Honolulu Restaurants?

Anne C. wrote:

>I'll be in Honolulu for a couple days at the end of October on a geology
>field trip.  Does anyone have any favorite places to eat near Diamond Head
>(our hotel is the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel) or readily accessible by
>public transportation?  I'd like to hear about luxurious, great food places
>as well as small dives with good food.  I'm interested in food, any and all
>sorts of cuisines, and don't really care about "atmosphere."

It's a bit of a drive, but worth it:

Roy's, in the Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza (6600 Kalanianaole Hwy), 808.396.7697

Also, either of the restaurants in the Halekulani (one fancy, one casual) are very nice - that's within walking distance from where you're staying (a reasonable walk - not a short walk).

The other place would be Keo's Thai, of which there are 3.  There's one in Waikiki, on Kapahulu Ave.

Gerard K. Newman | TGV, Inc.  101 Cooper St. | +1 408 457 5200 (voice) [email removed]      | Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4526 | +1 408 457 5205 (fax)

You will be staying at my favorite place for breakfast -- the New Otani has the Hau Tree Lanai restaurant overlooking San Souci beach.  I'm out there several mornings a week with my snorkel.

Otherwise, it depends on whether you have wheels or not.

Nearby (two doors down) is Michel's at the Colony Surf hotel, great from breakfast or dinner.  A fine (and expensive) spot.  923-5751.

If you are into meat, Hy's Steakhouse in Waikiki, a short walk away is excellent (tho I have never eaten there). 922-5555.

Not near your hotel:  Sushi King on S. King street, California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala Mall (there is also one in Waikiki, but I'm not fond of it), Legend Seafood in the Chinese Cultural Plaza for world-class dim sum lunchtime until 2pm, Viet Huong on Waialai for Vietnamese, and also A Little Bit of Saigon in town, India Bazaar for plate lunch Indian fast food, the restaurants at the Pacific Beach hotel around their fish tank [this is near your hotel], Castagnola's [Italian, noisy but very good [also near your hotel].

Sorry this is disorganized, but hope it helps.

Aloha,
-Larry

Chris T. wrote:
>I'm going to be in Honolulu for business all next week,
>so if anyone can help me out with some dining establishments,
>I'd much appreciate it.  I'm looking for everything from
>casual lunches, to pricy dinners.  Quality food and good
>fun is the key (restaurants with good bars are a plus!).
>
>Thanks,
>--
>Chris Tonas

For seafood, try the Lewers St. Fish Market in tourist-land.  They have a wonderful Cajun sashimi appetizer for under $10.  The other stuff is tourist-priced (I had the sashimi both times I went there).

There's also a wonderful Japanese restaurant (can't remember the name) towards the end of the high-rise strip.  It's pricey, but wonderful and was recently remodeled and made more "upscale."

For a raunchy, fun bar, go to Moose McGillycuddy's on Lewers Street.  Tell Bubbles I said "hi."  Moose's has live music every night, but attracts the guys from visiting ships.

For aquick, cheap meal, there are lots of soba places and "locals" hangouts that serve "plate" lunches (meat, rice, macaroni salad).

The Shorbird has a nice open air bar on the beach, and I understand that their steak place is good (haven't eaten there).  Dukes is another place on the beach that's great for a drink.

Oh yeah--lunch at the beachfront restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian is always a visual treat.  I haven't eaten there in a while, but I remember the food to be acceptable.

And, if you're ever in a pinch, the local ABC stores always seem to have a stockpile of Spam sushi (a local favorite).

Have a great time!

Margaret