Where to Eat - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 188

the full range of East-West specialties appeal to many tastes, and the wok-fried whole fresh
fish is worthy of a special occasion. Sunday brunch is also not to be missed. This is one of the
few places in Hawaii that has a “dress code”—collared shirts with slacks or evening wear.
At the Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Ave. & 808/739-8780. www.kahalaresort.com/dining/hoku.cfm . Reservations
recommended. Collared shirts and long pants preferred for men. Main courses $30-$86. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Sat
5:30-10pm; Sun brunch 10:30am-2pm.
Olive Tree Cafe ★★ MEDITERRANEAN Delectables at bargain prices stream out of the
tiny open kitchen here. Recently voted “Best Restaurant in Hawaii Under $20” in a local sur-
vey, Olive Tree is every neighborhood's dream—a totally hip restaurant with divine fare and
friendly prices. The mussel ceviche is broke-the-mouth fabulous, with lemon, lime, capers,
herbs, and olive oil—a perfect blend of flavors. The creamy, tender chicken saffron, a frequent
special, always elicits groans of pleasure, as does the robust and generous Greek salad, an-
other Olive Tree attraction. We also love the souvlaki, ranging from fresh fish to chicken and
lamb, spruced up with the chef's homemade yogurt-dill sauce. First, order and pay at the
counter, then grab an umbrella table outside or at one of a few seats indoors. Larger parties
now have an awning over the sturdy wooden tables on the Koko Head side. It's BYOB (for a
small fee), and a group can dine here like sultans without breaking the bank and take in a
movie next door, too.
4614 Kilauea Ave., next to Kahala Mall. & 808/737-0303. Main courses $10-$15. No credit cards. Daily 5-10pm.
EAST OAHU
Roy'sRestaurant ★★★ EURASIAN This is the first of Roy Yamaguchi's six signature restaur-
ants in Hawaii (he has two dozen all over the world). It is still the flagship and many people's
favorite, true to its Eurasian roots and Yamaguchi's winning formula: open kitchen, fresh in-
gredients, ethnic touches, and a good dose of nostalgia mingled with European techniques.
The menu changes nightly, but you can generally count on individual pizzas; a varied ap-
petizer menu (Szechuan spiced baby back ribs, blackened ahi); a small pasta selection; and
entrees such as garlic-mustard short ribs, hibachi-style salmon in ponzu sauce, and several
types of fresh catch. One of Hawaii's most popular restaurants, Roy's is lit up at night with tiki
torches outside; the view from within is of scenic Maunalua Bay. Roy's is also renowned for its
high-decibel style of dining—it's always full and noisy. Other Roy's restaurants in Hawaii are
located in Ko Olina, Oahu; Poipu, Kauai; Waikoloa, Big Island; and Kihei and Napili, Maui.
Patrons enjoy live music every evening from 6pm.
6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Hawaii Kai. & 808/396-7697. www.roysrestaurant.com . Reservations recommended. Main
courses $25-$45, 3-course prix-fixe $42. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 5:30-9pm; Sat 5-9:30pm; Sun 5-9pm.
THE WINDWARD COAST
Assaggio ★ ITALIAN This was the mother ship of the Assaggio empire before the Ala Moana
branch opened. The affordable prices, attentive service, and winning menu items have attrac-
ted loyal fans throughout the years. The homemade hot antipasto is a best-seller, with jumbo
shrimp, fresh clams, mussels, and calamari in a sauce of cayenne pepper, white wine, and