Canadian Hound visiting Honolulu

[hungryann]

Hi all,

I will be coming to Honolulu for 10 days at the end of October and looking forward to visiting your beautiful island. My DH and I are so excited and want to make the most of a once in a lifetime trip. We are planning our vacation and as the glutton of the family, I'm in charge of the dining. We are staying in Waikiki but will have a rental car during our stay. We have decided to do the Hawaiian food tour; definitely the hole in the wall one but are debating doing the higher end one as well with the tasting mens. Any thoughts on this?
Also we are doing a luau...any in particular to recommend?
I have looked through the board also and have noted some places we would love to check out.: Morimoto's or Nobu, Alan Wong's vs Chef Mavro, Keo's, Nico's, Rainbow Drive-in. We are interested in fish/seafood, japanese/sushi, thai, chinese, local hawaiian and fusion hawaiian. We want to experience the classic hawaiian dishes (poke, lomi lomi, plate lunch, shave ice,...). If some restaurants were ocean front that would be a major plus. We will probably splurge a couple of times and have a moderate budget the rest of the time ($30-40 pp).

Please add any must try I may have omitted or suggest other restaurants in the categories mentionned.

Mahalo!

-----
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826

Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826

[hungryann]

We just returned and had an excellent vacation including awesome eats! I was really surprised by the plethora of Japanese restaurants in Honolulu; that and all the Japanese tourists brought back fond memories of our trip to Japan. Foodwise, the highlights were:
- steamed island fish (don't know what type but it was firm flesh, large filet and very smooth/buttery tasting) in a citrus glaze that was served at the special event luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village; couldn't have been moonfish?
-poke from various places including from a supermarket but also loved the one from Ono seafood
-pineapple soft serve ice cream
-apple bananas
-li hing powder on pineapple and li hing mui (what can I say I love salt)
-malasadas from Leonard's
-manapuas from Royal Kitchen
-breakfast at Hau Tree Lanai
-Nico's for lunch although my ahi was over cooked
-sushi at Genki was good
-grazing at the Farmer's Market at Diamond Head
-Wailana coffee house for breakfast

The best meal was at Sushi Izakaya Gaku. The sushi was superb as were other cooked items (steak, Katsura, salmon). The most disappointing meal was at Mekong II; the food was very boring from excessive use of coconut milk and lack of spice, salt and sourness. No balance whatsoever consistent with goodThai food.
One last observation is that eating in Honolulu is expensive! I understand why for some things but I was perplexed by others. Shouldn't locally grown produce (papayas, pineapple for example) be less expensive? a Dole pineapple was 5-6$ at the supermarket!!!!
Overall, we had a fantastic time soaking up the sun and enjoying some great food. I thank all for the recs and hope I can return someday.

-----
Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

Sushi Izakaya Gaku
1329 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Royal Kitchen
Chinatown Cultural Plz, Honolulu, HI 96813

[KaimukiMan]

thanks for the report hungryann.

the most commonly served fish for something like a luau is mahi-mahi, a white fish that is fairly innocuous, takes well to other flavors. The more common name for this fish is Dorado. Contrary to rumor it is not dolphin, which is a mammal not a fish. Tilapia is beginning to become more and more common as well, and it can have a softer more "buttery" flavor, depending on the preparation.

locally grown produce is almost always more expensive than imported. even things like pineapple and papaya. its so much cheaper to grow in the philippines or mexico and import it, as expensive as petroleum is, it is still cheap compared to labor costs. i expect to pay a minimum of 25% more for local produce, 50% to 100% is not unusual, same for big island beef.

Looks like you got a pretty good cross sampling of food all in all.

[Bill Hunt]

Most restaurants, that use the term "Dolphin," will append "fish" to that name, to differentiate it from the Dolphin mammal, as you point out. Still, we knew it as "Dolphin," and never associated it with Flipper, but then I grew up on the ocean, so I knew better.

