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Dining
 The plate lunch is as common to locals as Spam musubi. Some will come in a styrofoam box; some will be wrapped in paper and fastened with a rubberband; and others will come in a plastic container. It's not the packaging that counts here; it's what's in it.
A good plate lunch should always weigh at least as heavy as a brick, and it should always come with two scoops of rice and mac salad. This is pure comfort food - local-style. Here's a short list of where some locals go when they want to grind on hamburger steak, chicken katsu or beef stew. Consistently voted as "Favorite Plate Lunch" by Honolulu Advertiser readers, L & L Drive-Inn (521-3044) is located in just about every neighborhood. The plate to get here is the famous and Ilima-Award-winning chicken katsu.  As good as L&L's katsu is, you may also want to try its broke-da-mouth selections of local favorites, such as shoyu chicken, barbecue beef and chicken, shrimp curry and kalua pig cabbage.
According to its customers, Queen's Bar-B-Q (596-8274) serves huge portions at low prices, making its plate lunches a good value. Recommended dishes include the barbecue chicken, pork cutlet, teriyaki beef and lemon chicken.
Another place where you can get a top-button-popping meal is at Chun Wah Kam (485-1107) in Waimalu Shopping Center. The orange chicken and roast pork are the must-tries. Also available are an assortment of manapua, from the regular char siu to the roast duck to the Szechuan eggplant. A couple of doors down is longtime kama'aina favorite Shiro's Saimin Haven (488-4834 or 488-8824). With more than 70 different types of saimin, you're bound to find something you like. If you can't decide, order the original "Dodonpa, the ultimate king of saimins," teeming with more than 10 different garnishes. For gourmet-style plate lunches, Russell Siu's Kakaako Kitchen (596-7488) and Ed Kenney's new Downtown@HiSAM are in a category by themselves. OnJin's Cafe' unfortunately closed its doors abruptly this year, but you never know where chef OnJin Kim will surface next. You Hungry? (949-8707) definitely has the answer to your appetite, especially if you're craving spareribs. For a Filipino version of the plate lunch, the place to go is Golden Coin (955-8386, 842-0866, 678-9778 and 680-0758). Definitely try the lechon (roast pig). Of course, no list is complete without mentioning Zippy's Zip Pac, which islegendary among locals. Look out also for those roving lunch wagons, especially Kimo & Kawika's Smoke Wagon (677-6653, kimoandkawikas.com). Family Fare  The last time former Honolulu resident and Hollywood celeb Kelly Preston came to town with hubby John Travolta, son Jett and daughter Ella, she didn't take the family to one of Honolulu's fine dining establishments, but opted instead for, seriously, Zippy's.
Apparently, the Punahou graduate is a big fan of Zippy's loco moco and, of course, the local chain's iconic chili. "I also have to have shave ice from Matsumoto's," says the 40-something actress. "And I've got to have a dozen of Leonard's malassadas." With so many dining options available to kama'aina families, choosing a single place to eat can turn into, well, a food fight. But here's a roundup of some of Oahu's well-visited family-friendly restaurants. Aside from Zippy's, Sizzler, Ruby Tuesday and, another local franchise that has islandwide coverage - L&L Drive-Inn, all have mass appeal. They're moderately priced and fast for families on the go. Speaking of fast, CPK has introduced its first ASAP outlet in Kailua Town. The as-soon-as-possible acronym has been, FYI, a welcomed addition to the Windward dining scene.  But beyond CPK, there's Cantonese cuisine at Pah Ke's, Mediterranean at Casablanca, and American and Pacific Rim at Lucy's Grill n' Bar, Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill, Boots & Kimo's, Brent's and Cinnamon's.
