For all the times I've visited Rise & Shine Café and other eateries in this plaza, I didn't know that Taps & Apps was located in the very same plaza ... just the opposite side. Knowing that just expands the brunch options when I'm in Mililani.
I specifically came to Taps & Apps for brunch during my first visit, but the Happy Hour deals and appetizers look good, so I want to revisit during the week with my boyfriend. There's also a great selection on the brunch menu, so I want to come back for brunch as well and try some other things.
I came for brunch on a Saturday--thinking it may be busy--but for 11:30 a.m., T&A was still relatively empty. The TVs were blaring, so I asked if I could sit outside and enjoyed a peaceful brunch. I highly recommend opting for patio seating if you want a quieter environment (though you can still hear the game from out there).
My server was great and answered all of my questions. I think she was one of the few working, though, because service wasn't the quickest. However, she was super friendly and accommodating, and I have nothing to complain about because everything was delicious. Definitely will be back to check out their pupus.
Here's what I got:
"Big A$$ Breakfast Quesadilla": I was told this was one of the most popular items for brunch, and its contents sounded good so I decided to try it. I wasn't disappointed with my choice--it was super flavorful--but I underestimated the amount of tomatoes that were in this quesadilla. It featured ham, tomatoes, onions, scrambled eggs, French fries and American cheese in between two 10-inch tortillas. It was served with guacamole, sour cream and fresh pico de gallo. This quesadilla was definitely yummy, and I loved the French fries and cheese inside. I'm not a huge fan of tomatoes, but I couldn't really escape them in this offering because they were folded into the scrambled eggs ... and there were a LOT of tomatoes. I enjoyed the cheesiness of the quesadilla, but now, knowing just how many tomatoes it encompasses, I'll order it without next time. It was a good size for breakfast and I know I could have pounded it if I were really hungry. But, picking out the tomatoes got the best of me and I saved about half of the quesadilla for the boyfriend.
"Strawberry-Pineapple Mimosa": Mimosas are offered during brunch, but you have to ask and see what the flavors are. During my visit, the server recommended this Strawberry-Pineapple mix and I opted for that since I like sweeter drinks. I liked how the strawberry flavor was a little stronger than the pineapple, since I'm not super into pineapple. It was refreshing and I liked the fizz, but it took me some time to sip my drink. It was definitely good to pair it with something salty like the quesadilla.
"Biscuits and Gravy": Besides the quesadilla, this was the other dish my server recommended for brunch, and I'm determined to try it next time. It features homemade biscuits with sausage gravy and two eggs any style. I would probably get my eggs sunny side up or over easy, and I'm curious to see what the T&A's sausage gravy tastes like. I do appreciate fluffy, homemade biscuits, so I look forward to ordering this on my next visit.
"T&A Breakfast Biscuit": This was one of the other recommendations that my server gave me, and I do love biscuits and gravy so I look forward to trying this sandwich one day. It features a scrambled egg, ham, bacon or sausage and American cheese sandwiched between a Taps & Apps biscuit. I would have ordered this biscuit sandwich, but I was also moderately hungry during my visit, so I didn't know if the size of the sandwich would hold me. But, if I were splitting an appetizer with a friend as well, I wouldn't mind ordering this sandwich, since it doesn't come with any sides. read more