Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST FINE DINING 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 FINE DINING RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
12th Avenue Grill

Chef Kevin Hanney of 12th Ave. Grill in Kaimuki makes frequent use of a smoker he rigged up himself, adding layers of flavor to his retro diner menu.

ADVERTISER LIBRARY PHOTO | June 23, 2005

Kevin Hanney's retro diner is one of our favorites; it always seems to be full of friends having a great time together, creating a cheerful (if sometimes loud) noise. The special board here is always alluring, but we have trouble getting away from our standby favorites, baked mac and cheese with mushrooms, smoked salmon tartare and kim chee steak (skirt steak marinated in a sauce made with juice from kim chee preserves). Hanney uses a smoker to good effect in a number of dishes. The classic desserts — berries with mascarpone, fresh pie, fruit crisp of the day — are by award-winning pastry chef Lisa Siu.

1145C 12th Ave. 732-9469. Dinner: 5:30-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. VS, MC, JCB. No checks. $$.

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