Posts Tagged ‘Restaurant Review’

Turtle Bay is that little Oasis on the North Shore that tourists and locals alike go to get away from the city life of Honolulu. Within this oasis is several restaurants, one of which, Ola, sits right on Bay View Beach and serves lunch and dinner, and a great atmosphere.

We decided to head over to Ola for dinner one night recently while we were spending a little staycation at Turtle Bay Resort. Ola is an open air restaurant that promotes healthy eating choices and local produce. Their menu even states whats local or not and with all the farming in Kahuku, there’s plenty that is.

We arrived a little later in the evening, around 9 PM on a Saturday, and got right in. There are plenty of tables but if you’re coming before 9, I would recommend a reservation (see details below). We were seated near the bar/servers station at a high-top table looking directly out at the moonlit bay. Great stuff!

We ordered a bottle of wine after the server ran through some of the house specials, which included all those locally caught fish and locally grown produce. The prices are what you’d expect at a resort. $25 – $35 entrees, $12 pupu’s, with a bottle of wine actually being comparable to a chain restaurant like California Pizza Kitchen, not bad (depending on what you get of course).

We decided to skip the pupu, and get a salad with our meals which were the Five-Spiced Braised Beef Short Ribs and the Seared Ahi. Both arrived quickly and were delicious. They came with veggies that were great, tasted fresh and seasoned well. Sometimes a late night dinner can greet you with a cook that is ready for a nap, or a drink, and the food may be so so, but this was top notch.

With a bottle of wine down, a salad, and a filling entree, we decided to pass on dessert. But that doesn’t mean you should, we hear they have some great ways to cap off your meal with Kona Coffee infused in some their desserts.

All in all the service was very good. We weren’t there when it was too busy, so we can’t say what the dinner rush service is like, but it looked like they had more than enough servers. The food, service and price make this 5 stars in our book, but add the atmosphere of being on the beach in Turtle Bay and you can’t beat it.

If you’re hanging out at Kailua Beach Park for the day there’s a great spot not too far away that you can walk to for some mid-day lunch. It’s Bob’s Pizzeria in the Kailua Beach Shopping Center.

To split up a day of Kiteboarding we usually head on over around 1 pm, just after the lunch rush, and grab a slice of pizza. Bob himself is sometimes working. The staff is mostly young kids, tossing pizza and talking story. The slices are huge, $5 a slice, which isn’t too bad considering it’s a quarter of a pizza. Choose your slice and they’ll throw it in their big oven to warm it.

We usually get our slices and relax on their little outside lanai but you can also get them to go if you’d like. I recommend the Bob’s Special, well, cause it’s special. Or if you don’t fancy the meat, try out the spinach and garlic pizza, it’s another pleaser.

You can also get a calzone, or a salad. Grab a t-shirt a drink, and head on back to the beach.

Overall the appearance is simple, but what do you want, it’s a store front pizza joint. The staff is always friendly, and the food is great. We’ll say best pizza in Kailua by far.

Since the newly renovated Sheraton has reopened the general public has been able to experience some of the new restaurants among the hotel.  One of these new restaurants is a breakfast and dinner buffet called Kai Market which just opened in August 2009. Located on the ground floor with a view of the infinity pool and Waikiki beach is this modern plantation style dining hall.

Kai Market’s cuisine showcases a fusion of cuisines from the original plantation workers that immigrated here between the 1880s and 1930s.  The spread includes a mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Okinawan, Korean, Puerto Rican and Filipino foods.  This restaurant is inspired by the “food fair” that these cultures took part in over 100 years ago.

Executive chef Darren Demaya’s goal for Kai Market is to serve these different cuisines in a “farm to table” ideal.  Half of what is served is locally raised.  Kahuku prawns, Punalu’u breads, local fresh catch fish of the day, and Waimanalo greens are just some of the locally grown and raised items on this extensive menu that changes daily depending on availability.

