Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kua Aina AMERICAN The ultimate sandwich shop, for years a
North Shore fixture, expanded to the Ward Centre area (near Borders and Star-
bucks), and the result is dizzying. Phone in your order if you can. During lunch
and dinner hours, people wait patiently in long lines for the famous burgers and
sandwiches: the beef burgers with heroic toppings; mahimahi with ortega and
cheese (a legend); grilled eggplant and peppers; roast turkey; tuna and avocado;
roast beef and avocado; and about a dozen other selections on a Kaiser roll or
multigrain wheat or rye breads. The sandwiches and fries are excellent, and the
outdoor section with tables, thank God, has grown—but there still may be a
wait during lunch hour. The takeout business is brisk. No kids' menu, but there
is a smaller, very yummy “kiddie burger.”
In Ward Village, 1116 Auahi St. & 808/591-9133. Highchairs. Sandwiches $3.50-$5.70; kiddie burger
$3.60. No credit cards. Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm; Sun 10:30am-8pm.
Panda Cuisine DIM SUM/SEAFOOD/HONG KONG-STYLE CHI-
NESE This is dim sum heaven, not only for the selection, but for the late-
night dim sum service, a rare thing for what is a morning and lunchtime
tradition in Hong Kong. Panda's dim sum selection—spinach-scallop, chive,
taro, shrimp dumplings, pork hash, and some 50-plus others—is a real pleaser.
( Tip: the spinach-scallop and taro puff varieties are a cut above.) The reckless
can spring for the live Maine lobster and Dungeness crab in season, or the king
clam and steamed fresh fish, but the steaming bamboo carts yielding toothsome
surprises are hard to resist. Noodles and sizzling platters are good accompani-
ments to the dim sum. There's plenty for kids to choose from, especially the fried
rice, noodles, and soups.
641 Keeaumoku St. & 808/947-1688. Highchairs, boosters, crayons on request. Main courses $8-$29. AE,
MC, V. Mon-Sat 10:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-2am; Sun 5-10pm.
ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE
Don Ho's Island Grill HAWAIIAN/CONTEMPORARY ISLAND Don
Ho's Island Grill's shrine to Don Ho is a mix of nostalgic interior elements: koa
paneling, thatched roof, split-bamboo ceilings, old pictures of Ho with celebri-
ties, faux palm trees, and open sides looking out onto the harbor. It's kitschy and
charming, down to the vinyl pareu-printed tablecloths and the flower behind
the server's ear. The kids have their own menu (pizza seems to be the most pop-
ular item) and will be fascinated with the decor. If you want to sneak back later
in the evening after the kids are tucked away, Don Ho's has become one of the
significant late-night musical venues of Honolulu, packing in sold-out crowds
for special concerts by local musical icons like Amy Gilliom and Willie K.
Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr. & 808/528-0807. Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters, crayons.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $11-$26; kids' menu $5.25 including drink. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Daily 10am-10pm; nightclub (days vary) open until 2am.
DOWNTOWN
Downtowners love the informal walk-in cafes lining one side of attractive
Bishop Square, at 1001 Bishop St. (at King St.), in the middle of the business
district, where free entertainment is offered every Friday during lunch hour. The
popular Che Pasta is a stalwart here, chic enough for business meetings and not
too formal (or expensive) for a family meal of pasta and minestrone. Some places
in Bishop Square open for breakfast and lunch, others just for lunch, but most
close when business offices empty.
Value
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