Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
531-1888;
www.luckybelly.com
;
50 N Hotel St; mains $8-14; 11am-2pm & 5pm-midnight
Mon-Sat)
Where Japanese pop art hangs over sleek bistro tables packed elbows-to-
shoulders, this arts district noodle bar crafts hot and spicy Asian fusion bites, knock-out
artisanal cocktails and amazingly fresh, almost architectural salads that the whole table
can share. A 'Belly Bowl' of ramen soup topped with buttery pork belly, smoked bacon
and pork sausage is carnivore heaven.
Little Village Noodle House
CHINESE $$$
(
545-3008;
www.littlevillagehawaii.com
; 1113 Smith St; mains $8-22; 10:30am-10:30pm Sun-
Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat;
) If you live for anything fishy in black-bean sauce, this is
Honolulu's gold standard. Starring on an eclectic regional Chinese menu, dishes are
served garlicky, fiery or with just the right dose of saltiness. Bonuses: air-con and free
parking out back. Reservations recommended.
Soul de Cuba
CUBAN $$$
(
545-2822;
www.souldecuba.com
;
1121 Bethel St; mains $10-24; 11am-10pm Mon-Thu, to
11pm Fri & Sat, to 8:30pm Sun)
Sate your craving for Afro-Cuban food and out-of-this-world
mojitos
inside this fashionable restaurant near Chinatown's art galleries. Stick with fam-
ily recipe classics like
ropa vieja
(shredded beef in tomato sauce),
bocadillos
(sand-
wiches, served till 5pm) and black-bean soup. Reservations helpful.
Rakuen Lounge
SUSHI $$$
(
524-0920;
http://rakuenlounge.com
; 1153 Bethel St; shared plates $4-16; 3pm-2am Tue-
Sat)
Shiny happy groups of friends share endless plates of sushi rolls, fresh seafood
salads and bowls of spicy garlic edamame. A top-shelf list of sake and cocktails infused
with Asian flavors like Thai basil or lychee make this chill lounge a sleeper hit, espe-
cially for late-night noshes when clubbing in Chinatown.
Duc's Bistro
FUSION $$$
(
531-6325;
www.ducsbistro.com
;
1188 Maunakea St; mains $16-26; 11am-2pm Mon-Fri,
5-10pm daily)
Honolulu's bigwigs hobnob at this swank French-Vietnamese bistro with a
tiny bar. Buttery escargot, fire-roasted eggplant with lime dressing, tangy green-papaya
