The funny thing about writing professionally for a newspaper is that it often leaves me little time — and brainpower — to write for myself and my creative projects. I have several unfinished books that are collecting dust on my desk at home, all begging for me to pick them up and finally publish them. The same goes for my colleagues, Ally and Akira. So, we decided to set a date to solely work on our individual projects and thought Rise Cafe Hawaii would be the perfect place to do it. Dr. Jodi Nishida, owner of The Keto Prescription, and her husband, Jeff, opened the Kaimuki business in June and focus on serving low-carb, gluten-free breakfast and brunch and pesticide-free coffee. When we first stepped inside, I instantly knew I would love this place and would be coming back for more writing retreats. It felt so cozy and homey, and just positive vibes all around. There were even uplifting quotes on the staircase as you walked to the upstairs seating, which felt so peaceful. We ordered our drinks first (because coffee is an absolute must when it comes to writing). A sign on the menu noted the restaurant “proudly serving certified pesticide-, mold- and mycotoxin-free coffee from Purity,” which made me feel comforted as we often don’t think of what we’re putting in our bodies. I got an iced mocha latte ($6.25, 12-ounce; $6.75, 16-ounce) and Ally and Akira ordered iced hojicha lattes ($6.25, 12-ounce; $6.75, 16-ounce), which were served in the cutest cups. My mocha latte tasted delicious and wasn’t too sugary even with the sweetener. Ally and Akira enjoyed their hojicha lattes as well, and found it refreshing and not too silty. They noted that it’s a drink for those who like their hojicha not too sweet. (You can ask the barista to add sweetener though if you prefer it a little sweeter.) Now, on to the food. We learned that everything on the menu was carefully crafted to keep blood sugar below 120 milligrams per deciliter, and the biz avoids using seed oils in its cooking, preferring to stick to butter and extra-virgin olive oil. It felt refreshing to see a restaurant put so much thought and care into its food. We ordered the crustless quiche ($8.99), brisket fried “rice” ($17.99) and Kamalu bowl ($14.99). Let’s start with my favorite — the crustless quiche. I’m a sucker for a good quiche and this one did not disappoint. The dish boasted eggs, meat, cheese, cauliflower, mushrooms, spices, chives and a chimichurri drizzle. It was so flavorful and the medley of ingredients blended so beautifully together. If you’re trying to do a high-protein diet, this would be a perfect choice as it’s flavorful and not too heavy, salty or dense. Ally commented how it’s something her personal trainer would want her to eat. The brisket fried “rice” featured tender brisket served with bacon-infused cauliflower fried “rice.” The meat was so tender and juicy and the sweet sauce that came with it complemented it so well. The fried “rice” had eggs, green onion, pepper and the bacon really elevated the dish to a new level. I highly recommend this dish for meat lovers. When the Kamalu bowl came out, our jaws dropped. It was presented so beautifully and showcased bacon, medium-boiled eggs, avocado and a tomato relish atop a bed of cheesy “risotto.” It tasted even better than it looked as the combination of flavor and texture was out of this world. Be sure to get a little of everything in each bite to capture its true flavor profile. And, I just have to say, that tomato relish was absolute magic. (Dr. Jodi, please give us the recipe!) After we were done with our meal, we set out to write but had to replenish our drinks first. So, Akira and I ordered iced matcha lattes ($6.25, 12-ounce; $6.75, 16-ounce) and Ally picked up a matcha tea ($3.75, 8-ounce; $4, 12-ounce; $4.50, 16-ounce), which all tasted so divine and were the perfect pick-me-ups to get our creative juices flowing. Usually when I eat a meal, I feel overstuffed and sleepy, and ready for a kanak attack. Not with Rise Cafe’s food. I felt so refreshed and energized, which was perfect because we planned a three-hour writing sesh. Dining at Rise Cafe was like a breath of fresh air. It felt good to eat food that not only tasted delicious but was also so beneficial to my health. Also, we were all able to accomplish so much with our writing! I’m looking forward to going back again. Not only will my taste buds thank me, my future books will, too!