I think that the "Dorad/Dorado, Mahi (or Mahi-Mahi)" is growing more common, as too many do NOT know that it is NOT Flipper.

Dolphin fish: http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/Fi...

Now, it can get confusing, or interesting, when fish are referred to by different names, or different fish have the same name, in different places around the world. There is an active CH thread on "Butterfish," and not a lot of consensus. I know what Chef Roy Yamaguchi calls an Hawaiian Butterfish, but what does YOUR chef, or fishmonger call Butterfish? It might surprise you. As mentioned in that CH thread, I know a particular fish as "Lemonfish," "Cobia," or "LIng/Ling Cod," though it is not in the Cod family. I would guess that there are other names for the same fish, elsewhere too.

Hunt

[chloehk]

Yay -- thank you all for this great thread. My partner and I will be in Honolulu (staying in Kaimuki) for the next month. We're really looking forward to trying these suggestions.

So far we've been to Ono Seafood for poke, to Roy's (heavenly, heavenly pork ribs), Town (homemade focaccia was delish), 12th St Grill (nice people, food was mixed). Today we're going to check out Tamura's Fine Wines & Liquors for their poke...

[Bill Hunt]

I've not been to Tamura's, but Island resident friends sing their praises. Gotta' get by myself. My once-faithful wine shop in Honolulu has been bought out, and changed, and only seems to have the "usual suspects," at prices much higher than Costco.

Aloha,

Hunt

[KaimukiMan]

Tamura's is a great place to start with poke in Kaimuki. Also check out Fort Ruger Market on Alohea - a longtime local favorite, and Fresh Catch on Waialae - a more recent addition to Kaimuki (their ahi katsu is wonderful too.)

A whole lot of good eating in Kaimuki (and I've got the waistline to prove it.)

[chloehk]

Hi, sorry for such a slow response...and thanks for these great suggestions! I've noticed Fresh Catch, so we'll definitely stop in.

You know what I liked best at Tamura's wasn't even the poke. It was the jalapeno pipikaula. There was also a yummy octopus with kimchi, and the lady behind the counter almost sold me on some sort of deep-fried octopus taco (is that right) -- but we're supposed to not being eating deep-fried food.

I noticed some tasty looking chicken being cooked in the parking lot of Longs Drugs on Waialae (Ono Plate Lunches). The guy said it's huli huli chicken and they only have it Thurs. Have you ever tried it there? Are there other good huli-huli places ;-)?

Also...we went (on misguided Lonely Planet advice) to Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, which I didn't realize was in Macy's. Out of curiosity I ordered the poi cup which came with shredded "Kalua pig." Big yum for the pig! The poi, which I'd never had, reminded me of congee. Can you recommend a better place to get some more of that style of pig?

And...we went to the Diamond Head farmers market last weekend. How totally fabulous! If the line for the abalone hadn't been so long, I would have made that my first stop. Instead I bought some beautiful papayas and had handmade mochi with purple sweet potato filling.

One final yum...the lomi lomi salmon at Whole Foods wasn't bad at all!

If you have any other Kaimuki favorites to suggest, we'd love to know.

[Bill Hunt]

Poi is "an acquired taste," but when fresh, and with a bit of garlic, can be tasty. However, one normally gets canned poi, which tastes like dirt, and not really clean dirt. I would expect AW to have fresh poi, and would be surprised if any of it was canned, or even pre-processed. Still, it is not a dish for everyone. Matter-of-fact, the best poi that I have ever had, was at AW's, and at the Pineapple Room, but for his New Wave Lu`au, some years back. Very, very flavorful, with a smooth texture.

Sounds like you had a good trip, and great grinds.

Aloha,

Hunt

[chloehk]

The poi wasn't bad. I mean, as far as I could tell. It seemed good quality food. I like taro and also fermented things, so it was interested. Also probably very high calorie. I will try some more if we run into it again. Not sure I will make a pilgrimage anywhere for it.

