? We enjoyed the happy hour specials, open air patio/balcony, and their unique take on traditional foods - DH still dreams about the jalepeno mashed potatoes! lol!

 

[linco711]

You're in Ko Olina, which is a known secluded area of Oahu. I don't know of any fun or happening places in the immediate vicinity or in Kapolei, which is the next town up (7-10 minute drive). Kapolei is full of chain restaurants, if that appeals.

Have you visited Waikiki? I would think teenagers would enjoy the hustle and bustle of the strip and the shopping. Some unique stores too (we loved 88 Tees). Duke's is a casual popular beachfront spot and there's tons of other places to choose from. Haleiwa Beach House is another great spot near the North Shore, but not sure I'd consider it fun or happening. Just a nice dinner spot.

What didn't you like about Monkeypod? We enjoyed the happy hour specials, open air patio/balcony, and their unique take on traditional foods - DH still dreams about the jalepeno mashed potatoes! lol!

We haven’t been to Aulani yet, but we thought it sounded good. I like to know what they didn’t like also?

 

[nkereina]

We haven’t been to Aulani yet, but we thought it sounded good. I like to know what they didn’t like also?

We really enjoyed it, ate there twice. Its the only decent casual restaurant in walking distance and as I mentioned, they have great happy hour specials and unique items. Use Open Table to make a reservation before walking in!

 

[kyton]

Yep their wings, ramen and fish & chips are big favourites here!

 

[cgattis]

Do your kids eat sushi? I think there’s a sushi boat restaurant in Kapolei (?); they might think that’s fun. My kids enjoyed Teddy’s Better Burgers over at Koki Marina—there was nothing “fun” about the atmosphere or anything, but they had lots of unique burger choices and they hit up the smoothie place next door afterward (maybe an Orange Julius?). Paradise Cove luau was our most “fun” meal, and Makahiki.

 

[TwinMommyDec05]

You're in Ko Olina, which is a known secluded area of Oahu. I don't know of any fun or happening places in the immediate vicinity or in Kapolei, which is the next town up (7-10 minute drive). Kapolei is full of chain restaurants, if that appeals.

Have you visited Waikiki? I would think teenagers would enjoy the hustle and bustle of the strip and the shopping. Some unique stores too (we loved 88 Tees). Duke's is a casual popular beachfront spot and there's tons of other places to choose from. Haleiwa Beach House is another great spot near the North Shore, but not sure I'd consider it fun or happening. Just a nice dinner spot.

What didn't you like about Monkeypod? We enjoyed the happy hour specials, open air patio/balcony, and their unique take on traditional foods - DH still dreams about the jalepeno mashed potatoes! lol!

Honestly? I thought MonkeyPod was no better than a chain restaurant like chili’s but with a markup price-wise that made me expect better quality and leave disappointed. Their happy hour specials are good, but for dinner, you can do better. We had the same experience at MonkeyPod on Maui in Wailea. Just ok. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the other suggestions, everyone!!

 

[nkereina]

Honestly? I thought MonkeyPod was no better than a chain restaurant like chili’s but with a markup price-wise that made me expect better quality and leave disappointed. Their happy hour specials are good, but for dinner, you can do better. We had the same experience at MonkeyPod on Maui in Wailea. Just ok. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the other suggestions, everyone!!

Fair enough. The pricing is on par with standard marked up tourist pricing, so I guess our expectations weren’t as high. Ko Olina is a gated planned tourist community, so everything is overpriced. Even the quick service pizza place next door.

 

[Mommy2Logan]

I appreciate the honest review of Monkeypod. Though I haven't been yet, I have looked at the menu, watched YouTube videos and food reviews about that place and I just cannot get excited about going there.

 

[alohamom]

I appreciate the honest review of Monkeypod. Though I haven't been yet, I have looked at the menu, watched YouTube videos and food reviews about that place and I just cannot get excited about going there.

