 Annual Restaurant Issue Published
We want to congratulate Chef Mavro for his inclusion on our Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. list published in our 2007 Restaurant Issue.
Openings
Kevin Aoki, son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, has brought his vision of Latin and Asian fusion to the newly renovated Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Sushi Doraku has quickly become the hot-spot for local trendsetters and tourists looking for a stylish dining experience. Sushi Doraku, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 2333 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-922-3323.
Hungry for a hearty meal in Waimea? The freshly opened Huli Sue's Barbecue & Grill is serving up Tex-Mex style meats along with local-style imu smoked meats and Asian flavored sauces. The sides are an interesting mix of East and West while the desserts are pure decadence: coconut layer cake, pineapple upside-down cake and Hawaiian chocolate cake. Huli Sue's Barbecue & Grill, 64-957 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI 96743, 808-885-6268.
Banana Leaf Pasta Café has opened in the McCully Shopping Center. Honolulu is not known for an overabundance of Italian restaurants so the opening of a new spot offering Italian food is always welcomed by local diners. Banana Leaf Pasta Café, McCully Shopping Center, 1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96826, 808-946-3338.
Chef Goran Streng and his partner Tami Orozco, of Oahu's Tango Contemporary Café, are looking to open a second location of their eclectic restaurant. Named Tango To Go, this outpost will be located in downtown Honolulu. No opening date has been set.
A new Mexican restaurant has opened along Wailuku's busy Market Street. Rosa's Cantina offers fresh selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rosa Garcia ran the former El Corita, which closed several months ago. Rosa's Cantina, 197 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793, 808-244-8304.
There's another ocean-side hangout on Lahaina's Front Street. The Mai Tai Lounge features casual lunch and dinner fare, including pupus, salads, sushi and seafood, as well as a great selection of tropical drinks. Dine on the open-air patio with striking views of Lana'i. The Mai Tai Lounge, 839 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-5288.
Pan: A Mediterranean Bistro opened up in the Haiku Town Center. The owner is Vasi Zaferis, who also runs Gourmet Catering & Tropical Desserts nearby. Executive chef Brian Carter offers an elegant dinner menu featuring Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Pan: A Mediterranean Bistro, 810 Kokomo Rd., Haiku, HI 96708, 808-575-9101.
Chef Shuffle
Bali by the Sea at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa has a new chef, Francois Bougard. Bougard, mostly recently chef tournant at the hotel, is a French native and trained at the Ecole Culinaire Ferrandi in Paris. He has worked extensively in the Islands, France and California. The menu is not expected to change dramatically, though diners should look for special menus with a decidedly French flair for the holidays. Bali by the Sea, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-941-2254.
Honolulu's Ruth's Chris Steak House on Restaurant Row has named Kyle Yonashiro as its new executive chef. An Oahu native, he has extensive restaurant experience including a stint as executive chef at Nick's Fishmarket Maui. Ruth's Chris Steak House, Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-599-3860.
News
Bytes
"Fat Boy" and Gale Gand's Crème Brûlée Join Haute Dog Line-Up
Never content with a static menu, Hank's Haute Dogs now offers a deep-fried hot dog. The aptly named "Fat Boy" is a Vienna hot dog, wrapped in thick-cut smoked bacon, deep-fried and dressed like a BLT with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Owner Henry "Hank" Adaniya draws upon his legendary line-up of chefs from the now-defunct Trio to add pastry chef Gale Gand's crème brûlée to the menu. Hank's Haute Dogs, 324 Coral St., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-532-4265.
New Digs for Village Steak & Seafood
Village Steak & Seafood now occupies the choice oceanfront location formerly occupied by the Golden Dragon Restaurant. Its new home features some of the best views in Waikiki and a seat on the lanai during the famous Friday night fireworks is sure to please everyone. Chef Andrew Yagami's menu features crab cakes, Black Angus prime rib and oven-baked double lobster. Village Steak & Seafood, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815, 808-949-4321.
More Fine Wines for Maui
Ali Biglar, owner of Hawaii Liquor Superstore in Kahului, has teamed up with California sommelier Peter Birmingham to increase the quality of its wine offerings. Birmingham plans to increase its wine selection from 1,500 labels to a minimum of 2,500. The team will also educate consumers on wine selection by providing hands-on customer service. Hawaii Liquor Superstore, 270 Dairy Rd., Kahului, HI 96732, 808-877-8778.
Swim & Dine
‘Umalu, a new poolside restaurant, is currently being built at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Ka'anapali. The restaurant---whose name translates to "shade under a cliff"---will feature an open kitchen as well as a self-serve deli for folks on the go. The $8 million project is scheduled to be completed by mid-July. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761, 808-661-1234, 800-233-1234.
Redesigned Restaurant Pages
Our thousands of restaurant review pages now have a bold new look and interactive features that allow you to search easily for other eateries near you. Click on the rating, price, cuisine and other features to search for more restaurants in that category. To let us know what you think of our new form and function, email us here. |
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Closings
Sam Choy's Diamond Head on Oahu closed at the end of June. It's been reported that the staff (and some menu items) will relocate to Sam Choy's in Iwilei, a more casual restaurant from the Hawaiian celebrity chef. Sam Choy's, 580 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-545-7979.
Tony Roma's, a restaurant famous for its ribs, has closed its only Maui location in the historic Kishi Building in Lahaina. The restaurant chain still has three locations on O'ahu.
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