Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST FOR DESSERT: 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 FOR DESSERT: CRITICS' CHOICE
JJ Bistro & French Pastry

It's not what it seems — neither just a bakery nor your average bistro. "JJ" is Laos native Luangkhot Praseuth, the chef who presides over this Euro-Asian cafe serving such dishes as pasta in lemon grass curry sauce, fisherman's pot pie in puff pastry and fresh fish in a variety of marinades and sauces. The pastries — invitingly housed in a glass case — call your name as you virtuously eat your salad: the signature chocolate raspberry pyramid, haupia tart, a variety of mousses hidden in chocolate ganache, and more, more, more. Exquisite.

3447 Wai'alae Ave. 739-0993. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, AX, DS, JCB. No checks. Pastries and lunch: $, Dinner: $$.

Web site: www.jjfrenchpastry.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