Behind the buffet line are two “living walls” of fresh herbs that are not only a beautiful display of modern art, but are also used by Kai Market.

I was recently tipped off about this new restaurant from a friend and decided to check it out for myself during the dinner service.  When most people think of buffet dining they picture large vats of mediocre food.  I can tell you that Kai Market is not your average buffet.  I was pleasantly surprised by all the delicious gourmet food.

My boyfriend and I started off at the appetizer and salads areas where we were overwhelmed by the fresh sashimi, crab and Molokai red potato salad, tomato medley, fresh breads, and the Ni’ihau island chowder (just to name a few).  The Ni’ihau chowder was my ultimate favorite, which is made with local seafood and simmered over kiawe wood.

Next we were on to the main dishes.  Some of the highlights were the Kahuku shrimp scampi with Kai Market fresh herbs, clams with black bean sauce, alae salt crusted roasted prime rib accompanied by island fried rice, creamy red mashed potatoes, fresh vegetable medley and much much more.

After we thought we couldn’t eat anymore, it was time for dessert.  The dessert table was extensive and the highlights were the warm bread pudding with Wild Turkey brandy sauce and individual Satura Cakes that were to die for.

I was extremely impressed by Kai Market.  It is rare to find a buffet where the dishes are as tasty and fresh as made to order items.  Kai Market is a delightful over indulgence and because of the fresh produce, local ingredients, and an eye for perfection this extensive spread was no less than high quality.  I will definitely be returning to Kai Market in the future, maybe to try the breakfast service and will be armed with an empty stomach.

Kai Market is open for breakfast daily from 6 am to 11 am and open for dinner daily from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.  For breakfast adults are $26 and for dinner adults are $49.  “Big” children ages 13-16 are 50% off adult pricing and children 12 and under are FREE.  Local residents should inquire about kamaaina discounts.

The Sheraton Waikiki is located at 2255 Kalakaua Avenue.  For more information or reservations call 808-922-4422 or 866-716-8109.  To check out details online and their daily menu visit: http://www.sheraton-waikiki.com/kaimarket.html.

I was very fortunate a few Sundays ago to have the pleasure of having Sunday brunch at Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel and Resort.  Hoku’s is located at 5000 Kahala Avenue in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.  Sunday brunch hours are from 10:30 am to 2 pm.

This wasn’t my first time at Hoku’s, but was my first time at Sunday brunch here.  Hoku’s is one of my favorite restaurants on the island.  Hoku’s does a mix of Hawaiian, Asian, and European cuisines that is ranked top among other fine dining restaurants on the island.  This place is known for 5 star service, where every table has 2 wait persons that service you simultaneously.  Besides the excellent food and service, the views of the ocean from your dining table and the cool ambiance makes this place even more special.

Being Hoku’s I expected only the best for their Sunday brunch and that’s what I received.  The elegant buffet spread is laid out in the front of the restaurant near the open air kitchen.  There were too many items to mention all of them, but the highlights were sushi and sashimi platters, fresh salads, made to order omelets, crab legs and lobster tails, oven roasted New Zealand rack of lamb, Hoku’s eggs benedict (their specialty, made with smoked salmon atop a homemade biscuit), different breakfast items, and an entire table of desserts from bread pudding to mango tapioca.

All the food was fabulous and I had a hard time deciding on what to eat because everything looked so good.  The miso butterfish was excellent and worth mentioning and also their made to order croissants served toasted with butter, jelly, and a strudel topping.  There was something for every palette with a special emphasis on Japanese food, which cater to their Japanese clientele.  After my meal and four plates of food and desserts later I could hardly move from my seat.  I finished off the meal with a warm cup of Kona coffee and was ready to go home for my mid-day siesta (nap).  It was a bittersweet sense of satisfaction.

Brunch is a little pricey and will run you $58 per adult and children ages 5-12 are $29 each.  This includes one complementary drink such as a mimosa, smoothie, or other beverage they offer.  Any extra drinks will be an additional charge.  I highly recommend their Sunday brunch for any special occasion or just a personal indulgence.  Based on the food quality, top notch service, and beach-side setting I felt it is worth every penny.  For reservations and more information call Hoku’s at 808-739-8760.

