After all the cooking and baking posts, I figure it's time to change it up and add more restaurants to the mix. Well, that and I've also been overwhelmed with school and have been slacking in the kitchen. Hehe.

We rarely venture out of downtown for lunch, but when we do, we usually go to the same places. Eat Cafe is definitely high on that list. With a nice mix of salads, burgers, sandwiches, paninis and sweets (my favorite!), we all have our own favorites.

Here's their lunch menu:

There are a bunch of tables surrounding the cafe, decorated with the chef's business card.

They also have a meeting room available, which accomodates up to 14 people. It's a cute little room, adjacent to the cafe, stocked with cabinets of wine glasses and a big meeting table. (I was going to take a photo, but they were actually having a meeting at the time, and thought that might be a little much.)

Another cool thing about their cafe is that they offer silverware and dine in plates. The only thing they're missing is reusable cups!

On to the food!

Coworker A's favorite dish is the tacos. You can choose from beef, chicken and fish (fish is $0.80 more) and she always gets one chicken and one beef. These look small, but have a fair share of filling, and she barely finished them. The tacos come in a soft corn tortilla with a side of salsa for $2.95 each.

Coworker B's favorite dish is the Cuban panini. And with good reason! It's stuffed with kalua pig, ham, swiss cheese and pickles and done up on their sourdough bread. For the meat lover in all of us, this one comes in at $7.75.

I usually get the veggie burger with ali'i mushrooms and swiss cheese, but decided to change it up this time. I've been eyeing out the sunnyside panini for a while now, but just haven't had the guts to move away from something I already KNOW is good.

I'm so happy I finally gave in.

The sunnyside panini comes with asparagus, roasted red bell peppers and (here's the kicker) brie cheese. The sourdough bread is grilled or pressed with those magical panini makers, and then topped with a sunny side up egg and parmesan cheese. A little more for this one, the sandwich by itself was $8.25 (I got soup too!)

Have I ever told you that I LOVE eggs?

I decided that I'd try their tomato bisque, but came up a little disappointed. Guess I'm used to the thicker creamy bisques, and this one was a bit chunky and was severly lacking in the cream area. At $3.95 for this little cup, I don't know that I would get it again.

So my real favorite? 

The sweets.

They called my name as I stood at the back of the line.

My head kept saying "No! You don't need them!", but I gave in anyway.

So happy that I did! I picked up a bag of chocolate crinkle cookies ($1.50 for 2 cookies) and was in LOVE. It was the perfect 2pm pick me up! The size and shape of a cookie, the texture of a fudgy brownie, and just the right amount of sweetness.

I didn't want to share. (Although I reluctantly did give the second one to coworker 2)

Along with the cookies, the apple scone ($1.95) was calling out to me from the counter. I've heard lots of reviews about their baked goods, but now I'm totally sold. This scone was amazing! Not your typical dry, floury triangle, this was a soft, buttery, round disc of happiness! Flaky and delicious!

Of course, this is just my opinion. The best way to figure it out, is to try the place for yourself:

Eat Catering & Cafe
Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 North Nimitz Hwy, Ste 102
808.538.0597
info@eathonolulu.com

Monday - Friday
Breakfast: 8:00am - 10:30am
Lunch: 11:00am - 3:00pm