Good eats in Waikiki
 

We will be in Oahu at the end of the month celebrating birthday and 21st anniversary. Suggestions on a wonderful restaurant for dinner. We've eaten at Roy's in Kauai and wondered if there is one in Waikiki? Price not an issue. Good food is.<BR><BR>Thanks Shar

I am living in Waikiki temporarily. Actually, there are very few top restaurants in Waikiki, but there are a few just outside of Waikiki. Roys is located in Hawaii Kai, about 15 minutes from Waikiki. The food is wonderful but it is loud and boisterous. Alan Wongs is fantastic (about 5 minutes from Waikiki) but not utterly romantic. If you want wonderful food, service, and atmosphere I would recommend Hokus at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. Request a table by the window so that you can see the ocean or the dolphins playing in the lagoon. Enjoy. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

We were there last week (and I really wish we still were) and had a very romantic dinner at the Hau Tree Lanai restaurant. It's right on the main Waikiki street (on the beach side) - about a mile past where the Marriott is. It's in the New Otani Kaimana Beach hotel. It was really beautiful and the food was excellent. Service was quite good.<BR>

A few wonderful restaurants in Waikiki come to mind: Diamond Head Grill in the W Hotel (great food, nice atmosphere, but no view), and Orchids and Le Mer in the Halekulani Hotel (both have great views and great food). I agree with the suggestion of Alan Wongs also, but it can be a bit loud and you need a car or taxi to get there. The Hau Tree Lanai, also mentioned above, is a good restaurant, but I don't think it falls into the wonderful or special occasion category.

Another vote for the restaurants at the Halekulani (if price is no object). Beautiful setting with great food and service.

I believe that Roy's on Oahu is his flag ship restaurant and you want to call and see if he will be acting as executive chef there any night of your stay. That would be a treat!!! He is a James Beard Winner, forget which year.<BR><BR>If it were me I would try Alan Wong's (a James Beard nominee last year), 3666 on the Rise. So interesting 3666 on the rise is in Kaimuki and according to one show I saw in Hawaii on Hawaiian language it means something to the effect of &quot;sacred cooking place&quot;. All of these great restaurants just popped up around this area. You will see what I mean when you see the area, very residential nothing special that would make it in my eye anyone look like a place for a restaurant.<BR><BR>I like Kincaids in Ward Warehouse. Not as highend as the others but wonderful and more affordable food.<BR><BR><BR>Remember Shar cutting over the Pali will take you only 20 minutes to get to honolulu. You just want to remember no pork in the car over the pali after midnight otherwise the menahue gonna get you :):). Just kidding but I knew a Samoan woman who warned me of this. <BR><BR>Totally have to explore china town. OAHU WAS MADE FOR EATING.<BR><BR>Malasadas Lenards YUM! but that is more junk food. No time for proofing just popping off. SOOO JEALOUS Shar.<BR><BR>You want to get a zagat guide and do an archive search on Oahu. There is a cheap eats colum.

Well, I typed up some information and it didn't take, so here I go again.<BR><BR>My husband and I were in Hawaii in October and friends of ours took us to Hoku's restaurant at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel. The food and service was exceptional. It's located on the other side of Diamond Head about a 15 minute drive. It's in an exclusive area. Entrees ranged from $22 to about $32. It's a great place for a special celebration!

I prefer the noted restaurants outside of Waikiki<BR><BR>Waikiki Michels for view<BR><BR>Keo's for reasonably priced thai<BR><BR>Don't know many more Halikulani has LaMer but that is French. I prefer Asian infused foods in Hawaii kind of closer to the source.

Hi Shar,<BR><BR>I'll put in another good word for La Mer at Halekulani. It is very romantic - if you decide to dine there request a table on the lanai. It is a second floor lanai overlooking the ocean - very beautiful. The food is very French, extensive wine list, great service. Quite pricey but a very special place for a celebration dinner.

Another great Waikiki Restaurant -- Chef Mavro's.

Shar,<BR>All good suggestions. Personally, I would go to Hoku's and have the deep fried fish. It's a whole fish - usually onaga or ehu served with different sauces (sweet &amp; sour, shoyu and black bean). It comes with fried rice and a vegetable stir fry. Make sure you walk off the dinner with a romantic walk on the beach and see the dolphins.

You can browse the menus at this site:<BR>www.alohachefs.com<BR><BR>Roy's on Oahu is located in Hawaii Kai, about 20 minutes or so from Waikiki (depending on traffic). You should go early, like at 5 or 530, so you can watch the sunset from there, even if it is on the east! It gets really noisy after 7 so if you eat early you will just barely miss that crowd.<BR><BR>Padovani's in the Alana Doubletree is good, in addition to all the above suggestions. 3660 On The Rise is also a good choice--if you like martinis, go on Wednesday! If you like asian fusion, try Indigo on Nuuanu Avenue in Chinatown. Also the Hanohano Room at the top of the Sheraton Waikiki. The best view in town!

PSS there is a website called www.alohachefs.com You can actually see pictures of signature dishes of leading high end restaurants here.