Here on Oahu, for a casual place to get fresh, fast, and delicious Mexican food with a Hawaiian flair visit Maui Tacos Mexican Surf Grill in Kailua Town on Kailua Road.  The original Maui Tacos opened in 1993 in Napili, Maui by Chef Mark Ellman.  Chef Ellman combined his love for Mexican food, surf, and island life resulting in Maui Tacos.  Maui Tacos motto is, “A vacation you can eat!”

This order at the counter style restaurant allows customers to dine in or take their food to-go.  Choose from BBQ pork burritos, crispy beef tacos, chicken mango salad, coconut flan, and much much more.  All entrees come with Spanish rice and choice of black, refried, or pinto beans and a handful of crispy tortilla chips.  The menu is large and the portions are generous.

One of the things that Maui Tacos is known for is their in-house salsa bar which includes 5 different freshly made salsas like “Hula Heat Salsa” and “Pineapple Passion Salsa” plus pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, onions, and jalapenos are also available as complimentary toppings.  With each meal you get to help yourself to unlimited salsa also available by the 1/2 pint or pint for purchase.

Maui Tacos food selection is for the healthy conscious consumer but does not skimp on flavor.  This eatery serves up healthier Mexican cuisine with fresh produce and proteins.  Maui Tacos also offers a “Healthy DinerFinder Menu,” vegetarian options, and even a gluten free menu.

What many may not know about Maui Tacos is how many current locations there are around the country and the world.  Besides Hawaii, store locations can be found in California, Texas, Utah, Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and locations are beginning to open now internationally.  Franchising is available all over the mainland and the world for those interested in spreading this island Mexican cuisine.

For restaurant locations, menus, nutritional information, and much more visit www.MauiTacos.com .

Hilo Bay Café is a little hidden treasure.  Located in the Wal-Mart shopping plaza, it is almost invisible somewhere between the Verizon and T-Mobile Wireless Stores. This restaurant is modern and chic in a really nice way. It feels as if you have stepped off the island for a moment into a trendy west coast restaurant/bar.

Except for the front view the parking lot, there are no other windows, yet the atmosphere is still fresh, pleasant and inviting.  Jazz was playing quietly in the background.  Our table was a few steps up in a little area separated from the room by half walls.  Looking down a bit at the rest of the room there appeared to be mostly couples, some clearly romantic, in various degrees of attire from casual to somewhat formal.

I have a friend who drives to Hilo from Hawi (2 hours) just for Hilo Bay’s spinach salad. Recipes are modern fused and upgraded favorites made with fresh organic ingredients.  I had a personal vegetarian potpie that had an amazingly delicate and delicious crust just right for dipping. My friend and I shared a yummy salad with homemade baguette bread.

The menu included homemade ravioli, stuffed with artichoke hearts, garlic and cheese. There were burgers with Gorgonzola cheese, grilled pork loin and seared, crusted Ahi tuna.  Lots of vegetarian choices and everything looked almost too beautiful to eat.  Of course we did eat it and it was as delicious as it looked.

I have since discovered that this one of those best kept secrets.  Everyone I have asked who has eaten there loves it and goes back regularly. Prices are extremely reasonable and much less than restaurants of this caliber command elsewhere.

They are open for lunch and dinner with easy parking right out front.

Hours: Daily 11am-9pm; Lunch 11am-2pm, Light Lunch 2pm-5pm, Dinner 5pm-9pm.

Hilo Bay Café ~ 315 Makaala Street ~ Hilo, HI 96720 ~ Phone: (808) 935-4939

On a recent trip to Kauai my wife and I stayed in Poipu and unlike our first trip to the Garden Isle, it was sunny all three days! After working up an appetite surfing just off of Poipu Beach (can’t remember the breaks name) we decided we needed to finally try this Puka Dog thing that we’ve heard about. There is one in Waikiki, inside the International Market Place, so I’m told, and I’ve seen pictures of their creations, but really needed to try one out.