[manomin]

If you are here next Weds. Whole Ox Deli is opening. I was in there today and cannot wait for his pastrami and other delights, gonna be awesome awesome awesome!

[chloehk]

Cool -- thanks for the heads-up. I caught your other thread about this and we'll swing by before we go. My sweetie loves pastrami.

[chloehk]

Whoops -- just saw that there are some Kalua pig and huli-huli recommendations above. Will re-read...

[KaimukiMan]

i think grace's drive in (beretania near the new safeway) has a good kalua pig plate, might only be on friday. hull hull is mostly a fundraiser, so you never really know when or where they are going to pop up. the competitor - Koala Moa is also good.

As for good restaurants in Kaimuki . . . almost all of them. LOL. I'm not overly fond of JJ's Bistro & Fresh Pastry, although it definitely has it's share of fans. Also the BBQ place under Himalayan Kitchen (which i really like) didn't much impress me. At the upper end (price wise, not geographically) you have Cafe Miro, 3660, 12th Avenue Grill, Salt, and Town. I think Azteca is the best Mexican (Old California style), but I won't go to Jose's if I can avoid it (unless I just want margaritas an chips) For chinese Duk Kee or Happy Days. Hale Vietnam is good, as is Saigon's, Super Pho is a mixed bag for me. Big City Diner is my default response to "i dunno, where do you want to go" For dessert, Cafe Laufer, and they have really good little sandwiches. I'm told the Japanese Restaurant next door is good, oddly I've not been. Verbano over on Koko Head is moderately good Italian. They used to do very well, but were compelled to relocate and lost a lot of customers who couldn't seem to find their way to the new place. To Thai For is good, Champa Thai not bad. Niniku-ya down across from Longs used to be really good, haven't been in ages. And across from Fresh Catch is W&M burgers, a Kaimuki institution. Try the hanks special with teri beef slices. these aren't' huge gourmet burgers, more old burger stand style. St. Louis Drive-In isn't my favorite, but the bento's are good (and big) it's the only real plate lunch place in Kaimuki (except for zippy's), especially now that graces moved out of market city. I avoid L&L drive in, but thats an individual peculiarity. Koa pancake house is good for breakfast kine things, not sure about their plate lunches.... never tried them.

Between Kaimuki and Kapahulu there are dozens, possibly a hundred places to try. I doubt you will get bored.

[chloehk]

Excellent -- thank you for the breakdown!

We had some very yummy food, good spinach salad starter and peanut butter banana mochi dessert, at a little place called Hakkei recently.

Last night we went to Duc's Bistro and were disappointed. The cooking itself was poorly done. Having lived in HK for two years, I expect stir-fried dishes to be delivered immediately. Our steak dish looked like it sat on the counter for ten minutes. It was not juicy and delicious. More congealed and tough. Not sure if it was supposed to be a stir-fried dish or what.

I tried the huli huli chicken plate lunch from Ono's outside of Long's Drugs -- pretty decent and a great value at $6.

On my to-do list are Leonards, Graces Inn, Helenas, Fresh Catch, Sushi Izakaya Gaku, and maybe the kalua pork eggs benedict at Orchids because we are tourists after all.

The adventure continues ;-)

[KaimukiMan]

wow, really sad to hear Duc's was so disappointing. its been about a year since i was there, wonder what's up.

[chloehk]

Well, I can happily report that the Soy Sake Fillet of Butterfish at 3660 yesterday was totally delicious. And then my sweetie ordered the Mile High Waialae Pie and the two of us were completely snouts-down in the trough until nothing was left on the plate ;-)

I also loved La Mariana but don't recommend ordering the Zombie unless you know what you're doing. I was completely loopy after 1/2 the drink.

