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Dining — premium
By Robert Bone
Special to The Advertiser
Probably no argument among locals is more contentious than the best restaurants in which to dine. So with that caveat, here are a few of Hawai'i’s most expensive (and usually excellent) restaurants.
O'AHU
The priciest, FrencHiest tables in town are probably still at La Mer, in the Halekulani Hotel (Tel. 923-2311).Try to bag the one or two with the excellent view of Diamond Head.
Another Waikiki continental entry is Padovani’s Bistro (Tel. 946-3456.) Not far away, seafood with an Italian beat is served at Nick’s Fishmarket (Tel. 955-6333). Then there’s Roy's (Tel. 396-7697), in Hawaii Kai (about 8 miles from Waikiki) , famous for "Hawaiian Regional Cuisine," and Alan Wong’s (Tel. 949-2526) in Moiliili (about 2 miles from Waikiki), also has Pacific-Asian flavors. The elegant Michel’s (Tel. 923-6552) is in the Colony Surf Hotel.
Great views and great fish are available at John Dominis (Tel. 523-0955), off Ala Moana Boulevard, about 3 miles from Waikiki). A real find is Chef Mavro’s (Tel. 944-4714), in McCully (about 2 miles from Waikiki), for classic haute cuisine. Out in Waialae (roughly 7 miles from Waikiki), at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, you’ll find the viewful Hoku’s (Tel. 739-8779. Less well-known is Azul (Tel. 679-0079) in the Ihilani Resort out in Kapolei, mimicking the dishes of the cote d’azure.
Two steak houses are popular and pricey – Ruth’s Chris (Tel. 599-3860)in Restaurant Row (3 miles out from Waikiki), and Hy’s (Tel. 922-5555) on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki.
KAUA'I
Two Italian hotel entries are probably the most expensive, Dondero’s in the Hyatt Regency Kauai (Tel. 742-1234), and La Cascata at the Princeville Hotel (Tel. 826-2761).
But the most recent leaders in the culinary sweepstakes are A Pacific Cafe (Tel. 822-0013) serving Pacific rim fare in Kapa’a, the Beach House (Tel. 742-1424), specializing in seafood in Poipu, and the Poipu branch of Honolulu’s Roy’s, Roy’s Poipu Bar and Grill (Tel. 742-5000).
MAUI
Kapalua
In an island full of expensive restaurants, perhaps the highest priced is the Anuenue Room in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Tel. 669-6200) in Kapalua. The nearby Bay Club (Tel. 669-8008) may be second, perhaps challenged by the often-acclaimed Sansei Seafood Restaurant (Tel.669-6286), also in Kapalua. But many swear the best is just down the coast a few miles at Roy’s Nicolina (Tel. 669-5000), in the Kahana Gateway Shopping Center.
Kihei
Other top spots include a branch of Kauai’s A Pacific Café (Tel. 879-0069) and Carelli’s on the Beach (Tel. 875-0001), both in Kihei.
Olowalu
The venerable Chez Paul (Tel. 661-3843) in Olowalu is popular with tourists and local residents alike.
Lahaina
David Paul’s (Tel. 667-5117) and Gerard’s (Tel. 661-8939), both in Lahaina are the best bets in Lahaina.
Wailea
In East Maui, there’s a branch of Nick’s Fishmarket (Tel. 879-7224) in the Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea, and gourmet choices at Seasons in the Four Seasons Resort (Tel. 874-8000).
Paia
On the other side of the island, you can find the famous Mama’s Fish House (Tel. 579-8488).
MOLOKA'I AND LANA'I
Sorry, Molokai has no place that qualifies for a real splurge. On Lanai, however, there are two in the two deluxe resorts. The Lodge at Koele (Tel. 565-4580) and the Manele Bay Hotel (Tel. 565-2290) both have two excellent continental dining rooms.
THE BIG ISLAND
Kona/Kohala Coast
The deluxe hotels occupying the Kohala and Kona coasts all have formal dining rooms serving generally excellent fare. Notable are the Batik Room in the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Tel. 882-5801), the Canoe House in the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel (Tel. 885-6622), and Donatoni’s, an Italian entry in the Hilton Waikoloa Village (Tel. 886-1234).
In the Waikoloa Beach Resort is Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill (Tel. 886-4321), another branch of the Honolulu favorite. And just south of the village of Kailua-Kona, the leader is currently the tiny La Bourgogne (Tel. 329-6711), offering superb French cuisine.
Kamuela/Waimea
Outside the hotels, however, are three equally qualified gourmet choices. Up the hill from the Kohala Coast at Kamuela/Waimea, reserve in advance at Merriman’s (Tel. 885-6822).
Travel writer Robert W. Bone is a journalist, editor and photographer. He is the author of "The Maverick Guide to Hawaii."