So, after a quick shower, off we went to the Poipu Shopping Center to try out a Puka Dog. When we got there it was packed. A small little hole in the wall, they serve veggie or polish dogs in a very non-traditional way. Puka in Hawaiian means hole. And these hot dogs are literally pushed into a hole in small loaf of bread (the bun.) Top that off with some interesting fixings that aren’t what you’d normally find on

a hot dog (only mustard if you’re traditional) and you have yourself a puka dog.

The ordering process is pretty simple. You first choose polish or veggie, then choose what type of Garlic Lemon Secret Sauce you want, and finally you choose the type(s) of tropical or traditional relish that you want your puka dog bathing in. Hand them your $6.25, and you’re on your way to enjoying a uniquely Hawaii hot dog.

The Garlic Lemon Secret Sauce comes in original, spicy and hot. I went the spicy and although it was quite tasty it didn’t give it the spice I was looking for. Next time I’m going with the hot. Now the truly unique and interesting fixins come with the relish choices you have, the tropical ones. These come in mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana, and star fruit. All of which don’t sound appetizing on a hot dog but I had to try them out. Besides, whats a puka dog without a taste of the islands? So I went with the mango and it did not disappoint!

The lemon garlic, mixed with the mango, and hot dog wrapped in a bun turned out to be a great treat. I’ll definitely be heading down into Waikiki to try it out.

Finally, I washed it all down with fresh squeezed lemonade. The girl at the counter was squeezing it right in front of us, mixing it up with sugar, water, and ice, and serving it up with a smile. It was delicious. And it fit in with my tropical relish flavored hot dog quite nicely.

The staff was fun, seeming to have a good time. The service was fast. The atmosphere was like a Jamba Juice made out of left over Hawaii Tiki attire and crowd kept on coming. It was a perfect lunch spot on our Kauai weekend getaway.

Waikoloa Macaroni Grill – Waikoloa Queen Shops, The Big Island of Hawaii

This medium priced Italian restaurant is part of a chain of Macaroni Grills that can be found all over the U.S. For those of us living in Hawaii, this type of family friendly restaurant is a welcome relief to the high priced dining aimed at tourists. They are open for Lunch and Dinner. 

The Waikoloa Macaroni Grill accommodates quite a big crowd, usually with no waiting for a table during the week. The menu selection is relatively comprehensive and the portions generous. We had ten in our group and everyone was happy with both the service and the meal. I had brick oven pizza for about $12, with a couple pieces left over to take home. I tasted the Caesar Salad ($13.99) and the Chicken Marsala ($16.99), which were very good. And finally we all had a couple of bites of Tiramisu for dessert (delicious).

As with most Big Island restaurants attire is casual but of course you can always dress up for fun. There is a Keiki menu and crayons for the children to write on the paper tablecloths. The atmosphere is typical of large chain restaurants but the ambiance in the rest room was a surprise with the warm voice of a woman giving Italian language lessons.

Definitely worth trying.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar – Waikoloa Queen Shops, The Big Island, Hawaii

The Big Island has the newest of the four Sansei Sushi restaurants in Hawaii. As with most sushi restaurants, prices are not cheap and they are only open for dinner. However, the food is delicious and the staff is very efficient and friendly. Plus they stay open later than almost any place on the Big Island.

If you only go for one thing you must try the panko crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll. This is Hawaiian Ahi Tuna, wrapped in spinach and arugula leaves dipped in potato flakes and flash fried. I have to admit I have ordered this at least half a dozen times since the restaurant opened.

They have an extensive wine menu but I tried a couple of different Saki’s recommended by the waiter and was really pleased. They also make a killer Apple Martini (or so I’ve heard ).