[chloehk]

Oh, we also went to Big City Diner and both liked it a lot. Nice people. Good fries. I got a kids meal with brown rice and kimchi (I mean, where else in the US...). My partner got a half a pig's worth of guava-BBQ ribs, which translated into two days worth of leftover pork sandwiches.

[hungryhungryme]

If you have time, check out Cinnamon's in Kailua for breakfast! They're known for their pancakes but they also serve a good kalua pork eggs benedict as well!

[chloehk]

Yum, thank you for the rec.

[Bill Hunt]

Aloha,

Remember, this comes from a Mainlander, so take with a grain of `Alaea red salt.

Just dined at both Alan Wong's and also Chef Mavro's. Each was great, and we did the tasting menu at both. At Chef Mavro's, this was a redux of his "Classics," and I greatly appreciated that opportunity.

Neither meal was 100% perfect, as each had one dish, that did not hold up its end of the whole, though the weak dishes were still OK, just not what the rest of the menus was.

If I had to choose only one, it would be tough. If that "Classics" menu is still in effect, I might lean towards it, but only as one is not likely to get them all in one place again.

Lu`aus can be tough. I feel that the commercial ones are a compromise, but then finding a "local" lu`au (say a church, or fraternal organization) can be tough. See another thread on that subject. Still, if you have not ever done one, if you keep an open mind, then you should enjoy - just do not expect the ultimate food. It has been so long, since I did one on O`ahu, that I am not a good source of info. Also, the only really memorable one was a special event, so that does not count. Locals should be able to offer more insight.

Enjoy,

Hunt

-----
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826

Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826

[hungryann]

I actually booked the luau through our conference. They are having a special one for the attendees. It was a tad pricy (150$ per person) but some of it goes to a good charity. It may not be that great though because it will cater to such a large group (over 1000 people) and my experience with such large events is that the food isn't great usually.

[Bill Hunt]

Hm-m, and event for 1000 can be tough. I seldom review any restaurant, when they are catering an event, unless a poster is also looking to book an event.

Still, for our dining, they have never let us down. Every meal has been very good to excellent, so they ARE capable - still, 1000 is a very, very large crowd, but if for a good cause, then I'd do it too.

Mahalo,

Hunt

[hungryann]

The luau food in general was very good although not very traditional. Other than the mystery island fish, there was the Kailua pork and some hulk hulk chicken. The rest was stir fried vegetables, various salads and some tofu dish.

[scottca075]

For me the dilemma is between Alan Wong's and La Mer at the Halekulani, not Chef Mavro. Mavro is good, but not nearly as good as the other too. Alan Wong's and La Mer are very close in food, but I think La Mer's location tips in its favor. It is on the ocean above Orchids Restaurant, a very fine place in its own right and the ambiance couldn't be nicer. AW is in a nondescript building on the third floor above a dentists office.

I agree with curiousgeo on Nobu and Morimoto's, I also agree on Imanas Tei, and I throw in Mitch's Fish Market and Sushi Izakaya Gaku too. Those are standard Japanese/sushi, if you'd like more specialized Japanese food there is Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin for tonkatsu, Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant for okonomiyaki and Yotteko-ya Kyoto Ramen or Ramen Nakamura for ramen. I would also check out the food hall at Shirokiya Department Store in Ala Moana Mall.

For Hawaiian food I'd look at Helena's Hawaiian Food and Ono Hawaiian Food, but Ono is tiny and can be hard to get in. Personally I'd go to the Polynesian show at the Princess Kaiulani and skip the luau, the commercial ones are a tropical version of Hometown Buffet.

I don't think the Chinese food is that great in Honolulu, at least not compared to Vancouver or Los Angeles's San Gabriel Valley, but there is some great Vietnamese food. Look at the Green Papaya and Hale Vietnam or Pho Mai and Pho South King for pho.

The Kaimuki area has turned into a foodie haven with places like 3660 On the Rise, Salt Kitchen and Tasting Bar, 12th Avenue Grill, Town and Siam Palace Thai Restaurant.

