Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

• INTRODUCTION

• 'ILIMA AWARD WINNERS

• BROWSE RESTAURANTS

• GLOSSARY

• FEATURED RESTAURANTS

	• Find a restaurant by category:
	or type in a restaurant name:		(separate words by a comma)

	2005 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST RESTAURANT, BIG ISLAND
	In the 10th anniversary year of the 'Ilima Awards, these are the restaurants that turned the heads of our readers and our in-house food experts.

BEST RESTAURANT, BIG ISLAND
Merriman's

Merriman's was voted Best Big Island Restaurant, and it's easy to understand why: Owner Peter Merriman focuses on the freshest and best that local farms, ranchers and fishermen bring in. The country inn- style restaurant is in Waimea.

Merriman's

This longtime favorite, owned by Peter Merriman (who now divides his time between Maui and the Big Island), focuses on the freshest and best that local farms, ranches and fishermen bring in. The bare bones Lokelani tomato salad drizzled with olive oil is a classic. Different lamb specials, made with Kahua Ranch lamb, are always interesting. This compact country inn-style restaurant can be uncomfortably crowded at peak times; try going early or late, or on a weeknight.

65-1227 'Opelo Road, Waimea. (808) 885-6822. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dinner: 5:30-9 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX. No checks. Lunch: $. Dinner: $$$.

Web site: www.merrimanshawaii.com

Legend:

VS: Visa
MC: Mastercard
AX: American Express
DC: Diners Club
DS: Discover Card
JCB: JCB Card
Olioli: Olioli Card

$$$: Pricey; entrées mostly more than $17
$$: Moderate; entrées $10-$16
$: Budget-friendly; entrées mostly less than $10

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only