Thursday, April 2, 2009

ALOHA HAWAII! - In search of restaurant reccs!

In case you didn't know, I love Hawaii ... in fact, it is on my list of places that I would one day like to move to. That's not particularly feasible at the moment, so as the next best thing, I try to make it to Hawaii as often as possible. I'm happy to report that a trip is on tap for this year and was hoping for some restaurant recommendations for Oahu.

I've tried out a variety of places over the years... I have a soft spot in my heart for Alan Wong's restaurants so we definitely plan to go to his King Street restaurant one of the nights we are there. On our list to try this time also include Sushi Izakaya Gaku and Side Street Inn.

We're open to all types of food and would particularly love any hole-in-the-wall or new restaurant suggestions!

Ahhhhh, can't wait. Would like to go now! Thanks :)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I visited Oahu, it was just a few days after graduation from college, so didn't get to eat anywhere very good. My best resource - Mobil Travel Guide lists only one restaurant for Oahu, but it is a 4-star one so should be pretty fabulous - http://www.halekulani.com/dining/la_mer/ hope it helps!

The Duo Dishes said...

Oh jealousy abounds! We'd die for a trip to Hawaii.

Coconut Girl Connie said...

First off a great big Mahalo for loving Hawaii...we need more people like you! You have to eat at Ninniku Ya (in Japanese the garlic place) located at 3196 Waialae Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816 phone(808) 735-0784. It is located in what once was a plantation style home in Kaimuki about 10 minutes outside of Waikiki. As the name implies, they are generous with garlic. It is Japanese cuisine like you have never tasted, very different,very good. The atmosphere is eclectic, kind of "artsy"...do

Coconut Girl Connie said...

Another cute little hole in the wall with delicious food and great service: Baci Bistro located in Kailua town 30 minutes from Honolulu on the Windward side of the island, here is their web site
http://www.bacibistro.com/

Coconut Girl Connie said...

In Haleiwa on the North Shore there's good Mexican, another great hole in the wall..Cholos, here is their web site:http://cholosmexican.com/

Coconut Girl Connie said...

It's me again..

Chinese: Pahke's..a great family owned restaurant on the Windward side of the island in Kaneohe. My faves: hoi sin ribs, honey walnut shrimp, mandarin orange salad (or their Chinese Chicken salad) crispy singapore noodles or cake noodles,but everything is good. Take home a bottle of Pahke's salad dressing (used on the spinach mandarin salad).

Local style plate lunch, kicked up a notch: Kaka'ako Kitchen. Located in the Ward Shopping Area, about 3 minutes West of Waikiki, next to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Great local food in an outdoor cafe setting.

Also in this area a little more upscale, but still locally owned: Kincaids or Ryans both nice for dinner.

Great burger joint: The Shack located in Hawaii Kai on the East Side of the Island (on your way to Hanauma Bay). It is your basic beer and burger joint, but grab a seat outside on the deck you can watch the boaters go by and enjoy the ocean....best for lunch.

A fun "saloon" with great comfort food in old downtown Honolulu, Murphys:http://www.gomurphys.com/.

I am trying to find you a good, authentic Korean Restaurant, close to Honolulu, I will send you that information as soon as I get it.

Deb in Hawaii said...

Looks like Connie has you covered with some great restaurants. I am a big Alan Wong fan myself. ;-)
My favorite restaurant is Town in Kaimuki. About 80% of the food in Hawaii is shipped in, but at Town they use about 80% local food. The menu changes daily based on what they have and they make their own bread and pasta and cure their own meat. Their sister restaurant Downtown at the Hawaii Stae Museum is great too (that one is just open for lunch).