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

Aloha Mamacita’s festive Grinchmas Bar is open to the public
Enjoy seasonal cocktails like Jack Frost, Christmas Punch, gingerbread martinis and more — along with the restaurant’s holiday décor.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 21, 2025

Liliha Bakery recently added new dishes to its menu
New dishes include eggs Benedict, a savory loco moco, and the bakery’s own version of Kouign Amann. The new dishes are available at all Liliha Bakery locations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 21, 2025

Inside scoop: Asatos Waikīkī shop is opening this Sunday
The popular sherbet shop is located on Kalākaua Avenue, within Kings & Queens in Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. You’ll find scoops of Asato Family Shop’s classic flavors, along with seasonal specials and — coming soon — Japanese-style shave ice.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 21, 2025

This Honolulu sushi spot just launched a new happy hour
Kanoya Sushi Grill & Bar’s new happy hour menu is available daily. Score discounts on popular appetizers like sashimi, house gyoza, furikake chicken and more — along with beverage deals like three beers for $9.99.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 20, 2025

DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi is open in ‘Ewa Beach
The contemporary Japanese restaurant from New York — known for its hand roll bar — is open in 360° Ewa Beach Country Club. DOMODOMO New York was featured on the MICHELIN Guide’s Bib Gourmand list from 2017 through 2023. Here’s what you’ll find at its new Hawaiʻi location.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 20, 2025

Ono-Ya Ramen is offering a buy one, get one free ramen deal
The eatery’s South King Street location is celebrating its one-year anniversary with this limited-timed offer. The BOGO ramen deal is only available for dine-in at this location until Nov. 22.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 19, 2025

Where to go for Thanksgiving 2025 – part 3
More dine-in and takeout experiences for a stress-free holiday.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 19, 2025

Here’s what you’ll find at the new CU convenience store
CU, one of Asia’s largest convenience store chains, recently celebrated the grand opening of its downtown Honolulu store. Here’s everything you’ll find, from a ramyun wall and Korean street food to exclusive snacks and Sig Zane x CU Hawaiʻi merchandise.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 18, 2025

You can now find this deep-fried manapua in Honolulu
Honolulu Kitchen Little Corner Cafe opened earlier this year in Mōʻiliʻili. The café offers steamed and deep-fried manapua, along with dim sum and smoothies.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 17, 2025

The third annual Kimchi Day Festival Hawaiʻi is coming Nov. 22
The festival, held at Makiki District Park, will celebrate Korean culture and, of course, kimchi.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 14, 2025

This is Jason Momoa’s second food stop on Oʻahu (after Zippy’s)
In a recent interview with Aloha State Daily, the “Chief of War” actor mentioned the Hawaiian plate from Hannara Restaurant. We drove out to Waiʻanae to find it.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 13, 2025

ʻAlohilani’s new breakfast menu is ‘swell’
The Waikīkī resort’s SWELL Restaurant and Pool Bar launched a new breakfast menu in September. It’s available daily from 7 to 10 a.m. and includes options ranging from banana bread French toast and acai bowls to breakfast burritos.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 13, 2025

New izakaya now open in Māpunapuna
Izakaya Mitch’s — located right next door to Mitch’s Fish Market and Sushi Bar — specializes in cooked dishes designed to share. You’ll find everything from Hokkaido crab tempura, dashimaki tamago and assorted sashimi to A5 wagyu steak, menchi katsu and nabe.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 13, 2025

This iconic Maui bakery is opening a second location
Located in Wailuku, Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe has been serving its freshly baked pastries to the Maui community since 1994. The bakery and cafe recently announced it’s opening a second location in early 2026.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 12, 2025

Aloha Alfajores opened a new kitchen space
The business, which started in 2020, officially has its own commercial kitchen space in Wahiawa. Besides its signature alfajores, the biz offers dulce de leche brownies, crème brulee and frescas con cremas.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 11, 2025

Where to go for Thanksgiving 2025 – part 2
Celebrate turkey day with these dine-in and takeout experiences.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 11, 2025

This Japanese restaurant offers a weekday curry menu
Kailua-based Tokoname Sushi Bar & Restaurant’s “Curry Shack” menu is only available during weekdays for lunch. Curry entrees include chicken katsu with cheese, ebi fry, chicken karaage, eggplant and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 10, 2025

This Kalihi boba tea spot has a brand-new name
Dragon Tea recently re-branded and is now named Leilani Taiwanese Kitchen. The shop changed its name to reflect its offerings, which go beyond boba.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaNovember 10, 2025

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