Seafood Village • Favorite Chinese Restaurant

Hidden from view a few steps down from the main floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Seafood Village has drawn some local fans into the depths of Waikiki (a feat in itself). As you enter, you walk past fish tanks where your next meal may be lurking. The specialty here is contemporary Asian cuisine with a heavy emphasis on anything that occupies the ocean, with a range of flavors from spicy to silky, mild to intense.

What's good? An unusual offering at a Chinese restaurant, but a popular one here, is the fried nori roll stuffed with crab. Also available are the expected and comforting lineup of wonton soup, noodle dishes and different types of fried rice. But seafood is the specialty: Fresh shrimp, prawns, crab and lobster are prepared in a wide variety of ways, including salt and pepper shrimp, prawns in lobster sauce, scallops in black bean sauce. Whole, steamed fish with ginger and green onions is an excellent choice, too. They also do a lavish dim sum.

Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2424 Kalakaua; 971-1818. Lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner, 5-10 p.m. Chinese seafood dishes/dim sum. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. $$

Elena and Theo Butuyan's 27-year-old Waipahu restaurant has been a winner in this category for the past XX years. The first year the restaurant captured the award, there was some reluctance on the part of 'Ilima Awards gala attendees who weren't familiar with Filipino food. But their first bite of pork adobo omelet put all doubts to rest, and the Elena's booth at the event was mobbed all night long.

What's good? Of course, that killer pork adobo omelet: garlicky fried pork with the signature vinegary taste, mixed with rice and rolled in a thin egg pancake wrapper. Their lechon is famous; moist and tender pork with a crispy-crunchy exterior. They serve all the classic Filipino dishes, as well, including pancit, guisantes and those halohalo desserts.

94-300 Farrington Highway; 671-3279. 5 a.m.-8:45 p.m. daily. Filipino cuisine. No reservations needed. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS. No checks. $.

La Mer • Favorite French Restaurant

La Mer's tranquil, seaside setting on the second floor of the Halekulani Hotel sets the mood for an exquisite dining experience. La Mer

Yves Garnier, who has earned his Michelin stars, is the chef de cuisine at this créme de la créme oceanfront restaurant at the Halekulani Hotel. Garnier calls his cooking "cuisine du soleil," (cuisine of the sun); it is the classic French approach in which every dish is a series of incredibly refined recipes in a perfect marriage of taste, texture and appearance. Garnier is inspired by the bright flavors of the South of France, but makes use of Hawai'i ingredients. Expect impeccable service, a dignified and tranquil setting and unforgettable food. Tip: Gentleman must wear jackets or long-sleeved, collared shirts and this is a no-smoking restaurant.

What's good? The lobster mosaic is to die for: medallions of Maine lobster combined with fresh hearts of palm and osetra caviar in a cold preparation. The soup of mussels and moana fillets with saffron and chanterelles is a winner, too. Entrees to try: hamachi medallions covered with pistachio nuts and zucchini flower petals, sauteed John Dory with avocado and orange-butter sauce, roasted breast of pigeon with leg confit in Banyuls wine with a poached pear on the side, and the venison and sauteed duck liver with celery root lattice and chestnut mousse.

Halekulani Hotel; 923-2311. Dinner: 6-10 p.m. Fine french cuisine. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS. Reservations required. Dress code; no-smoking. $$$.

'Ono Hawaiian Foods • Favorite Hawaiian Restaurant

There's always lots of debate over this category. Everyone has their favorites among the handful of restaurants that specialize in Hawaiian dishes. But for close to 40 years 'Ono Hawaiian Foods has literally had a line outside its door, proof enough of popularity. Dignitaries, celebrities, athletes, politicians and regular folks love this place. Sueko Oh Young, who opened this small neighborhood spot, spent 12 to 15 hours a day in the kitchen six days a week for more than three decades, but now is semi-retired. Her family continues to turn out the Hawaiian plates that have earned 'Ono acclaim and numerous awards and restaurant guide mentions.

