help on the big island!

[woofer]

hi everyone. we are planning our first trip to the big island and am unfamiliar of it's layout. we'll be staying at the fairmount orchid. we're looking for a couple must fine dining recs as well as cheap local eats and casual dinners & lunches. we will have a car and are willing to drive 20-30 minutes for a great meal.

thanks in advance.

[HIeats]

Hilo Bay Cafe
http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurant...

[ladybugthepug]

We went back in January/February. Here are some of our favorites that we blogged about:

Merriman's http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03/marvelous-merrimans.html

Mi's Italian Bistro http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03/mis-italian-bistro.html

Rapanui Island Cafe http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/02/going-to-rapanui-and-im-not-talking.html

Holuakoa Cafe and Gardens http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03/holuakoa-cafe-and-gardens.html

Keei Cafe http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/02/keei-cafe-on-our-first-day.html

Cheap Eats

Huli Sue's http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03/huli-sues.html

Roadhouse Cafe http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/02/big-island-day-2-at-roadhouse.html

Ceviche Dave's http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03/ceviche-daves.html

Big Jakes Island BBQ http://dineomite.blogspot.com/2009/03...

[manomin]

Great posts on your blog LBP! I agree with you on Merriman's I've never ever had a bad meal there. I always get an order of their awesome fresh corn for dessert!

[jay 1]

We feel the same way about the corn at Merriman's. It is SO delicious. Definitely our favorite splurge on the Big Island. Great for lunch too.

[Bill Hunt]

Recently did some Kahuku sweet corn preps at Merriman's on Maui, and their choices of white Burgs paired beautifully. I would assume that Chef Peter Merriman sources his corn from the same plots, for all of his restaurants.

If so, everything that I have had with the corn, has been excellent. I have to admit that I was a corn-snob (Olathe Sweet), until I had Kahuk Sweet. Now, I know better.

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

This thread might give you some starting points:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5857...

Note that Alan Wong is no longer at the Four Seasons. Have not been to, nor even heard about the new restaurant.

Aloha,

Hunt