New Interesting Restaurants in Honolulu?
 

I am interested in branching out of my norm and trying some new and different restaurants in Honolulu - looking for suggestions. What has opened recently (past year or so) that is worth a vist? No need for five star or great setting. The food quality is most important. Cusine is open as well. But nothing snooty. Mahalo!

I'm interested in the responses you get. I'm heading there next month and am intrigued by Salt and Whole Ox Deli.

I'll ring up MelissaHI and mari808...our resident <i> 'lulu dining rock stars</i>....they keep their fingers on the pulse!=P~

Kal, thanks for contacting them t get some information. I will keep an eye on this thread as I am starting to feel it is time to return to one of my favorite places.

((Y))

Hi all, and mahalo to Kal for bringing this to my attention! Here's a rolling list of the newest places to open on Oahu. We've been adding to this list, maybe a dozen at a time, for the last 2 years, so many of these places are already open (and sadly, some have already closed).
http://www.nonstophonolulu.com/eating/wereonit/

Here is my list of places to take out of towners, not necessarily new spots:
http://bit.ly/nshaloha

Add to that list:
Prima
Whole Ox
Salt/12th Avenue Grill
Yogurstory
Pig & The Lady (at the farmer's markets)
Miso & Ale (a roving pop up)

Let me know if you need more suggestions! But once you access that website, it's FULL of content—video, blogs, etc. with photos of what we eat. If you are curious about a certain restaurant and I need to wave you away from it, I'll be honest about that, too.

Great resource, thanks, Melissa!

We plan to do some higher end dining a couple of nights and already have reservations at Alan Wongs. What do you think of Azure? Have you been to La Mer since the new chef arrived? How's Mavro lately? Not planning to go to Roys Waikiki or Hawaii Kai as we'll probably go to the one in Ko Olina a couple of times. Speaking of which, any suggestions out that way? I don't think Monkeypod Kitchen will be open by next month, will it?

Hi Patty,
I do like Azure and the view is amazing. They also have a high-end Sunday brunch there now for a limited time that is good. I'm kind of on the fence about whether it's as good as Alan Wong or Mavro's, but then again, the night I went for dinner, I think Jon Matsubara was out of town.

Alan Wong's has no view, but is consistently good (love the onaga and opakapaka). Chef Mavro is also always good, and he is prepping to change over to his fall menu. You can't go wrong with the classic Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs.

As for Ko Olina....Are you looking for high end, or just food in general? The Aulani Resort has opened, and that's worth a look around. Their high-end restaurant has a fab view, but if you want a more reasonably priced meal, go for lunch. Their 'Olelo Bar is cool because—although they will speak to you in English—the staff is fluent in Hawaiian. At night, my buddy Jody Kamisato performs outside 'Olelo. (The adjacent buffet restaurant isn't something to write home about.)

The Ihilani at Ko Olina has Azul for high-end, and Naupaka for mid-range. Both are good.

I'm looking for anything on the Leeward side. We'll be there for 2 weeks and don't want to fight Honolulu traffic every day ;) After that, we'll be in Waikiki for another 4 nights. Some of those nights my in-laws and our neighbors will be joining us. Other nights it'll be just me and my husband. The 2 of us eat anything but my in-laws aren't too adventurous and don't like fru-fru food (my FIL thought Hiroshi was too weird). Last time we were there Aulani wasn't open yet so we plan to have lunch at Ama Ama and go to Olelo for drinks (interesting about the staff's fluency in Hawaiian). Does Jody play every night? We'll avoid the buffet, thanks. Unfortunately the Ihilani is closed for renos the entire time we're there so that further limits our options. I also thought I'd take my in-laws to Highway Inn, Nico's and maybe Indigo for their lunch buffet.

AW is always a must do for us and someone gave me a gift certificate for my b-day this year, woo hoo! :) I've been to Mavro a couple of times but not in a few years. Anyone else you think is on par with these two? I'll look into brunch at Azure and I was just checking out pics of the view from 53 By The Sea. I'm not usually a "view" person but I was mesmerized. Maybe we can check it out for lunch.

Thanks again!

PS - Sorry megdean I seem to have completely hijacked your thread :p

Melissa, we'll only be in Waikiki two days. One morning to see the Arizona and drive around the island and the other day to just walk the beach. Of all the restaurants you recommend which ones are in the Waikiki area?
We are staying at the Aston Waikiki Circle. Thanks

Azure, Rumfire and Tiki's are in Waikiki. Shokudo is walkable and behind Ala Moana mall. I've walked to the Saturday farmer's market at Kapiolani Community College (Pig & The Lady) which is behind Diamond Head. I'm sure I've missed a bunch.

Speaking of Waikiki, how's Morimoto or should I stick with something I can't get on the mainland?

Thanks Patty

Hey, I love this conversation and hijacking! Good info. We are in HI now and so far have been to the 12th Avenue Grill, which we liked. My favorite place, of course, is AWongs, so I keep comparing meals to there. There is some good information on Chowhound as well. I would like to try Whole Ox tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of your trip megdean and please report back again!

Megdean, good to know you are right there now and enjoying good food and all the Hawaiian fun.
Do tell us what all is new there now and have you found any other recently opened restaurants.

Back home now. I was in HI on business, and customer dinner requests got in the way of my "investigation." We ate at Hau Tree Lanaii, which is certainly not new, but was wonderful. Never got to Whole Ox - next time!

We had a really nice lunch at 53 By The Sea. Lunch prices are very reasonable and include complimentary appetizers and dessert. Service was excellent too and you can't beat the view.

Lunch at Ama Ama was disappointing. We really enjoyed the music at Olelo Room.

Whole Ox was great! Got there late for lunch and was initially disappointed that they were out of the sandwich I wanted but ordered a roast beef instead and it was so good. I want to go back and try breakfast.

Good dinner at Salt. Favorites were the pork rillette and tako. Going to try to brave the crowds at KCC tomorrow.

Got there just before 7:30am and the parking lot was almost full but the food at Pig & the Lady was defintely worth braving the crowds for. Tried the pork belly banh mi, noodle soup and pumpkin soup with spareribs. It was all delicious.