Nestled in the Aina Haina Shopping Center is a small Japanese restaurant named Komakata. I have heard many good things about this restaurant from various friends and co-workers over the years. Truth be told I remember going to this restaurant many years ago with my family, but could not recall the dining experience at the time. Luckily for me one of my weekend travels took me to a neighboring business in the shopping center, giving me a second chance to sample Komakata’s Japanese cuisine.

Inside Komakata

The outer door to Komakata is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese shop or restaurant you might find on the streets of Japan. Once inside you are presented with the brown tones of the numerous wooden furnishings. The restaurant is somewhat dimly lit inside. The main area of the floor is occupied with numerous tables with a small section toward the rear featuring a sushi bar.

Komakata is definitely a Japanese restaurant with a kind of “local” feel. The staff members we encountered very friendly and more casual than I had originally anticipated. As soon as we entered the restaurant we were seated at the table of our choice and presented with menus. The menu at Komakata runs the traditional gamut of Japanese food with everything you might expect from tempura to nabes (hot pots).

Cold Sake

Like many Japanese restaurants on the island, Komakata offers a variety of alcoholic beverages. For this particular outing I felt compelled to drink some sake. The selection was limited but ultimately I enjoyed this cold sake very much.

Appetizer Plate

We decided to try Komakata’s “house specialty”, the Miso Chanko Nabe. Along with a big pot of nabe our meal came with a small salad and a plate of three small appetizers. This plate contained a small portion of tsukemono (picked vegetables) and poke. The poke was fairly good and had a slight tangy flavor to it.

Miso Chanko Nabe

Soon after our appetizers had arrived our server brought to our table a gas burner. On top of this burner he placed a large pot filled to the brim with ingredients which were simmering in a miso-based broth. The ingredients filling our pot included crab, scallops, shrimp, fish, clams, squid, carrots, tofu, Chinese cabbage, and green onions.

This large pot was placed over a high flame for some time until the steam began to rattle the cover and the wonderful scent of the miso broth began to drift into the surrounding air.

After being fully cooked we began to dig in. The nabe is meant to be shared by two, but the amount of ingredients used is so great that I’d recommend 3 or even 4 people! The miso broth was delicious, permeating into all of the ingredients adding great flavor to the natural taste. All of the seafood was quite fresh and matched well with the hot miso broth.

Final thoughts: Although you won’t find anything very unusual or extravagant at Komakata, what you will find is a restaurant that has long served great tasting traditional Japanese food. The staff was very friendly and service was great. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who finds themselves in the Hawaii Kai or Aina Haina areas.

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Average +
Atmosphere:		Average +
Overall Value:		Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$20+ per person

Komakata Japanese Restaurant
820 W Hind Dr #102 Honolulu, HI 96821
Phone: 808.377.5700

Located on University Avenue next to where Varsity Theater used to stand, Kit N’ Kitchen is a small Italian restaurant with some Chinese influences. The restaurant us usually fairly busy during peak hours, but unfortunately shares the small parking lot with a number of neighboring businesses like Bubbies and Ezogiku.

When we walked in for lunch a few of the tables were already occupied. We chose a table next to the windows and our server brought over the menus. Kit n’ Kitchen’s menu offers a wide variety of different dishes, primarily pastas. A large portion of the menu is comprised of “design your own” selections, allowing the customer to choose what sort of ingredients they’d like in their pasta and match it with their choice of sauce.

We decided to go with one of the special set menu’s, which included a choice of soup, appetizer and entree.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Touted on the menu as a “creamy” mushroom soup, this soup turned out to be just the opposite. There was very little evidence of cream at all. The soup base was not well seasoned, and in the end the whole thing tasted like vegetables boiled in water and oil.

Shrimp Scampi Appetizer

For our appetizer we decided to try the shrimp scampi. After our experience with the soup we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Fortunately for us the scampi was prepared in a much better fashion than the soup. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and served in a bath of garlic oil along with a few pieces of toasted bread. The garlic oil sauce was delicious, and I must admit I dunked each piece of bread into the sauce before eating.

Italian Sausage Pasta

One of the main dishes we had ordered was this Italian sausage pasta. While the sausages themselves were quite flavorful (albeit a little on the sweet side for my tastes), the rest of the dish was just average. The sauce was not as well seasoned as I would have liked, at times tasting like nothing more than tomato sauce.

Pesto Chicken

Our second dish was the Pesto Chicken. The chicken was well prepared, retaining its moisture. The pesto was fairly good, although not quite as powerful as pesto sauces you might find elsewhere. Overall the dish was satisfactory, but nothing I’d go out of my way to order again.

Final thoughts: In my past experiences here I have found that Kit n’ Kitchen’s menu is quite inconsistent. Some menu items are very good, while others are just average or even poor. While service is always fast and friendly, I find myself wishing that the food was a little better prepared for the price you pay. If you do find yourself eating here, I would highly recommend sticking with the garlic oil based dishes and pastas, as they have proved to be the most consistent.

Service:		Average +
Food:		Average
Atmosphere:		Average +
Overall Value:		Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$10-$20 per person

Kit N’ Kitchen
1010 University Avenue Honolulu, HI 96823
Phone: 808.942.7266

As a young girl, I remember going to the Aiea Bowling Alley with friends and on school outings. What I remember (besides the bowling, of course) was the little drive-in restaurant that they had in the front. I can recall them serving really good French fries, local style plate lunches, and other drive-in type of food.

