FIRST TIME TO OAHU!
And Chowhound. I am off to Oahu next week (graduating from Hawaii Pacific University), all the way from New Jersey. I was hoping that some of you Chowhounds could assist me with some great places on Oahu. Or links to some threads that may have already answered this question. My girlfriend and I will be staying at the Outrigger on the Beach in Waikiki.
I love all kinds of food; however my girlfriend is picky and eats really healthy (lots of salads); however she is ok if I am down for trying the best Oahu has to offer.
Of course I want to get to a Luau with some great food. I also love seafood. I plan of renting a car but obviously I will be around the Waikiki area most of the time. How is this Duke's place?
Thanks for your suggestions! If you get to the NYC/NJ area hit me up as I am on a year tour of the best burger joints Jersey and NY has to offer.
Thanks!
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KaimukiMan
Dec 8, 2010 09:48 PM
Congrats!
below is my "short list" of places to consider. the longer list is kind of overwhelming. This is certainly not comprehensive, and others are sure to make additions. Many of these are discussed in other threads in the hawaii board, or you can check reviews on other sites. if you have questions about any of them, go ahead and post them... either I or someone else will definitely comment on them.
When it comes to Luau's, there simply isn't a great one. The rest range from pretty good to terrible, and they seem to take turns being good and awful. And no, they aren't all that authentic, if they were, you might not want to eat much of it. Sorry to disillusion you. If you want Hawaiian food, there are better options. If you want the 'luau' experience, take your chances and just expect the food to be so-so. Mai-Tai's help with that (but remember, the polynesian cultural center is run by the Mormon Church - no alcohol there.)
AMERICAN/FUSION - Finer Dining
Alan Wong’s
Duc’s Bistro, Chinatown*
Hau Tree Lanai, Waikiki*
Hoku’s, Kahala
Hy’s Steakhouse, Waikiki*
Orchid’s, Halekulani
La Mer, Halekulani
Roy’s, Various Locations
3660 On The Rise, KaimukiAMERICAN/FUSION - Nice
Duke’s, Waikiki*
Jameson’s, Haleiwa
Town, Kaimuki*
AMERICAN/FUSION - Everyday
Big City Diner* Various Locations
Kakkaako Kitchen, Ward*
Side Street Inn, Kakaako & KapahuluBREAKFAST KINE PLACES
Eggs ‘n Things, Waikiki
Liliha Bakery*, Liliha/Kalihi
Original Pancake House, Ala Moana*
Wailana Coffee Shop, WaikikiBURGERS, SANDWICHES, & SUCH
BaLe Sandwiches, various locations (bahn-mi)
Burgers on The Edge, Kapahulu
Da Big Kahuna, Airport* (better before 2pm)
Hank’s Haute Dogs, Kakaako
Kua Aina*, Haleiwa & Ward
Puka Dog, Waikiki
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers*, WaikikiCHINESE
Happy Days, Kaimuki*
Little Village Noodle House, Chinatown*
Mini Garden, Chinatown & Beretania/McCully
On On, McCully
Royal Garden, Ala MoanaDIM SUM
Legends, Chinatown
Mei Sum, Chinatown
Panda Restaurant, Keeamoku
Royal Garden, Ala MoanaFILIPINO - Thelma’s, Waipahu
HAWAIIAN
Haili's, Kapahulu
Ono’s, Kapahulu
The Willows, MoiliiliJAPANESE/RAMEN/SAIMIN
Goma Ichi, Keeamoku
Ichi Riki, Keeamoku
Goma Tei, Ward Centers
Shiro’s, Aiea
Sekiya’s Kaimuki*
Yamagen, King St.*KOREAN
Sorabol, Keeamoku/Lower Makiki
Choi’s Garden, Lower Makiki
Cafe Million, Lower MakikiMALASADAS
Agnes Portugese Bake Shop, Kailua
Champion, Beretania St
Leonard’s KapahuluMANAPUA
Char Hung Sut, Chinatown
Libby Manapua, Kalihi
Royal Kitchen, Chinatown*PLATE LUNCH
Bob’s bbq, Kalihi
Grace’s Inn, Various
Rainbow Drive-In*, Kapahulu
Zippy’s, VariousSEAFOOD
Kincaids, Ward
Nico’s*, Kalihi Kai (till 5pm, earlier weekends)
Sam Choy’s BL&C, NimitzSUSHI/SASHIMI
Genki Sushi (various)
Kats Sushi, King St/Makiki
Mitch’s, AirportTHAI
Chai’s (Thai inspired), Aloha Tower
Keo’s, Waikiki
Spices (Thai inspired), MoiliiliVIETNAMESE
Hale Vietnam, Kaimuki
Pho97, ChinatownVEGAN - Hale, Kapiolani (makai of Walmart)
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka St, Honolulu, HIBig City Diner
3569 Waialae Ave Ste 3, Honolulu, HI 96816The Original Pancake House
1221 Kapiolani Blvd Ste 103, Honolulu, HI 96814Char Hung Sut Restaurant
64 N Pauahi St, Honolulu, HI 96817Libby Manapua Shop
410 Kalihi St, Honolulu, HI 96819Yamagen
2210 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826Hale Vietnam Restaurant
1140 12th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815Choi's Restaurant
1303 Rycroft St, Honolulu, HI 96814Kats Sushi
715 S King St Ste 105, Honolulu, HI 96813Jameson's
62-540 Kamehameha Hwy Ste 1, Haleiwa, HI 96712Happy Day
3553 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816Royal Kitchen
Chinatown Cultural Plz, Honolulu, HI 96813Hoku's
5000 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816Halekulani
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815›8 Replies-
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re: UES Mayor
KaimukiMan
Dec 9, 2010 04:41 AM
Thanks UES, but its just a list (and a little light in some areas, like japanese) But there sure are a lot of good places to eat here! Still looking for the best cake noodle.
