Bank of Hawaii’s Cafe Blue cafeterias in downtown Honolulu and Kapolei are open to everyone, not just bank employees, but few in the general public take advantage.
Only about 20 percent of the cafe’s daily customers are non-employees, said General Manager Wilson Chan, at the downtown branch. The percentage is perhaps an indication of the wealth of dining options downtown, or perhaps because word has not gotten out that the cafes sometimes offer a version of the legendary Chicken Alice wings.
To determine when the crisp spiced wings will be featured, check Cafe Blue’s daily specials, posted online for leisurely perusal or strategizing. Specials are unique to each location.
CAFE BLUE
Downtown: Bank of Hawaii main branch 111 S. King St., sixth floor; 694-8790
Kapolei: Bank of Hawaii, Hale o Kapolei 949 Kamokila Blvd. Wakea Wing, fourth floor; 694-1805
About the business: The dining concept was reworked as part of an employee health and fitness initiative by Peter Ho, Bank of Hawaii’s chairman, president and CEO, said Stafford Kiguchi, executive vice president and manager of corporate communications and government relations.
While traditional favorites remain available, more healthful choices were added to the breakfast and lunch options. Prices are reasonable, and bank employees pay “a preferred rate,” Chan said.
Chan is a bank employee, while the cafe staff is employed by ECHS Inc., which handles food service for the bank. At the main branch, Cafe Blue shares a kitchen with the Surf Rider Room, a private executive dining suite.
How to order: Check the daily specials online before going (808ne.ws/cafeblue), or surprise yourself by just showing up. Review choices as you walk in, from daily specials displayed on a center island, to bentos, cookies and other items.
The menu and specials board are hand-printed in bright neon colors and are manageable in number. Also look at refrigerated, ready-to-go options, if time is short. Ample seating is available, with large-screen TVs to occupy the time.
What to order: Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m. weekdays except on bank holidays. Prices range from $1.95 for a 6-ounce glass of fresh juice to $5.95 for the larger version of a Bankoh Breakfast of eggs, white or brown rice and choice of meat. A miniature version sells for $3.75.
Grab-and-go items, ready to take back to the desk or office fridge, include individual servings of healthy carrot and celery sticks, yogurt, sandwiches and large salads.
Lunch, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offers made-to-order hot entrees, catch-of-the-day options, a trio of soup choices (8 ounces for $2.75, 12 ounces for $3.75), prepacked bento and more.
Standard sandwich choices range from Hibachi tofu banh mi for $6.95 to $9.25 for a mushroom burger with Swiss cheese, all served with a choice of tossed salad or fries.
On a recent day the hot entree choice was garlic ahi for $8.25, and specials ranged from $4.75 for Buffalo chicken fries to $6.95 for a crisp chicken wrap, up to $9.95 for a Western burger, with additional choices in between.
Fried rice Fridays offer three flavor profiles and a brown rice option.
Afterthought: Cafe Blue has a f’real machine at which you can make your own milkshake, smoothie or frozen cappuccino.
Grab and go: Both locations have parking garages, but the cafes do not validate.
“Grab and Go” focuses on takeout food and convenience meals. Email ideas to crave@staradvertiser.com.
