Where to Eat - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 165

with seared tuna. The Hawaii-centric lunch special is an excellent way to sample this fare, $34
for three courses. For dinner, onaga is steamed with ginger, Chinese parsley, shiitake mush-
rooms, and soy sauce, then drizzled with hot sesame oil—delightful. Delicate Moi is seared
and served with shaved fennel, pearl onions and olives and a Ka'u orange vinaigrette, an-
other pleaser with Mediterranean undertones. Lamb, chicken, and beef entrees are offered as
well, and the desserts, especially the chocolate hazelnut dacquoise and the Halekulani signa-
ture coconut cake, are extraordinary. Sundaybrunch ★★★, with its outstanding selection of
dishes, is one of the best in Hawaii.
At the Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd. & 808/923-2311. www.halekulani.com . Reservations recommended. Dinner main
courses $26-$60; 4-course prix-fixe dinner $65; Sun brunch $57 adults, $29 children 5-12. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat
7:30-11am, 11:30am-2pm, and 6-10pm; Sun 9:30am-2:30pm and 6-10pm.
Prince Court ★ HAWAII REGIONAL Floor-to-ceiling windows, sunny views of the harbor,
and top-notch buffets are Prince Court's attractions, especially at lunch, when locals and visit-
ors line up for the international spread. Chef Khamtan Tanhchaleun keeps the menu fresh and
the dining room busy. The harbor view is particularly pleasing at sunset or on Friday nights
when fireworks light up the sky. Wednesdays and Thursdays, diners can sample everything
from island seafood to Hawaii regional specialties (such as melt-in-your-mouth ahi carpaccio)
and excellent grilled and roasted meats at the buffet. Desserts, too, are legendary, especially
the custard-drenched bread pudding and the macadamia nut pie.
At the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, 100 Holomoana St. & 808/944-4494. Reservations recommended. Dinner prix fixe
and buffet $37-$57 (no a la carte for dinner), breakfast buffet $21, weekend brunch $37, luncheon buffet $26, sea-
food dinner buffet $46. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 6-10:30am; Mon-Sat 11am-2pm; Sun brunch 10am-1pm; Mon-Thurs
6-9:30pm; Fri-Sun 5:30-9:30pm.
Sarento's Top of the I ★ ITALIAN The ride up in the glass elevator at this special-occasion
Italian restaurant is an event in itself, and diners rave about the romantic view of the city—but
Sarento's is not all show. The stellar chopped “Gabriella” salad; the pan-roasted opakapaka
with lump crab meat, cremini mushrooms, and lemon butter; and the fennel-crusted ahi tuna
with grilled vegetable ratatouille prove that Sarento's means business. The pasta selections in-
clude lobster ravioli and the simple (and divine) rigatoni alla vodka. Veal lovers come for the
osso buco with saffron risotto. Dishes can be buttery, so leave your inhibitions at the door.
In the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. & 808/955-5559. www.tristarrestaurants.com . Reservations re-
commended. Main courses $20-$39. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5:30-9pm; Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm.