Stage Cafe

This place is such a little gem in Honolulu!
Love their teas and desserts!
Today I had a coffee jello au lair. Delicious

Interior and concept were great and I enjoyed the coffee with checking the nice furniture. But the resistor lady was not good, not smile and I just felt uncomfortable. Also pricy so I never go back again

I actually came across Stage Café by accident. My mom and I were attempting to go to Stage Restaurant for lunch on a Saturday, only to discover that the lunch menu was not available that day. Apparently on weekends, they feature a tea menu instead of the regular lunch menu that’s available during the week.
I was disappointed, but we visited the Café (located on the first floor) before we left the building. But, I’m so glad we made a detour. If not, I wouldn’t have discovered one of the best chocolate chip cookies that I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Stage Café offers paninis, salads and delicious-​looking bakery items, as well as juices and coffees. My mom and I just went to see what was available – and if we wanted anything from there for lunch instead – but at that point, only the bakery items were calling my name. I couldn’t believe that those decently sized «Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies» were only $ 1.50. What a deal!
Since then, my mom and I have been to the Café twice. We don’t necessarily go out of our way to visit, but when we did revisit Stage Restaurant – and had a successful lunch – we stopped by the Café on our way out. I’m completely hooked on their baked goods. While I’ve never actually gotten a meal from the Café, I would come by just for some coffee and to enjoy some of their sweet treats.
Here are some of the items I crave from the Café, as well as some that I want to try in the future:
«Chocolate Chip Scone»: I don’t mind it when scones are slightly dry, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this scone was moist and chockfull of chocolate chips. I enjoyed every single buttery bite of this scone, which I had for breakfast the day after I got it from the Café. I don’t often find plain chocolate chip scones, and I would order one of these again in a heartbeat.
«Peanut Butter Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownie»: I love all things peanut butter and chocolate, so naturally, I wanted to try this brownie when I saw it. The peanut butter flavor isn’t as predominant as the chocolate brownie, but I could see the thin layer of peanut butter toward the bottom of the brownie. I like my brownies to be dense, moist and fudgy; this one probably wasn’t as rich and fudgy as I would have preferred, but I still found it delicious. There were chunks of macadamia nuts throughout, which added welcomed texture and crunch to the brownie. I would gladly order this sweet treat again, but I preferred the «Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie» to the brownie.
«Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie»: This is now one of my favorite cookies … and I’ve tried a LOT of cookies in my lifetime. I like this cookie because it’s soft, chewy, tender and contains five huge chunks of chocolate chips. That may not seem like much on paper, but when you look at the cookie – chocolate chip in proportion to the entire cookie – you know that they didn’t skimp on the chocolate chips. The oatmeal flavor is present but not overwhelming, but the grainy texture is there. I don’t often eat oatmeal in cereal form, but I absolutely loved it in this cookie form. Because this cookie was moist, flavorful and had a good balance between the chocolate and oatmeal, it makes the list of one of my top cookies.
«Caramel Maple Brownie»: I haven’t seen this brownie in the display case yet – only on the Stage Café online menu – but if it’s available, I would love to try it. I do like caramel and maple flavors, but I don’t think I’ve experienced them together. I’m sure the brownie provides a great combo of salty-​sweet flavors, but I’m curious to see what this brownie tastes like.
«Italian Margherite»: This panini features house-​made macadamia nut pesto, mozzarella cheese and hamakua springs tomatoes. I would probably opt for the sando sans the tomatoes, but everything else sounds divine. Plus, with all the paninis, you get your choice of bread — dark pumpernickel, sourdough or whole multigrain wheat bread. I love pumpernickel and I don’t see it featured often when it comes to sandwich options, so I can’t wait to get it.
«Maximus»: This may seem like a traditional Caesar salad, but I actually really enjoy the refreshing taste of Caesars. This one features baby hirabara romaine, grape tomatoes, parmesan cheese, house-​made croutons and Caesar dressing. Again, I would probably order this salad sans tomatoes, but to me, it’s always a win when a place features home-​made croutons … which are the best part of ANY salad!
«Café Triple Chocolate Mocha»: Although I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, the espresso drinks at this café caught my eye. I especially was looking at the «Café Triple Chocolate Mocha» because mochas are my go-​to when it comes to blended coffee drinks, namely because they include chocolate. Since this one is a «Triple Chocolate» drink, I’m curious to try it one day and see how chocolaty it really is.

The sandwiches are pretty pricey, but the pastries are cheap and delish!
The short Asian lady is nice and works pretty hard, especially because she’s sometimes the only employee there.

A unique dining experience and a gorgeous environment. Unfortunately, the food was less than stunning. The fish and chip I ordered was still frozen in the center even after returning it to the kitchen. The misoyaki salmon was good, but lacked something. The ginger ice tea is not to missed. Fortunately, the company and the environment was beautiful.

The lilikoi lemon bars are AMAZING! Highly recommend getting one. My husband had the soup of the day — phở with New York strip — it was mediocre and it only had one teeny tiny piece of meat in it. Otherwise it would be a 5-​star review. Great prices and fast service.

Sadly, not the same. Only one person doing everything. Of course it takes forever. The food has gone downhill also. The person doing everything handles the money and the food.

Very nice little café that serves basically everything a big café serves! Perfect for a simple brunch or snack anytime of the day~

The salad I had was really good, idk if they make their own Caesar dressing but it was yummy! Prices aren’t too bad either.
But, food took forever. The short Asian girl, with short hair was really not friendly. We were standing in line and kinda blocking her way (we didn’t know because we were looking at the menu) instead of saying excuse me she just stood there and gave us a mean glare. The other employee had to tell us to move on the side. Anyways, as I ordered my food she kept on saying «is that it? Is that it?» & when I was signing the receipt I know there was a tip line. She watched me as a hawk while I signed. When I finished signing she just roughly handed my card back and just gave me an evil stare. YOUR BAD ATTITUDE DONT DESERVE A TIP FROM ME!!! Someone needs to teach her some customer service! I felt very unwelcomed. I’m guessing she had attitude because 7 of us came in at once, but still that’s no excuse to treat us like that because we are giving you guys business.

I enjoy going to Stage Café for their coffee because they’ve a very nice café environment. It is also a great place for me to indulge in one of my favorite pastries; especially when I casually sauntered up to the counter to order the delicious apricot frangipane (flavored or made with almonds) while I’m slurping down some good quality illy coffee too. So cool to be able to sip my Italian coffee while sitting in those sleek looking European furniture.
Stage Café is conveniently located inside the Honolulu Design Center on the ground floor. The café’s location is central and easy access to their private parking lot makes this my to-​go coffee stop. On occasions, I tend to forget to ask them to serve my coffee in a real cup; I don’t like paper «cupped» coffee. Changes the taste of my illy coffee entirely! Since the place is casual, service can be on the slow side. Seating is self-​service and usually there is availability.
Besides coffee and pastries, they offer a variety of juice, sodas, soups, salads and sandwiches, including daily specials. Prices are very easy on the wallet, you can grab a quick meal for less than 10 dollars. Stage Café serves good fast food for a good price. It is an easy place to «be chillaxin» solo or hang with your friends. They also have free WiFi. Sometimes when I drinking coffee there, I feel like I am sitting in a modern museum admiring all the works of art and beauty. Then I am INspired to go upstairs and check out the furniture.

Great atmosphere, plenty of parking and excellent service. I went with a bunch of friends for a pseudo-​reunion a while back. A lot of my friends ordered various salmon entrees, which they said was good. I ordered the meatloaf which looked dark and unappealing. It could be used in orchid on the side or something. However it was the best meatloaf I ever had. It actually tasted so sophisticated.