Inside The Alley

A little while ago, I heard through a friend that they had completely remodeled the restaurant, now known as The Alley. I was told that it transformed from a casual/simple drive-in to a modern/contemporary restaurant - that just happens to be in the middle of a bowling alley. I decided to give it a try, and much to my surprise, the restaurant was beautifully designed and had really delicious food! The Alley has become one of my favorites, especially when I’m in the mood for a plate lunch style dish (minus the typical drive-in décor).

My friend was in town from the mainland and when we planned on going to dinner, he chose The Alley. We arrived at around 5:30, but the parking lot was still a bit congested despite the earliness of our dinner. The restaurant, however, was only beginning to pick up so we had choice seating. After the renovation, they created more of an open air ambiance. Sure, you can hear the bowling balls hitting the pins a bit clearer, but nonetheless it’s a welcoming and comfortable environment. The bright colored furniture and multiple plasma TVs make you feel right at home.

“Award-winning” Tasty Chicken

Shortly after we were seated, we were greeted by our server. She was very friendly and made helpful recommendations on the menu. The one dish that we knew we HAD to order was the Tasty Chicken. This was a dish that was popular dating back to the pre-renovation era. This Award-Winning chicken (along with many of their other entrees) can be served in a bowl or on a plate. My friend decided to order the bowl, which was $7.50. The bowl includes a choice of starch and salad, so he ordered brown rice and a tossed salad. The best thing about the Tasty Chicken is the coating and seasoning. It’s both sweet and spicy and has a caramelized texture almost like candy. The salad was also really good because it was accompanied by The Alley’s spicy and creamy Thai dressing.

Handmade Hamburger Steak

There were so many items that I wanted to try, so with our server’s help, I narrowed it down to my final choice which was the Handmade Hamburger Steak. I also got this in a bowl, except I ordered white rice and macaroni salad. The hamburger steak was grilled, yet still soft, and very tasty. The gravy was delicious as well. The bowls are generous portions, but still left me enough room for dessert (my favorite part!).

Mama Miya’s Chocolate Cake

The desserts at The Alley are absolutely worth saving room for. For a bowling alley, you would never think that they would have such delightful desserts, but they do! Why, you might ask? With executive/pastry chefs’ roots stemming from Kapiolani Community College and Diamond Head Market & Grill, you have the perfect ingredients for a budding bakery. Probably one of the most popular desserts/cakes is Mama Miya’s Chocolate Cake. This is layers of chocolate cake and chocolate cream, glazed with chocolate ganache. It’s great because even though it’s chocolatey, it’s not too sweet for the palate.

Lemon Drop Crunch Cake

Another favorite cake for those not fond of chocolate is the Lemon Drop Crunch Cake. It is lemon curd layered between yellow cake and decorated with crunchy toffee bits. The yellow cake layers are so moist, but the best part is the crunch toffee bits on top of the cake. It’s simply scrumptious!

Besides the dishes mentioned, The Alley also offers breakfast, burgers/sandwiches, an assortment of entrée salads, and even ochazuke bowls. Although I didn’t order the Mega Crunch Fries that day, it’s a definite must-try! Also, if you happen to be dining at The Alley during breakfast hours, another favorite are their scones. They didn’t have any available during dinner, but I’ve had them before and they were the best scones I had ever eaten (and I’m usually not a fan of scones!).

Final thoughts: Truly a “diamond in the rough”, stop by The Alley the next time you’re craving home-style cooking with a gourmet twist. Whether you’re there to dine on old favorites, or try something new, you’re sure to be impressed by their assortment of innovative desserts.

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Above Average
Atmosphere:		Above Average
Overall Value:		Above Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$10+ per person

The Alley (located at Aiea Bowling Alley)
99-115 Aiea Heights Drive Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: 808.488.6855

In the mood for some good sushi, I went online to see what sushi restaurants were open for lunch on a Saturday. To my dismay I found that the establishment I had originally thought of, Sushi Sasabune, was not opened. I reached back into my memory and recalled a sushi restaurant that a friend of mine had recommended months ago. He had mentioned that it was near the airport, in a location where you would not expect to find excellent sushi. This restaurant was Mitch’s Fish Market & Sushi Bar, and after my first experience, I can say with great confidence that I’ll be back!

Mitch’s Fish Market is in a very unconventional location for a sushi bar, just off Nimitz Highway on Ohohia Street. This small restaurant has street parking only, and can only seat about fourteen customers at one time. I would highly recommend calling ahead for a reservation, especially if you intend to stop by for dinner.

Inside Mitch’s Fish Market

When you first walk into Mitch’s, the first thing you’ll notice is the familiar smell of a true fish market. The scent of fresh and raw fish lingers in the air of the restaurant, which may turn you off a little until you adjust to the smell. But trust me, the smell is soon forgotten and out of mind once you’ve begun to sample the fresh fish used to prepare Mitch’s sushi!

The restaurant features a small bar that seats up to four, and then a handful of small tables that seat another ten customers. It is behind the counter where you’ll find master sushi chefs Hideo Mitsui and Masakazu Murakami, both of whom are originally from Japan. These two chefs demonstrate a high level of skill and understanding of the art of sushi. Their skill coupled with the availability of daily fresh ingredients is what makes Mitch’s great.

