Honolulu Weekly

New & Noteworthy

American

D.K. Steakhouse

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Ave at ‘Ohua St (931-6280). Daily 5:30-10pm. Steaks: $23.95-$32.95. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

The signature rib-eye is dry-aged for 28 days, but it’s the New York skirt that has the beefiest flavor. In a town where the best-known steakhouses are branches of mainland chains, Kodama proves he can compete with the corporate big boys, and for lower prices, too.

Mac 24-7

Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel, 2500 Kuhio Ave. (921-5564). Open 24 hours. Large plates $12-$28. AmEx, Disc, DC, JCB, MC, V.

Satisfy wee-hour cravings with updated comfort classics gone luxe: lobster pot pie, loco moco with Hamakua mushroom gravy and heirloom tomato soup with grilled white cheddar sandwich. End it with an order of signature mac daddy pancakes: They’re as big as hubcaps.

Mama’s Island Pizza

108 Hekili St, next to Foodland (931-6280). Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm. Pizzas: 12-incher, $16.99, 16-incher, $22.99. AmEx, Disc, MC, V, no checks.

In a town whose borders are bursting with pho and sushi, pad thai and kal bi, the pizzeria niche is certainly one that could use some filling. And Mama’s does a fine job, with super fresh ingredients and crust that’s not trying to be New York or Chicago. Start your meal with Mama’s chicken wings, packed with flavor but without all the squishy breading.

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 (the 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.

Legend Seafood

Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 100 N Beretania St at River St (532-1868). Daily 10:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm. Dim sum: $2.85-$3.75 per plate. AmEx, MC, V.

Legend is Honolulu’s gold standard for dim sum. Nearly every dish is textbook perfect in preparation and freshness. Look fun stuffed with scallops melt in the mouth and minifootballs of fried mochi stuffed with dried shrimp and pork are irresistibly crisp and sticky-soft.

P.F. Chang’s

1288 Ala Moana Blvd (596-4710). Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight. Entrees $10.95-$20.95. AmEx, Disc, DC, JCB, MC, V

The chicken lettuce cups are good, and the Mongolian beef tastes like tender teriyaki. Try the lemon pepper shrimp, which cleanly showcases its namesake flavors. Among the sweet, fruity cocktails the Asian pear mojito is a highlight. With consistently good service, this is a group-friendly place.

Italian

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.

Pasta Basta by Donato’s

Restaurant Row (523-9999). Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-12am, Sat 5pm-12am. MC,V.

Donato Loperfido brings quality Italian ingredients–including house-made pastas, sausage and mozzarella–to this counter-service casual eatery. Twenty-three pastas (gnocchi gorgonzola, tagliatelle Bolognese) and an appealing array of salads, pizzas and paninis make deciding what to have a very difficult task.

Japanese & Okinawan

Hakkei

1436 Young St, Suite 103 (944-6688). Daily 11:30am-4pm (last order at 3:30pm) & 5:30-11pm (last order 10pm. A la carte items: $2.20 & $3.20. AmEx, MC, V.

Oden is the staple here. You choose items from a menu and order by the piece. Items include back-to-the-earth basics like daikon, potato, tofu and konnyaku. Hakkei also offers chicken dumplings, shrimp dumplings and squid dumplings, beef tendon and pureed pumpkin.

Ichiriki

510 Pi’ikoi St. (589-2299). Mon-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight, Sun 5-10pm. Entrees: $15.95-$45.95. Disc, JCB, MC, V.

This nabe restaurant offers a refreshingly civilized way to dine out. The portable burners set on each tabletop soon come ablaze when the showcase Japanese hot pots arrive in either single servings in a metal pot, or in a serving for two in a washi paper-lined basket designed to absorb fat. You cook your choice of meats, vegetables and noodles in your choice of broth.

Mexican

BC Burrito

3607 Wai’alae Ave. (737-4700). Sun-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. Burritos starting at $4.99. MC, V.

BC Burrito is no-frills fast food with plenty of choices and speedy service. Your choice of a flavored tortilla (flour, whole wheat, spinach and tomato chile) is placed in a steam press along with the cheese. Then your toppings–choice of chicken mole, chicken bay leaf, pork, beef, chile verde or veggies–are spooned on with beans, guacamole and sour cream.

Diego’s Taco Shop

2239 S. King St next to Old Stadium Park (944-2942). Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. Soft taco: $2-$3.85. Combination plate: $5.50-$7. MC, V.

The new Honolulu branch of this Pearl City eatery serves Mexican basics–burritos, tortas, enchiladas. But its fillings ain’t no Taco Bell ground beef. Get carne asada (marinated, grilled, chopped steak) and carnitas (lusciously greasy roasted pork). Everything, including refried beans and rice, is made fresh daily.

Southeast Asian & Indian

Bombay Indian Restaurant

Discovery Bay Center, 1778 Ala Moana Blvd. (942-3990). Daily 5-10pm; Main dishes $9.95-$21.95. JCB, MC, V

Curry house classics are served in a pleasant, Pier 1-esque dining room. The tandoor is the basis for grilled meats, baked breads and the chef’s special chicken tikka masala. The awesome rendition of gulab jamun, deceptively light spherical fried dumplings made from powdered milk and steeped in cardamom-infused honey syrup, will make you rethink Indian desserts.

Cafe Maharani

2509 S. King St (951-7447). Daily 5-10pm. Naan: $2.50-$3.99. Entrees: $7.50-$17.95. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Cafe Maharani has a tandoor, and it knows how to use it. From lamb tikka to tandoori chicken, the menu highlights northern Indian cuisine cooked in the cylindrical clay oven, including the staple of the region dominated by wheat: naan. Try the aloo (potato) naan, which holds a thin layer of potato puree with parsley and sprinkles of green onion, or the peshwari naan stuffed with almonds, cashews and raisins.