Owner/Chef Chai Chaowasatree, owner also of Singha Thai Cuisine in Waikiki), has done a fine job of creating a tasteful tropical fantasy in the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where visually arid interiors are the norm. Chai has appeared on numerous cooking shows such as Chefs in Paradise with Linda Coble, Entree to Paradise and Mixed Plate with Pamela Young, Dick Allgire's Healthy Cook, The Hearty Chef by Diana Helfand and Island Style with Emmie Tominbang. Most recently, Chef Chai has been co-starring with Beth-Ann Nishijima of Nori's Restaurant in Hilo in Two Skinny Chefs on local KHON Channel 2. His 200-seat restaurant Chai's Island Bistro has high ceilings, a good location (though not on the waterfront like Don Ho's Island Grill, indoor-outdoor seating, a discreetly placed open kitchen, gleaming bar, and mirrored walls with arches. Large windows wrap around the dining room, offering good people-watching views. And the food is equal to the fine ambiance. The Combination Appetizer Platter (enough for two) features Chef Chai’s Signature Alaskan King Crab Cake, Fresh Ahi Katsu, and Kataifi-Mac Nut Encrusted Jumbo Black Tiger Prawns ($27.00). The starter menu is much more ambitious (and pricier) than Singha, with fusion dishes such as Japanese Eggplant & Zucchini Soufflé with Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce ($13.00), Sautéed Escargot & Prawns which is Chef Chai’s Signature Recipe with Roasted Garlic, Dry Cherry and Brandy Cream Sauce ($13.00), Kona Crab Meat and Tofu Dumpling made with Sautéed Spinach with Soy Ginger Sauce ($13.00), and BBQ Honey Hoisin Baby Back Ribs and Asian Slaw ($11.00). Their entrees include Steamed Onaga, Braised Kurobuta Pork Osso Bucco from the award winning Snake River Farm grown with no hormones. Considered the pork equivalent to Kobe beef ($35.00), Pan Roasted Chicken with Vegetable Jus made with Roasted Garlic, Caramelized Pearl Onion, Tomato, Hamakua Mushroom, and Fennel ($29.00), and an ample selection of vegetarian dishes. Highly recommended are the Grilled Fresh Mahi Mahi with Thai Red Curry Sauce and Asian Stir Fried Vegetables & Soba ($30.00), and the grilled chicken sate with Thai peanut sauce. Chai's curry sauces are flavorful without being overly spiced or excessively weighty with coconut milk. Fresh warm focaccia appears in a rattan steamer with Thai peanut dipping sauce, a nice touch. Most of the main courses are from $28.00 - $40.00. There is nightly entertainment by renown local artists such as the Cazimero Brothers, Sista Robi, and Jeri Santos. Reservations are recommended. Service is friendly and attentive. Chai's Island Bistro is open for lunch Tuesday - Friday from 11am - 4pm, and dinner is served nightly from 4pm - 10pm. There is free valet parking provided. I would highly recommend dining at Chai's Island Bistro if you enjoy eating Pacific Rim cuisine.
by golden101 on June 20, 2008