Soon after sitting our server brought cups of hot green tea to our table. We took a glance at the menu, which is almost entirely comprised of sushi. Mitch’s offers a variety of nigiri and temaki (roll) sushi, in addition to a selection of sashimi and various other dishes. Everything we sampled was very fresh and well prepared, leading me to believe that you can’t go wrong no matter what you order.

Nama Kaki — Fresh Oysters, $8.00

The first item I ordered was the Nama Kaki. This appetizer features four raw oysters garnished with green onions, spicy ground radish, and a splash of ponzu sauce. After a quick spritz of the lemon wedge, I dove right in to the oysters. The oysters provided are fairly large, but could be taken as oyster shooters if you prefer.

The quality and freshness of the seafood at Mitch’s was apparent from the first oyster to the last. The oysters were very clean tasting, lacking the poor “fishy” taste you get with lower quality oysters. The simple flavoring with ponzu and the spicy radish went perfectly with the natural flavor of the oyster, and the crunchy green onions created a great texture contrast with the soft oyster meat. Definitely a great start to a great meal!

Lobster Miso Soup

The lobster miso soup is a complimentary item whenever you dine at Mitch’s. If you are daring enough to sample the Spiny Lobster Sashimi (which I certainly will do on my next visit!), then this soup would come with a lobster head in it rather than the shrimp. The addition of lobster meat makes this miso soup almost like an exquisite lobster bisque, minus the grainy texture of the shells. This miso soup was very rich and flavorful.

Fresh Ground Wasabi

When enjoying your sushi you will likely find that the sushi chefs have already included a small amount of wasabi. If you enjoy spicier flavors, every sushi order comes with a small portion of additional wasabi. The wasabi used at Mitch’s is freshly ground in the restaurant, which is a very special treat. You will find that freshly made wasabi is vastly superior in flavor and potency to store bought wasabi.

Sushi Ume Set, $22.00

Mitch’s offers a variety of sushi sets, two of which feature a selection of nigiri sushi and two featuring chirashi sushi. For our visit we tried the Sushi Ume set. This set was a generous arrangement of various nigiri sushi classics, including maguro, hamachi, ebi, tako, sake, and ikura. Consistent with the quality you come to expect from Mitch’s, the seafood used to prepare these various sushi selections was excellent. Each piece was a delicious morsel of flavor, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of wasabi. Nigiri sushi served at Mitch’s come with a very large cut of fish, with a smaller portion of rice compared to most other sushi restaurants. Not only does this deliver great value to the customer, but also allows the flavor of the fish to shine through.

I must note that the ikura (salmon roe) used at Mitch’s was particularly exceptional, completely lacking in a “fishy” taste or scent. It is rare to find ikura of this quality.

Spicy Tuna Roll, $6.00

Unlike Sushi Sasabune, Mitch’s embraces modern trends in sushi, offering some popular non-traditional dishes. The spicy tuna roll offered at Mitch’s is very delicious, accentuating the fresh taste of ahi with a well conceived spicy mixture. Lightly dusted with sesame seeds and with the use of alfalfa sprouts, Mitch’s spicy tuna variation has a nice soft and crunchy bite to it.

Sake (New Zealand Salmon) Nigiri, $7.00

Sake nigiri sushi doesn’t get much better than at Mitch’s! Using a New Zealand salmon which is brought in fresh daily, Mitch’s sake nigiri demonstrates how fresh ingredients is key in creating great sushi. The salmon was very delicious, with just the perfect amount of oiliness and fat.

California Roll, $7.00

Another non-classic sushi roll recipe, the California roll is a sushi that makes use of crab meat, cucumbers, avocado, and mayonnaise. Even the vegetables used at Mitch’s taste very fresh! The California roll has a great texture contrast to it with the soft crab meat and avocado giving way to the crunchy “snap” of the cucumber. The mixture of flavors from the various ingredients makes for a tasty sushi.

Negitoro, $10.00

The final sushi I had ordered was the Negitoro, which is a roll sushi that features a fatty tuna mixed together with green onions. The ingredient that really makes or breaks this sushi is of course the tuna. Most sushi restaurants don’t acquire fatty tuna that is quite up to par with Mitch’s. The fatty tuna in this Negitoro had just the right amount of oiliness, and when combined with a dab of wasabi, makes for a wonderful flavor combination.

Final thoughts: There are very few sushi bars in Hawaii that make use of very high quality and fresh seafood. Mitch’s location allows for it to get the freshest fish directly from shipments that come in everyday. When dining at Mitch’s you’ll see the chef and servers going in and out of the large walk-in refrigerator at the rear of the restaurant, fetching new cuts of fresh fish. With the masterful skills of chefs Hideo Mitsui and Masakazu Murakami, and Mitch’s commitment to using only the freshest seafood, Mitch’s Fish Market & Sushi Bar is arguably one of the best sushi bars in the state. I would highly recommend Mitch’s to any sushi lover!

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Above Average +
Atmosphere:		Average +
Overall Value:		Above Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$30+ per person

Mitch’s Fish Market
524 Ohohia St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Phone: 808.837.7774

A new addition to the Hawaii Thai food scene is Ploi Thai, a restaurant that resides on Keawe Street across from the old CompUSA location in Kaka’ako. The restaurant is located in the building that used to house Bliss and Velvet’s. Unlike the location’s predecessors, Ploi Thai offers a truly promising culinary establishment, exploring traditional and modern Thai cuisine.

