With the start of the new year, everyone’s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series where show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.
Tucked away within Foodland Farms Ala Moana is ELEVEN. While this hidden gem is known for its creative cocktails, it’s also the location of a brunch buffet that takes place every weekend.
Fun fact: ELEVEN’s name pays homage to the original Foodland at Ala Moana, which was the 11th store the company opened back in 1959.
ELEVEN’s brunch buffet is from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; it costs $35 per adult ($16 for children ages 10 years and under). The menu changes seasonally.
The eatery is currently serving its winter buffet. While walk-ins are accepted depending on the venue space, reservations are highly encouraged.
So, what does $35 get you?
Lighter options include coconut chia seed parfaits with fresh berries, Asian crunch slaw — a local cabbage blend, keiki cukes, red peppers, wakame, wood ear mushrooms, cilantro and a creamy ginger dressing — and fresh fruit medley.
The carving station is a buffet highlight; this version features rosemary and garlic-crusted chuck roast. The condiments bar includes au jus, creamy horseradish, garlic and sweet rolls to which diners can help themselves.
If you prefer savory dishes for breakfast, there are plenty of options. The seafood gumbo is a hearty medley of calamari, mussels and okra; other highlights include the cheddar and mushroom scramble (if you need to satisfy that craving for eggs, this is your best bet), ravioli alla vodka, furikake tater tots and prime rib fried rice. The latter — jasmine rice, soy, sesame oil and crispy garlic — was one of my favorite options, due to the plentiful, meaty prime rib chunks, and it’s easy to get full off it.
If you love sweets, go for the taro and haupia french toast, which is made with Punalu‘u Bake Shop taro sweet bread. It’s topped with haupia crème anglaise and macadamia nut crunch.
Speaking of sweets — the assorted mini pastries and desserts feature a rotating selection of bite-sized indulgences. The current selection includes gingerbread muffins, winter Stollen, pumpkin cream cheese danishes, chocolate ganache and candy cane tarts, apple galettes, toasted marshmallow sweet potato pies and pumpkin walnut crunch bars. It was nice to enjoy fall flavors even in February; the pecan caramel cheesecake was my favorite sweet treat.
While some of the desserts are part of the buffet line, others are brought to your table at the end of the meal. Ask your server if you a specific dessert in mind.
The brunch buffet includes your choice of beverage — coffee, hot tea or iced tea — but ELEVEN’s cocktail menu is still available. Mix and mingle mimosas ($15), specifically orange-liliko‘i and yuzu-peach, are customer favorites.
ELEVEN’s Valentine’s buffet will be available Feb. 15 and 16 (for the same $35 price). The Valentine’s buffet will include offerings like sake-cured salmon Benedict, red velvet french toast, guava gochujang barbecue ribs, honey glazed oven-roasted salmon and festive desserts like reed velvet cupcakes, berry cheesecakes and chocolate grand marnier tarts.
CONTACT
ELEVEN (within Foodland Farms Ala Moana)
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
808-949-2990
elevenhnl.com
Instagram: @eleven.hnl
Brunch is from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
