Honolulu Weekly

Noteworthy

American

Maui Mike’s Fire-Roasted Chicken

96 S Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawa, across from McDonald’s (622-5900, [mauimikes.com]). Mon.-Sat. 11am-8:30pm. Combo deals: $5.49-$6.79. Whole chicken: $9.95. MC, V.

The additive-free birds turn in a rotisserie, the juices dripping into the gas-fueled fire. The result is nicely seasoned supermoist meat that doesn’t need one of the six dipping sauces you can choose from. Sandwiches and sides like fries and baked beans are also on the menu.

Ola

57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku (293-0801), 11am-3pm & 5-9pm, Entrees: $16.95-$37.95. V, MC, Disc, AmEx.

In addition to regional standards like grilled ahi and miso butterfish, expect creative twists on Hawaiian favorites like the Kalua Pork and Goat Cheese Nachos. The Steamed Clams with a splendid roasted garlic white wine broth is exceptional. The restaurant gives a valiant nod to the local clientele, using area produce like Kahuku corn.

Ono Pono

UH, Sustainability Courtyard (no phone). Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-2pm. Full plate: $6.50. Cash and local check only.

UH-Manoa’s lunch kiosk uses organic, locally grown ingredients and the price is righteous, too. The menu hinges on the farmers’ bounty; black-bean marinara pasta and miso-mushroom sauce over mashed potatoes are hearty faves.

European

Du Vin

1115 Bethel St. (545-1115). Daily 11am-closing. 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.

Town

3435 Wai’alae Ave. at 9th Ave. (735-5900). Mon.-Thu. 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-9pm; Fri. &Sat. 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-10pm. Dishes: $13-$22. AmEx, MC, V.

Pure, unadulterated flavors punctuate the Mediterranean-leaning dishes made with local ingredients. The only problem is deciding what to order–braised veal cheeks and mussels in a Cinzano-spiked broth sound so alluring. Gnocchi in sage brown butter. with fresh peas are a must order.

Italian

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. BYOB for now.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

1450 Ala Moana Blvd. (356-8300), Sun.-Thu. 11am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm. Entrees: $9.99-$20.99. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Macaroni’s offers traditional fare including chicken scaloppini and veal saltimbocca. Order the giant mushroom ravioli covered with a creamy marsala sauce for a starter and the chocolate ganache-filled dessert ravioli for a finale.

Vino

Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Diamond Head end (524-8466). Wed. & Thu. 4:30-9:30pm; Fri. 4:30-11pm; Sat. 7-11pm. Tasting plates: $7.95-$16.95. AmEx, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

In master sommelier Chuck Furuya’s domain, grapes are the main attraction, with the wine list dwarfing the abbreviated menu. Vino is a learning center, and Furuya is an enthusiastic teacher. The kitchen delivers savory dishes such as a revamped caprese salad, silky butternut squash and mushroom ravioli and rich osso buco.

Japanese & Okinawan

Asahi Grill

515 Ward Ave. (593-2800). 6:30am-11pm. Entrees: $5.50-$17.95. V, MC.

Here you’ll find an intriguing mix of relaxed, local dishes: oxtail soup, fried rice, kim chee fried rice, hamburger steak, loco moco, chicken cutlet and pork cutlet. The ribeye steak, piled with a mountain of mushrooms and onions and topped with a citrusy ponzu, sizzles.

Momomo

3008 Wai’alae Ave at St. Louis Dr. (737-6666). Wed.-Mon. 5pm-midnight. Appetizers: $2.50-$8.75. Entrees: $5.50-$11. AmEx, DC, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

Black-box building, black-clad servers, black interior–Momomo is Tokyo hip but Honolulu laid back. For something different, try the Nagoya specialties or the spicy Taiwan-style ramen. The good sake selection makes it a place to sip and sample.

Tsukuneya Robata

1442 University Ave. (943-0390). Mon.-Sat. 4:30pm-midnight, Sun 4:30-11pm. Tsukune: $1.50-$2.50, AmEx, MC, V, Disc

Tsukuneya’s name refers directly to its house specialty: tsukune, a mixture of minced chicken and yam, skewered and grilled over charcoal. The chain’s menu includes a page’s worth of variations on this dish, from a traditional, teriyaki-glazed staple to a spicy wasabi mayonnaise-drizzled variant. Don’t overlook the paitan nabe (a do-it-yourself chicken soup) and tofu offerings like natto and tofu-and-potato croquettes.

Utage

1286 Kalani St. (843-8109). Mon.-Sat. 10am-9pm. $8.25-$14.50. V, MC.

Utage is a celebration of Okinawan food. You can’t go wrong with a chanpuru dish–a brothier stir-fry with eggplant, squash or bean sprouts with a choice of pork, chicken, Spam, bacon, tuna or shoyu pork. The mother of the uchinanchu menu is the shoyu pork.

Southeast Asian & Indian

Paradise Found Cafe

66-443 Kamehameha Hwy., inside Celestial Foods, Hale’iwa (637-4540). Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am-4pm. Entrees: $3.95-$8.95. Cash, local check, bartering.

The fresh casual food goes beyond tasteless tofu. At Paradise Found you’ll find monstrous sandwiches like the garlicky tempeh gyro, global-inflected dishes like a Thai-inspired peanutty eggplant stir-fry.

Phuket Thai

McCully Shopping Center, 1950 Kapi’olani Blvd. at McCully St., ground floor (942-8194). Daily 11am-10:30pm. Dishes: $3.75-$12.95. AmEx, DC, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

In a city blessed with dozens of Thai restaurants, Phuket Thai is one of the unheralded best. Noodle and curry dishes delight with an artful balance of savory and spice, but it’s the touch of sweetness in unexpected places (try the paht ki mao) that really sets this cozy eatery apart. The stuffed chicken wings are also a must.