When you walk into Ploi Thai, you are greeted warmly by the hostess. As she leads you to your table, the staff behind the kitchen counter greets you as well. This warm welcome is just a sampling of the great and friendly service you will enjoy throughout the meal.

Ploi Thai is modestly decorated, with a few pieces of artwork throughout the main dining area. The restaurant is dimly lit, creating a more private and intimate atmosphere than most Thai restaurants. The use of tablecloth would perhaps be the only aesthetic change I would make to the restaurant.

In addition to the main dining area, Ploi Thai does offer a full private seating area upstairs which can accommodate quite a few guests.

The menu at Ploi Thai offers a variety of Thai favorites, as well as some unique dishes. As with many Thai restaurants Ploi Thai does offer a vegetarian selection on their menu.

After browsing the menu for a few minutes, we placed our orders. Soon after putting in the order with our server, a basket of shrimp chips arrived.

Shrimp Chips

These shrimp chips were quite good, packed with flavor and the right amount of saltiness, but devoid of that terrible excessive oiliness you get from store bought shrimp chips. Certainly not your usual beginning to a meal, but in the end we enjoyed these chips very much.

Hiding Princess

Hiding Princess Dipping Sauce

The first menu item we ordered was an appetizer marked as a house specialty. The unusual name is what caught my attention, as this dish is called “Hiding Princess.” This appetizer features leaf wrapped triangles of lemon grass chicken. The presentation of the dish was quite nice, as well as the flavor.

The Hiding Princess comes with a soy-like dipping sauce that goes well with the lemon grass chicken. Each triangular serving was kept warm inside of the leaf wrapping. The lemon grass chicken itself was full of flavor, making for a pleasant start to our meal.

Drunken Noodles

We ordered two main dishes to share, the first being Drunken Noodles. These noodles were prepared spicy, and can be ordered with either beef, pork, or chicken. Our chicken variation packed a great spicy kick provided by the red chili. Although marked as a spicy dish, the spiciness of the noodles did not overpower the other flavors as it sometimes does in other restaurants.

If you like spicy food, and are in the mood for some good noodles, I would recommend this dish.

Tamarind Shrimp

The Tamarind Shrimp features fried shrimp and vegetables in a tangy tamarind sauce with chili and sweet basil. This dish offers a generous helping of shrimp! The tamarind sauce’s tangy flavors meld well with the spicy chili and the taste of sweet basil. The vegetables in this dish give additional flavor to the palate. A very well rounded and flavorful dish!

Sticky Rice

Of course no visit to a Thai restaurant would be complete for me without sampling the sticky rice. Ploi Thai’s rice compares favorably to other establishments, with the rice retaining its sticky texture without being rock solid or dry.

Final thoughts: Ploi Thai has been opened for some time now, and has undergone a few changes in its short lifetime. Since it’s official Grand Opening, Ploi Thai seems to have reached the point where it contends with local Thai restaurants like Phuket Thai and Chiang Mai. Offering a menu of good dishes, along with its excellent service, Ploi Thai is certainly one Thai restaurant we’ll keep our eyes on as it grows.

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Above Average
Atmosphere:		Average +
Overall Value:		Above Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$10-$20 per person

Ploi Thai
327 Keawe St Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Phone: 808.566.6999

Yama’s Fish Market has been serving local Hawaiian style cuisine since 1980 from it’s long standing Moilili location. One of my favorite places to go for good takeout food, Yama’s offers a variety of local foods from kalua pork to haupia.

Parking is probably the one drawback to making a stop at Yama’s. The small lot out front can accommodate perhaps six cars. During peak lunch and dinner hours there is often a few cars who try to get away with parking along the wall (which ultimately blocks some folks in). When I arrive at Yama’s during the busy hours I often find myself waiting for a chance to snag a parking stall.

As a take out and catering business, Yama’s does not offer any seating to enjoy their food. When you step inside the building you are greeted by a large display case filled with various poke selections. Yama’s prepares their poke fresh throughout the day, and it isn’t unusual to see employees scurrying back and forth between taking orders and making a new batch of poke.

Yama’s offers a wide variety of local Hawaiian foods including kalua pork, lau lau, poke, haupia, lomi salmon, mochiko chicken, and more! I typically stick with the kalua pork or lau lau (and of course the poke!).

Kalua Pork & Cabbage Plate

For tonight’s take out dinner the first plate we ordered was a classic kalua pork and cabbage. Yama’s plates typically come with either macaroni salad or lomi lomi salmon and a generous helping of rice. The kalua pork is quite good, having that great salty and smoky flavor we’ve come to love locally. I’ve seen people add shoyu (soy sauce) to kalua dishes, but Yama’s take on this island favorite packs more than enough seasoning and flavor to make any additions unnecessary.

Lau Lau

Our second plate was yet another classic local fish, lau lau. Yama’s standard lau lau offering is a combination of chicken and pork. Wrapped inside the traditional leaf packaging and steamed to perfection, Yama’s lau lau is packed with flavor. The simple yet delicious seasoning and natural flavors of the ingredients come together perfectly.

Spicy Ahi Poke

No visit to Yama’s would be complete for me without sampling some of their poke, and tonight I decided to go with the spicy ahi poke. Yama’s generally offers a variety of ahi and tako (squid) poke mixtures everyday.

