Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
“Where should I go to eat?” Is a question I get a lot — whether it’s in person or via Instagram, from both friends and acquaintances via social media. I’m excited to share my findings and adventures with our community — not necessarily to tell them where to eat, but to give an accurate representation of what’s available out there. I love covering the new restaurants and new, local businesses popping up. Limited-time offerings (holiday cocktail bars, weekend pop-ups, etc.) are also exciting because sometimes they’re the result of fun collabs between local businesses.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Biola University, as well as my master’s degree in journalism at the University of Southern California. I was the associate editor of Frolic Hawaii from 2017 to 2021 under Honolulu Magazine, and then worked most recently as the dining editor of Crave with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
My goal is for ASD’s dining section to be the premiere guide for the state. I’m excited to cover the food and dining scene, and to help our readers stay updated with all things food-related. It’ll be a fun, fresh start and I’m excited to be able to cover everything.
Latest from Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Uncle’s Fish Market Bar & Grill has a new chef and revamped menu
The ‘Aiea eatery, headed by chef Chad Yang, features more daily specials, an early bird prix fixe menu, and seasonal desserts.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 07, 2025

Tango Empanadas brings authentic Argentinian flavors to Oʻahu
Owned by siblings Julieta and Lucas Garnil, Tango Empanadas offers made-from-scratch empanadas with a variety of meat and veggie fillings. The business’s Kahuku trailer is open daily, and you can also find the empanada biz at the Kakaʻako farmers market.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 07, 2025

Budget Bites: Yakiniku Like’s $9.95 yakiniku set
November’s special include kalbi short plate and Misuji top blade, along with miso soup, salad, kimchi and rice.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 06, 2025

Easy ‘Que brings a revamped weekend brunch to Kailua
The eatery, which is the sister restaurant of Over Easy, offers savory barbecue-themed options like brisket patty Benedict, brisket loco moco and shrimp and grits.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 06, 2025

Waikīkī’s newest Italian restaurant just opened
Located in Waikīkī Shopping Plaza, BOTANICO Waikīkī features Italian fare with a touch of island- and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 06, 2025

Travie’s Patties pop-up offers fun, flavorful smashburgers
The biz celebrated its grand opening in August, and can be found at a variety of night markets and seasonal craft fairs across Oʻahu. The biz also recently added non-alcoholic dirty sodas to its menu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 05, 2025

Fairmont Kea Lani’s Kō reopens with a reimagined menu
After being closed for six months, Kō — which means “sugarcane” in Hawaiian — reopened in late October, featuring a full renovation and new menu. The eatery is inspired by the spirit of “kau kau time,” during which sugarcane workers talked story and shared home-cooked meals over lunch.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 04, 2025

Budget Bites: Choi’s Garden’s $5.99 cold noodle lunch special
The Korean eatery brought back its $5.99 cold noodle lunch special for all of November.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 04, 2025

Here's what you'll find at Earls Kitchen + Bar
While the eatery officially opened in early October, its menu is so expansive that it took us several visits to work our way through it. The Waikīkī location offers a weekend brunch, bi-daily happy hour, and dinner.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 03, 2025

Sun Noodle’s new kalo noodle kit celebrates 40 years of Sig Zane
To commemorate Sig Zane’s 40th anniversary, Sun Noodle partnered with the business to launch a limited-edition kalo (taro) noodle kit.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 03, 2025

Chao features a modern Vietnamese fusion dining experience
The restaurant first opened for takeout in July, but is now open for dine-in for brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour. Dinner highlights range from hamachi crudo and seafood ceviche to spring rolls and the eatery’s signature chicken pho.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 31, 2025

All That Cake Co. features modern cakes in local flavors
All That Cake Co., which launched this past July, features layered cakes that feature Hawaiʻi-grown flavors like pandan, lilikoʻi, Kona Coffee and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 31, 2025

HI Shack is celebrating its grand opening on Nov. 1
The eatery, located on Kalākaua Avenue, features a mix of Hawaiian, American and Filipino flavors. During HI Shack’s grand opening, customers can enjoy live entertainment and a 20% discount on food.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 30, 2025

Budget Bites: Limited-time deals at Zippy’s
Take advantage of discounted Kōkua Pacs from Nov. 3 to 19, and discounted chili frank plates from Nov. 28 to Dec. 14.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 30, 2025

This popular Asian snack shop just opened its third location
1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi is known for its imported snacks from Japan, Thailand, Korea and China. The business just opened its third location — and this one features claw machines from Claw Kingdom.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 29, 2025

This ice cream shop’s got “soul”
Soulberry Ice Cream, which specializes in New Zealand-style, real fruit ice cream, opened recently in Makawao. The Maui-based business offers customizable treats made with locally sourced fruits and creative toppings.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 29, 2025

‘Pho’-nomenal: Vietnamese eatery Pho Heaven just opened in Pearl City
The restaurant, located in Pearl Highlands Center, is the sister restaurant of Hot Pot Heaven in McCully Shopping Center. Customers can get 15% off during soft opening week, which is now until Oct. 31.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 28, 2025

The Dotted Line has a new executive chef and revamped new menu
The downtown Honolulu eatery, led by new executive chef Christopher Murakami — previously at Hilton Hawaiian Village and SKY Waikīkī — boasts a refreshed menu. During dinner, enjoy dishes like chicken pot pie, New York strip, and a mouthwatering Taste of Aloha sampler platter.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 28, 2025

Kapa Hale recently launched its fall menu
The Kāhala eatery’s seasonal menu includes fall ingredients like kabocha and pumpkin seeds. Customers can also look forward to more pho dishes starting next month.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 27, 2025

Where to go for Thanksgiving 2025 – part 1
Celebrate turkey day with these dine-in and takeout experiences.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 24, 2025

Istanbul Hawaiʻi recently launched its fall menu
The Ward Village eatery, known for its modern Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, is featuring seasonal dishes during brunch, lunch and dinner. Enjoy options like autumn Jidori chicken tagine and pumpkin bread pudding for a limited time.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 23, 2025