A Mainland chain, sure, but one certainly welcome in a town that hungers for more (if not better) Italian options. We went during their soft-opening, and again last week, and loved it. Family friendly (a plus for us and our three kids), decent portions for a reasonable price. The kitchen speed has been a bit uneven - main courses sometimes beat the salad or appetizers to your table - but the servers are sharp and friendly and no dishes were lacking in richness or flavor (I always end up taking almost half of my order home).
As with the opening of other major chains (notably the Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki), right now the line to get in can be long -- show up at 6 p.m. on a Friday, and you'll have to wait an hour or more. But, at least with its location within Honolulu's retail Mecca, there's no shortage of things to browse to pass the time. Presumably, in a few months, the lines will subside (especially as other new dining options open in Hookipa Terrace).
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