Oahu Restaurants
Town
- Critic's rating
- Frommer's
3435 Waialae Ave
Honolulu, HI
Tel. 808/735-5900
The latest hip restaurant along Waialae's miracle mile of "in" spots is a surprisingly delicious place to eat (generally the new hot spots, filled with beautiful young diners, tend toward pretense rather than lip-smacking food). Ignore the metro high-tech atmosphere of highly polished concrete floors, stainless steel tables, and incredibly uncomfortable chairs, and ask for a table outside on the lanai (where the noise level will be bearable). The hand-typed (who the heck still has a typewriter these days?), incredibly creative menu changes daily, but promises "local first, organic whenever possible, with aloha always," and delivers. At my last visit, I sampled the ahi tartar on risotto cakes and veggie frito misto, and an Italian tempura of scallops, celery, lemon, and white beans. Entrees range from braised lamb to crispy moi to excellent gnocchi. Desserts (in the $6 range) include the likes of buttermilk panna cotta and chocolate banini (panini of toast, chocolate, and bananas -- yum). Lunches are along the lines of sandwiches, salads, and pastas. Breakfast (frittata of the day, eggs, wonderful baked goods) has recently been added.
wherever it appears.