Which Allen Wongs in HI?

[VAfoodie]

Pineapple Room or original?

[dr10596]

Ditto on most of the posts - you should do both as they are certainly different experiences. King St. is my favorite restaurant, bar none. However TPR has it's own flavor and a well executed menu.

If you are going to other islands - try the grill at the Four Seasons on the Big Island. Alan's team is doing a great job there. Very similar to TPR in terms of menu - but a casual, outdoor vibe overlooking the gold course. We eally enjoyed it.

Aloha!

[alanbarnes]

Both. But if you have to choose one, here's another vote for the chef's counter at the South King Street location. You can interact with the cooks, ask questions, get suggestions, watch the preparation process, etc. Plus, you get to see everybody else's food in addition to your own. Vicarious dining at its best.

[Bill Hunt]

Yes, the watching all of the other diners' food was a problem for us. We always do the tasting menu, but then we see such wonderful other dishes! Man, that is tough to get past. You want it all. We've been lucky, as a few times, tiny portions of some of these have found their way to our seats. Still, however much I enjoy a romantic meal with my wife, it's always the Chef's Counter, and we both feel the same way.

Hunt

[alanbarnes]

Never have I been so full and yet so continually interested in food coming out of the kitchen as after the seven-course tasting menu at Alan Wong's chef's counter. Fortunately the restaurant is a long way from home. If I lived in Honolulu, I'm afraid I would be morbidly obese, bankrupt, and very, very happy.

[Debbie M]

Hah! I also always get the 7-course tasting menu at the counter, and glare covetously at all the dishes coming over the counter that aren't one of my seven courses! I'm planning a return visit to King Street (and the PR!) on my upcoming visit over Labor Day, and I'm almost convinced that I'll order off the standard menu, but I notice that they have the fabulous chawan mushi (though I think they call it a flan) back on the 7-course, so I don't know ...

[alanbarnes]

If you're looking at the website, that's the same menu that was up prior to my visit in June, and it didn't match what was being served in the restaurant then. They may well have changed things up again, but seven weeks ago the 7-course tasting menu was a sashimi amuse, the classic soup & sandwich, a foie gras duo, abalone with eryngii mushroom, kampachi on a "dried scallop risotto flan," pan roasted squab breast, stuffed lamb loin, and a foursome of desserts. I still have dreams about that squab.

[socal boy]

Go to King Street first and then hit Pineapple Room for lunch. Great burger and Loco Moco at Pineapple Room.

[Bill Hunt]

That would be a great way to do these two - I highly recommend Socal Boy's suggestion.

Hunt

[Debbie M]

I agree, King Street chef's counter, definitely. But Pineapple Room is a nice place for a less formal meal (and it has a favorite appetizer, "da poi cup"). I'll do both during a trip.

[Bill Hunt]

King Steet, without hesitation. If you are up for an experience, book the "chef's counter." If you want romance and a less frenetic atmosphere, then dine at a table. Pacing is not a problem, but you are just over a counter from the kitchen, so there is a ton of activity, just inches from your nose. If you go for the food and the experience - chef's counter, otherwise dining room.

Pineapple Room was good, but paled, in comparisson to King Street.

Hunt

[sl1]

What are the prices of the tasting menu's?

[Bill Hunt]

In another thread, it seemed that it cost us ~US$400+, but that was for the menu, the sommelier's pairing, extra wine and also a very gracious tip. Also, we usually find extra courses added along the way.

My most recent AW review is near the bottom of this thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/334698

Hunt

[alanbarnes]

If I recall, the 5-course tasting menu was $65, the 7-course $85 or $95. That was without wine. I want to say that the 7-course tasting menu with wine pairings was $135. Don't quote me on exact amounts, but that gives you a basic idea.

[manomin]

Good memory! I don't understand why people just don't call up and ask
or email their website provides options like that and encourages
customer communication. Which number of courses did you have?

I want to take in one of the Farm Series dinners but have not as yet.
The next one is November 12th and I'll be out of town again.

[alanbarnes]

The 7-course. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/531301

One of these days I'm going to find a way to move to Hawai'i without giving up the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed (luxuries like living indoors, having running water, things like that).