What's good? Everything, according to our readers. The kalua pig is tender, properly smoky and moist. Chicken laulau is available on Wednesdays only and sells out fast. Pipikaula, butterfish lu'au, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, tripe stew, squid lu'au, beef curry (Tuesdays), chop steak (Mondays) – it's all good. And haupia for dessert. Gotta go grind, brah.

726 Kapahulu Ave.; 737-2275. 11 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Hawaiian cuisine. No reservations needed. No credit cards. No checks. $.

Bravo Restaurant • Favorite Italian Restaurant

Bravo has a winning formula. Evidence of that comes from the crowds who keep this place busy serving fast, affordable Italian food seven days a week. Many filling and satisfying lunches come in under $10; at dinner, the variety expands significantly, but the prices stay low.

What's good? At lunch, customers go for the Caesar salad with chicken or bay shrimp, pizza and salad, spicy eggplant Siciliana, lasagna, spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli with tomato or cream sauce, and the triple-deck Italian club sandwich (prosciutto, turkey, salami and mozzarella). At dinner, try the spinach tortellini with prosciutto, garlic rotisserie chicken, spaghetti with meatballs and Italian sausage, penne with portobello mushrooms and chicken or pesto linguine with shrimp and scallops.

Pearlridge Uptown; 487-5544. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Italian. Reservations required for large parties. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. Lunch, $; Dinner, $$.

Shogun • Favorite Japanese Restaurant

The draw for this Pacific Beach Hotel restaurant is the variety: You can get just about every type of Japanese food from sushi to noodles, teppan-yaki to classic izakaya (pub or tavern) dishes – the Japanese equivalent to our pupu, savory dishes designed to be enjoyed with beer or cocktails.

What's good? The sashimi is fresh, hand-cut to order. Rotating specials might include a particular fresh seafood, a seasonal Japanese festival dish or an all-you-can-eat sukiyaki feed.

Pacific Beach Hotel, 2490 Kalakaua Ave.; 921-6113. Breakfast: 5:30-10 a.m. Lunch: 11.a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner: 5:30-10 p.m. daily. Japanese. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. Checks accepted. Breakfast & Dinner: $$$, Sunday Brunch & Lunch: $$$.

Yummy Korean Bar-B-Q • Favorite Korean Restaurant

This quietly run small empire of eateries is headed up by Peter Kim, president of Yummy Management Co. It also own and operates Chow Mein Express, La Haina Chicken Company and Mama's Spaghetti House. Kim opened the first Yummy in Hawai'i Kai in 1986. Today there are 16 locations (14 on O'ahu, 1 on Maui, and, the latest opening, in Nagoya, Japan), all family-owned. Their key to success: "No one ever leaves our restaurants hungry," said Kim. Yummy is among the chains that taught us about Korean food, offering a sort of smorgasbord-meets-plate lunch approach in which you select an entree and surround it with vegetable sides dishes, pickled salads and kim chee plus, of course, rice.

What's good? When Islanders say barbecue, they usually mean Korean-style barbecue: kalbi or barbecued chicken marinated in the characteristic sesame-soy sauce-garlic blend. You can't go wrong with these at Yummy's; they're always hot, fragrant, juicy and flecked with delicious charred bits. Sides include shoyu potatoes, long rice, tae-gu (Korean codfish salad), watercress or cabbage salad and, naturally, macaroni salad.

Multiple locations. Hours vary. Korean take our or eat in. No credit cards. No checks. $

Olive Tree Cafe • Favorite Mediterranean Restaurant

Savas Mojarrad, a hardworking guy who has been in the restaurant business most of his adult life, operates this busy, casual Kahala eatery that, when the word first spread about its eclectic and affordable menu, was the classic example of the old saying: "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded." The restaurant is closed right now for renovations, due back on Oct. 11, when readers will no doubt still be willing to wait for a table to enjoy the al fresco seating, the relaxed ambience and the made-to-order Mediterranean food, with its strong Greek bent.

