Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXPENSIVE
Longhi's
ITALIAN Bob Longhi, who opened Longhi's in Lahaina in 1976, runs this swank,
open-air, Italian-Mediterranean restaurant with romantic sunset views of the ocean. It features
the family's famous cooking—lobster Longhi over linguine, prawns Amaretto, and puttana,
a spicy calamari pasta dish with 35 whole garlic cloves. Meals can be pricey, in part because
everything comes a la carte, but the view is spectacular and the service is prompt. It also is a
great place for breakfast (their French toast, with a “touch” of Grand Marnier, is wickedly di-
vine, and their baked goods are delicious), with moderate prices and that terrific view. Lunch,
which can get crowded, features yummy salads, sandwiches, pastas, and excellent fish en-
trees.
At the Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
&
808/947-9899.
www.longhis.com
.
Reservations recommended for
dinner. Main courses $8.50-$21 breakfast, $10-$38 lunch, $21-$80 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 8am-10pm;
Sat-Sun 7:45am-10pm.
Mariposa
★★
PACIFIC RIM Past the gourmet food department of the new Neiman Marcus
lies Mariposa. The popular lunch spot's high ceilings and tables on the deck with views of
Ala Moana Park and its Art Deco bridges add up to a pleasing ambience, with or without
the shopping. You'll find cordial service, nearly four dozen reasonably priced wines by the
glass, and a menu of Pacific and American (called “heritage cuisine”) specialties that include
everything from a tiger prawn paella to pan-roasted Hawaiian snapper and rib-eye steak. Chef
Mark Anthony Freiberg's creativity emerges with dishes such as the Laksa seafood curry,
which is only available at lunch. Another lunchtime favorite is Mariposa's signature starter:
the towering, eggy popover with poha (cape gooseberry) butter. But save room for our favor-
ite dessert, the Valrhona chocolate fudge cake (four layers of devil's food cake with chocolate
ganache and raspberry compote)—heaven on earth!
At Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
&
808/951-3420
.
www.neimanmarcushawaii.com
.
Reser-
vations recommended. Main courses $14-$25 lunch, $27-$39 dinner, $55-$65 tasting menus. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily
11am-9pm; Sunday brunch 11am-3pm.
The Pineapple Room
★★
HAWAII REGIONAL Yes, this restaurant is in a department store,
but the chef is Alan Wong, a culinary icon. The dishes are gastronomic masterpieces, partic-
ularly anything with fresh island fish or kalua pig (such as the kalua pig BLT). The dining
room features an open kitchen with a lava-rock wall and abundant natural light, but the food
takes center stage. The menu changes regularly, so keep an eye out for the fresh Big Island moi
(a highly prized Hawaiian fish, in this case served whole and steamed Chinese-style); crispy
Asian slaw (with cilantro and mac-nuts); miso-glazed salmon; black-pepper ahi (with risotto);
and pineapple barbecued baby back ribs (with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed corn). We
adore the apple-curry-glazed pork chop with pumpkin and mascarpone purée and mango
chutney.
At Macy's, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
&
808/945-6573.
www.alanwongs.com
. Reservations recommended for lunch and
dinner. Main courses $14-$25 lunch, main courses $24-$38 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-8:30pm; Sat
8-10:30am and 11:30am-8:30pm; Sun 9-10:30am and 11am-3pm.
