HONOLULU PULSE STAFF / honolulupulse@staradvertiser.com Where should you eat tonight? Where should we begin? How about at A (Alicia’s Market), or H (Hot Pot Heaven) or, for those who like working backward, Z (zpizza) … A team of five food and dining experts from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, with the help of our newspaper readers, compiled… Read More »
Both tradition, change key to 3660′s success By Joleen Oshiro / joshiro@staradvertiser.com With vision, ambition, hard work and some luck, a chef could find himself spot-on trend, the “it” chef of the moment -a star. But staying popular with the public for the long haul, now that’s an entirely different kettle of fish. Chef Russell… Read More »
Good luck and hard work pay off for Le Bistro chef By Joleen Oshiro / joshiro@staradvertiser.com Chef Alan Takasaki knows the value of life experience, of patience and loyalty and recognizing opportunity when it comes one’s way. Early in his career in the mid-1980s, Takasaki worked in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles… Read More »
Selected by readers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser FINE DINING LA MER Halekulani’s fine-dining room continues to amaze and satisfy Hawaii’s most discerning guests, with a well-trained staff and million-dollar views of Waikiki and Diamond Head. A new bar, L’Aperitif, and a new chef de cuisine, Alexandre Trancher, provide fresh twists on the traditional French techniques… Read More »
Chosen by Honolulu Star-Advertiser dining and food writers FINE DINING LA MER It’s hard not to start gushing superlatives as you’re led to a table in what could be the most picturesque fine-dining room in Honolulu. The Pacific Ocean couldn’t look more beautiful as it does at sunset from one of La Mer’s crisply dressed… Read More »
Chefs-in-training rise to the occasion Chosen by Honolulu Star-Advertiser dining and food writers Before he started teaching at Kapiolani Community College, Warren Uchida was a chef at Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel & Resort and at the Royal Hawaiian. Kusuma Cooray was executive chef at The Willows. Now they run the kitchen at Ka ‘Ikena… Read More »
MORIO’S SUSHI BISTRO Single-monikered sushi master Morio made the move from a hole in the wall in Waikiki to a hole in the wall on South King Street, and customers couldn’t be happier. The new Makiki digs are still one of Honolulu’s tougher reservations to get (affordably priced sushi tends to have that effect); be… Read More »
VINO ITALIAN TAPAS & WINE BAR Inspired by the Italian enoteca, Vino brings the best of food and wine together in the casual setting of a room dressed in the warm colors of Tuscany. The rustic, Italian-style menu is equally casual, with plates meant to be shared with a friend or two. One mainstay since… Read More »
AZURE Azure offers rewards before patrons even see a menu: Its sophisticated, oceanside dining room has sleek Moroccan flair and well-informed servers, trained as “ambassadors” for the restaurant’s isle-centric menu, who set the tone early with attentive, dignified service. As for that menu: Chef Jon Matsubara has come into his own in Azure’s kitchen. His… Read More »
NOBU WAIKIKI Bright and delectable best describe the lineup here. Chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa’s signature style is in his execution of traditional Japanese dishes using South American ingredients, and the results surprise and enliven the taste buds. A Big Island Heart of Palm salad, featuring grated strips of palm hearts topped with microgreens sprinkled with… Read More »
KISS MY GRITS If you have friends from the South who’ve been separated for too long from cheesy grits, Carolina barbecue or a decent po’ boy, take them to Kiss My Grits. They may well weep, so great will be their joy. You, meanwhile, can appreciate the sheer audacity of a place that will give… Read More »
AZURE My favorite restaurants must always excel at three things: high-quality food, excellent service and great ambience. Azure accomplishes these nicely. Of course, nearly everything on chef Jon Matsubara’s menu will be to your liking but my favorite dishes are any of the three or four fresh fish entrees offered daily. Since these are bought… Read More »
RUMFIRE My husband and I have a monthly Sunday tradition of walking from Kapiolani Park into Waikiki, and one of our favorite spots for a sunset and cocktails is RumFire at the Sheraton Waikiki. With a simply stunning view, refreshing libations and delectable pupu, what’s not to like? My husband enjoys the High Maka Mai… Read More »
ALAN WONG’S Good preparation for a dinner here is to check out blog.alanwongs.com, for the chef’s own record of the brainstorming behind certain items on the menu. The need to use up a leftover container of seasoned vinegar, for example, led to two weeks of vinaigrette trials and eventually the Crazy Asian Salad of roast… Read More »
By Nadine Kam / nkam@staradvertiser.com The proliferation of food trucks over the past few years has ensured a steady supply of culinary novelty and all the hottest food trends rippling across the country. But if there’s one area where Hawaii has lagged, it’s in the availability of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Everyone can manage to… Read More »
1. Currant tomatoes pack powerful punch of flavor When the day comes that I finally go on a diet and purge all candy from my life, some joy will remain. I still will have currant tomatoes. These tiny bubbles are so juicy, so packed with tomato flavor they put your average cherry tomato to shame…. Read More »
By Craig Gima / cgima@staradvertiser.com There’s no reason to be a couch-potato eater -living vicariously and without flavor through Travel Channel food shows -when the authentic taste of Southeast Asia can be found here in Chinatown without reservations. Chinatown is where immigrants come when they want a taste of home, and if you are willing… Read More »
By Nadine Kam / nkam@staradvertiser.com Every year brings new trends in national and regional dining, and anyone who keeps up with what’s trending nationally will note we truly are living on an island with our own unique demands and obsessions. Here are some of the newest and most memorable restaurants, which includes a few of… Read More »
Excerpted from “Pau Hana Patrol” in the Star-Advertiser’s TGIF weekly entertainment guide. Full reviews available at honolulupulse.com. Hours and prices may have changed; call establishments for latest information. IZAKAYA GAZEN Gazen’s food and vibe straddle two nations -Japan and the U.S. -giving the restaurant a dynamism that doesn’t exist at every happy-hour location. It’s a… Read More »
2012 OCTOBER Oct. 7: Hawaii Fishing & Seafood Festival. More than 100 vendors, tours of the fish auction and fishing demonstrations, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Pier 38. Visit hawaiifishingfestival.com. Oct. 8: Ilima Awards. Sample fine food, wine and cocktails in a celebration of Ilima award-winning chefs and restaurants, selected by Star-Advertiser food and dining writers, in… Read More »
Note: The restaurant scene changes rapidly, so please call the restaurant for the latest information. M MAC 24/7 BAR + RESTAURANT It’s dinnertime, but you’re craving breakfast. No worries: This place is open 24 hours, so go ahead and start your day -no matter the time -with fluffy pancakes (such as the Elvis with bacon,… Read More »
Note: The restaurant scene changes rapidly, so please call the restaurant for the latest information. # 4KINGS KITCHEN Receive the royal treatment at this diner, which offers upscale plate lunches and an organic menu that represents a “fusion of different cultures.” Mini-plate options are now available and 4Kings’ ono housemade salad dressings have been bottled… Read More »
Note: The restaurant scene changes rapidly, so please call the restaurant for the latest information. G GINA’S BAR-B-Q “Choke portions, ono food!” is an apt self-description of this popular Korean takeout restaurant owned by sisters Gina Song and Yong Hae Han. Where else do you see a standard three scoops rice? Many a college kid,… Read More »
To compile the guide, a team of food and dining experts from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser selected more than 200 establishments.
3660 On The Rise: Island flavors, Euro-style, served without pretension Chef Russell Siu looks startled when asked about the secret to the success of 3660 on the Rise, winner of the ‘Ilima People’s Choice award for best restaurant in Hawaii for the third year running. “Gee, I’m not sure how to answer that,” he says… Read More »
