David Niederauer Los Gatos, CA
 Master Sommelier Posts:15756


 | | 02/28/2005 8:33 PM |
| We've got this great thread on hotels in Hawaii. I would like to know where people like to dine in Hawaii. (I thought we had a thread on this but I sure can't find it).
My question really applies to Waikiki but I thought we could open up the topic for all of the Islands.
TIA  | | | |
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Randy Wigginton
 Wine Connoisseur Posts:5510

 | | 02/28/2005 8:48 PM |
| | On waikiki, House without a Key in the Halekulani. Great food, awesome service, extremely knowledgeable Sommelier, and a killer view. In Honolulu there are quite a few, but I always check the latest Zagat guide. | | | |
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kimber
 Grape Fermenter Posts:671

 | | 03/01/2005 12:35 AM |
| On Maui:
1. David Paul's Lahaina Grill (far and away #1 on Maui and a top 10 dining experience overall for me) 2. Roy's 3. Sansei (sushi only)
Most disappointing meal/experience EVER: Nick's Fishmarket. | | | |
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ChangeMe
 Barrel Filler Posts:1475

 | | 03/01/2005 2:05 AM |
| Too many top notch restaurants, so some QPR's from me:
Oahu - Olive Tree Cafe, 4614 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu. Greek deli style with BYOB and a strong Hawaiian influence (many fresh fish specials).
Big Island - Seaside Restauant, 1790 Kalanianaole Ave. Super fresh seafood (if you are willing to wait, you can order it and they will go catch it out of their lagoon for you).
Maui - A Saigon Cafe, 1792 Main St., Wailuku - Hawaiian influenced vietnamese. Try the wrap-your-own spring rolls with the fish of the day or the shrimp skewered on sugar cane.
Kauai - Koloa Fish Market, 5842 Koloa Road, Koloa - Carryout (maybe a few tables inside?) market with a huge selection of fish stuff. A whole deli case with loads of different kinds of poke, sashimi, smoked fish, etc.
As whiner recently pointed out on the other thread, Hawaii dining should be ALL about fresh seafood. The real beauty (for me) is the super fresh seafood bargains, the likes of which cannot be matched anywhere on the mainland. And the fish is even more of a bargain when you consider how crazy expensive just about everything else is in Hawaii. | | | |
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wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12263


 | | 03/01/2005 2:09 AM |
|
Big Island - Merriman's. Maui - A Pacific Cafe (if still open) and Sansei (despite all of the negative press). Oahu - still looking. Kauai - Gaylord's and Duke's suit me just fine. | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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whiner Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
 Wine Thief Posts:2875


 | | 03/01/2005 2:40 AM |
| Kauai - A Pacific Cafe Maui - David Paul's, Roy's, I'o, PacificO (the first two are awesome restaurants all around, the second two are almost exclusively rediculously fresh fish -- with great Ocean views).
WIML, when I was in Maui last (2 1/2 years ago) A Pacific Cafe was closed.
a | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland. -- Woody Allen | |
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ChangeMe
 Barrel Filler Posts:1371

 | | 03/01/2005 1:21 PM |
| | I'll say it again, Kei Cafe on the Big Island. | | | |
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wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12263


 | | 03/01/2005 3:09 PM |
| Quote:
WIML, when I was in Maui last (2 1/2 years ago) A Pacific Cafe was closed.
a
I'd vaguely remember somebody mentioning that but I wasn't sure. | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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Dick W.
 Barrel Filler Posts:1081

 | | 03/01/2005 3:49 PM |
| Quote:
Kauai - Gaylord's and Duke's suit me just fine.
ditto that wiml. we go to gaylord's every time. there are two others i wish i could remember. one is on the left next to a jewelry store on the way to the blow hole on the south end of the island just west of poipu (edit: that is The Beach House Restaurant-still working on the other one). and the other is in the hotel (great sushi) about a mile west of the marriott waohai resort in poipu (Naniwa japanese restaurant and sushi house-got em both, this was great. it's in the sheraton). both are excellent, can't remember the name of either unfortunately. i'll have to check receipts and get back to you. | | | |
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juggernt Tampa, FL, USA
 Wine Bottler Posts:3420


 | | 03/02/2005 1:45 PM |
| | Pacific Cafe on Kauai. | | Visit The Butcher Block at http://www.butcherblocktampa.com/ | |
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rjs3 NJ
 Barrel Filler Posts:1124

 | | 03/04/2005 6:16 PM |
| | Is Gaylord's at a plantation? We went to Hawaii almost 14 yrs. ago. I remember eating a fantastic pacific-rim meal at a plantation either on the Big Island or Kuaui. | | | |
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wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12263


 | | 03/04/2005 7:40 PM |
| | I believe Gaylord's was considered a plantation at one point.Here is a link to their website. | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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Dick W.
 Barrel Filler Posts:1081

 | | 03/04/2005 8:27 PM |
| | you're right, WIML. dang, september is a long ways away, i love going there. | | | |
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Chicago Wine Geek Chicago Western Suburbs
 Wine Labeler Posts:3672


 | | 03/04/2005 9:35 PM |
| | No one mentioned Mama's Fish House in Maui?? Outstanding. | | | |
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wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12263


 | | 03/05/2005 2:21 AM |
| Quote:
No one mentioned Mama's Fish House in Maui?? Outstanding.
We had a good meal there with the family. It wasn't great but it was good. I'm guessing I would stop in again...especially if I was on that side of the island. | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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ChangeMe
 Grape Truck Driver Posts:31

 | | 03/08/2005 7:59 PM |
| Sansei at waikiki is great! They have Sushi on one side and a steak house on the other. I recently dined at both and found them to be excellent. They also have a very nice reasonably priced wine list.
Cheers, Fox | | | |
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jason Napa Valley
 Wine Addict Posts:6886

 | | 03/28/2005 5:24 PM |
| Quote:
My question really applies to Waikiki but I thought we could open up the topic for all of the Islands.
I can answer the Oahu portion of your question. Unfortunately I get to the mainland more than the outer islands(Almost cheaper to fly to CA).
Best Hawaii Regional Cuisine:
Alan Wong's
3660 On The Rise
Hoku's
Chef Mavro(strange for wine though)
L'Uraku
Indigo - Food is decent, great ambiance though
Fancy French:
La Mer
Michel's at the Colony Surf
Padovanni's
Bistro at Centruy Center
Hawaiian Food:
Ono's
Local Style:
Side Street Inn
Sushi:
Sushi Sasubune
New that I have heard good things about:
Momomo
Places I go:
C&C Pasta Company - BYO good Italian
12th Ave Grill - BYO(though not for long) upscale comfort food
Samira's-BYO
Le Bistro
Good Locations to Eat:
Dukes Canoe Club, Bali by the Sea, Mariposa, Hanohano Room, Shorebird, Haleiwa Joes Haiku Plantation - Locations are great, most on the water or 30 floors up with fantastic views. Not necessarily the best food though but stunning/fun settings. | | | |
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ChillyWino
 Barrel Racker Posts:1701

 | | 03/28/2005 10:46 PM |
| | Is BYO allowed on Maui? | | | |
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David Niederauer Los Gatos, CA
 Master Sommelier Posts:15756


 | | 03/28/2005 11:57 PM |
| Thanks J  | | | |
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jason Napa Valley
 Wine Addict Posts:6886

 | | 03/29/2005 12:31 AM |
| Quote:
Is BYO allowed on Maui?
No, not in Maui county which encompasses Maui, Molokai and Lanai. | | | |
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