Fodor's Expert Review Kaiwa

At this sleek, contemporary Japanese restaurant, choose from the teppan bar, the sushi bar, the main dining room, or the sexy zashiki room, curtained off by strands of lights. You can try okonomiyaki, the famous savory pancakes that are a specialty of Osaka, with mix-and-match ingredients scrambled on a griddle, then drizzled with piquant sauces, or jewel-like appetizers such as dashi gelée topped with tender abalone and sea urchin served in martini glasses. Also try simpler grilled dishes include Kurobuta pork topped with barley miso and Japanese pumpkin with asparagus and bacon. The place is a kaleidoscope of chocolate-brown tiles, understated waterfalls, and dropped ceilings of Japanese fabric, making it a visual and dining experience. It's a tad expensive, even for Waikiki, but loyal diners swear by it.