In Chinatown you have a burgeoning food scene and a lot of great places too like Duc's Bistro, Indigo and Epic Restaurant.

For lunch you might look at the Hau Tree Lanai and the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. It is just a great setting. We also like Duke's Barefoot Bar for a burger, it also has a fun setting.

Kaimikiman does a good job distinguishing between "Hawaiian" food and "Local" food. For plate lunch it is hard to beat Rainbow Drive-in or Yama's Fish Market, but Young's Fish Market is pretty good too.

-----
Duc's Bistro
1188 Maunakea St, Honolulu, HI 96817

Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826

Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826

La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815

3660 On the Rise
3660 Waialae Ave Unit Frnt, Honolulu, HI 96816

Mitch's Fish Market
524 Ohohia St, Honolulu, HI

Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Imanas Tei Restaurant
2626 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826

Hale Vietnam Restaurant
1140 12th Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

Helena's Hawaiian Food
1240 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817

Green Papaya
1518 Makaloa St Ste A, Honolulu, HI 96814

Siam Palace
3404 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Ramen Nakamura
2141 Kalakaua Ave # 1, Honolulu, HI 96815

Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant
2201 Kalakaua Ave Ste 305, Honolulu, HI 96815

Sushi Izakaya Gaku
1329 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Shirokiya
1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin
255 Beach Walk Spc 1, Honolulu, HI 96815

Young's Fish Market
1286 Kalani St, Honolulu, HI 96817

[hungryann]

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I will rework my picks.

[Bill Hunt]

Being a big fan of La Mer, I see your point. Though I am a big booster for the other two, AW's and Chef Mavro's, based on my visit last month, I think that I would also give the nod to La Mer. Did the chef's tasting there too.

Were I dining there this month, I would ask for a table overlooking House Without a Key (the courtyard below La Mer), rather than the "ocean view" tables. Those are nice, but overlooking HWAK and the music venue is just not to be missed.

I second both Indigo and Hau Tree Lanai, as neither has ever let us down.

Hunt

-----
Chef Mavro restaurant
1969 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826

La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815

Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

[Joebob]

I just had the $65 pris fixe dinner at Hau Tree Lani and thought it very good value for the money.

[Bill Hunt]

Joebob,

Do you happen to recall the menu for that evening?

Just curious,

Hunt

[Joebob]

I started with a sprout and dried - but not too dried - ahi salad, then Manilla clams, steamed in a nice broth (but with just a little grit). Then a nice little piece of fish (monchong?) crusted and drizzled with a lemon aoli, a small beef fillet (very tender) with crisp florets of broccoli and cauliflower and a small rectangle of creamy, thinly-sliced scalloped potatoes with just a little melted cheese on top, and finishing with very good coffee and a slice of raspberry-chocolate mousse cake decorated with a slice of kiwi, berries, and mint leaves. A full belly of good, if not heavenly, food and a very nice view for $65 to me seems quite reasonable on this island.
They say they will be very busy for the next two months with tons of Japanese weddings, but at 5:30 we were able to get a table for two in the second row behind the rail for 6:30.

[Bill Hunt]

Sounds like a good fare. Mahalo for those details, as they might well help others.

Aloha,

Hunt

[curiousgeo]

I'll throw out some suggestions.

For Japanese, Nobu and Morimoto may have the name recognition, TV and all, but there are some great izakaya's here serving excellent fare. Imana's, Gaku and Maguro-ya come to mind. All very popular, good sushi, sashimi and other cooked items.

Regional cuisine, Alan Wong's, Roy's in Hawaii Kai (the original), 3660 On the Rise and Le Bistro.

Chinese, Fook Yuen is very good. For dim sum either Legend, Panda or Royal Garden. But Chinese in Canada is excellent, especially Toronto and Vancouver, so if you're used to this level of quality, you may be disappointed with what we have in Hawaii.