I am a really big fan of Chef Peter Merriman and this is one of his restaurants. The first time I ate at one of his places, it was on the Big Island many years ago and it was amazing. He was known to go out and catch the fish himself in the morning for that nights menu and they grew much of the veggies served out in their own gardens. You know that taste of a tomato just picked of the vine at the height of summer-juicy and bursting with flavor? That was the kind of food he was serving. Now, the new places he has opened on Maui, Kauai and Oahu are obviously not like that but I was pretty excited about MonekyPod because of him developing it. We have had a couple of really good meals there, especially the squash/goat cheese ravioli appetizer and the house made hummus. My son, being an older teen at the times we have eaten there, didnt really enjoy himself. He thought the food was just so so and found it pretty boring. Idk, it isnt the best place to eat in the world but the food quality is above a chain like Applebys or Chilis for me. And the fact that with the happy hour special pricing I can feed the family and hubby can have a beer or cocktail for about half of what Ama Ama or Makahiki on the Aulani resort would cost I think it is a good option if you are staying for more than a few days.

 

[nkereina]

I appreciate the honest review of Monkeypod. Though I haven't been yet, I have looked at the menu, watched YouTube videos and food reviews about that place and I just cannot get excited about going there.

Most of the reviews here are honest reviews - I'm sure not getting a kickback from Monkeypod to say that we enjoyed it! lol! But I agree with @alohamom in that it's not the world's greatest restaurant. But between the unique dishes, happy hour specials, ambiance, and also considering its one of very few table service restaurants in walking distance outside the resort, we think its worth a try.

 

[corgi_monster]

Kids might like Genki Sushi in Kapolei. I haven't been there since they moved locations, but I think they might have the "sushi express." It's a train that delivers your order right to your table. If that's not fun I don't know what is

They might also like Gyukaku in Kapolei, a Japanese style BBQ place.

Hot pot/Shabushabu is fun and there are several different locations.

There's a Johnny Rocket's in the Ka Makana Ali'i mall and it has a huge arcade. However, that mall has been plagued by criminal activity and would not recommend being in the area during non-peak hours. Besides the usual car break-ins, there have been reports of people getting mobbed and assaulted. There's a video circulating around FB that shows a gang of kids punching a store manager in the face while he's on the phone with the police.

 

[alohamom]

There's a Johnny Rocket's in the Ka Makana Ali'i mall and it has a huge arcade. However, that mall has been plagued by criminal activity and would not recommend being in the area during non-peak hours. Besides the usual car break-ins, there have been reports of people getting mobbed and assaulted. There's a video circulating around FB that shows a gang of kids punching a store manager in the face while he's on the phone with the police.

Oh WOW-that is crazy! Thanks for the info @corgi_monster I have yet to go there but at least now I will be a little bit more wary if I do. I wonder if this is why the Roys Eating House is closing?

 

[Mommy2Logan]

Don't get me wrong; we might try it but it's not high up on our list. We are only there four nights anyway. One night we are going to the Four Seasons for dinner and another night we are doing the luau. We might hit up Monkeypod one of the other nights, but I'm a HUGE fan of Roy's restaurants so I will probably push for that instead.

 

[corgi_monster]

Oh WOW-that is crazy! Thanks for the info @corgi_monster I have yet to go there but at least now I will be a little bit more wary if I do. I wonder if this is why the Roys Eating House is closing?

Eating house is actually at Kapolei Commons, about two miles down the road so no worries about trying them out (if they’re still open on your next visit). Commons does NOT have a bad reputation and there’s no reason to feel unsafe there.

I think Eating House’s prices and ambiance weren’t a good match for the surrounding community. It’s a shame they’re going out of business, but I’m excited to see what will open in its place.

 

[alohamom]

Eating house is actually at Kapolei Commons, about two miles down the road so no worries about trying them out (if they’re still open on your next visit). Commons does NOT have a bad reputation and there’s no reason to feel unsafe there.

I think Eating House’s prices and ambiance weren’t a good match for the surrounding community. It’s a shame they’re going out of business, but I’m excited to see what will open in its place.

Thanks for the clarification, I was there just before Eating House had opened (I peeked in the windows) and the mall opened shortly after that so I guess I mushed them together in my brain!