What's good? This is one of the few places in Hawai'i to serve the foods of the eastern Mediterranean, from souvlaki (marinated lamb, chicken or fish, skewered and grilled) to tabbouleh salad and the classic falafel (chickpea croquette) sandwich in pita bread topped with pickles and onions, and sesame tahini sauce – a messy but delightful eating experience.

Kahala Mall; 737-0303. 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Greek, Eastern Mediterranean. Reservations recommended. No credit cards. Checks accepted. $.

Compadres Bar & Grill • Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Our readers once again voted Compadres their favorite Mexican place. The bouncy and raucous bar, where sports are often featured on TV and there's always someone celebrating something, is a great place to enjoy one of their trademark killer margaritas. The menu is large and ranges the Mexican landscape. A great young staff gets your food on the table efficiently and with friendly verve.

What's good? You name your favorite Ameri-Mex dish, they have it: tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, rellenos, chili wings, tamales plus seafood dishes, steaks, chicken, soups and sandwiches. The carnitas – rich shreds of pork cooked in their own drippings – are a decadent indulgence as a main dish or in a lunch portion quesadilla with cheese. Tortilla chips come with your seat, along with an excellent fresh salsa (and you can order guacamole and sour cream, too). And they have many varieties of cerveza (beer).

Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd.; 591-8307. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday. 11 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Mexican. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. Checks accepted. $$.

Keo's Thai Cuisine • Favorite Thai Restaurant

Though others served Thai cuisine here, Keo Sananikone (who is actually Laotian, but lived in Thailand before moving to America) was among the first, more than 20 years ago, to understand what Americans wanted in a restaurant and give it to them: fresh flowers, clean and well-lighted spaces, dishes with intriguing names. Since then, the family's restaurants (including two Keo's and two price-conscious Mekong outlets) have become a mecca for visitors(especially celebrities, whose pictures decorate his wall of fame). The flagship Kalakaua location closed a couple of years ago and an open-air Kuhio location has become the central one.

What's good? The sateh grilled items are great starters and come in many different varieties: shrimp, chicken, fish, scallop, tofu and eggplant. (Keo's was among the first places to cater graciously to vegetarians here.) The peanut dipping sauce served with it is absolutely addictive. The spicy lemon grass soups are alive with flavor. The pad thai fried noodle dish, a classic dish of Thailand, is naturally a big seller: rice noodles stir-fried with bean sprouts, chicken, shrimp or tofu and egg in a sauce of nam pla (fish sauce), sugar, garlic and chilies. And of course there's Keo's classic: Evil Jungle Prince, a creamy coconut-milk curry with Thai basil, lemon grass, garlic and chile peppers and your choice of meats or tofu.

Two locations. Ward Centre, 596-0020, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 5-9 p.m Sunday; and 2028 Kuhio Ave., 951-9355. Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m. daily. Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Dinner: 5-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Family-style Thai. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. $.

Hale Vietnam • Favorite Vietnamese Restaurant

This quiet, upscale Vietnamese eatery on a Kaimuki side street serves colorful but mild-flavored and very approachable Vietnamese specialties. It's been a popular favorite for its atmosphere and exceptional green papaya salad for years. The service is efficient and self-effacing. A large menu caters to both meat-eaters and vegetarians.

What's good? Although Honolulu is home now to a dozen or so restaurants that specialize in the Vietnamese national dish, pho, Hale Vietnam can hold its own in the preparation of this subtly flavored beef noodle soup (a very filling experience, not to be ordered unless you're quite peckish). The Garden Delight appetizer rolls are made with pork, mint, basil, garlic and lettuce wrapped in those clean-tasting, slightly chewy rice paper wrappers that are the tortillas of Vietnam. The boneless stuffed chicken wings here are winners too, filled with seasoned pork, mushrooms, carrots and long rice.

1140 12th Ave.; 735-7581. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Vietnamese cuisine. Reservations required for parties of four or more. VS, MC, AX, DS. No checks. $.

[ Welcome | Strictly the Best | Morning, noon & night ]
[ Flavors of the World | Anytime Grinds | Island Hopping ]

© COPYRIGHT 2001 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Use of this site indicates your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated 08/02/01)