Hele mai ‘ai! Come, eat!

Hawaiian hospitality always extends to the table; here, folks enjoy a 1959 lu'au. Advertiser library photo • August 1959 Aloha! Sharing meals is an integral part of the Islands’ warm and welcoming aloha spirit. In old-time Hawai‘i, travelers were invariably greeted with an entreaty to come in and have something to eat. Today, we never go to anyone’s home empty-handed, and we never leave without a little something —fruit from the garden or some foil-wrapped tidbit. And whenever and wherever we get together, of course, we eat. When we’re not eating, we’re often talking about food, sharing the news on which new restaurant has opened, which old favorite has closed, what’s new or good on the menu. That kind of word-of-mouth endorsement is at the heart of this new publication, “‘O‘ahu’s 100 Best Restaurants,” which is based on the recommendations of our in-house food experts, Restaurant Critic Matthew Gray, Food Editor Joan Namkoong and Features Editor (and former food writer) Wanda A. Adams as well as the more than 2,000 ballots cast in our 2000 ‘Ilima Awards restaurant award program. When we sat down to identify the 100 Best, we had several criteria: The restaurant had to be on O‘ahu (we hope to add the Neighbor Islands in future editions). Mainland-based fast-food chains would not be included. There should be a broad range, from fine dining to funky take-out spots, to reflect our lifestyles. All the restaurants in this guide were 1), endorsed by two out of three of our resident foodies; or 2), among the top five vote-getters in their particular ‘Ilima category; or 3) the ‘Ilima winner in the category (you’ll notice the designations for Critics’ Choice, People’s Choice or ‘Ilima Award winner next to each restaurant name). We’ve organized the book into four categories: Fine Dining — high-end, sophisticated restaurants, our best, show-off spots. Casual Dining — moderately priced, often family-friendly sit-down restaurants. Flavors of the World — ethnic restaurants. Anytime Grinds — Restaurants and take-out spots that we’ve selected on the basis of particular specialities, or the specific meals for which they are best known and most popular (such as buffets or breakfast). The restaurants are listed alphabetically within categories; the order of listing is no indication of valuation. We know some will argue that their favorite eatery should have been included. All we can say is, you’d be surprised at how rapidly you can count to 100 when it comes to place that has more than 1,000 restaurants to choose from. But we’d love to hear your ideas for restaurants to add next time: O‘ahu’s 100 Best Restaurants The Honolulu Advertiser P.O. Box 3110 Honolulu, HI 96802 E-mail us at : islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com Or fax us at 525-8055.

2000 ‘Ilima award winners

The Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Awards is an annual readers’ choice poll identifying Islanders’ favorite restaurants in a variety of categories. Each year, the poll results are published in a special section of the newspaper and the effort culminates in a gala awards show, a benefit for Diamond Head Theatre. Here’s a guide by category to the 2000 ‘Ilima Award winners; you’ll find expanded listings on the O‘ahu winners elsewhere in the guide (except for Pizza Hut, because Mainland-based fast food chains were not included in this project). Favorite Hawai‘i Restaurant: Alan Wong’s Restaurant New Restaurant: Todai Restaurant Waikiki Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine: Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Plate Lunch: L & L Drive-Inn Maui: Hali‘imaile General Store Big Island: Merriman’s Kaua‘i: A Pacific Cafe Breakfast: Oceanarium Brunch: Floating Restaurant at the Pagoda Hotel Lunch: Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steak House Dinner: Sarento’s Top of the I Late-night Dining: Aaron’s Atop the Ala Moana Chinese: Eastern Garden Filipino: Elena’s Home of Finest Filipino Foods French: Michel’s Hawaiian: ‘Ono Hawaiian Foods Italian: Bravo Italian Restaurant Korean: Kim Chee No. 2 Japanese: Shogun Mediterranean: The Pyramids Mexican: Compadres Bar & Grill Thai: Keo’s Thai Cuisine Vietnamese: Hale Vietnam Dessert: Anna Miller’s 24-Hour Restaurant Drinks and pupu: Ryan’s Grill Espresso: Starbucks Hamburgers: Kua ‘Aina Sandwich Shop Pizza: Pizza Hut Seafood: Nick’s Fishmarket Steak: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Sushi: Genki Sushi Hotel-O‘ahu: Neptune’s Garden, Pacific Beach Hotel Hotel-Neighbor Island: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Advertiser Critics’ Choices: Tai Pan on the Boulevard, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Contemporary Museum Cafe, 3660 on the Rise

Legend

CC — Critics’ Choice (recommended by at least two of our three food experts) PC — People’s Choice (a top 5 vote-getter in the 2000 ‘Ilima Awards balloting in its category) I — 2000 ‘Ilima Award winner VS — Visa MC — Mastercard AX — American Express $$$ — Expensive (entrees mostly $17 above) $$ — Moderate (entrees mostly $10-$16) $ — Inexpensive (entrees mostly less than $10) This icon designates a paid advertising to Hawai'i's Restaurant Guide, a Hawaii Newspaper Agency advertising supplement.