TO P RESTAU R ANTS | G-H and owner of Ola at Turtle Bay Resort. This time around, the project is even more personal, as the menu reflects the varied ethnic backgrounds of his extended ohana and DeAngelo’s commitment to island ingredients. Befitting Kailua’s casual but well-heeled vibe, the upscale comfort cuisine encompasses everything from meatball sliders to kiawe-grilled New York strip steak with classic béarnaise sauce. The bar is still front and center, where you can enjoy libations and small plates. ——— 33 Aulike St., Kailua; 262-2898; www.grovekailua.com. Lunch, dinner. $$$
H HAILI’S HAWAIIAN FOODS
Ono family recipes and hard-to-find delicacies such as ake (raw beef liver), pickled limu and opihi cups are part of a full menu at this Kapahulu restaurant, a standard-bearer in Hawaiian cuisine since 1950 and its days at the Ward Farmers Market. The Haili sisters also serve a mean pastele stew and a variety of tasty poke. Other favorites: the Big GULICK DELICATESSEN Kahuna luau plate, squid luau, dried aku and mango haupia. Remembered by many from “han——— abata days,” this second-generation 760 Palani Ave. (entrance on Kapahulu Kalihi okazuya is still turning out a wide Avenue); 735-8019; hailishawaiianselection of mouthwatering bento com- food.com. Lunch, dinner (closed Monponents. It’s a little hard to find, parking day). $$ is on the street and there’s nowhere to sit, but the food is ono and service HALE VIETNAM speedy. Favorites include garlic One of Honolulu’s original pho restauchicken, crispy tofu with string beans, rants, opened in 1986, Hale Vietnam cone sushi, shrimp tempura, chow fun, kakiage tempura and spicy chicken. The continues to draw crowds for its beef noodle soup as well as its Imperial Rolls newer Gulick Deli location on King (meat or vegetarian), which arrive hot Street has more parking and offers and crispy in minutes. Consistently much the same menu, minus the Filgood Vietnamese fare and a pleasant, ipino dishes. casual atmosphere with easy parking ——— keep it bustling, plus there’s a full bar. 1512 Gulick Ave., 847-1461; 1936 S. King Japanese visitors come especially for St., 941-2835. Breakfast, lunch. $ the Vietnamese fondue, a cook-it-yourself hot pot much like shabu shabu. GYU-KAKU Other favorites: oxtail soup, chicken Yakiniku chain Gyu-Kaku has hit on a curry, roll appetizers. ——— winning formula: simple and delicious. The beauty of this eatery is in its Japan- 1140 12th Ave., Kaimuki; 735-7581. ese sensibility, demonstrated via its aus- Lunch, dinner. $$ tere decor, polite service and HALEIWA THAI conservative portions. The latter ends up being beneficial to all — small eaters Like its bright-blue exterior and funkywon’t waste, big eaters get variety. cool decor suggests, Haleiwa Thai (forBonus: Daily happy hours ease the merly Haleiwa Eats Thai) isn’t your pinch on the wallet. Recommended: average Thai place. The menu both emBistro Harami, pork belly, garlic cloves, braces and departs from tradition, as yakimochi ice cream. seen in popular dishes such as panang ——— duck, Monsoon Shrimp, yellow curry 1221 Kapiolani Blvd, 589-2989; noodles, pumpkin curry, coconut rice, 307 Lewers St., 926-2989; Windward Mall, tom ka (a coconut soup) and ginger 744-2157; www.gyu-kaku.com. salad. Be sure to specify what degree of spiciness you want. It’s a nice stop along Lunch, dinner. $
HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2008
Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill serves up seafood specialties with an ocean view. the Haleiwa strip, a place to zen out among locals, visitors and surfers. BYOB. ——— 68-079 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa; 637-4247; www.haleiwaeatsthai.com. Lunch, dinner. $$
HALEIWA JOE’S SEAFOOD GRILL Vacationers and residents alike gravitate to the original Haleiwa Joe’s for its harbor view, friendly retro island vibe and seafood specialties such as crunchy coconut shrimp and fresh fish. It’s the place to enjoy a mai tai while watching the sunset or winter waves. The wideranging menu offers favorites such as prime rib, salmon spinach salad, teriyaki top sirloin, tempura crab rolls, sweet kalbi ribs and Thai fried calamari. The open-air Kaneohe location overlooking lush Haiku Gardens and the Koolau Mountains is a popular site for weddings. ——— 66-011 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, 637-8005, lunch, dinner; 46-336 Haiku Road, Kaneohe, 247-6671, dinner, Sunday brunch; www.haleiwajoes.com. $$-$$$
HANK’S HAUTE DOGS Sometimes, only a Chicago dog will
do. Fortunately, former Chicagoan Henry “Hank” Adaniya offers the real deal, shipping in snappy all-beef Vienna wieners, poppy-seed buns, neon-green relish and sport peppers from the Windy City. When haute floats your boat, try the daily dog specials such as lobster, Kobe beef, duck and even alligator. Also popular: the Hawaiian (Portuguese sausage with mango mustard and pineapple relish) and duck fat fries. Yes, duck fat fries. Recently added: rotating Wednesday specials including a deep-dish pizza and the Seoul Dog, a french-fry-encased pup on a stick with kim chee mignonette featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food Nation.” An express location is at the International Market Place in Waikiki. ——— 324 Coral St., Kakaako, 532-HANK (4265), lunch; express, International Market Place, 924-9933, lunch, dinner; www.hankshautedogs.com. $
HAPA GRILL Owner Shannon Tangonan Putnam carries on her parents’ Sassy Kassy lunch wagon legacy, serving their wellloved teriyaki, hamburger steak and other recipes with a touch of gourmet flair at this family-friendly Kapolei Marketplace eatery. Crowd favorites: sizzling
‘ILIMA AWARDS
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