This spicy ahi poke did not pack nearly as much of that spicy kick as I’d like (but my tolerance to hot foods is very high), but overall the poke tasted good. The ahi was not fishy at all, and each piece was a quality bite, lacking in the excessive “chewiness” you sometimes get with low grade poke.

Final thoughts: Yama’s Fish Market offers its customers an inexpensive venue for enjoying well prepared island classics. The staff is very friendly, fast, and efficient. In additoin to take out Yama’s does offer a catering option for larger parties, and is often a favorite spot for large orders of some of its more popular dishes. If you’ve got a craving for some good Hawaiian food, I would highly recommend checking out Yama’s Fish Market!

Service:		Average +
Food:		Average +
Overall Value:		Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

Under $10 per person

Yama’s Fish Market
2332 Young Street·Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: 808.941.9994

What began as a single location in 1998 has since grown into a five location franchise spanning the island of Oahu. Big City Diner has made quite a reputation for good service and food at reasonable prices. With a very family-friendly atmosphere, Big City Diner has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades in its relatively short history.

Inside Big City Diner

Big City Diner’s locations are almost always buzzing with activity. The restaurants are decorated to be reminiscent of an old fashioned diner. Red booths flank either wall of the restaurant with an array of standard tables in the center. Big City Diner also features a bar in their locations which serves a variety of beers and cocktails. The atmosphere is always very relaxed and the staff very friendly.

Once we were seated by the hostess our server introduced herself immediately. She went over the fresh catch of they and the soup of the day, then walked away to give us a few minutes to review the menu.

Strawberry Shake made with Bubbies Ice Cream

The first thing we ordered was this delicious milkshake made with Bubbies Ice Cream. The shake was very rich and creamy, nothing less than what you’d expect from Bubbies.

House Salad

Each “Local Specialty” item comes with your choice of soup or a house salad. Not in the mood for anything really heavy I opted to get the house salad. The salad included lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and shredded beets. Big City Diner offers the standard selection of salad dressings. For my salad I went with the house dressing, which had a semi-creamy and tangy flavor. The vegetables used in the salad were quite fresh.

Spicy Ahi Poke

Recently Big City Diner had an “Iron Chef” competition among its own staff and two dishes came out on top. One of these was the Spicy Ahi Poke, which features ahi in a spicy aioli sauce on a bed of crispy wonton strips. The ahi used in this poke was average grade, with a few pieces being a bit chewy in consistency.

Overall the flavor of the dish was quite good. The chili aioli added a great spicy kick to the poke. The crispy wonton strips added another layer of flavor and texture, rounding out the dish nicely.

Chili Bowl

My fiancee was not very hungry so she ordered a small bowl of Big City Diner’s chili. The chili was not rich and creamy like Zippy’s variation, but proved to decent in taste. Perhaps in need of a few more spices though.

Kim Chee Fried Rice

One of the dishes that has been very popular at Big City Dinner is the fried rice. I have always enjoyed the kim chee variation. The fried rice is a bit different from your regular Chinese restaurants, being stickier in consistency rather than dry. The kim chee adds a spicy flare to the rice, but doesn’t overpower your taste buds too much.

Final thoughts: Big City Diner has made a fine reputation of providing good food at low prices, and in my numerous visits this has mostly held true. Service is always fast and friendly throughout three of the locations I have patronized so far. While not the place to go for a fine dining or gourmet meal, Big City Diner is a great choice if you’re looking for a relaxed setting with good value.

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Average +
Atmosphere:		Average +
Overall Value:		Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$10+ per person

Big City Diner
3569 Waialae Ave Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: 808.738.8855

On the corner of Kapahulu and Kaimuki Avenues is a small yet stylish yakiniku restaurant named Toraji. This location is just one out of more than two dozen, but the rest are located in Japan. Much like Gyu-kaku on Kapiolani Avenue, Toraji is one of a new breed in stylish yakiniku establishments.

Inside Toraji Yakiniku

The restaurant is very well decorated, featuring dark and mild tones. The walls are decorated with various art forms, including hanging garlic and red peppers. The edges of the booths feature large jars of marinating vegetables. Lighting in the restaurant is a bit brighter than similar restaurants, but remains dim and semi-intimate. Toraji does offer a small private dining area on the other side of the restaurant for parties.

Parking for the restaurant can be found in back on Kaimuki Avenue, but is very limited. You can double park other patrons in this small lot, but you must inform the hostess or your server if you do so.

Charcoal Grill for Yakiniku

Cooking your own food, whether in a hot pot of broth or over an open flame, has always held some sort of appeal to diners. At Toraji customers can look forward to cooking their food over a charcoal grill, instead a heated metal grill that you find in most yakiniku restaurants.

Toraji Branded Chopsticks & Hand Wipe

Various Sauces

Another growing trend in restaurants, Toraji offers its own branding on chopsticks and hand wipes. These items are stacked upon a small plate for your food, as well as a small plate to fill with sauces. Toraji offers three different sauces at your table for dipping seafood, meat, and vegetables. There is usually no right or wrong sauce, it all comes down to your personal preference.

We sat down quite late in the evening, just after 10:00PM. Other than a few parties just finishing up, we were the only ones in the restaurant.

Toraji offers a wide selection of meats and other traditional yakiniku dishes like Bi Bim Bap. Along with the food menu is a drink menu which is also quite extensive.

