Kona, Hawaii

[BobC]

Back from a long week mainly on the west side of the Big Island. Some experiences:

Pahuia, Four Seasons Resort, Kaupulehu. This was my wife's birthday dinner. It was a birthday that ended with a zero, so it was a Significant One and had to come off well. It did and was the highlight of the trip. The setting and the kitchen more than made up for any shortcomings of a disappearing waiter and a wine list that needs work. Anything that came out of the ocean was outstanding and the house made sorbets for dessert were excellent. Dropped a pretty big dime, but quality considered, not out of line.

Big Island Grill, 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona. Good place for breakfast and lunch. Popular with the locals and tourists alike. Prompt service, good prices and very good food.

Rapanui Island Cafe, 75-5695 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona. Came across this by accident and ended up going three times. A small place just opened by a personable Kiwi and we hope he does well. Style is Hawaiian/Indonesian/Malaysian/whatever.

Kona Brewing Company, 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona. Fun, busy place. Food hit and miss, good beer, awkward parking.

[Bill Hunt]

Thanks for the reviews. Of your quartet of spots, we only did Pahu i`a. Didn't have a "disappearing waiter," but I also agree that the wine list could use some re-work. However, other than AW's Hualalai Grille, I felt that most Big Island restaurants could stand to do the same. I felt that good mid-range choices were very limited. It was either Kendall-Jackson, or a 1er Cru Bdx, with too sparse a choice in the mid-range. Considering the fare, and the kitchen's proclivities, there were a ton of good choices missing. Good, but not great.

Looking forward to going back,
Hunt

[ibstatguy]

Merriman's has a pretty nice list, albeit perhaps a high markup but then what isn't in the islands?

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, it IS the Islands, and I'm used to paying the price. Last trip, we really wanted to do Merriman's, even though their reviews were as up n' down, as The Beach House and Plantation Gardens, but ran out of nights. Next trip WILL include a stop.

As an aside, I felt that the wine mark-ups were highest at Plantation Gardens for what they offered. Still, I knew what their list looked like, before we departed the Mainland, so it was no surprise. I'd rather pay the resort mark-ups for wines, that are not available for 15% of the restaurant's cost, but sometimes one is at the mercy of the establishment. Give me something that I do not see everyday, and I'll pay 400%, but do not try and charge me 400% for Penfolds Bin 65, please.

Merriman's is on the list for next Kaua`i trip and I'll do reports on it.

Hunt

[ibstatguy]

Bill

based upon one visit last year to the Big Island, Merriman's is excellent. we are planning on eating there in abuot 2 weeks. they have a pretty good web page if you want to check out their menu and wine list.

Best

[Bill Hunt]

Thanks, I'll do that. It'll probably some months before we are back on the Big Island, but it never hurts to know the territory.

I will do it, especially as Peter is one of the main components of the new Hawaiian cuisine revolution, along with Chef Mavro, Bev Gannon, Alan Wong, Sam Choy, and a very few others. After my last Big Island visit, we dined with AW, and he chastized me for not doing Peter's restaurant. That was all of the prodding that I need.

Hunt

[ibstatguy]

AW was terrific on our visit there. will be going to Pahu i'a this time though along with an evening at Merriman's.

[BobC]

We didn't get a chance to try it, but we had several recommendations for the Waimea Ranch House (steaks especially).

[Bill Hunt]

Dang, another one that we missed. Afterall, it's a Big Island!

I also have not seen much about Daniel Thibault's, upcountry. We had a great lunch and then a very nice dinner there - same day - lotta' driving, but worth it.

Some years before, we had several good meals on the Hilo-side. Do not know what's happening there now, but I was surprised at how good the dining was, in general. It was more "down home," but great service and good food. However, most of the places we dined at, are probably long gone now.

On the Big Island, the only poor food, that we encountered, was at the Canoe House (really bad service too), and the various spots at the Waikoloa Hilton, but what does one expect at a mega-resort. It's about convenience and not offending the tourists with anything that they are not likely to get at home. Think the adult version of a "Happy Meal."

Hunt

[ibstatguy]

Thiebault's gets some very good notices as well but have not yet been. Re Canoe House, have had both excellent and poor experiences (particularly service) there so will see how it goes this trip as dinner there is sandwiched between Merrimans and Pahu i'a. Although we are fans of Roy's, the Big Island location is not a favorite; too darn crowded and a 0 on the ambience.

