Restaurant Reviews

Lately I've been trying to hit up some of the well known and not so known local restaurants. I went to Dave 'N Busters last week, the food was alright but what I really enjoyed was the games and atmosphere which I'm sure is why most people go there. I've become dedicated to buying my Mauna Pua from U Choice on Kaheka St. and the Sbarro in Waikiki is my new local pizza joint. As for Drive In's I like to go for breakfast at Rainbows in Kapahulu or the Like Like on Keaumoku. I've heard a lot about L & L but still havn't tried it yet. Assaggio's in Ala Moana had a great Chicken Parm and I've been wanting to try Auntie Pasto's. I once ate Malasada's from the food court in Ala Moana Center but was told that Leanord's in Kapahulu made the best Malasada's.

So what are some of your favorite foods? Or your favorite restaurants to eat these foods? Any good hidden eateries for plate lunches or local cuisine?

Comments

Manapua (not mauna, which means "mountain" in Hawaiian)...I haven't tried U Choice's manapua since Char Hung Sut is my favorite manapua place.

I actually prefer the malasadas from Makai Market over Leonard's--but gotta be hot outta the oil!

Have you tried eating at local lunchwagons? (the one at Kewalo Basin is convenient and pretty good).

How about okazu-ya's? They have a little bit of this and that (I usually get cone sushi, teri beef, hash brown patty, sweet-potato tempura, cucumber salad, chow funn, chicken long rice...problem is, there are so many good things, you get carried away and end up spending more than you intended!). Go to the library and check out The Okazu Guide by Donovan Dela Cruz and Jodi Endo Chai (it's a paperback guide to okazu-ya's). I like Gulick Delicatessen, 1512 Gulick Ave. (in Kalihi) and Alakea Deli, downtown--corner of King & Alakea (closed Sat., Sun).

BUT, my favorite mac salad is from Zippy's; I've failed miserably to duplicate their salad (so if you know their secret recipe, clue us in).

Good shave ice can be found at Hauoli Shave Ice (there's one in Kapahulu near Auntie Pasto's, across the street from St. Mark's church). And then there's crackseed...

i actually have an extra copy of the okazu ya guide. i have that and the puka guide too. i really like maruki -tei at windward mall. i want to try and find sugoi next time. if you want the extra copy of the okazuya guide, email me a mailing addy and its yours. : )

Here's some places a lot of folks don't hear about that I've enjoyed:

For Italian, Donato's in Manoa or Meditirraneo on King Street. C&C Pasta Company located at the top of Kaimuki....also very excellent Italian food. A couple doors over is Azteca, my favorite Mexican spot. The aforementioned Sugoi has good bentos, but my fave for Garlic chicken is Mitsuken on School Street. Speaking of Sugoi, a few doors over is Young's Fish Market, where the Hawaiian food is excellent.

But if you want to eat great food at really low prices, try the restaurants at that are part of the culinary programs, The Pearl at LCC and Ka Ikena dining room at KCC. You'll find dishes for about half of what you'd pay at a fancy restaurant, and the menus change every few weeks as the students need to learn a vast array of dishes.

Ah, I love Azteca. (I'm glad they're still around... I seem to always drive by on the nights they're not open, I guess!) I also like Torito's in Market City.

There's a hole-in-the-wall, open-only-two-hours-a-day bento place on Waialae I like as well - on the Ewa side near the top of the hill - but I can't remember the name right now. But, most of the odd holes-in-the-wall on Waialae are good bets.

Prompted by a review in Honolulu Weekly, I recently tried El Charro, on Sand Island Access Road across from Kilgo's. It's a small family-run Tex-Mex place and is worth a visit. The food's good, and although they don't have a liquor license you're welcome to bring your own beer. Good Mexican restaurants in Honolulu are hard to come by!

Don't know if I would consider national chains like Dave & Busters or Sbarro's as "local" restaurants. (For example, I always get annoyed when lists like Honolulu Weekly's Best of poll names McDonalds as best fast food restaurant... c'mon people!)

When I'm in town I make sure to hit L&L, Soon's BBQ (in Salt Lake), Waiola Shave Ice, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab, Bubbie's for green tea ice cream... the list goes on...

I've mentioned this place before and I'll say it again. If you haven't eaten at Tokkuri-Tei off of Kapahulu you don't know what you're missing. The owner/chef over there, Hideaki "Santa" Miyoshi, does unreal things with sushi. Don't even go in and order off the menu, just ask Santa to send his favorite dishes over one by one or two by two until you and your group are full. Soooo ono...

And this isn't on Oahu but if you're ever in Maui go to Mama's Fish House on the way to Hookipa Park. Best seafood in the state. No lie.

Second on Tokkuri-Tei! A hidden treasure indeed.

Another hidden treasure is a place called Formaggio Wine & Cheese Bar in the Market City Shopping Plaza, right next to Fujioka wine cellar. Lyle Fujioka just recently opened up this bar. Light, but impeccably good, menu items. And the wines are spectacular. Prices are reasonable (items run $4 - $15 or so). Knowledgeable servers and a classy atmosphere with low lights. They're open late (past midnight, I think).

Speaking of hidden places.. our new favorite Italian place is Cafe Satino in Kane'ohe, near Koa Pancake House (yum- it's one of my favorite breakfast spots).

Their prices are really reasonable, such as excellent hearty lasagna for less than $8. The most expensive item on the menu is under $13.

They also have wonderful amaretto gelato for dessert.

No wine, though- gotta bring your own.

Ahhhh...chocolate chip pancakes at the Koa House...with whipped cream...

Sorry, I'm having a flashback...

Yeah I know Dave & Busters, Sbarro and the like aren't exactly local restaurants but I never saw any in Alaska or other parts of the NorthWest.

Tomorrow is the Taste of Honolulu downtown so I might go check it out and see if I can find anything good to eat.

I will be in Maui for the 4th of July so maybe I will go check out Mama's Fish House if I can find time..

I came upon this site and the only thing i saw was "Mitsuken garlic chicken" so wen i saw it i thought it would have the recipe but to my surprise it is all about stories "duh" The site only said "HawaiiSTORIES". Send some Aloha my way and share the secret recipe to Mitsuken's famous garlic chicken pleases! Mahalo's.

I came upon this site and the only thing i saw was "Mitsuken garlic chicken" so wen i saw it i thought it would have the recipe but to my surprise it is all about stories "duh" The site only said "HawaiiSTORIES". Send some Aloha my way and share the secret recipe to Mitsuken's famous garlic chicken pleases! Mahalo's.

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Jung's has amazing shave ice! The ice is so fine that it starts to melt as soon as the syrup is poured on. There is also a very large selection of flavors and toppings. AND, the shave ice is very affordable--only $1-$2.50 depending on the size.

If you're looking for a delicious way to cool off, head over to Jung's (1738 S King St in Honolulu) for some delicious shave ice!

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