The menu can be quite daunting, even for those that frequent similar restaurants. There were a few items unique to Toraji’s menu that I had a few questions about, and our server was able to answer them promptly.

Seafood Combination

The seafood combination plate includes shrimp, scallops, crab, and squid. The items are just lightly seasoned and garnished with sesame seeds. After a quick squeeze of the lemon we threw the items on the grill. Overall the seafood here was fresh, with only the scallops offering a hint of a “fishy” taste. For these items I made use of the ponzu-like sauce offered on our table, which offered a nice citrus flavor to compliment the seafood.

Dark Miso Beef

One of the more unique items offered on Toraji’s menu is this plate of beef in a dark miso paste. The miso has a strong yet delicious aroma that fills the air when placed on the grill. The miso adds a great amount of flavor to the meat, and seems to help tenderize it as well. Each bite is a tender morsel of flavor! I would recommend this dark miso dish to anyone dining at Toraji.

Ishiyaki Seasoned Vegetables & Rice

The Ishiyaki rice menu offers various takes on what is more commonly referred to as bi bim bap. The flavor and taste of this rice dish was good. The only disappointment I had was not being able to leave it in the stone pot for longer. Our waiter immediately mixed the rice and served it into two smaller bowls. Many fans of this type of rice, including myself, prefer to leave it in the stone pot for a few minutes longer to create a crunchier layer of rice.

Final thoughts: Toraji offers a menu of good tasting yakiniku items. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very chic, creating a nice eating environment. Service was a bit rushed for us (perhaps because it was at the very end of the night), but was efficient and competent overall. The only real downside I see to Toraji is the price of its menu, which is slightly higher than other establishments like Gyu-kaku. Even with an entertainment card discount ($16.00) the tab was still close to $40 for two people without alcohol.

Service:		Average +
Food:		Average +
Atmosphere:		Above Average
Overall Value:		Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Price:

$20+ per person

Toraji Yakiniku
949 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: 808.732.9996

Whenever I go to the Windward side of Oahu, I always make it a point to stop by Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen. This Kailua restaurant has been a popular staple for breakfast for both locals and tourists. In 2005-2006, Boots & Kimo’s was featured in Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Hawaii’s Best Restaurants’ in the Breakfast category.

I usually only have time to go on Saturday or Sunday mornings for breakfast, the restaurant’s peak serving times. During weekend mornings, expect to wait anywhere from 30 – 60 minutes depending on how many people are in your party. As soon as you drive to Boots & Kimo’s, you already see a crowd waiting outside this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Parking is available on the street.

We went on a Saturday morning, and as usual, there was a mass of people in front of the restaurant waiting. However, the wait wasn’t too bad – about 30 minutes – probably since there were only two of us. A change that the restaurant has made since I first starting eating there is now, a server comes outside to give you a menu and take your order while you are waiting. When our table was ready, they quickly brought our drinks and our food came out almost immediately after.

Although Boots & Kimo’s is a homestyle kitchen, you almost feel like you’re in a sports bar when you walk in. The walls (and ceiling!) are filled with sports memorabilia, including a large collection of Wheaties boxes featuring various athletes.

Boots & Kimo’s is best known for their macadamia nut sauce. Rumor has it that this sauce is so popular that the Betty Crocker Company wanted to manufacture it. They also have great omelettes (they even have one called “Pakalolo Omelette”) and delicious sugar cured bacon. That morning, we decided to order a Sugar Cured Bacon Omelette (made with extra lean crispy bacon smothered with Haleakala Swiss cheese), Huelo Paniolo Omelette “Boots & Kimo’s Favorite” (corned beef, Kula onion, tomatoes, & melted Haleakala Swiss cheese), and a short stack of Banana Pancakes with Kimo’s Macadamia Nut Sauce.

Sugar Cured Bacon Omelette

The Sugar Cured Bacon Omelette was really simple, but the bacon is so good and crispy that you wouldn’t want anything else to take away from its flavor. The bacon and cheese is really all you need. The omelettes are served with a choice of starch.

Huelo Paniolo Omelette “Boots & Kimo’s Favorite”

The Huelo Paniolo Omelette “Boots & Kimo’s Favorite” had a bit more complexity to it. This omelette is great for corned beef fans, like many locals are. When I go out to breakfast, my favorite is corned beef hash, eggs, & rice. At Boots & Kimo’s, it’s like you’re getting all of that and then some.

“Banana Mac” Pancakes

Last, but definitely not least, came the short stack of “banana mac” pancakes. This is what everyone goes to Boots & Kimo’s for and is a definite must-try. The banana pancakes are extremely soft. If you don’t like bananas, they also offer plain pancakes. Kimo’s Macadamia Nut Sauce is light, creamy, not too sweet, and has a somewhat frothy consistency. The sauce almost reminds you of melted macadamia nut ice cream. With the combination of the soft pancakes and creamy sauce, it just melts in your mouth with every bite!

The most criticism that this restaurant has received is about the service. The staff is not the friendliest and customers feel a bit rushed while dining there. Expect to hear staff yelling out orders. Despite this, Honolulu Advertiser has still described Boots & Kimo’s as “Inexpensive, with lots of aloha.” Dine there and decide for yourself.