Well I didn’t find out until after I paid for everything that they have a military discount of 20% off, so tip to everyone who is military or the fam, always ask. Thanks for being Military friendly though, Stage! I really appreciate it!
It’s weird because it’s part of a furniture store, but the café is chill and has wifi so plus. I love modern furniture and like to walk around and ogle everything at INspiration on my way to Amuse wine bar, but I’d never stopped here at the café on the first floor of the store until today… Had to kill some time before my dance lesson across the street at Arthur Murray
Anyway
I had a hard boiled egg, a bunny burst juice and a shot of expresso.
The juice was delicious! I highly recommend! However it was way tiny for 4 something. It’s hand pressed so I’ll deal.
The expresso was also good. They say on the chalk board they brew Illy coffee but I’ve never heard of it.
The lady working was pretty nice and tried her best to be fast about things which I appreciated.
Overall, if I have to kill time in the area during the day, I’ll come back. But if it’s after five I’ll just go to Amuse

I think I’ve found my new favorite café, this place is not only trendy, but their product is on point (I got the iced coffee). The baristas were friendly, I was greeted right away despite them being busy. Usually when I go to a coffee shop, I expect snarky and angsty attitudes, but not here. Being a purist when it comes to coffee, it’s hard to find a place that has a really nice iced coffee. I wasn’t expecting much, but their coffee tasted fresh and really bold. I’m in love. The atmosphere is welcoming and a little quiet, just the way I like it.

I think I’ve just found my new study/​meeting spot! Big pluses for me are the free, ample parking in the Inspiration parking lot, free wifi, and a pretty good variety of food (other than the usual pastries) and drinks.
Stage Café is located on the parking lot level. Stage restaurant is above. The décor/​atmosphere, is, of course, artsy, colorful, and modern. There are many tables inside and some outside as well.
They serve pastries, bread pudding, paninis (the tuna one was pretty tasty!), salads, soups and the sort. Love that they serve Illy Italian espresso and fresh juices. There is complementary fruit-​infused water, too. Another plus is the beautiful, clean and spacious bathroom. Environment is everything sometimes! Lol
I wish they had outlets though. There is one outlet in an inconvenient spot near the entrance of the bathroom. If they had more outlets, I’d definitely come here more often to study.

Went here for a business lunch and was disappointed. The service was so painfully slow, the focaccia was cold and stale, and the food was mediocre.
I had the Chinese style fish with black bean sauce. It came in bowl and was more like a fish soup… overcooked fish, no black bean taste, and a ton of liquid.
It took 2 hours to get only entrees… at that point even though we wanted dessert, we could not wait another hour the way things were going.

The café is so cute and quaint! The pastries are delicious and reasonably priced, as well as everything else! Personally, I enjoy the fresh juices, particularly «the beet goes on». It’s so delicious and you can taste all the different flavors. I love how crispy they make their paninis! Other places are just too soggy!
One thing though, I wish their cream of mushroom soup was a regular option. It’s so creamy and good.

Stage Café not to be confused with Stage Restaurant, both located at the Inspiration Design Center, y’know that wavy building.
Confused? Don’t be.
Stage Café serves coffee drinks, Italian sodas, juices, croissants, muffins, cookies, scones, panini sandwiches, bread pudding, regular sandwiches, soups, salads, etc. Think lunch or «quicky» snack here.
Meal+Drink UNDER $ 10.
Stage Restaurant is well, a Restaurant! Fancy hamburgers, full entreés, lush drinks, etc. Think Asian-​fusion dinner and HH.
Meal+Drink OVER $ 25.
So, if I offer to treat you to «Stage»…
I probably mean at Stage Café! Frugal Moi!
So, let’s talk Stage Café…
CAFÉ AMBIANCÉ & PÉÉPS:
Stage Café is located on the ground floor of the Inspiration Building (Design Center), or that «wavy» shaped thing! The café faces Kapiolani Blvd.
A few outdoor seats available, but expect to wipe those down yourself. Lot’s of greedy pigeons out there– just saying! I prefer to sit inside on one of the euro style chairs and euro café tables in cool AC. Café colors are «artsy» bright! It’s cheery and with the large windows of natural sunlight… It’s a happy spot for those with seasonal depression.
Artsy employees. Y’know the cuties with clunky eyeglasses & the «messy hair, I don’t care» look. Cuuuuuuute. Anyway…
The patrons are mixed. Workers in the area, Workers in the building, Art students, Design students, and the occasional Drop-​In or Curious Cat.
CAFÉ ÉATS & DRINKS:
The menu is like a coffee shop. Lot’s of baked goods and coffee inspired drinks. Baked goods are displayed in the glass case. It changes frequently, but typically you’ll see muffins, cookies, almond bars, bars of some-​sort, scones, croissants, oatmeal thingies, bread pudding, etc, etc. However, you’re not limited to just a muffin here. Stage Café also offers panini, rueben and other yum sandwiches, salads, soups and the occasional specials, etc., etc.
Drink options are pretty good, for ex: coffee inspired drinks, teas, juices, smoothies, Italian sodas. Stage Café uses Illy Italian Expresso, so I usually have one of those if I’m here. Love ILLY!
Complimentary fruit infused water available too. Bonus for the «Chang» crowd.
HMMM. I’LL BÉ BACK:
In conclusion, Stage Café is one of those places that falls off the grid sometimes. Not perfect. Not the most extensive menu, but a place you need to try at least once.
I’ve been here half a dozen times. Sometimes just to sip some Illy and clear my head. I like the fact that it’s not as crowded as the mallrat coffee shops. Stage Café has lots of seats, it’s über clean, high ceilings with large windows, cheery décor, good quality drinks and food, etc.
Oh, and I just adore the artsy «messy hair, I don’t care» look! I’ll be back! Fo Sho!
Unilocal REVIEW #170