Soon, too, the much-awaited Formaggio Grill - whose sister restaurant is a trendy wine bar in Kapahulu - is set to open its doors, after lengthy construction and permit delays, later this year. Across the Pali and Likelike highways, a slew restaurants, of all differing culinary ethnicities, await. Buffet places are among the most popular - especially for extended ohana - since the variety of food satisfies all appetites and palates. Places such as Hanaki in Manoa Market Place; Makino Chaya at Aloha Tower Marketplace and Westridge Shopping Center; Todai; Hakone and the Prince Court at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki; Kyoto Ohsho; Tsukiji Fish Market & Restaurant; The Willows; and Shogun and Oceanarium all roll out a seemingly endless lineup of chafing dishes that, in combination, could probably stretch across the Pali and Likelike. At Aloha Tower Marketplace, Tower Grill, Don Ho's Island Grill, Hong Kong Harbour View, Hooter's and Chai's Island Bistro are popular among tourists and locals alike. Further west on Nimitiz Highway, Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab, Nico's and El Charro provide different types of cuisine: local, Mediterranean and Tex Mex, respectively. A new addition to Pier 38 is Uncle's, luring in guests with fresh seafood. Cut through Chinatown and you'll find more than just Chinese restaurants nowadays. Indigo and Zaffron have long been favorites, but a French-inspired Brasserie du Vin and Latin-influenced Soul de Cuba Cafe have added a new ethnic mix to the neighborhood. Anchored by a 16-screen movieplex, Victoria Ward Center has become a self-contained, mini mecca for dining and entertaining. Numerous restaurants compete for hungry diners, including Dave & Buster's, Big City Diner, Buca di Beppo, Compadres, Kakaako Kitchen, Ryan's, Old Spaghetti Factory, Kincaid's, Stuart Anderson's, Buffet 100, Goma Tei, Chowder House, E & O Trading Company, Wahoo's, Kua Aina, Tropics, Mocha Java and Sushi Masa. Down the street is Ala Moana Shopping Center. Three floors above the Makai Market, Hookipa Terrace is lined with sit-down eateries, from Bubba Gump's and Ruby Tuesday to Island Fine Burgers & Drinks and CPK. On a lower floor is the stylish Panya Bistro. Owners and sister Annie and Alice Leung prove that they can prepare more than delicate pastries.  Travel east toward Hawaii Kai and discover mini stripmalls, such as Aina Haina Shopping Center, where Komakata, Chuck E. Cheese, Jack's and Couture Cupcakes share space with Subway and McDonald's.
Three miles down Kalanianaole Hwy, Niu Valley is home to Lung Fung Le Bistro and soon Gyotaku will open its doors, depending on construction, in November. Further east, establishments such as The Greek Marina, Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Kona Brewing Company, BluWater Grill and the Chef's Table offer distinct menus and all are located within a two mile stretch off Kalanianaole Highway. Heading back west, Kaimuki's parking woes may have been solved by switching from coin-fed meters to a parking-attended lot. It's now a little easier to park the car while dining at JJ's Bistro and French Pastry, Town, Cafˆ© Laufer, Maguro-Ya, Happy Days and Siam Palace. In the Pearl City and Leeward areas, families will go to Anna Miller's for its pies and breakfast, and visit Bravo downstairs for its "local-style" marinara sauce and garlic bread "poppers." Kapolei residents will frequent En Fuego and HO HO in the Market Place. And in Waipahu, Elena's Home of the Finest Filipino Foods and the Poke Stop are must-tries.  A drive to the North Shore will undoubtedly stir up the appetite. For breakfast, Koa Pancake House offers a full-on menu, as well as, of course, fluffy pancakes and crepes Suzette. Uncle Bobo's in Kaawa dishes out some tasty puleu short ribs. Meanwhile, Cholo's in the North Shore Marketplace is crowded with hungry surfers and tourists pining for fajitas and tacos. Look for a little locomotive-like smoker in Wahiawa and you've arrived at Molly's Smokehouse, where residents from across the Island will drive to just to try the smoked brisket and other good ol' Southern-style fare. In Kahuku, Giovanni's Original White Shrimp truck has been parked here for years, much to the delight of visitors and locals alike.
