Frommer's Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu by Jeanette Foster

Author:Jeanette Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: 2012-12-21T16:00:00+00:00

East of Waikiki: Kahala

Hoku’s ★★★ HAWAII REGIONAL Elegant without being stuffy, creative without being overwrought, the upscale dining room of the Kahala Hotel & Resort combines European finesse with an island touch. This is fusion that really works. The setting is stellar, with its ocean view, open kitchen, and astonishing bamboo floor. Reflecting the restaurant’s cross-cultural influences, the kitchen is equipped with a kiawe grill and Szechuan woks for the prawn, lobster, tofu, and other stir-fried specialties. The chef’s daily selection of appetizers could include pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras, sashimi, Chinese roast duck, and other dainty tastings, and is a good choice for the curious. Salt-crusted rack of lamb, avocado crusted seared halibut and the full range of East-West specialties appeal to many tastes, and the wok-fried whole fresh fish is worthy of a special occasion. Sunday brunch is also not to be missed. This is one of the few places in Hawaii that has a “dress code”—collared shirts with slacks or evening wear.

At the Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Ave. & 808/739-8780. www.kahalaresort.com/dining/hoku.cfm. Reservations recommended. Collared shirts and long pants preferred for men. Main courses $30–$86. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Tues–Sat 5:30–10pm; Sun brunch 10:30am–2pm.

Olive Tree Cafe ★★ MEDITERRANEAN Delectables at bargain prices stream out of the tiny open kitchen here. Recently voted “Best Restaurant in Hawaii Under $20” in a local survey, Olive Tree is every neighborhood’s dream—a totally hip restaurant with divine fare and friendly prices. The mussel ceviche is broke-the-mouth fabulous, with lemon, lime, capers, herbs, and olive oil—a perfect blend of flavors. The creamy, tender chicken saffron, a frequent special, always elicits groans of pleasure, as does the robust and generous Greek salad, another Olive Tree attraction. We also love the souvlaki, ranging from fresh fish to chicken and lamb, spruced up with the chef’s homemade yogurt-dill sauce. First, order and pay at the counter, then grab an umbrella table outside or at one of a few seats indoors. Larger parties now have an awning over the sturdy wooden tables on the Koko Head side. It’s BYOB (for a small fee), and a group can dine here like sultans without breaking the bank and take in a movie next door, too.

4614 Kilauea Ave., next to Kahala Mall. & 808/737-0303. Main courses $10–$15. No credit cards. Daily 5–10pm.

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