Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST ETHNIC RESTAURANT: PEOPLE'S 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 ETHNIC RESTAURANT: PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Assaggio

Years ago, members of the Ky family and their friends learned Italian cooking from longtime O'ahu restaurateur "Cass" Castagnola. Since then, they have created a small empire around the concept of simple Sicilian-style food, reasonably priced, in convenient locations. The extended family of semi-related restaurants includes four Assaggios and Paesano in Manoa as well. We go back for the hot, fresh bread, the salad with creamy-tangy house dressing, Sicilian chicken and the linguine chicken anchovy olio — both in garlicky wine sauces.

Four locations: 1450 Ala Moana, No. 1259, 942-3446; 7192 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Hawai'i Kai, 396-0756; 95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, 623-5115; and 354 Uluniu St., Kailua, 261-2772. Hours of operation vary. Closed major holidays. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DC, JCB. No checks. $$$.

Web site: www.assaggiohawaii.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