KalihiSnob's Profile
Whole Foods Hawaii
I was there last week and bought a marinated opah steak and had it grilled (for free) on the advice of Nadine Kam. It was delicious! The steak was a few oz under a pound and it was enough to feed me and my fiance dinner with leftovers for his lunch the next day.
I wasn't shocked by the prices there as I thought I would be. It's shocking to go to the regular markets and see how high their prices are!
I real Oahu Chowhound find
There's a few more Mexican (not tex-mex) restaurants on Oahu since the first post (2001), I don't know how authentic they are, but some have gotten good reviews locally.
Here's a few:
- Mexico Restaurant
http://www.eatouthawaii.com/restaurant.php?res_id=72&area_id=4
pictures: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar/22/en/photos.html
- Just Tacos http://just-tacos.com/
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Mar/10/en/FP603100304.html
http://www.hawaiidiner.com/reviews/review.php?review=99
Oahu Chowdown- A Week in Review
I totally agree w/ curiousgeo, haven't been to a few on the list, and now I must!
Char hung sut is my FAVORITE manapua place! They make the best mai tai soo (can you find it anywhere else?)!
Next time you're at Diamond Head Market, try their blueberry cream cheese scones! To die for!!!
Liliha Bakery's under new management. The jury's still out on the quality level. But at least now they take credit cards!
Best sushi in Oahu?
Well, for starters, Sansei is in your hotel. It may not be the best best but they do good sushi. He's known more for his creative rolls, but they do nigiri too.
Birthday Dinner Oahu
Ooh the Pineapple Room's Kalua BLT is one of my favs! I think it's the goat cheese that makes it over the top.
The dessert you ordered is called Haupia Halo Halo, I believe, it's my absolute favorite there. It's based on the Filipino dessert, Halo Halo, but classed up 100x Alan Wong's style. It's coconut tapioca, shaved ice, azuki beans, corn (!), cubes of mango kanten (like jello), haupia, and fresh fruits. It's so refreshing and not too heavy. I order it every time i'm there and I sometimes will treat myself to one as an afternoon snack!
Buns like you get at Momofuko in NY but in HI?
You'd have to be more specific about what his pork buns are like to get a good rec. But generally, in Hawaii, local style pork buns are called Manapua. They come baked or steamed. My favorite manapua place is Char Hung Sut in chinatown. They only have steamed manapua, their ma tai soo is ono too!
Chinese dim sum restaurants have smaller versions called char siu bao.
Teriburgers/Teribeef sandwiches?
Diamond Head Market & Grill makes a good teri beef sandwich (cheese is extra). Their fries are good too!
And no, you are not the only one who loves teriburger/teribeef with cheese! =)
Honolulu family lunch and dinner for 15 people
I absolutely second Royal Garden. I mostly go for lunch (dim sum), so I can't vouch for dinner. The kids will love seeing the carts (and food) go by and picking what they want. (jellyfish! duck! chicken!)
AW's Pineapple Room is another one of my favs. The last time I was there with a large party for lunch, we had to pre-order our meals. But for dinner we just ordered off the menu. And they're great with kids. The waitress brought out a plate of fries for my nephew (age 2) to munch on while we waited for our food.
Dining Recommendations in Kaimuki (Honolulu)
Lets see, between Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai:
- Hale Vietnam
- Hung Won
- Kim Chee II (meat jun = yum)
- Cafe Laufer
- Maguro-ya
- Cupcake Couture
- Big City Diner
izakaya in o'ahu
If you're looking for oden in Honolulu, the place to go is Hakkei. It's located on Young Street close to Keeaumoku on the bottom floor of an office building. It's a small place so call for reservations and directions.
Bad experience at Pineapple Room
I've never had the tasting menu at the Pineapple Room, but we've always had great service.
I'd like to comment on your parting shot of "Go to Helena's instead." I can't imagine that you're comparing the Pineapple Room to Helena's. You said you planned on the Pineapple Room being a special meal, I love the food at Helena's (especially the butterfish and the pipikaula) but it's not a special meal kind of place nor does the food compare to the PR's.
I'm wondering if somewhere in those guidebooks it categorized the PR as "hawaiian" or if you took Hawaii Regional Cuisine to mean hawaiian food.
Kam Bowl New Location?
