New or Noteworthy

American

A Taste of New York

1137 11th Ave at Wai’alae Ave., Kaimuki (737-DELI). Daily 10am-9pm. Steaks: $32-$46.95. Sandwiches: $11.95-$14.95. Cheesecake: $9.95. BYOB $5/glass. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

O’ahu’s closest thing to a bite of a Big Apple deli, serving overstuffed reubens and corned beef sandwiches. Fifteen bucks may seem steep to Honoluluans used to paying $2 for a thin teri-beef sandwich, but these monsters come loaded with 11 ounces of meat. At night the deli becomes a steakhouse, where again you get what you pay for.

Bob’s B-B-Q

1366 Dillingham, Blvd. (842-3663) Mon.-Thu. 6am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 6am-11pm, Sun. 7am-10pm, MC, V.

This carriage-house style kitchen-and-counter is no secret, and when a barbeque mixed plate ($13.25) comes heavy with barbeque-smothered baby back ribs, it’s no wonder why. The food is fresh, and there’s something for everyone.

Goldfish

568 Halekauwila St. (721-8800). Daily 10:30am-2:30pm, 5-11pm. Lunch $3-$10, Dinner $5-$60. AmEx, Disc, MC, V

The fish is cut so large as to be unmanageable, but the sushi rice is among the best in town. Don’t miss the fried kim chee with pork. Lunch features incredible bargains all under $10, including a superb seared ‘ahi sandwich.

Kapahulu Kafe

766 Kapahulu Ave. (732-7486), Wed.-Sun. 6pm-midnight, Tue. 8pm-midnight ‘awa only. Appetizers: $2.50-$7.50, salads $6, sandwiches $5, pasta $7.50. AmEx, DC, Diner’s, JCB, MC, V.

Kama’aina-friendly selections like seared ahi lettuce wraps and pastrami pipikaula sandwiches. Share the signature kalua quesadilla, accompanied by a cool guacamole-sour cream dip, or the crisp-bottomed, juicy chicken and veggie potstickers to start. Drink the ‘awa, listen to the music and set your stresses free.

Chinese

Happy Day Restaurant

3553 Wai’alae Ave. at 11th Ave. (738-8666). Daily 8:30am-10:30pm. Dim sum: $2.30 per plate. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Servers greet customers like old friends. The place is great for big family dinners (Peking duck is tops), but it also has good dim sum. The turnip cake can’t be beat. The cooks turn coarse, bland daikon into delicately crusted creamy, savory-sweet squares.

Kirin at Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana Center, street level, makai side (946-1888). Daily 10:30am-10pm (dim sum served 10:30am-5pm). Dim sum: $2.75-$3.95. Entrees: $8.95-$15. AmEx, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

This Kirin is the chic younger sister to the 20-year-old Kirin on Beretania. Here you order from a menu, not carts, and chef Shen King Kan (previously at Legend) updates dim sum. Try the broth-filled Shanghai juicy pork buns. For a bigger meal, there are also entrees like Peking duck and Tai Shan crab.

European

Chef’s Table

Hawai’i Kai Towne Center, 366 Keahole St. (394-2433). Tue.-Sun. 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9pm. Appetizers: $6-$9. Entrees: $16.50-$22. MC, V.

Mitteleuropaosche flavors are to be had in the form of the obligatory spatzle, red cabbage, wiener schnitzel and paprika-red goulash, along with a Swiss cheese fondu. The delicate superflaky apple strudel will knock your lederhosen off.

Downtown @ the HiSaM

250 Hotel St. (536-5900). Mon.-Fri. 7-11am; Mon.-Sat. 11am-2pm. Food: $4-$16. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Chef Ed Kenney does it again with this Mediterranean-style lunch spot. The lamb lasagna and Wingnut’s Super-Sized Salad make breaking for lunch the smartest thing you’ve done all the day.

Du Vin

1115 Bethel St. (545-1115). Daily 11:30am-11pm. Food: $4-$16. AmEx, DC, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

Sample vin, vino or wine from the expansive wine list to go with a cloudlike, supple brie baked in puff pastry, oysters Rockefeller or the chalkboard’s daily specials.

Italian

Baci Bistro

30 Aulike St., Kailua (262-7555). Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm; Sat. & Sun. 5:30-10pm. Appetizers: $3.95-$9.50. Entrees: $10.95-$23. AmEx, MC, V.

Kailua residents keep this neighborhood restaurant bustling. Rustic, home-style food such as pungent puttanesca are on the all-over-Italy menu.

Buon Amici Ristorante

3605 Wai’alae Ave. (732-5999). Daily 5:30-9pm. Pastas: $18.50-$22.50, Entrees: from $20.50. MC, V.

The restaurant strives to retain Italian-style neighborhoodiness. Fresh pastas are a standout, including classic Bolognese, papardelle with sausage and pancetta and gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce.

Cafe Sistina

1314 S. King St. between Pi’ikoi and Ke’eaumoku Sts. (596-0061). Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9:30pm; Sat. & Sun. 5:30-9:30pm. Appetizers: $6-$12. Entrees: $9.25-$17.75. AmEx, MC, V.

This cornerstone of Honolulu Italian dining is the perfect place for a contemplative dinner for one. Order some hearty fresh-made pappardelle topped with venison-and-merlot ragu.

Southeast Asian & Indian

India Cafe

Kilohana Square, 1016 Kapahulu Ave. at Kihei Pl. (737-4600). Mon.-Thu. 5-9pm; Fri. & Sat. 11am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm; Sun. 11am-2:30pm, 5-9pm. Combination plates: $7.50-$13.95. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

India Cafe is one of only two places in town to get dosai, the South Indian crepe. You can also get Malaysian nasi lemak. Lamb masala and chicken curry are winners, but sometimes the food is off the mark. It’s a casual cafe worth chancing.

Spices

2761 S. King St., Diamond Head of University Ave. (949-2679). Tue.-Sun. 5:30-10pm. Starters: $4.75. Curries: $9.45-$11.45. JCB, MC, V.

You can get dillweed-flavored Laotian curry and Burmese khao soi noodles at this casual Pan-Southeast Asian restaurant. Chef Pony Norindr brings veteran restaurant expertise to working-class food. He uses no substitutes–the Laotian curry is packed with Lao eggplant and makheng, a pea-size eggplant cousin. The menu’s pice de resistance: housemade ice cream in flavors like lemongrass-chili and green apple-curry.