Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
	Every year, Advertiser readers are asked to vote for their favorite restaurants in the 'Ilima Awards poll. Meanwhile, our in-house food experts debate to select the critics' choice 'Ilimas, primarily focused on restaurants recently reviewed or revisited. With a few exceptions, categories change each year to keep readers interested and keep the winner list fresh.

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
Nico's at Pier 38

Chef Nicholas Chaize has cooked in fine dining establishments for most of his career, but when he opened this oddly located, anonymous little takeout spot, he created a winning combination: gourmet food, plate lunch prices, a pleasant covered deck on which to sit, all just a few steps from the pier's edge. He gets his fish ultra-fresh from the United Fishing Agency auction — the furikake pan-seared 'ahi is the bestseller — but he also makes a mean double cheeseburger. Saturday breakfasts, with live music, are particularly nice.

1133 N. Nimitz Highway. 540-1377. Breakfast: 6:30-9:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, 6:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday. Lunch: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. No reservations. VS, MC, AX, DS. Checks accepted. $.

Web site: www.nicospier38.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

Past 'Ilima Award winner

"Cheap eats" restaurant

"Local classic" eatery