The
Year IN FOOD
By Kevin McQuarrie
Looking back at the restaurants I have visited in the past
year, I’m reminded how lucky we are to live in such a diverse, vibrant
community. Now, not every meal was perfect, and we encountered some dubious décors,
but overall, the quality of our island’s restaurants is remarkable—and
it’s particularly high if you consider that our reviews tend to focus on
fairly affordable dining options. These aren’t just the hoity-toity places we
visit; they are the spots where you eat with friends and family every night.
So in this retrospective of the past year’s reviews, we’ve rated each restaurant on a scale of one to four “Oahus,” with a four being excellent and a one, a “needs improvement.” Here’s to another year of great food and great friends!
Cafe
Satino
46-138
Kahuhipa St.
Ph: 236-0062
This
hidden, hole-in-the-wall BYOB restaurant has homemade, crowd-pleasing Italian
food favorites. The flavors and presentations are above what you’d expect at
these prices, but the décor is a bit Spartan.
Food:
3
Atmosphere:
1
Service:
3
Value:
4
Overall:
2.75
Cinnamon’s Restaurant
315
Uluniu St.
Ph: 261-8724
Start
your day off right with a breakfast at Cinnamon’s Restaurant, in Kailua
Square, which specializes in giant omelets and homemade bakery items. The décor
has sort of a country/homey feel; if you can, sit outside, where the seating
area is nicer.
Food:
3
Atmosphere: 3
Service:
3
Value:
3
Overall: 3
Cisco’s
Cantina
131
Hekili St.
Ph: 262-7337
Cisco’s
has a funky, low-key atmosphere. It’s basically just a fiesta waiting to
happen each night. The food, though, holds equal importance, with quality
ingredients and intriguing, Mexico-meets Hawai‘i flavors.
Food:
4
Atmosphere:
3
Service:
3
Value:
4
Overall:
3.5
La
Mariana Sailing Club
50 Sand
Island Access Rd.
Ph: 848-2800
La Mariana is the perfect, waterfront place to bring out-of-town guests. It’s
a charming, tiki-decorated restaurant straight out of 1963. Order one of the
excellent mai tais and a plate of sashimi and get groovy, baby.
Food:
2
Ambiance:
4
Service:
3
Value:
3
Overall: 3
The
Chef’s Table
333
Keahole St.
Ph:
394-2433
True,
it’s tucked away in a shopping center, yet the Chef’s Table boasts warm, Old
World hospitality, huge portions of hearty, delicious food, and a well-chosen
wine list.
Food:
4
Atmosphere:
2
Service:
3
Value:
4
Overall:
3.25
D.K.
Steakhouse
Third
floor, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
2552
Kalakaua Avenue
Ph:
931-6280
Bring
your favorite carnivore to D.K. Steakhouse, a new offering from D.K. Kodama.
It’s an American-style steakhouse specializing in high USDA-grade, well-aged
steaks. You’ll find a classy décor, polished service and a great wine list.
Food:
4
Atmosphere:
3
Service:
4
Value:
3
Overall:
3.5
Keneke’s
Plate Lunch
41-857
Kalanianaole Hwy., Waimanalo
Ph: 259-5266
Enjoy
fantastic people-watching while waiting for heaping, delicious plate lunches
piled high with choices such as kalua pig, lau lau, barbecue chicken, pork adobo,
kalbi, and mahi mahi. Did we mention they have incredible french fries, too?
Food:
3
Atmosphere:
3
Service:
4
Value:
4
Overall:
3.5
Mexico
Lindo
46-132
Kahuhipa St. #A
Ph:
236-4992
This
Kaneohe charmer is a bright oasis of conviviality. It specializes in traditional
food from Southern Mexico, with fresh-tasting, exhilarating food that actually
has a kick to it.
Food:
4
Atmosphere: 4
Service:
3
Value: 3
Overall:
3.5
Okonomi
Cuisine Kai
1427
Makaloa St.
Ph:
944-1555
Okonomi
Cuisine really nails it in the décor, service and style departments. The food
is a bit more hit or miss, but it’s still a great place to take a date.
Unusual cocktails add to the fun.
Food:
2
Atmosphere:
4
Service:
3
Value:
3
Overall:
3
Saigon
Noodle House
Enchanted
Lake Shopping Ctr.
Ph: 261-2466
This
is some of the best Vietnamese food you can find on Oahu, with huge portions and
dazzlingly fast food prep. The spring rolls are incredible, as is the photo.
Food:
4
Atmosphere:
1
Service:
4
Value:
4
Overall:
3.25
The
Willow Tree
Aikahi Park Shopping Ctr.
25 Kaneohe Bay Dr.
Ph: 254-1139
No
liquor license and an austere décor further drag down bland Korean cuisine. The
service, however, is efficient and friendly, and the prices are super low.
Food:
1
Atmosphere:
1
Service: 4
Value:
3
Overall:
2.25
12th
Avenue Grill
1145C
12th Ave.
Ph:
732-9469
This
polished neighborhood bistro offers contemporary American cuisine, a relaxed
crowd, and servers who actually know what they’re doing. Don’t miss the
baked macaroni and cheese.
Food:
4
Atmosphere:
4
Service:
4
Value:
3