|
Hawaii loves food and any traveler will revel in the quality and variety of choices available. Hotel restaurants are playgrounds for Hawaii's premier chefs; but, there are many other outstanding choices outside the resorts. Here are a few of our favorites -- all are worth a special trip.
Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill
Phone: 808-886-4321
Kings Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort
Roy Yamaguchi, executive chef, has created a menu that offers outstanding seafood and meat dishes that exemplify the cultural melange of Hawaii's cuisine. Family friendly without any sacrifice in ambience or food quality, this is a restaurant that every visitor should hit.
CanoeHouse
Telephone: 808-885-6622
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows
The talented and acclaimed Chef Sandy Tuason and Chef James Ortiaga have developed a market fresh menu focusing on Island fresh ingredients of Hawaii. This beautifully located (come for the sunsets) restaurant is on the beach at the Mauna Lani Hotel. Romantic views join with an outstanding menu -- the setting just doesn't get any more beautiful. Listen to the waves (you can be seated under the stars), enjoy the Big Island's best mai tai (we think), and enjoy a meal fit for royalty.
Merriman's
Telephone: 808-885-6822
Located in Kamuela (Waimea)
Peter Merriman, former executive chef at the Mauna Lani Hotel, led Hawaii's farmers and food purveyors to produce the freshest, highest quality ingredients. In turn, Merriman's menu offers seafood, Kahua Ranch lamb, local beef, and many exciting side dishes. For those of us who can't decide, he offers a "mixed plate" with smaller portions of two entrees -- it doesn't get any better.
http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/
Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery
Telephone: 808-889-5555
Located in Hawi, North Kohala
Local in flavor and eclectic by nature, Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery is a fun place for excellent local food at reasonable prices. Their kalua pig special is a local favorite; or, try their kalua pork quesadilla for a lighter portion. Seafood, Thai flavored dishes, a plethora of beef options -- stop in for lunch on your way to see the statue of Kamehameha the Great or to shop in the other galleries in Hawi. If shopping isn't on your schedule, drive up for dinner. It's a nice change from the resorts and the cooler up-country air is always refreshing.
http://www.BambooRestaurant.info
Tex Drive-In - Home of Hawaii's Best Malasadas
Telephone: 808-775-0598
Located in Honokaa (on the Hamakua Coast) - about 40 minutes from the Resorts
Tex Drive-In in Honokaa has the best malasadas not made by your auntie. These are Portuguese donuts (without the hole) that have a unique flavor. Tex’s is well known and should not be missed. Stop for breakfast on your way to Hilo (or stop in Honokaa to visit Kamaaina Woods for beautiful bowls and to see a classically old Hawaiian plantation town that still looks like it did 30 years ago) and have an omelet with Portuguese sausage on the side – order ½ dozen malasadas for the road (their addictive, at least for everybody we’ve taken there). We recommend avoiding the fillings in the malasadas - this is a new addition and we don't think they improve them at all. Their classic Portuguese bean soup is also outstanding and perfect for an evening drive back to your condo.
http://www.TexDriveIn.com
The Art of the Lu'au
A visit to the Big Island would not be complete without a lu'au. Here are three who compete for local and visiting guests. Click on their websites and choose. Reservations can be tight and lu'aus are not scheduled every night ... so plan ahead.
• Gathering of the Kings at the Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani
• King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
|
