Kyo-Ya—2057 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, (808)947-3911
Located 5 minutes from Waikiki Beach/The Halekulani Hotel. Kyo-yo is widely considered the best Japanese restaurant (Tokyo style) in Honolulu. Chef Shizuo Tsubata has been in the kitchen 30 of the restaurant’s 32 years and has taught many of Honolulu’s other top Japanese chefs. The menu is extensive with many Kaikeke dinner options (complete dinner with many courses). All selections were listed in Japanese and English. However, unless you are an aficionado you will need some sort of an explanation because nothing had a description below it. Needless to say we became best friends with the waitress; we really needed her help. This was not Benihanna's.
After being seated we were served cold towels, tofu, marinated cabbage and Chinese pickles – all in mini dishes. We ordered two Kaikeke dinners which included salad, miso soup and an entrée and dessert. The food was fine; I think the experience was more exciting than the actual meal. It felt like we were really in Japan though.
The salad was good but there wasn’t much of it (small portion) and the miso soup was your average Japanese-restaurant portion. The chicken (the name of which escapes me) was boneless dark meat with skin (predominately thighs) battered and deep fried. It was a heart attack on a plate and was served with rice, macaroni and potato salad mix and a BBQ dipping sauce on the side. The Kaikeke dinners ranged from chicken $23–beef $28.
The meal came with a choice of ice cream; green tea, red bean, vanilla or sherbet. I mean red bean ice cream… are you getting the picture yet? Cups of green tea were also served as part of the package at the end of the meal. Chops sticks are on the table but silverware was available upon request. Very casual dining, with all locals and kids (we were the only non-Japanese people eating that evening). Wine is not really an option here but there was an extensive sake menu. Reservations requested but certainly not required. The wait staff is very helpful and friendly here, dressed in traditional garb. Choice of 5 Japanese beers and the liters were $7.50 each. Valet parking available. Recommended but not as good as the hype.
Hau Tree Lanai—New Otani Hotel, 2863 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu. (808)921-7066 or http://www.kaimana.com/dining/hautree-menu.html
Located in the back of the hotel, facing the beach under a huge Hau Tree – the same tree made famous for sheltering Robert Louis Stevenson. Very quiet and peaceful and such a nice place to relax while having lunch. The tree itself was incredible and nothing like I have ever seen before. It didn’t attract bugs; it gave us a great breeze and made for a romantic atmosphere. The tables were wrought iron, painted white, covered with green linens (although I think they change to pink for dinner) and a piece of glass on top. We were served poi rolls when we first sat and although I like poi, these were terrible. We went for lunch and the options were typical items like burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and pizzas.
For an appetizer, my husband and I shared the Thai chicken fingers. They probably would have been really good if they hadn’t been exceedingly over-cooked. Moving on...I had the taco salad served in a taco shell which could easily have fed 2 people. Filled to the brim with veggies and covered with a sesame-soy vinaigrette dressing, it was good. The cheeseburger was over-cooked but all of the toppings made it edible. This was far from a gourmet meal as it was more about the atmosphere. Service was very friendly and laid back. Many Japanese beers were available, which was a nice change. Our bill was $41 for one beer, one appetizer and 2 lunch entrees. I thought that was rather expensive considering the food was barely so-so. All credit cards accepted. Breakfast served 7 to 11am, lunch from 11:30am to 2pm (except Sundays, when it starts at 12), and dinner from 5:30 to 9pm. The dinner menu was more extensive than the lunch menu. Not Recommended for food but a great place to relax and have a drink.
Leonard's Bakery—933 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
Beginning in 1878 and continuing on for a decade, Hawaii solicited immigrant workers from Portugal. They brought malassadas with them. Malassadas are Portuguese doughnuts that are made with eggs, butter and milk. Deep-fried, then coated with plain sugar. They are incredible! In 1952, Frank Leonard Rego founded Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii. It was the first commercial offering of malassadas. Hawaiians spell Malassadas with a single "s", probably because the word was spelled incorrectly on the Leonard’s bakery sign back in the fifties. Needless to say at Leonard’s you will find lines of people waiting for the best piece of fried dough you’ve ever had. Malassadas are found all over Honolulu but Leonard’s is the best. The store itself is in major need of renovation – right down to the old sign out front, but the staff is friendly and fast and the baked goods can not be beat. Other items sold are cookies, pastries and bread – all average bakery prices. Parking in front of the store, located off a major road. Recommended.
Kua Aina—66-214 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa. (808)637-6067
This is basically a burger joint. Boasting "the island’s best burger", but referred to as a sandwich shop. Offering only beef patties and assorted sandwiches and salads in an order-at-the-counter type of atmosphere. Very fast-food-esq with the service equally as bored to see you. All burgers can be ordered with bacon, cheese and avocado - among other options. I ordered "fresh turkey" with lettuce and mayo. The turkey was terrible; veins, fat, dry, etc., so I ended up eating more bread than turkey. My husband had a burger and said it was alright. Indoor and outdoor seating, with the napkins being a roll of paper towels on each table. Outdoor seating comes complete with swarms of bugs (ironically which we didn’t find anywhere else on the island). The French fries are shredded and extremely oily – not a fan at all. This place does HUGE business, I’m guessing because it’s the only place of its kind on the North Shore. (It’s not because the food is so great) It also happens to be a big surfer hangout. Some parking in the back, red building set back from the street. If you are not looking for this place, you will most likely pass it as we did three times. Open 11am to 8pm daily. Cash only. Not Recommended.