This cute little Café is located on the first floor of the Honolulu Design Center. There’s usually only one or two workers here, so it does take some time for you to get your order, especially if you order a sandwich… but it’s definitely worth the wait! This place is usually empty, so I imagine it would be a good place to catch up on some reading or school work.
Their soups are incredibly flavorful and they have an amazing chocolate ganache cupcake (my favorite here), and a pretty good macchiato (my husband usually buys 2 for himself, and I steal a few sips from him).
If you like the pumpkin rolls they serve at Stage Restaurant (upstairs), they sell that in bundles at the café :)

I’ve always been curious about this place. While I was walking back home from Ala Moana, Stage Café was the nearest escape from the pouring rain on Wednesday afternoon. I’m glad I got poured on, otherwise I would’ve never discovered their delicious stuff. I walked in soaking wet, past all the nicely dressed business people sipping espresso on their iphones, with absolutely no shame!
Zeus Panini $ 6: Two words, FETA CHEESE. This sandwich is packed with the stuff. It also has tomato, lettuce, and supposedly olive tapenade but I didn’t taste any of it. Don’t get me wrong though, the sandwich was delicious. Perfect amount of crunch, and perfect amount of every ingredient. Except that darn olive tapenade…
Bread pudding: They had this for everyone to sample. I’ve been here two times and both times they had something to sample. I don’t care for bread pudding, but this was moist and delicious!
A fenny for your health Juice: Who knew fennel/​apple juice could taste so good? They have a few fresh juices on the menu that sound and taste healthy for you!
Overall: Everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious! I wish I could eat my food in their outdoor seating but it always smells like cigars out there.

Stage Café is the re-​branding of Crema on the first floor of the Honolulu Design Center. It offers a café style menu with panini sandwiches, salads, fresh juice combination’s and bakery selections. It offers a nice location/​feel and decent service which make a casual lunch with a friend a pleasant affair.
The menu is decent, however somewhat limited. They currently offer about 5 or so sandwiches and another 4 or 5 salad mixes which are decent and offer a broad array of flavor profiles. They are nothing to wowing to write home about, however the sandwiches we opted for were rather decent. The salads are good and you certainly won’t be disappointed. If you like the salads upstairs at Stage, you will certainly like the salads at the café.
Service is a little on the slower side, however I credit it to their recent re-​opening. The staff needs to be a bit quicker on taking your order and understand their menu a bit better, however once they get those two details down, they will offer a great experience. They already got the pleasant and nice part down!
The location is centrally located in town. It offers a plethora of parking in the Honolulu Design Center so it is a breeze to get in and out quickly. The tables are well spaced out and seating might get limited if they get busy, however it is pleasant and comfortable for a casual lunch or coffee.