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Lived in Hawaii and was there when Alan Wong's opened. It is without a doubt the best of the best....
More 2 years ago
Lived in Hawaii and was there when Alan Wong's opened. It is without a doubt the best of the best. There are so many things that we liked about the restaurant. Its out of the way place, its definitely different, its upstairs in a building that you would not think a restaurant is in. When you make your reservations they take your name and when you are seated the person who seats you and your waiter from then on uses your name. its like you have been coming there forever. The Manager stops by and ask how things are going. There is usually a "special treat" from Alan, maybe its just a juice drink, or a small appetizer, and that is also followed up by a dessert piece of something at the end. The rolls are delicious, finish one, and the roll boy is there again; the water glass is never empty. My favorite is when the person brings you meal and explains everything on it, rather than some places that when someone brings you the plate they have to ask you what you ordered. The waiters don't start as waiters, they start as the bus boys and work their way up, the learn how to be a waiter and all the different kinds of food that are prepared. When you go to AW's you are treated as someone who has been coming for years, even if it is you first trip there. Yes it crowded, most great restaurants are. And the awards won by AW is overwhelming. And the best part is that AW is usually there. There are some restaurants that the owner, top chef are rarely there.
Pros: Top food, top service, top restaurant.
Cons: Hard to get reservations
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We were on vacation and were craving some spicy Indian food. We tried Cafe Maharani and found that...
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We were on vacation and were craving some spicy Indian food. We tried Cafe Maharani and found that the food was just great. The naans and curry were fresh. The restaurant is small and usually gets crowded, I would recommend grabbing a bottle of wine from the Star Market across the street and having a glass while waiting for a table. The food is worth the wait!
Pros: Great food
Cons: Slightly slow service when busy, but the staff is great!
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Sushi Sasabune
Category:
Japanese Restaurants
1419 S King St
Honolulu,
Hawaii 96814
Yes, it's expensive, weird neighborhood, smallish space, bossy chef, no cell phones, etc.
But...
More 5 months ago
Yes, it's expensive, weird neighborhood, smallish space, bossy chef, no cell phones, etc.
But it's the best sushi in Honolulu. Yes, you can go to Yohei for "good" sushi and Mitch's for "good" seafood. But Sasabune is for people who know sushi. In particular, I am an uni person. I know it, I try it everywhere, in every city I go to - I've even had it at...Zippy's. It is far and away the best at Sasabune. You can go west one block to Izakaya Gaku, actually pay a higher price for uni and get less meat and less freshness. They are severe but if you're there for the food and not to be king, you won't care.
The menu changes with availability. I remember they used to have some sort of blue-tinged prawn from Santa Barbara (amazing) which was later swapped out for some similar creature (also fantastic). I've had the hamachi, the saba, the usuals. They're so fresh, you will have felt deceived by the taste of those fishes in other sushi bars.
If you want your "corn sushi" or "Philadelphia roll" you are stupid lost. I have been many times and when I call to make a reservation, I am unfailingly warned that there are "no California rolls, no katsu. just sushi." This is sound advice to naysayers. If you can't tell the difference and the warm rice is the only thing exceptional that you can discern from the food, you are better off at Genki Sushi or Sushi Man.
Pros: Food
Cons: Price
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YOU KNOW THE SAYING 'GO WHERE THE LOCALS AT' . IF YOUR VISITING HAWAII- THAT'S WHAT YOUR DOING-...
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YOU KNOW THE SAYING 'GO WHERE THE LOCALS AT' . IF YOUR VISITING HAWAII- THAT'S WHAT YOUR DOING- YOUR NOT SLEEPING ALL DAY IN A HOTEL ROOM, RIGHT? ROOMS ARE NOT 'LUXURY' BUT BEAUTIFUL KOI FISH WELCOME YOU. IF ANYTHING, THE RESTAURANT IS WHERE YOU'LL END UP SLEEPING . . . AFTER INHALING SOME 'LOCAL' FOOD.
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The atmosphere is great! Love the location. Love the food! I esp. like it btwn 5-6pm on Sun and...
More 2 months ago
The atmosphere is great! Love the location. Love the food! I esp. like it btwn 5-6pm on Sun and Mondays when everything is half!
Pros: Sushi is to die for!
Cons: None
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The outdoor seating in the back is great for intimate dining in a lovely setting. Described as...
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The outdoor seating in the back is great for intimate dining in a lovely setting. Described as Eurasian cuisine, this award-winning restaurant offers unique and clever food combinations along with a wonderful wine list (and they have a wine club as well). Dessert was almost unthinkable after the wonderful salad and entree, but we managed to finish off a lemon coconut tart was unbelievably fine - buttery, tart, rich, sweet. The restaurant has valet parking since it can be tricky to find street parking on the weekends in particular.
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Yanagi Sushi
Category:
Japanese Restaurants
762 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu,
Hawaii 96813
(808) 597-1525
i have heard about this place for almost as long as i've lived here and did not get to try it out...
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i have heard about this place for almost as long as i've lived here and did not get to try it out until last month. holy CRAP! this place is sooooooooooooooooooo good. now, i'm not a sushi expert, but i know bad and good sushi when i eat it. and this was up there with sansei (although they're a different style) and superb sushi and definitely better than genki (i should hope so, since they're more expensive too). i have yet to try sushi sasabune, but i can't wait, if they're better than yanagi.
let's see, i can't remember what i had exactly, i just remember it was ALL GOOD. i think one nigiri dinner combo and one misozake (sp?) butterfish combo? i don't think you can go wrong with this place. i have heard you need reservations for dinner.
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India Cafe
Category:
Indian & Pakistani Restaurants
2851 Kihei Pl Ste 1
Honolulu,
Hawaii 96816
I had never eaten Indian cuisine before but Im glad i gave it a try at this special little place...
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I had never eaten Indian cuisine before but Im glad i gave it a try at this special little place hidden in Kapahulu near waikiki. I saw a sign for India Cafe and remembered seeing them in the "Hawaii's Best Restaurants" guide in the newspaper. As soon as I walked in, a nice man greeted me and sat me down asking if I had ever been here before. He told me all about their special dosai breads, curries, and chutneys. He helped me order some fresh vegetarian dishes, chicken curry and lamb masala all of which were so tasty. Oh and I love their samosas! He had it made mild for me since it was my first time but now i order it spicy since i have gotten used to the bold flavors. India Cafe has become my new favorit restaurant and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Pros: Friendly Service, TASTY, FRESH
Cons: Hard to find, Not enough tables
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Awesome place. My high school executive council went here because our teacher was ooober rich and...
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Awesome place. My high school executive council went here because our teacher was ooober rich and paid for all of us. Entrees get a little pricey and don't expect to pay less than $40 a person. However one time I went there was a great deal for a lobster Tail at $30 and that was good only that they ran out of the metal cracker things (only cause everyone in the restaurant was eating lobster. However, their appetizers also are amazing. I personally love the stuff mushrooms on a mash potato type setting.
Get a table that over looks the water and get it at sunset because then the view is just breathless. If you are looking to impress a girl definitely take her here and get a seat overlooking the sunset. You'll be very impressed. Also, you'll commonly see prominent people in the community. When I went with my council we got to see the mayor and meet him and that was exciting.
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Fantastic Thai every time. I love this place so much I bought the cookbook and have done a Thai...
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Fantastic Thai every time. I love this place so much I bought the cookbook and have done a Thai night at home with its recipes. YA Gotta Go Here!!
Pros: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD
Cons: Birds flying around, but what do you expect for a patio resturant
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