Final thoughts: On the day that I went, the service was mediocre. The food, everything else aside, is always onolicious. If you’re on the Windward side and want a breakfast made with lots of fresh local ingredients, try Boots & Kimo’s. The macadamia nut sauce alone is worth the trip!

Service:		Average
Food:		Above Average
Atmosphere:		Below Average +
Overall Value:		Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Boots & Kimo
131 Hekili St Kailua, HI 96734-2866
Phone: 808.263.7929

Hours:
Tues-Fri 7:00am - 2:00pm
Sat-Sun 6:30am - 2:30pm
CASH ONLY

Located on Kamehameha Highway in the heart of Wahiawa is a small Italian restaurant named Cafe Olive. From the outside Cafe Olive doesn’t appear to be much, in fact it seems very ordinary. To be honest I probably would not have tried this restaurant, or known about it, if an acquaintance of mine hadn’t suggested I give it a try. What awaited me inside was a pleasant lunch I did not expect!

Inside Cafe Olive

One step inside of Cafe Olive and you can already tell that this is certainly one book you can’t judge by its cover. On the outside the restaurant is very ordinary, located within just another small building in Wahiawa. Inside you are taken into a lovely little Italian restaurant with warm wooden tones. The walls are decorated with colorful paintings and bottles. The ambiance of Cafe Olive is certainly not what I had envisioned, far exceeding my expectations.

The only logistical problem I could see is the parking lot, which offers maybe a dozen stalls at most. These stalls are also shared with the neighboring businesses in the building, so if the restaurant is busy you may need to search for street parking.

After being seated we browsed the menu and ordered a few dishes. Here is what we sampled:

House Bread w/ Garlic Butter

This house bread is actually complimentary. A little different from your usual bread in that the individual slices are actually crisp throughout, with a great crunch to them. The simple yet delicious garlic butter was a great addition, although these pieces of bread might be saved for making use of your leftover pasta sauce!

Fried Calamari

To start off we ordered a classic Italian appetizer, the deep fried calamari. These calamari pieces were fried to a golden brown color, leaving the kitchen and arriving at our table with a great aroma. The calamari was pretty fresh, absent of any real “fishy” taste. The sauce provided was well prepared, with a good combination of spices.

Shrimp Vodka

For my dish I decided to try a shrimp pasta with a cream sauce that had a kick of vodka in it. The sauce over the pasta was very rich and creamy, with just a hint of alcoholic taste. The shrimp was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The pasta noodles themselves were cooked well to a nice “al dente.”

Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage

The second dish we ordered was a chianti based tomato sauce served over penne pasta with Italian sausage. This dish was delicious! The tomato sauce was very well prepared, full of flavor and zest. The Italian sausage added a great hint of oiliness to the dish, along with the excellent flavor of the sausage itself. We were really pleased with this pasta.

Final thoughts: Of the Italian restaurants I have visited recently, I must admit that Cafe Olive proved to be one of the more memorable dining experiences. The small yet quaint restaurant setting creates a great atmosphere for enjoying the delicious Italian fare. If you are ever in Wahiawa, or live on the Leeward side, I would definitely recommend stopping by Cafe Olive.

Service:		Average +
Food:		Above Average
Atmosphere:		Above Average
Overall Value:		Above Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments by food type and price range.

Cafe Olive
71 S Kamehameha Hwy Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
Phone: 808.621.7997

Located on Kapiolani Boulevard on the 2nd floor of the Honolulu Design Center is the Amuse Wine Bar. For those not familiar with Amuse, it is a wine bar that features ATM-like self-serve wine stations. The first of its kind on Oahu, it also features a tapas style (small plates) menu and live entertainment on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Parking is free in the Honolulu Design Center lot.

Wine Cellar

Wine “ATM” Servers

With over 80 different wines to choose from, connoisseurs and amateurs (like me!) alike can appreciate the wide selection. At Amuse, you purchase wine by the “shot” (1-ounce serving) which is great especially for those that don’t know much about wines. This gives you a chance to try a plethora of wines without committing to a full glass until you find just the right one! At Amuse, they say, “You pick the vintage, you decide the amount to pour and you pick the company.”

Wine samplings range from $.80 to $10+. There are two ways to start sampling wines: either purchase a wine card ($20 minimum) or run a tab on a card and have it added to your food bill.

It was a bit odd walking through the furniture store to get to the bar, but once you get there you forget where you are. Amuse is a relaxing environment and an especially great place to unwind after work. We went on a Friday and there was a duo performing contemporary music.

Amuse Imu Pork Quesadilla

We decided to share two tapas and a dessert. We ordered the Imu Pork Quesadilla and “Steak Frites” to start with. The Imu Pork Quesadilla is described as “Shredded Pork, Mozzarella Cheese, Avocado, Hamakua Springs Tomato, & Tortilla”. This quesadilla was pretty good, with the best part being the avocado and tomato on the side. The avocado and tomato added a lot of flavor to this dish.

Steak Frites

The other tapa we ordered, “Steak Frites”, is a 6-ounce skirt steak with green garlic butter, served with French fries and ketchup. This dish was my favorite of the two. The steak was juicy and flavorful and the fries were covered in a very tasty Cajun seasoning.

Kula Strawberry Shortcake

Lastly, we got the “Kula” Strawberry Shortcake. Although this dessert was huge, we finished the whole thing! The shortcake was made with Swiss cheese butter cake, Jack Daniel’s Vanilla Ice Cream, toasted almonds, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and strawberry sauce. The butter cake was heavenly and the strawberry sauce was exceptional.