For Hawaiian, well described by KM, Helena's, Ono's or Highway Inn. Take out Hawaiian can be had at Young's Fishmarket or Yama's. Plate lunch, Rainbow's is close to Waikiki and a local favorite. If you're feeling adventurous for local fare, Ethel's Grill in Kalihi, really a hole in the wall serves a great lunch menu.

I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions too. This will get you started.

[hungryann]

I love isakaya style food. Thanks for the suggestions. Sadly, Montreal (where I'm from ) doesn't have as good chinese as Toronto and Vancouver, so I'd love to try local chinese food.
I forgot to add Young's Fishmarket. I read about it and it's right up my alley! Also I'm gonna do one of the shrimp trucks on the North Shore; maybe Giovanni's?

[curiousgeo]

For Chinese, Fook Yuen is one of the better places in town. They have a special $10 lobster with any other dish ordered. If you love seafood, you might want to order two since they aren't that large. The best preparation IMO is salt and pepper style. Asia Manoa is another popular, local Chinese restaurant

My personal take on shrimp trucks is if you are visiting the North Shore and it happens to be lunchtime, fine. But I wouldn't necessarily plan a drive out there just to eat at one of them. In fact I don't know anyone who has tried them, other than reading about them on this board and travel sites.

[scottca075]

Not only do I agree that Fook Yuen is one of the better Chinese places (along with Palace and Royal Garden for dim sum), but the shopping center it is in is like the coolest collection of restaurants in Honolulu in one place.

http://mccullysc.com/page008.aspx

It has an Izakaya place, hot pot, ramen, plate lunch, shave ice, curry, Thai, Korean and pho. It doesn't get much better than that and it is walkable from the Ewa end of Waikiki.

[KaimukiMan]

It looks like you are doing your homework. Reading your thread I realize that a little clarification of terminology is probably in order, not just for you but for many on the Hawaii board. The words "Hawaiian Food" are bandied about quite a bit, but often mean different things to different people.

To people who live here Hawaiian food means food that has been identified as being eaten traditionally by the native peoples of Hawaii in a pre-contact setting (mostly.) These include things like Kalua Pig/Kalua Pork, Lau Lau, squid luau, dried fish, poi, breadfruit, sweet potato, etc. Most of what you think of as Luau food.

There is a subcategory of this which include adapted/adopted foods that have been around so long that people think of them as Hawaiian, even though they have their roots elsewhere. The two best examples of this are Chicken Long Rice, which is a stew/soup with chicken and celophane/rice noodles, and Lomi Salmon, a mix of salmon, onion, and tomato - none of which are endemic to Hawaii. More recently Teri Beef and Macaroni or Potato salad are becoming part of this group, although I'm sure some in here will disagree strongly.

The next group are what those who live here call "Local Food." Now I am aware that there is a locovore movement, and that all locales have food from that region that people might refer to as a local dish or local food, but in Hawaii it takes on a slightly different meaning. If I say that someone is local, I don't mean that they live in the immediate area. I mean that they are probably of mixed ancestry, part of which is likely Hawaiian, although someone of pure chinese or korean, or maori ancestry who is 2nd or 3rd or more generation in Hawaii may be considered local. White people (Haole) are excluded from this group no matter how many generations they have been here. Local food is the same way. A plate lunch may consist of a chicken cutlet, two scoops of rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad, all drowned in brown gravy. There is nothing authentically Hawaiian about it, but it is Local Food. Shave Ice, plate lunch, loco moco, saimin, manapua, and the like are all examples of local food. Things that started out someplace else, but were adapted and often slightly transformed when they got to Hawaii.

Hope this is more helpful than confusing.

[macaraca]

This post should go into the "Read This First" at the head of the Hawaii Board. Thanks, K Man!

[hungryann]

Thanks for the clarifications. I'm interested in both Hawaiian and local food.
I do my homework because I find you get more helpful responses that way than asking locals where should I eat?