There's also a restaurant on Ward Ave that serves the Kam Bowl ox tail soup. I can't remember what it's called. (Asahi Grill maybe?) It's a stand alone restaurant on the left side as you drive makai. It's just past the new condo on the corner of Ward & Kapiolani, but before Queen street.
curiousgeo is right about City Square. I also don't know what it's called.
Iga Bento (Honolulu, HI)
Imari did not die. When I last called they said they only do catering ($100 or more), she gave me a website but for the life of me I can't find it. Try calling them 941-8866. Someone did a review on yelp on their catering.
I miss them too. Sniff.
please help narrow my 3 romantic dining options [oahu]
The thing I remember most about John Dominis is the fabric on their lounge seats are the same fabric as the comforters at the California Hotel in Vegas.
JD was one of _the_ restaurants in the 80s, don't think I could recommend it in 2008.
please help narrow my 3 romantic dining options [oahu]
Does anyone else wonder why the Pineapple Room is so worn and in need of a renovation (or at least a floor sanding) while Alan Wong's King Street seems like it's redone every year?
Miso butterfish - Maui, Oahu
just about any japanese restaurant has misoyaki butterfish on their menu, except for Sushi King. Yohei Sushi and Mr. Ojisan, come to mind. Marukai sometimes has it raw and ready to cook, so does Costco. The best was at the now closed Kyo-ya.
Good eats near the Movie Museum (Oahu)?
I really like 12th Ave Grill. Looked for the smoked things on the menu. I like the smoked ahi nicoise salad, mac & cheese (he smokes one of the cheeses!), and the desserts are heavenly. They also have great specials, I once had a wonderful country pate!
Review of Green Door (Oahu, Kahala 'hood)
Thanks for the review! I've heard good things about the restaurant when it was in Chinatown. You're right about no Malaysian food competition in Honolulu. I have tried the Laksa at Panya Bistro though, it was too spicy for me but I know others who enjoy it. (I'm a wimp) Are there any mild dishes on Green Door's menu?
A week + in Maui
Azeka's closed in 2006.
Makawao and Hali'imaile are pretty far from Napili
Kihei is pretty far to go for breakfast
But keep in mind that Hawaii "far" is different from mainland "far". Meaning driving 30 minutes is far for us.
California Hound in Maui
Stop at Maui Mall in Kahului for some GuriGuri before heading to your hotel from the airport. Tasaka's GuriGuri is the only place in the world to get this soft creamy sherbet. They make strawberry and pineapple. Although they sell it in quarts to take home, it's not the same as the scoops they sell at the shop.
Where'd everybody go?
Hi Everyone, I'm new here (to the board, not to HI), born, raised, and live in Hawaii. I eat out way too much for my wallet and would be happy to help anyone with any questions.
(btw, i'm not a snob, I just have a weird sense of humor)
day after shindig- dim sum, brunch, or catered beach bbq by waikiki
re: wine bar. Perhaps DuVin? http://www.brasserieduvin.com/
How about a combination dim sum, brunch and picnic? Pick up manapua, pork hash, etc from Char Hung Sut, Island Manapua, Libbys or Chun Wah Kam. Then get some musubi, and other okazuya food from Gulick Deli, Mitsuba, or Fukuya. Don't forget the goza and the hawaiian sun/aloha made drinks.
Oahu near Hilton Hawaiian Village
Regarding sushi: there is a sushi bar in the Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant that is in Ala Moana Shopping Center. I've never eaten at the counter, so I can't vouch for it (and wouldn't recommend the buffet). It's within walking distance from your hotel and there's a shuttle http://www.alamoanacenter.com/services.htm
The next mall over from Ala Moana is Ward Center. There's a sushi counter called Sushi Masa. I've personally had wonderful sushi there.
Further down Kapiolani Blvd is Yanagi Sushi. Very good sushi and discounted late night menu.
Outdoor dining in Oahu?
It's not exactly outdoors, but the restaurant is open, you can see the ocean and feel the breeze. The sunday brunch at the Halekulani is wonderful, located in the Orchids restaurant (different from House without a Key). A little on the pricey side but the service and food is great.
I think Longhi's in the Ala Moana Shopping Center does breakfast now. Again, it's not outdoors but great views of the ocean and you can feel the breeze.
Waikiki in Three Nights
How about Chibo Okonimiyaki, it's in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 3rd Floor.
You gotta try Hawaiian food while in Hawaii! Catch the #2 bus to Helena's on School Street.