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re: Bill Hunt
Hi All,
Just got back from my trip. I did not make many of those on the list; however I did hit up Alan Wong's, La Mer and Town. By far and away, my girlfriend and I were impressed with Alan Wong's the most. Our taste buds are not as mature as probably many of you or have we been to many fine culinary spots; however we loved Alan Wong's. I ordered the five course tasting menu. Every dish was fantastic minus the fish and noodles (I forget the name of this dish). I felt that it was bland fish wit rammon noodoles. Every other dish was simply fantastic. The seafood lasagna was simply great!
La Mer was great too. Again, our tastes may not be mature enough for this plave; however the service was extraordinary as was the bill. The view of the water was fantastic. I was espcecially impressed with the wine expert. He spoke with us for about ten minutes and I got a great bottle of a California red Pinot Noir. My menu was ala carte and my gf got the vegetarian menu. Thought the cheeses was a nice element; however one cheese was very strong and the grapes did nothing to soothe the taste.
The final high end place we visited was Town. This was late at night and they got us a seat at a moments notice. They seemed to be out of a few dishes and drinkes; however the servers were pleasant. I loved my risotto. Nice atmosphere.
Besides these places I hit up some more casual places, some numerous times (Dukes). I will write up a more lengthy review later.
I want to thank you all again, especially for Alan Wongs. The place was simply fantastic.
Regards,
Dan
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Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815-
re: becktheory
Bill Hunt
Dec 28, 2010 07:20 PM
In the end, it's about how much total enjoyment one derives from any restaurant.
I've left with a giant smile on my face, from a dive, and also from the restaurant of a Michelin "starred" chef.
It should always be about the enjoyment factor, and little else.
On the Phoenix board, there are three big favorites, and with many, many subscribers. I have dined multiple times at each, and just do not get it. We have always had mediocre food, lousy FOH service, and pretty poor dinner service. After our initial visits, we have always been guests, or we would never have gone back. In one case, we were dining at a special function, hosted by the CEO of Xerox, and my wife was her "special guest." Still lousy, from the FOH to the BOH. Still, to hear others talk, you'd think they were talking about Per Se, or similar. It is in the eye (or on the palate) of the beholder.
Glad that you enjoyed. That is what we all shoot for, especially on this board. Lot of great food, and truly across the spectrum. Something for almost anybody, and at many, many levels from "plate lunch trucks" to La Mer, and similar.
Aloha,
Hunt
PS - we did AW's on a recent trip (reviews in the works), and it was good, but not the "great," that we have come to expect. They just seemed a bit off to us, so very glad that they made it up to you. We will always return, so a few hiccups will be overlooked by us, as we've been dining there from the first month that they opened, and have hardly missed a trip. Maybe that is how we could pick up on the little hiccups?
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La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
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Bill Hunt
Dec 8, 2010 08:45 PM
Lu`aus can be a bit dicey. Most, that one will encounter, are very commercialized, but even some of those can be good. I cannot address any on O`ahu, as the only great one was for a special event at Sea Life Park, many decades ago.
Now, Hawai`i is not the normal bastion of what many would consider "healthy," but three chefs are very big on supporting local produce, and each (along with several close friends) has elevated traditional Hawai`ian cuisine to a new level. They are Sam Choy (I find that some of his preps are a bit heavy), Alan Wong and Chef Mavro. Their individual take on Hawai`ian fare should not be missed. Each is unique in their take, and each is very good.
For starters, I would recommend that three, and each has a Waikiki, or close by, restaurant. For Alan Wong's, I recommend the King Street location, as he also has the Pineapple Room, at Macy's at the Ala Moana.
Now, not 100% positive of the exact Outrigger location (there are probably 100 different ones in Waikiki alone), but we have fond memories of Shore Bird Broiler, where one cooks their own main course from the menu. Great location, a bit touristy, but if you can man the grill, you will impress, and the sunsets are great.
Most of all, enjoy,
Hunt
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Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826Shore Bird Restaurant
2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815›2 Replies-
re: Bill Hunt
Hunt,
Thank you for the reply. I have read some of your other threads and plan on Alan Wong, Sam Choy and Chef Mavro. I also saw some good reviews for Le Mar and may do that as well. We also may still do the Lu'au just for the entertainment. I think Shore Bird may be fun as well.Thank you!
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Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826Shore Bird Restaurant
2169 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815-
re: becktheory
I would make Sam Choy's the lowest priority, unless you like quantity (although I haven't eaten there in a long time). I would recommend in their fried poke if you go, though.
I second Alan Wong and, while I have been to Mavro once, I really enjoyed it (especially the wine). But this brings up another question: do you have price preferences? (Mavro is not cheap; ditto Alan Wong's)
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Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826
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