Downtown Eats

Okay. How about our first non-Meta (i.e. not related to the HawaiiStories website itself) post? What's a good spot downtown for eats?

I've worked downtown for four years, and have eaten at probably a hundred different eateries (hey, it's possible, especially the way businesses come and go around here)... yet, it never ceases to amaze me how many "new" places I discover even now.

Of course, I still find myself at Taco Bell more often than I'd care to admit.

So, obviously I know squat about ono grinds in these parts. Any suggestions?

Comments

When I went to HPU we'd eat at Rada's for Piroshgi, or at the late lamented Woody's for Polish sausage. There was Min's in the alley between Merchant and Queen for fish and chips. I could tell you lots about the DP system at the Pioneer Club, but I've never eaten in their dining room. Is Patisserie still there on King and Smith? Good sandwiches with fresh ingredients there. Auntie Pasto's was a good walk from Honolulu Club, but we used to do that once in a while; that's impractical for downtown folks. There's always Restaurant Row!

I'm totally out of the loop on this one. I last worked in downtown in 1982 in the First Hawaiian Building (yes, the one that has been demolished on TV so many times)? Can't remember much except --- there used to be a Flamingo's restaurant across the street in the back; Lion Coffee was new and had a downtown little hole in the wall coffee shop with great croissants; and there was this really small plate lunch place right next to a theatre that must have been torn down by now. Oh, I should probably mention that I was very, very, very young at the time. Well, I was! :-)

Well, if *someone* could keep a lunch date, maybe he'd find a few new places worth a return visit ;)

For atmosphere- well, just stepping out of highrises and traffic- I like Krung Thai. Go out the back door, and you can eat in the garden. Very relaxing. The food's so-so, but budget-friendly.

Cafe Metro has decent Mexican food, and ok prices.

The Indian cafe hidden across the street from Wikiwiki has good food- I love their saffron rice. Speaking of Wikiwiki- baked opakapaka in lobster cream sauce is a special to die for, and worth the high-end $6.50.

I used to go to CG's every other Friday for their Hawaiian plates- they only have them on Fridays. Laulau, kalua pig, and a square of haupia for $5.25. Mmmmm. The deli and mediterranean places nearby are also good- walk past Subway sometime and you'll see what I mean :)

When I'm feeling adventuresome, I'll go to Vicky's and order things I can only identify by pointing at (aside from the adobo, of course).

The walk to Zaffron is worth it, too- a small group of 3-4 can get a good deal sharing plates. They've got this awesome lentil soup.

The Y Cafe can have good dishes. It's always cool in there, and the chairs are almost big enough to nap in.

I've also been to a good Chinese restaurant hidden down some alley (I bet I could find it again), but you have to avoid the drinking water.

I'll wander into Chinatown for a good bowl of pho or noodles sometimes too.

Oh! And I've always meant to go to the pastele (can't say it or spell it, sorry) place.. think I saw it in 100 best or something.

Links to keep you busy:
http://www.chinatownhi.com/eatchina.htm
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/best100/

Hey, now!

Good picks, though, Lisa. Most places that I've never visited, of course. I do much like Zaffron though. And as for the Chinese restaurant down an alley - is that Jun Bo's off Merchant, next to the Blood Bank of Hawaii? My office gets take-out from there all the time.

Apart from Subway, I often patronize Quizno's (better but pricier), Paradise Cafe (soup and salad!), and Kozo Sushi. Now and then I'll hit Double-8 or Ken Fong's for Chinese, and once in a blue moon I'll spring for Indigo's.

When I'm cheap, though, it's back to Taco Bell...

Good Grief, I found a wonderful and awsome little place called, of all things, "The Pastele Shop"!! It's on School and gulick and what a find that was. Very YUMMY pasteles and stuff! Gotta check this out people!

Kinda funny (but really sad) how spammers can revive an old thread that hasn't made "Latest Comments" in a long time.

(Zaffron is definitely my favorite downtown restaurant.)

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