And celebrities, too, like Preston. Fine Dining Exorbitant prices alone don't define fine dining. White table cloths, formally-clad and professional waitstaff and the table setting (with numerous utensils and goblets) help set the scene for a memorable gourmand experience. And it IS the complete experience when you wine and dine at the following establishments. ALAN WONG'S RESTAURANT (949-2526) What can we say about Alan Wong that hasn't been said? The guy's a genius and, yeah, he has won tons of awards, locally and nationally. AZUL, JW Marriott Ihilani Hotel & Spa (697-0079) Is it worth the hourlong drive? Absolutely. BALI BY THE SEA, Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa (949-4321) A consistent AAA Four Diamond Award winner, the restaurant specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine. CHAI'S ISLAND BISTRO (585-0011) Famous local entertainers and exquisite food both sing to diners here. Exotic and open-air atmosphere add charm to the dining-out experience. CHEF MAVRO (944-4714) Locally and nationally recognized as one of Hawaii's top chefs, chef George Mavrothalassitis uses his French and Mediterranean background to wow diners. DIAMOND HEAD GRILL, W Hotel (922-3734) Chef Mariano Lalica took over the kitchen this year and he's gone back to the basics, offering Continental cuisine. HANOHANO ROOM, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel (922-4422) Oh, the Diamond Head and ocean views - magnificent. The same could be said about the food. HOKU'S, Kahala Resort & Hotel (739-8780) Chef Wayne Hirabayashi stays on his toes by offering seasonal-themed menus. HY'S STEAK HOUSE (922-5555) The dining room feels more like an upscale toney private East Coast gentlemen's club. Kiawe-grilled steaks and entertainer Audy Kimura are mainstays here. JOHN DOMINIS (523-0955) The waterfront restaurant continues to be a "special-occasion" establishment. Fresh seafood dominates the menu. LA MER, Halekulani (923-2311) Ocean view and award-winning cuisine by chef Yves Garnier. New set menus will guarantee the restaurant keeps its AAA Five-Diamond rating. LE BISTRO (373-7990) This charming bistro proves that it's not all about location. Consistently rated by critics as one of the top "off-the-beaten-path" restaurants. MARIPOSA, Neiman Marcus, (951-3420) Fine Pacific cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere. MICHEL'S at the Colony Surf (923-6552) Considered to have the best sunset view. Classic Continental cuisine. NOBU'S Waikiki Parc (237-6999) World-renown chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened, with much fanfare, his namesake restaurant back in June. NEPTUNE'S GARDEN, Pacific Beach Hotel (921-6112) Sure the three-story imposing aquarium is a draw. But let's not forget the inviting tapas menu and the USDA Prime steaks, including a trio of different cuts presented on a lava rock. NICK'S FISHMARKET, Waikiki Gateway Hotel (955-6333) This old-school fine dining restaurant still has its charm. Tableside flambees and cozy booths. OLA, Turtle Bay Resort (293-0801) The scenic drive to chef Fred DeAngelo's beachfront restaurant has its rewards, namely nouveau American cuisine with Hawaiian flair. ROY'S RESTAURANT (Hawaii Kai, 396-7697; Ko Olina, 676-7697) Still going strong and still expanding, with the newest location found on the gentrified Lewers Stree. SAM CHOY'S DIAMOND HEAD (732-8645) Celebrity chef Sam Choy's flagship restaurant remains one of Oahu's top tables. Start with a wasabi cheesecake appetizer, then order a pulehu steak and finish with a chocolate-dipped strawberry at the fountain. STAR OF HONOLULU (983-7827) Set sail for fine dining on the high seas. Now, this is an ocean view. TOKYO TOKYO (739-1500) It's hard to beat fresh fish flown in from world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan and certified genuine Wagyu beef. TOP OF WAIKIKI, 923-3877 Chef Sean Priester and his merry chefs have turned this revolving eatery into a serious destination restaurant with gloil flavors. 3660 ON THE RISE (737-1177) New York steak alaea still out sells most entrees. Bon appetit and don't forget to bring the credit card. |
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