Places to eat in Honolulu

Sushikoh recently moved its operations across the street within the confines of the Breakers Hotel. I had never been to the independent location but always noticed the line of Japanese tourists waiting outside in the evenings. "Must be pretty authentic" I would think to myself. The reincarnated Sushikoh had been open less than a month during our visit to Honolulu in April 2006 and we managed to eat breakfast there on our last day in Hawaii. I chose the authentic Japanese breakfast consisting of things that most non-Japanese would not recognize. Natto, a bit of grilled fish, seaweed salad, and some things that I didn't even know what it was. But it was all very tasty and a fun, adverturous dining experience. They also had typical American breakfast items on their menu which were also well done (pancakes, very homemade and big!). [NOTE: ON OUR RETURN IN APRIL 2007, SUSHIKOH WAS NO LONGER SERVING BREAKFAST BUT IS SERVING A VERY AFFORDABLE LUNCH AND DINNER.]

The dining area is open to the outdoor courtyard and swimming pool which lends an informal but very appropriate atmosphere considering the location. Next time we will definitely have dinner there!

Favorite Dish: Authenic Japanese breakfast

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Manapua is the local term for a variety of dim sum. Although similar it isn't exactly like what you'd expect to find at a normal Chinese dim sum restaurant. Manapua mainly consists of bao, white doughy buns filled with either char siu pork or a sweet black bean (mmmmm!), pork hash (similar to shiumai), half moons, sweet rice cake, and specialties depending on the shop. Libby Manapua has been in a staple of the Kalihi business district since 1962 and along with Char Hung Sut in Chinatown is a local favorite. You won't be disappointed if you order two of everything and take it to the beach for lunch or a snack later. Heck, it would be a great meal on the airline trip back home! And it's conveniently right on the way to the airport from Honolulu!

Favorite Dish: Blacksugar manapua, pork hash, rice cake

This Japanese chain has started making its mark in the U.S. with stores in Hawaii, California, and Manhattan. Each day they make the traditional vanilla cream variety as well as offer a special of the day. One day the special was chocolate. Another day it was green tea. All cream puffs are filled upon ordering and cost $1.50 each. The pastry portion is also cooked on a regular basis in order to ensure freshness.

I have to say that these little beauties are a rival to filled malasadas from Leonard's! Still, best to sample both while you're in Honolulu! Good for dessert, breakfast, or an anytime snack!

Favorite Dish: Cream puffs!

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Side Streeet Inn is located on, well a side street which reminds one of a back alley. It's a good thing the popularity of the place has resulted in valet parking for the restaurant. When you walk in you might think you're in the wrong place as Side Street resembles a sports bar more than a restaurant that serves some great gourmet local food that is a favorite hang out of many of Hawaii's reknowned gourmet chefs including Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, and Russell Siu.

The food is definitely local with some excellent tweaks by owner and chef Colin Nishida (no relation). Thankfully there were 9 in our party so we could order lots of dishes and share. The Pocho Clams are served with a devine broth along with onions, cilantro, and Portuguese sausage (linguica). They provide crusty bread with which you can soak up the wonderful broth. Nishida's signature dish is the Pan Fried Island Pork Chops. Marinated, dipped in a corn starch mixture, and pan fried, the meat is removed from the bone and sliced. The bone and the remaining meat is also included on the platter for yummy munching and gnawing. Another favorite is the fried chicken gizzards. Perhaps not for everyone but they were very tasty indeed. Other dishes ordered and happily eaten included fried tofu poke, steamed mahi mahi, ahi poke, crispy spicy chicken, chicken katsu, fried rice, and namasu. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert. Next time for sure!

If you read reviews online they may mention a smoky bar atmosphere. Fear not as that has all changed with a no smoking ordnance that went into affect in January 2007.

Favorite Dish: Crispy spicy chicken, Pocho clams, pan fried island pork chops

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GREAT LITTLE AND COZY PLACE RIGHT OFF OF LEWERS STREET IN WAIKIKI WITH SOME NICE JAPANESE FOOD SUCH AS BENTOS THAT ARE DELICIOUS !!! SUSHI IS A GOOD ONE..AND THE MUSUBI IS TASTY...ANYTIME WITH SOME GREAT DON BURI OR UDON IS ALRIGHT WITH ME!!!

Favorite Dish: I AM ALWAYS ONE FOR ANY ONE OF THE FISH !!!!! ALSO THE SASHIMI !!!

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HEY I WAS IN THE MOOD FOR SOME TAMALES AND DECIDED TO CHECK OUT SENOR PEPE AT ALA MOANA SHOPPING CENTER'S FOOD COURT... GOT TWO TAMALES AND THREE CHOICES OF SIDE FOR ABOUT $7.56.. .NOT TOO BAD!!!!!!!!!! REALLY LIKE THE TAST OF THE SAUCES THAT WENT WITH THE TAMALES...
THE TAMALES WERE HANDMADE HAD MILD RED CHILE SAUCE AND TANGY GREEN TOMATILLO SAUCE.. YOU CAN CHOSE FROM PORK OR CHICKEN OR CHILE AND CHEESE...
ALSO THE FAJITAS AND THE BURRITOS LOOKED REALLY GOOD..
MOST PLATES WERE FROM $7.20 TO $7.50..
CHECK UM OUT !!!!

Favorite Dish: THE TAMALES ARE WHAT I LIKE !! SOMETIMES HARD TO FIND SOME GOOD TASTING TAMALES HERE......

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LEO'S TAVERNA IS ALSO LOCATED AT 801 KAHEKA ST IN HONOLULU!! SAME GREAT TASTING FOOD ..JUST LIKE THE ONE DOWNTOWN............. ..PLEASE LOOK AT THE FIRST TIP ON LEO'S TAVERNA ..BISHOP ST...THAT I DID..!! :" )

Favorite Dish: THE CHICKEN PIE IS STILL ANDFAVORITE OF MINE..

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SOME VERY TASTY FOOD HERE AT THIS CUTE LITTLE PLACE ON UNION MALL RIGHT OFF HOTEL STREET!!!
THE POT PIE AND SALAD THAT I HAD TODAY WAS DELICIOUS !!the chicken kabobs ($7.45 for two, $5.95 for one) ,The lamb-and-beef gyro ARE huge, packed with hummus, tomato chunks and spices THE ATMOSPHERE IS LIKE ANY OTHER SMALL OPLACE ...BUT THE FOOD MAKES IT ALL WORTH GOING HERE!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Dish: I STILL LIKE THOSE^ POT PIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!