Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sushi Izakaya Gaku
JAPANESE $$$
$$$
(
589-1329; 1329 S King St; most shared plates $4-40; 5-11pm Mon-Sat)
Known mostly by
word-of-mouth, this
izakaya
(Japanese bar serving food) beats the competition with ad-
herence to tradition and supremely fresh sushi and sashimi. A spread of savory and
sweet, hot and cold dishes includes hard-to-find specialties like
chazuke
(tea-soaked rice
porridge) and
natto
(fermented soybeans). Reservations essential, or cross your fingers
for an open table after 7pm.
Chef Mavro
FUSION $$$
$$$
(
944-4714;
www.chefmavro.com
;
1969 S King St; multicourse tasting menus from $85;
6-9pm Tue-Sun)
At Honolulu's most avant-garde restaurant, maverick chef George Mav-
rothalassitis creates conceptual dishes like
kabocha
(Japanese pumpkin) coconut custard
and Big Island abalone confit, each paired with Old and New World wines. Sometimes
the cutting-edge experimental cooking, like the half-empty atmosphere, falls flat. Reser-
vations required.
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
University Area
Internationally flavored eateries cluster south of the UH Manoa campus, a short bus ride
from Waikiki.
Da Spot
INTERNATIONAL $
(2469 S King St; smoothies $3-5, plate lunches $6-10; 10:30am-9:30pm Mon-Sat)
A converted
auto mechanic's garage is home base for this chef duo's world fusion and island-flavored
plate lunches, plus three dozen flavor combinations of smoothies. Egyptian chicken,
southeast Asian curries, gyro sandwiches and homemade baklava will leave you stuffed.
Peace Cafe
HEALTHY $
(
www.peacecafehawaii.com
; 2239 S King St; mains $8-10; 11am-9pm Mon-Sat, to 3pm Sun;
)
Vegan home-cooking specials are scribbled on the chalkboard at this simple storefront
cafe. Pick a Popeye miso-tahini spinach sandwich or a light lunch box with Moroccan
