We're going to Oahu for a week at the end of January and want to experience all the best restaurants. Any suggestions for the best, as far as gourmet food and atmosphere? Thanks.

Melody,

I was in Honolulu last August and more than enjoyed the following restaurants:

David Paul's Diamond Head Grill at the Colony Surf ( great jazz pianist the two nights we ate there, also)

Padovani's Bistro at the Doubletree Inn.. not bistro fare, elegant, excellent food, a terrific cheese course, there is a dress code for men

Alan Wong's..it's in an ofice building near downtown. I had the taster's menu, delicious..very popular..VERY air-condidtioned

My parents raved about La Mer at the Halekulani. I also emailed you a recent LA TIMES article on fine dining in Honolulu.The city has come a long way. If you do not receive it, let me know.

Enjoy,
Michele

We recently came back from a 2 week Honeymoon on Oahu. Ate at several upscale and fine dining restaurants. La Mer is easily THE best restaurant in Hawaii (prev. exp. in Maui). It is also the only 5 star restaurant in HI, and if you go there you will see why.

The elegant decor, romantic view and superbly prepared food (including 3 complementary appetizers that we were served) made it an unforgettable dining experience. If you go there, try the Fish Bouillabaise, a signature dish of Chef Yves Garnier. Also, I highly recommend the Symphonie La Mer for dessert. The restaurant was suprisingly affordable, and the two of us ate there for only around $150. Very hard to beat.

Regards.

Honolulu is a foodie's paradise! Agree with the above recommendations. We just tried the new Sansei Seafood Restaurant and sushi bar at Restaurant Row, which just opened and may not have made the LA Times article, but is earning rave reviews. It's casual but great. Alan Wong's Pineapple Room at Ala Moana is a great lunch spot, too. And there's Hoku's at the Kahala Mandarin for yet another great tasting menu!

Hello, I spent a year in Waikiki. Keo's Thai Cuisine is a must I recomend the Evil Jungle Chicken and Spring rolls. Make a reservation for dinner, lunches are walk in. The Cha Cha Cha in Waikiki was my favorite, casual, affordable, and great carribean mex. Finally you cant go to Hawaii and not have a plate lunch, my favorite was the terri-pork plate at Moses's lunch wagon that show up at Sandy Beach(a must see) at chow time.

Hope you have a great time.

Hi

We are also going there next Jan from Austraila and wouldnt mind some of the info you are getting especially the times mag on places to eat that is getting emailed to you? thanks
Rieta

Alan Wong's Pineapple Room at Ala Moana Center is certainly a good bargain if you can't afford (or get into) Alan Wong's. However, you have to go upstairs to the 4th floor for dessert, as the restaurant itself has a limited dessert menu.

I also really like Cafe Monsarrat, which is busy even on weekdays! At that restaurant, I would recommend you not order entrees but instead order about 4 appetizer/starters. My friends & I did that and that was wonderful!

Another place that most tourists don't know about (maybe they can't find it) is Cafe Laufer, located on Waialae Avenue near Diamond Head. They don't take reservations but are packed at lunch (don't these people have jobs?) and especially busy on Friday nights. While their meals are tasty & reasonable, they are best known for their fabulous, fabulous desserts and strong coffee.

We liked Sam Choy's. It's upstairs in a strip mall type place,no view of the ocean, etc. But the food is fantastic. Looks and tastes like art.