Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Assaggio
★
ITALIAN This wildly popular chain, until recently the toast of suburban Oahu
(see for the Kailua location), moved into Ala Moana Center to a roar of approval and imme-
diate success. Townies can now enjoy Assaggio's extensive, high-quality Italian offerings—at
good prices. At dinner, a panoply of pastas and specialties streams out of the kitchen: at least
nine chicken entrees, pasta dishes ranging from mushroom and clam to primavera, and eight
veal choices. One of Assaggio's best features is its prodigious seafood selection: shrimp, scal-
lops, mussels, calamari, and fresh fish in many preparations, ranging from simple garlic and
olive oil to spicy tomato and wine sauces. Assaggio's excellent service paired with the option
of large or small plates for most dinner items deserves applause.
At the Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
&
808/942-3446.
www.assaggiohi.com
. Reservations recommended.
Main courses $10-$26 lunch, $16-$34 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-3pm and 4:30-9:30pm (until 10pm
Fri-Sat).
Kincaid's Fish, Chop, and Steakhouse
★
SEAFOOD/STEAKHOUSE Kincaid's always wins
surveys for one thing or another—best place for a business lunch, best seafood restaur-
ant—because it pleases wide-ranging tastes and budgets. Brisk service, a harbor view, and an
extensive seafood menu keep the large dining room full, while fresh-fish sandwiches, seafood
chowders, and French onion soups top the menu. They also serve a memorable rack-salted
prime rib, pepper-crusted steak, and, if you can't make up your mind, a combo plate of center-
cut filet mignon with Australian lobster tail. You might want to save room for the true-blue
Key lime pie.
Tip:
From 3 to 7pm everyday, drinks and selected pupus are 50% off.
At Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd.
&
808/591-2005.
www.kincaids.com
.
Reservations recommended. Lunch
$11-$20; dinner main courses $20-$40. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-10pm, bar 11am-midnight.
INEXPENSIVE
Angelo Pietro
ITALIAN/JAPANESE This restaurant has a quirky take on Italian food that
could come only from Japan. You can order raw potato salad with any of four dress-
ings—shoyu, ginger, ume (plum), and sesame-miso—and chase it with one of more than four
dozen spaghetti choices. With sauces and toppings ranging from several types of mushroom,
shrimp, chicken, spinach, and sausage to squid ink and eggplant, everything is grist for the
spaghetti mill at the hands of Angelo Pietro. Garlic lovers adore the crisp garlicky chips that
are heaped atop some of the selections.
1585 Kapiolani Blvd.
&
808/941-0555.
www.angelopietro.com
. Reservations recommended for groups of 5 or more;
not accepted for smaller groups. Main courses $10-$15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat
11am-11pm.
I Love Country Cafe
INTERNATIONAL If you've splurged on a few too many calories,
here's the place to make amends. The menu ranges from the virtually fatless vegetarian meal
to a regular local-style, gravy-covered lunch special. (The small cafe is filled with families, ath-
letes, and bodybuilder types, all in terrific shape.) Just give yourself time to peruse the lengthy
list of specials posted on the menu board, as well as the prodigious printed menu. Then stand
in line at the counter, place your order and pay, and find a Formica-topped table; after about
10 minutes your takeout order will appear on a Styrofoam plate heaped with salad and other
accompaniments.
