If you’ve missed seeing the Sakura in Japan this past spring, you can still enjoy this cherry blossom-themed experience throughout all of May.
House of Sakura, a themed pop-up bar partnered with Beam Suntory at Prince Waikīkī, is now open until May 31. The pop-up was supposed to conclude on May 11, but was extended, due to popular demand.
House of Sakura is currently open from 5 to 10 p.m. (last call 9:30 p.m.) on Thursdays to Sundays. It’s first-come, first-served and reservations can be made for parties of eight or more (email experiences@princewaikiki.com).
The pop-up features a variety of pūpū designed to share. The picnic sampler for two ($48) is the most popular dish so far. The shareable item includes miso butterfish, soy-marinated salmon collar, Sakura onigiri, ‘ahi and charred salmon sashimi, pickled farm vegetables, tsukemono, chicken karaage and truffle tamagoyaki.
The dishes included in the picnic basket are also available a la carte.
The buttery salmon collar and flavorful miso butterfish were my favorite bites, but this assortment is sure to please any seafood lover.
Other dishes available for purchase include truffle popcorn ($5), mini beef fat rice ($12), rice crackers and arare ($5) and Sakura cheesecake with white chocolate and feuilletine crunch ($5). The petite cheesecake is light and creamy — the perfect finish after a savory meal.
House of Sakura drink specials ($15 each) include Toki High-ball — Suntory Toki, Fever Tree club soda and lemon — Cherry Blossom Dream (Suntory Roku gin, St. Germain elderflower, Maui hibiscus and Fever Tree tonic) and Shadow Ube. The latter features Cruzan white rum, Cruzan dark rum, Hamakua Coast premium ube, macadamia nut orgeat, dry curacao and lime.
“Beam Suntory made a custom highball machine, which combines the flavor of Suntory Toki, designed to be served as a highball, and purified water to create the perfect balance of flavor and carbonation,” says Deon Togami, beverage manager at Prince Waikīkī. “The extra carbonation — compared to mixing the whiskey and club soda — opens your palate to experience more flavors.”
The outdoor space features multiple photo opportunities, including an umbrella wall, Sakura tree and Sakura entrance.
When visiting the pop-up, guests can enjoy two and a half hours of validated self-parking; valet is a $10 flat rate with validation.
CONTACT
House of Sakura
Prince Waikīkī
100 Holomoana St., Honolulu
Open 5-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays (last call 9:30 p.m.)
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
