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.
Holokai Grill
Waikiki Beach Walk, 226 Lewers St., 2nd Floor, (924-7245). Lunch 10:30am-4pm, dinner 4pm-10:30pm, bar open until 2am; AmEx, DC, Disc, JCB, MC, V.
Choose from pupu classics like coconut shrimp or build your own burger with toppings like kim chee and spicy guava sauce. Entrees include fresh fish dishes and grilled Sterling Silver steaks and chops. Don’t miss the creative cocktails, including the dirty martini and bloody mary, both gilded with bleu cheese and bacon stuffed olives.
Mac 24-7
Hilton WaikikiPrince 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..
Cafe & Deli
Coffeeline Campus
1820 University Ave. (next to the Atherton YMCA) 778-7909, Mon.-Fri. 7am-3:30pm; Sat., Sun. & holidays 9am-noon, $2-$7. Cash only.
Serving up strong, tasty coffee to wash down his made-with-care soups, salads, waffles, omelets, sandwiches and bagels. Coffeeline, with its open roof and art displays, is a peaceful retreat with plenny good reading material: The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Interview, The Utne Reader.
Daily Bread
1909 South King St. (951-6634). Mon.-Sat., 7am-7pm. Cash only.
With a dollop of European-style butter, something as simple as a slice of bread can be as exquisite and heartwarming as a fine chocolate truffle. Daily Bread makes a rare attempt to be a true boulangerie. Aside from baguettes, there are batards, boules, rectangular loaves of soft, sandwich bread, croissants, danishes.
Japanese & Okinawan
I-Naba of Honolulu
1610 South King St. (corner of Punahou). (953-2070). Thu.-Tue., 11am-2pm, 5:30-9pm. Entrees: $18-$20. JCB, M,V.
Whether it’s major points such as the soba noodle (made fresh every morning with Nagano buckwheat) or subtle ones such as the dashi, backbone of Japanese sauces and broths, simplicity is key. Everything, from presentation to decor and service is unobtrusive and clean.
Yotteko-Ya
McCully Shopping Center, 1960 Kapi’olani Blvd., 2nd floor (946-2900). Mon.-Sat. 11am-2pm, 5-11pm; Sun. 11am-2pm, 5-9pm. $3.75-$9.45. AmEx, JCB, MC, V.
This ramen house is part of a Japan chain. While the noodles taste kind of like pasta, the restaurant makes what is possibly the best char siu in the city. You can order your ramen Japanese style (al dente) or local style (cooked longer for softer texture).
Mexican
BC Burrito
3607 Wai’alae Ave. (737-4700). Sun.-Thu. 10am-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-10pm. Burritos starting at $4.99. V, MC.
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.
Mi Casa
3046 Monsarrat Ave. (737-1562). Tue.-Thu. 4-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 9am-9pm. Combo plates: $7.95-$12.95. MC, V. BYOB.
You can get the familiar staples–soft tacos, burritos, enchiladas–along with a few new items, such as mulitas, a type of quesadilla oozing with Monterey Jack and the filling of your choice (picadillo is a good option). The pork carnitas are finished in milk and orange juice, making it super moist and subtly tangy. The thick corn tortillas are handrolled and come fresh off the grill, soft as the wheat-flour version.
Middle Eastern
Dat One Persian Restaurant
801 Alakea St., (791-1616). Mon-Fri 10am-2pm. Plate lunch: $6.50, $7.50. Cash only.
A point-and-pick eatery that serves up traditional Persian fare rich with cinnamon, lime parsley, turmeric and dill.
Good & Healthy Cafe
212 Merchant St. (566-6365). Mon.-Fri. 10:30am-5pm, Sat. 10:30am-2pm, Sandwiches and salads $5.75-$6.50, plates $6.75-7.95. MC, V.
Don’t expect belly dancers or elaborate oriental rugs at this cafe; the simple, fresh fare is the centerpiece. The refreshing nature of Lebanese cuisine–heavy on the cool crisp salads, bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and kebabs–makes it suited for Hawai’i’s sunny climate. The hummus is smooth, pungent and satisfying.
Just Opened (too new to review)
Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill
1133 N Nimitz Hwy. at pier 38 (275-0063). Mon.-Sat. 8:30am-5pm.
Nico’s has a pier mate. Uncle’s serves up classic local and Amreican-style seafood take-out.
Mix Cafe
35. S. Beretania St. (537-1191). Mon.-Fri. 7am-7pm.
A Euro-style cafe that specializes in breakfast, lunch and coffee. Dinner might come, but only after breakfast and lunch are mastered.
