Big Island Dining Choices

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An April 2006 trip to Hawaii (Big Island) by MilwVon

See How "Happy" I am? Photo - Captain Beans Dinner Cruise,

Quote: This journal is meant to accompany "My Return to Kona" and "Kona One More Time - Spring Break" and only includes restaurants we visited during those two trips to the Big Island.

7 Photos

Huggo's on the Rocks

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Restaurant | "Huggos Ocean Front Dining"

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Huggos is right on the oceanfront and is well situated for a romantic and pleasurable dining experience. From the top of the restaurant, the waves are well lit as they crash over the lava rocks on the shoreline.Service was very attentive, which you would expect from such a fine-dining establishment. The menu is expansive, featuring many fresh catches daily. I had the Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi, but subbed the garlic mashed for the rice that comes with the dish. No salad comes with the meal, so that is an a la carte item if you want one. The sour dough rolls are very good however, but don't fill up on them!Huggos is also well known for their desserts. I shared the Onolicious Huno (turt...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 30, 2006

Huggo's on the Rocks
75-5828 Kahakai Road
Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-1493

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Rio's Seafood Grill and Bar

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Restaurant

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Located on the second level of a strip shopping area, the view is nice but not the best in the village. If you don’t get a table right along the front rail, you really have little to no view of the ocean.It’s hard to describe the cuisine of this find in Kailua-Kona. You can get everything from a great juicy burger to rather expensive local fish dishes with gourmet preparations.I was more in the mood for a sandwich, so I had the fried crab cake served open-face. It was more breading than crab, and expensive for what you received. Compared to the Maryland crab cakes I grew up on, I should have known better. This was the first meal I was disappointed in on this trip.My ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 30, 2006

Rio's Seafood Grill and Bar
75-5819 Alii Dr
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-8200

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Aloha Angel Cafe

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Restaurant

Aloha Theatre Photo - Aloha Angel Cafe, Kainaliu, Hawaii

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We stopped in here more out of curiosity than anything while out doing the coffee country. We're glad we did! While we had a very nice lunch, the building itself is the treasure here. The building is the old Aloha Theatre, an old movie theatre (1930s) that was converted into a cafe, fine-dining establishment, and community theatre. While you are there, be sure to stop into the theatre and take a look around. It's very nostolgic. Out on the front porch of the building, there is an old movie projection machine, that is dated like 1932. As for our meals, for lunch I had a fresh fish sandwich (pan-fried), and the others had Reubens. Everyone was very happy with their meal and the service...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 30, 2006

Aloha Angel Cafe
79-7384 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Kainaliu
(808) 322-3383

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Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Restaurant | "Bubba Gumps Shrimp Company"

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Having never dined at any Bubba Gump's, I really wanted to give them a try. We arrived early at the restaurant's suggestion. You can call in for reservations, but they aren't really necessary if you're early enough. We were seated on the patio facing the waterfront and had the opportunity to see a simply fabulous sunset! One of the benefits of arriving early - I would highly recommend it.The food was very good and the adult beverages were exceptional. If you like mai tais, you must try their frozen version, which is like a slurpee, mmm good. For dinner I had "just" fried shrimp, but I've got to say, it was far from "just" shrimp. The flavor was wonderful, with just a light bread coating. You c...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 30, 2006

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
75-5776 Alii Drive
Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 331-8442

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Captain Beans Dinner Cruise

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Attraction | "Capt. Bean's Dinner Cruise"

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Ok, you are probably wondering why this is listed as a "popular sights" review. I had a difficult time placing it as "dining" while clearly dining does take place! It's not really a boat tour, although you will enjoy a nice tour of the Kona Harbor area complete with a fabulous sunset. It is also a "performance" because the staff on the boat do perform for guests and by the end of the night, the guest are doing the performing on the tables! This is one fun experience to enjoy!

The boat departs the harbor at Kailua-Kona around 5pm. I think the times vary based on the time of year, in order to assure a great sunset experience so be sure to check it out to make sure. During the two hour cruise, you will enjoy mai tai's or the soft drink of your choice. Be sure to pace yourself!

Dinner is served once the boat has reached her anchor point. The water was relatively calm on this particular night, but the couple sitting next to me told of another time out when the water was choppy and folks were not enjoying the meal because of sea-sickness.

The meal was actually pretty good. A small salad, chicken, steak teriyaki, corn cobs, along with a yummy chocolate-coffee dessert. Nothing really special, I guess, but who takes a "booze cruise" for the meal?

After dinner, there is more dancing and entertainment. With more booze flowing (they do call it "The Booze Cruise") folks have lost the inhibitions and are fully engaged in the audience participation part of the evening's activities. Men wearing coconut bras, women shaking it up on the tables... it was a blast!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even though I was there as a single. If you are comfortable out with people and can strike up a conversation with strangers, you will enjoy this experience. If however, you are shy or a bit on the introverted and reserved side, I would suggest you pass.

Tickets for Capt. Bean's Dinner/Booze Cruise run around $55-$60 at full price, and includes transportation from many hotels throughout the area. You can also drive down to the harbor, but why drive if you don't have to? You can find discounts available on the Internet or even get tickets for free if you do a timeshare presentation. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 30, 2006

Captain Beans Dinner Cruise
Whark near King K Hotel
Hawaii, Big Island, Hawaii

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A Couple of Quick Hit Restaurants

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Story/Tip

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While you are in Kailua-Kona there are a lot of little bar type places to enjoy the ocean waves, an adult beverage and a sandwich or meal.Here are two that you might want to give a try...LuLu’s Restaurant75-5819 Alii Dr.Kona, Hawaii, (808) 331-2633This restaurant is in the village of Kailua-Kona and is reasonably within walking distance of the Fairfield Kona Hawaiian Resort. This is primarily a seafood restaurant and bar with an outstanding view from atop the second floor location. It does have elevator accessibility so don't let the location deter you. You will be happy to be "up" when you see your view of the village and ocean. The view is great, so long a...Read More