need a nice place for dinner in honolulu

[Jacksonvol]

I will be in Honolulu in early August and need a nice place for dinner. We will have about 15 folks and it should be fairly nice, serve red meat and not fall into the "romantic" category. Any recomendations?

[himom]

Is Ruth's Chris out of your price range? It's yummy and is close to Waikiki.

http://ruthschris.com/locations/honolulusteakhouse.html

Or there's Palomino, which is one of my favorites and is also not too far from Waikiki.

http://palomino.com/menu.php

Now I'm hungry! HTH.

Jodi

[Lovingliv]

My husband and I loved Roy's. It is pacific fusion...and oh so yummy. We went on the recommendation of a friend.
FWIW, we would never have ever picked it on our own because it was in a strip mall! My motto had always been to eat for the view while you are in Hawaii. Our friends said the food was worth skipping the view. I couldn't agree more! We ate at the Maui Roy's...


http://www.roysrestaurant.com/index.asp

[kelly ann]

There is alway the Honolulu outlet of Roys which has a lot of yummy food. If you want an upscale restaurant, you can try Chef Mavro or Alan Wong's.

The more upscale restaurants can tend to be romantic...Roy's may be a good choice.

http://www.roysrestaurant.com/

ETA: Looks like Rachel and I had the same idea :)

[Mamma2004]

I second the Roy's suggestion. We've eaten there a few times and both red meat and seafood were outstanding. If you like chocolate, order the chocolate souffle' upon arrival and it will be freshly prepared for your dessert.

I know you said not romantic but wow, the food AND the view were the best of the islands at La Mer. You'll need to make reservations soon but it is truly beyond words.

HTH!

Stephanie

[Lovingliv]

WooHoo! I am telling you, Roy's is the way to go! I had the best meal of my life there. I had this appetizer that was cucumber, mushroom, sticky rice all rolled up (LIKE SUSHI). It was so good that I had DH go back and get me it the next day! He was mortified to be getting "takeout" at a place like Roy's that he actually tipped the server for just takeout!!!!

Now I am dying to go back.....if only they had a Roy's in Massachusetts!

[Lovingliv]

Oops double post!

Go to Roy's!

[deenass]

I think there's one in Philly ..can you say ROADTRIP!

[Lovingliv]

There is? Well, Philly isn't that far....is it? :)

[Lovingliv]

There is one in NY, and I have been dying to go to the zoo! So, I could kill two birds with one stone!

[ctc221]

I've had one of my best meals in my life at Alan Wong's, and that was nearly 10 years ago. One great thing I remember about the restaurant (and I guess this goes for dining in Hawaii in general) is even though it's considered very upscale, the dining atmosphere was still very comfortable and relatively casual compared to restaurants of the same caliber on the mainland (which are often too stuffy or chi-chi for me).

AC

DD 02/02
DS 11/04

[slknight]

Another vote for Roy's (we ate at the one on Kauai).

I have heard great things about La Mer. I haven't eaten there, but have stayed at The Halkeulani twice and it is without compare! I dream of going back.

[bostonsmama]

I don't know about anyone else but Roy's seemed a little far from the Waikiki strip (where we stayed). Plus the blackened meatloaf was bitter and overcooked. Even the mashed potatoes were banal at best. I will admit that the 5-course appetizer was divine (wish we had ordered one for each of us), but we didn't leave with any lasting memories. DH and I, on the other hand, loved 3660 on the Rise. It was pretty inside, but not too fancy or overpriced and a little closer to H1 & downtown. Great cuisine, ample portions and a kick-A wine list. We're still talking about that Columbia Valley Late Harvest Riesling! DH also had a great Port. It looked like they had plenty of room for groups and accepted reservations. I had the seafood linguini alfredo (loaded w/ lobster, shrimp, clams, lump crab & topped w/ shaved calamari) and DH had a blackened salmon....sooooooooooooooooooooooo good!

And isn't Angie's DH (newmommy 25?) a chef at a Honolulu restaurant? I'd be interested in hearing if he's still doing that. I bet it's great.

Larissa

Baseline appt July 25th! Tentative retrieval ~Aug 10th, transfer ~8/13 or 15

Proud Aunt to Jack Dorian, born to my bro & SIL 3/06
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32719.jpg

[DebbieJ]

Roy's is all over the country. I'd rather eat somewhere that is a little more, I don't know, original? Something you can't get back home. I've heard great things about 3660 on the Rise. When we were there, we really enjoyed Orchids, the other restaurant at the Halekulani (SO jealous you stayed there, Susan!). Also, drinks and music at The House Without a Key, also at The Halekulani, was great fun.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[mcdonald29]

We always reccommended Chuck's Steakhouse, especially at sunset:
http://www.restaurantswaikiki.com/chuckssteakhouse.htm

You can't go wrong with Duke's either, although it's more casual. Sundays 4 pm they have live music (and big crowd):
http://www.dukeswaikiki.com/

Also casual but delicious (and you see locals there, always a good sign) is Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab. Their Oriental salad dressing is to die for, plus they have an on-site brewery:
http://www.samchoy.com/restaurants_bigaloha.html

ETA: Don Ho's at Aloha Tower. Oh how I miss the calamari w/furikake. Just be aware if a cruise ship is in town that night:
http://www.donho.com/grill/

Enjoy the "ono grindz!"

[mimieliza]

Tanaka of Tokyo! It's a great teppan-yaki style restaurant. It would be so much fun for a big group.
http://www.tanakaoftokyo.com/index1.php

Also very good, and very fancy, is Mariposa, which is in the Ala Moana shopping center.

I'd avoid anyplace you can find on the mainland. Food in Hawaii is so good - try places you can only go while you're there.