Oops.

If anyone is into cooking classes check out www.gourmetcookinghawaii.com

Alan Wong's is my favorite restaurant. Be sure to make reservations early.

As Melissa mentioned, Michel's is in a great setting next to the ocean. It's a bit more formal, but the food is wonderful.

I also like the setting at the Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. Best for breakfast or lunch, I think.

On the Windward side, we like Cinnamon's for informal dining.

I just took Leburta to dinner at Chef Mavro's last night and we loved it! It is quite pricey, but everything was delicious. Her husband was especially turned on by the excellent wine pairings. We had a soup-to-nuts meal but walked away not feeling too full, just right.....the true mark of a good restaurant. My fave was the lobster. Oh, and of course the foie gras, but that's my favorite anywhere.

One thing I don't like about these so called fine dining restaurants is that they often don't give you much food. I went to Alan Wong's website and Roy's website and the food portions in the pictures looked like child's portions. Anyone have any suggestions on a place with quality and quantity? I already have Dukes on my list! Leaving in 9 days.

I am almost... speechless.

In the spirit of cooperating, may I suggest Nico's, Monarch Seafood, Town, 12th Avenue Grill, and maybe on the top end Chai's Bistro or 3660 on the RIse.

I understand the resistance to the high end, but Duke's cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

Definitely Chai's Island Bistro..We were just there a few weeks ago and loved loved loved it.

I just recently became a member of Fodor's and have really enjoyed reading the postings. It puts a smile on my face to see how genuinely kind, supportive and helpful the Fodor's members are. Although I am still challenged with finding responses to my postings, the information I found reading other's postings has been enlightening and educational. Cheers to your kindness and sharing of knowledge. Stacia

I probably will get a lot of flack for this, but I think the best place for dining in Oahu, for the money, quality, quantity of food, is the Wailana Coffee Shop. Besides, their coffee is spectacular.

Flack..I hope not!! Everything has it's place, and good coffee definitely has it's place in my life!!
Thanks for the tip!
Belle

Waldo, I don't see how anyone could give you flack for recommending Wailana. Anytime locals are willing to brave parking in Waikiki to eat pancakes they must be good! For extra fun sit in Jo's section.

>islandmom wrote:
>Date: 05/25/2003, 07:39 pm
>Just wanted to add that I am always on the hunt for good mexican food here.

I have eaten at Cisco's, but I thought the food was average and the service, surly. My favorite Mexican places here are Jose's in Kaimuki and Compagres at Ward Warehouse.

And whoever said that Eggs n Things is overpriced, I defy you to find a better, bigger breakfast for $8! I love that place!

If you're looking for a place on the Windward side - Haleiwa Joe's in Kaneohe is very good - their coconut shrimp is delicious! I also hear their prime rib is good - every time we go, they seem to be sold out - someone said you have to get there by 6:00. The view is nice - it is set by the Koolau mountain range an overlooks a garden that you can walk down to.

For Mexican food, Mexico Lindo has two locations - one in Kailua and one in Kaneohe (the one in Kaneohe is really small and the one in Kailua is really noisy) but the food is good. There is also a place near Kapahulu called Toritos that has good food.

As for Alan Wong - the food is delicious! The serving is a little small and there is really no view but the food is good. I haven't been to Mavros.

And if you want a good breakfast, you need to come to the windward side and go to Boots and Kimos. They have an UNBELIEVABLE macadamia nut pancake. My friend licks her plate every time we go. It is REALLY small and there is usually a line (especially on the weekends) but it is worth the wait. The service is pretty sad but just wait for the pancakes. Hope this helps.

Eggs n Things is definitely overated. The service is ok, but the wait for breakfast is usually long. There are definitely cheaper deals around where the wait isn't as long. Found a nice little internet cafe right next door to Eggs n Things that serves breakfast all day.

Oh, I also definitely recommend Giovanni's shrimp truck in Kahuku. They have the BEST shrimp scampi on the island. Don't forget to bring a Sharpie pen and sign the truck!

There really isn't much of a choice in fine dining on the way to North Shore. There are a bunch of restaurants in Haleiwa. Jameson's has a nice atmosphere. For dessert, don't miss Matsumoto's for shaved ice also in Haleiwa. It's the best!

After two extended visits to Honolulu in the last year, the most memorable dinner we had was at 3660 on the Rise. A meal at Alan Wong's was pricey, but really just OK. Another real pleasure for food and the view is House Without a Key. Been back there several times. The setting is most luxurious!
Also---make sure to do the walking tour of Chinatown with PakePorkChop. It's wonderful!

Thank you for your kind words about the Chinatown Walking Tour.

For the information of readers, the Culinary Walking Tour of Chinatown is now offered on MONDAYS, from 9:30 am to 12 noon.

Special group tours are also possible by arrangement with the Chinese Chamber of Commercer, 533-3181, or you can email email [email protected] for more information.

Mahalo!