The menu also offers other appetizer type food, such as a cheese plate, burger, and chicken wings. You can even try featured desserts from STAGE, a full service restaurant also located on the 2nd floor of the Honolulu Design Center.

On designated days, you can get 50% off a wine card! That means you could get a $50 wine card for only $25! Call the bar to check which nights of the week they offer this special deal.

Final thoughts: If you’re a “wino” or aspire to be one, check out Amuse! It’s an entertaining way to sample a diverse range of wines, even on a budget. Amuse yourself.

Service:		Average
Food:		Average
Atmosphere:		Above Average +
Overall Value:		Average +

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments.

Amuse Wine Bar
Honolulu Design Center, 2nd Floor
1250 Kapiolani Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: 808.237.5428

Wine Tastings Open Nightly:
5:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Winner of the Bronze Hale Aina Award for “Best Business Lunch”, the Pineapple Room is an upscale yet casual establishment located on the third floor of Macy’s in Ala Moana. Inspired by the cooking talents of Alan Wong, this restaurant has been immensely popular since it’s opening, and continues to thrive by serving delicious food with great service and a comfortable atmosphere.

The Pineapple Room in Macy’s Ala Moana

The Pineapple Room has a very simple yet elegant decor. The soft colored walls feature a few paintings, and the windows feature light green curtains. The soft and warm tones of the furniture and light fixtures give the Pineapple Room a very relaxing feel, which is very conducive to conversation.

When we arrived for lunch yesterday the restaurant was packed! The hostess informed us that a table for two would be about a 20 minute wait, so we had her take our names and wandered about Macy’s to kill some time. When we returned the hostess was able to seat us promptly.

After being seated our server came by to introduce himself and take drink orders, and then a second server came by and introduced himself. The Pineapple Room typically as two servers assigned to a set of tables, with really enhances the level of service.

The menu at the Pineapple Room changes slightly everyday, varying on what type of fresh ingredients are available. The left side of the two page menu is printed everyday, while the right side features the standard menu offerings.

The Pineapple Room offers a Prix Fix lunch for $29.00 which includes a drink, appetizer, main course, and dessert. I opted to give the Prix Fix a try to sample a variety of items from the menu.

House Bread w/ Chili Aioli

One of things I like about the Pineapple Room is the chili aoili that they give with their house bread. This buttery concoction still retains the smooth and rich taste of dairy, but with a slightly spicy kick to it. If you are a first time patron to the Pineapple Room, I’m sure you’ll find the aoili enjoyable.

Baked Potato Soup

One of the daily special menu items was this cup of Baked Potato soup. The soup itself is very simple in appearance, but was rich and creamy to taste. The only complaint we could make is that the soup was served a little colder than we would have liked. Otherwise an enjoyable dish.

Tempura Battered Catch of the Day

My fiancée ordered a popular sandwich item off the menu as her main course. This dish features a tempura battered fish on a hoagie roll with caper mayonnaise and a tempura dipping sauce. The dish comes with French fries and a pickle.

Overall the dish is good, with very simple flavors combining to form a tasty sandwich. Although the presentation is very plain, with just the tempura fish on a roll, the caper mayonnaise and the tempura dipping sauce make for an excellent flavor combination. The fries are crunchy and well seasoned.

Prix Fix Course 1: Togarashi Seared Ahi

The first part of my Prix Fix menu was the Togarashi Seared Ahi with Asian slaw and a soy vinaigrette. The ahi used in this dish was very fresh, and well seared. But the real delight was in eating the Asian slaw along with the fish. The dressing used on the Asian slaw was very good, tangy and refreshing, which worked as a perfect compliment to the slightly spicy ahi.

Prix Fix Course 2: Sweet Chili Glazed Monchong

Garlic Mash Potatoes

For my main course I ordered the monchong. This cut of monchong was very generous, and very fresh with no hint of that “fishy” taste you get from lesser establishments. The chili glaze on the fish was complimented by a Togarashi miso butter sauce, which rounded out the plate with a pleasant bitterness.

The dish comes with your choice of starch: garlic mash potatoes, brown rice, or white rice. The mash potatoes I ordered were very creamy, and very buttery! The consistency was almost liked that of a whipped potato, which made this simple starch a real treat.

Prix Fix Course 3: Lilikoi Cheesecake

To end the meal in my Prix Fix course I ordered the Lilikoi Cheesecake which is garnished with three triangular cookies. The cheesecake alone was delicious, light, and creamy. The tart flavor of the lilikoi sorbet and the accompanying sauces complimented the sweetness of the cheesecake well. The flavors of the fruits and sorbet made this dessert refreshing to eat.

Final thoughts: Having been to the Pineapple Room on several occasions, I knew what to expect. Service has always been top notch, and the food has been great. Other than a few minor glitches here and there (soup being a little luke warm and a slightly long wait for the food), this experience at the Pineapple room was a good one. Combined with a great atmosphere it is clear why the Pineapple Room was given a “Best Business Lunch” award. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the mood for a casual meal with an upscale flare.

Service:		Above Average
Food:		Above Average
Atmosphere:		Above Average
Overall Value:		Above Average

*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments.

The Pineapple Room
Macy’s Third Floor in the Ala Moana Shopping Center
Phone: 808.945.6573