One of the unique things about Sansei’s is that they do early bird specials.  Every day starting from when they open until 6:00pm everyone gets 25% off most of the menu. For Hawaii Residents (yes they check IDs) Sunday and Monday they have a Kama’aina discount of 50%.  I haven’t actually hit it on the right day and time but I have seen the line forming around 4:00pm. If you have a good size group this means considerable savings so probably worth waiting in the line. 

Hours are: Sunday and Monday 5:00 to 10:00, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 – 10:00. Thursday from 5:30 – 10:00 for everyone and then from 10:00 – 12:00am for over 21 (yes they do check IDs), Friday and Saturday from 5:30 – 10:00 and then adults from 10:00 to 1:00am. 

Late night Thursdays they have live music and Fridays and Saturday is free Karaoke after 10:00. 

Definitely worth trying.

Queen’s Market Place, Ste 801 ~ 201 Waikoloa Beach Dr ~ Waikoloa, HI 96738 ~ 808-886-6286

Luke 15:24 The Christian Testament of the Bible, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate!” Not all Koreans are Christians but a majority of Koreans are religious about celebrating all aspects of their lives therefore they have a wonderful habit of eating dinner in a joyfully noisy fashion quite publicly in restaurants such as Choi’s Garden at 1303 Rycroft St, in the heart of Honolulu behind the mega Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club on Keaumoku Street.

A majority of the tables & booths insides Choi’s Garden are large enough to accommodate eight to twelve people with ease and on those occasions when this writer has dined at Choi’s all of them were filled with people celebrating life’s everyday joys; birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, or simply the fact that a friend was back on O’ahu after an absence of a few weeks. Choi’s is noisy in a joyful way; laughter, boisterous conversation amidst the sizzle of meat, the clicking of chopsticks on bowls & plates, the clatter of plates of delicious treats landing on tables. Choi’s is a delightful place, clean and comfortable with terrific painting adorning the walls amongst historic photographs chronicling the history of Koreans in Hawai’i.

Naturally a restaurant has to have more than ambience to be popular and so when it comes to food the folks at Choi’s Garden Restaurant come through with traditional Korean food well prepared and plentiful. Among the delights to be found on the Chef’s Special Menu: Sang Kal Bi (Garlic seasoned prime ‘short’ rib), Gha Dol Bae Ki (seasoned brisket of beef), Yang Goo-E (Seasoned Tripe), Gop Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Small Intestine) and Hong Chang Goo-E (Seasoned Beef Big Intestine), along with variations of traditional Kal Bi and Spicy Marinated Chicken.

Choi’s Garden is famous for stews and soups such delights as Dobu Chi Ke (Tofu Pot Stew), Oh Jing-O Chi Ke (Squid Stew), Jo Ki Chi Ke (Yellow Corvina Stew),Kal Bi Tang (Short Rib Soup) and many more. There is much to be found on the menu, traditional favorites such as Yuk Hae Dol Sot Bap (rice mixed with vegetables and raw beef in hot stone pot) and Bi Bim Naeng Myon (cold noodles mixed with beef & vegetables and a spicy sauce) while those with an adventuresome tongue can enjoy delectables such as Nack Gop Jun Kol (Octopus with Small Beef Intestines) and Hae Naeng Myon (cold noodles with raw fish & vegetables & spicy sauce).

One can explore the menu via http://choisgarden.com/index_eng.html as for pricing, though not inexpensive, for the quality and quantity Choi’s Garden has a comfortable array ranging from $11 to $32 per entrée and most entrees easily serve two to four people plus every meal is served with a selection of cold vegetable plates; the ever welcome kim-chee, seaweed salad, spicy cucumbers, other delights.

Choi’s Garden is open from 10AM to 10PM and reservations are strongly suggested, one can call them via 808-596-7555. There is ample parking and a friendly valet, and once inside the staff if exceptionally courteous and mindful of their customers needs. And after a fantastic meal one gets an unexpected treat, a cup of chilled cinnamon tea that is quite simply fantastic!