[Bill Hunt]

Going back many years, it was our #1 Roy's. However, the exec. chef, a young lady with SW background, is long gone. Last time, it was noisy, and filled to over capacity, with food exactly like the other outlets - nothing new, or innovative. Not what we had hoped for. I doubt that I'd go back, except for lunch.

Hunt

[ibstatguy]

Bill: had a very good dinner last night at Merriman's along with some very nice wine. They were doing a spanish wine sampler which is right up my alley anyhow.
Re Canoe House: having dinner there Wed. and they are touting a new chef so will see what transpires.
Best,

[Bill Hunt]

Thanks for the update on Merriman's. I'm so sorry that we missed it last trip. Next time, for sure!

Let me know about the Canoe House. We had received great recs. and were so looking forward to our visit. The setting was great, but all went quickly downhill. The service was very weak and the food was not any better. The wine service was abysmal and the sommelier took himself very seriously, but not his service, or his wine list.

One of my wife's wine glasses had lipstick on it, when it arrived. The sommelier splashed some water into it, wiped the rim a bit, threw the water into the plants, and said, "here you go. You won't notice a thing... " Well, that glass was replaced in a heartbeat, when I came out of my chair, ready to grab him by his neck.

When we finished, I asked for their dessert wine list, and especially their Port, b-t-g. I got a list, but it was for full 0.75s only. When I asked about their dessert wines b-t-g, the sommelier said that their clients were so rich, that they all bought full bottles, poured what they wanted and threw the rest out. He indicated, that since we were not as rich as his normal clients, we could just do without. Now, I had just spent ~ $200 on our two meals and another $300 on wine, and that in 1992 $s. However, it was at a time that the Japanese tourists were flocking to the Islands and spending a great number of ¥. Heck, this wasn't Guy Savoy!!! Since the Japanese markets have fallen, as have the # of tourists, I would imagine that they'd be happy to have a full house, even if it's all Mainlaners.

Even if they have changed chefs, complete staff and have moved to the top of Mauna Loa, I am not likely to go back - ever! However, I would certainly be happy, should you have a nice meal and service there.

Aloha,
Hunt

[ibstatguy]

Bill
I think my wife would agree that Merriman's was the best of our dinners. We part company, quite amicably, there. Had dinner twice at Canoe House as we were staying at Mauna Lani and once over at Pahu i'a. My vote goes to Pahu i'a, better food, service and wine. I think my wife would rate it a draw or give a bit of a nod to Canoe House. I had some Melville pinot with GREAT pork chop and pork belly at Pahu i'a; asked them to plunge the bottle into some icewater first after 1st glass was served a touch warm for my liking.

Best,

[Bill Hunt]

Sounds like things have changed for the better. Glad to hear that, as I had gotten great recs., and we were greatly disappointed. Maybe it's time to give them another try, though after Merriman's!

Thanks,
Hunt

[jguffey]

Each Roy's on all the islands is noisy! The reason I (who live here and pay the same prices as tourists) don't eat at any Roy's. I like to be able to have a conversation with my dining companion(s).

[manomin]

Actually she is not "now long gone." She is the Corporate Chef for Roy's in the Pacific and oversees all of his restaurants. A lovely woman!

[Bill Hunt]

Great! Thanks for the update. Do me a great favor, and give me her name. I've asked at the Big Island restaurant, but most of the "kids" serving, didn't even know who George Bush, the "elder" was, much less who the exec. chef from 5 years back was. At a recent event, I even asked Roy, himself, but he was unable to answer, before his "possee" moved in, and spirited him away.

She was excellent and brought the best to that location, above all others. Too bad that she moved up, as the diners really benefitted from her expertise and her take on the menu.

Hunt

PS, as far as the noise level goes, that seems to be the in thing, though I hate it. OTOH, I'm out of that demographic.

[jguffey]

We live in the islands and know that markups are the way of life....not just wine but all food in good restaurants. If you're visiting....consider it part of the price of a vacation in what some call paradise. If you live here...we look for local wine retailers, e.g. Shima's Market in Waimanalo (whoda thunk?) who will order by the case for us.