New buffet spot draws in crowds

Crab House Makino has opened in Waikiki, offering an endless assortment of all-you-can-eat buffet favorites, including crab and prime rib.

There are about 15 food items for lunch and more than 20 for dinner, including a sushi bar, poke bar, noodle bar and tempura bar. Guests also will find a variety of seafood dishes, such as Fried Salmon, Steamed Clams, Mussels Marinara and Shrimp. For dessert, enjoy freshly cut fruits and home-baked cakes.

“We opened May 1 and we’re already averaging 1,000 people a day,” says executive chef Richard Lee. “It’s a big location.”

Located in Waikiki (in the space previously occupied by Todai), Crab House Makino is a new restaurant by Clubhouse Makino, which also operates Makittii in Waikiki and Makino Chaya in Aiea.

In celebration of its opening, Crab House Makino is offering special prices for the month of June. The lunch buffet (available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily) is $16.98, $14.98 for kamaaina, and only $10.98 for seniors ages 55 and older; On Sundays, the buffet is $29.95, $22 for kamaaina and $17 for seniors.

The dinner buffet (available 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily) is $33.98, $24.98 for kamaaina, and $20.98 for seniors ages 55 and older. Also, stop in on your birthday and enjoy a free meal (with a group of three or more).

Owner Toru Makino notes that prices are similar to when he first opened Todai 15 years ago, before selling the business a few years later. Now, he’s returned to the same spot, but with a new restaurant and many more years of experience in the buffet business.

Starting mid-June, Lee adds that the restaurant plans to launch breakfast and Sunday brunch service. They also hope to eventually open later on the weekends, with plans of adding a sushi chef, an a la carte menu and drink specials.

“For our breakfast buffet, it’ll be all your local favorites — fresh fruits, omelet station, eggs, rice, sausage, bacon, fresh baked pastries, coffee, juices,” he says. “For Sunday brunch, we’ll feature shrimp cocktails, mimosas and bloody mary, stone crab and chilled poke. And for dinner, we’ll serve a mixture of crab, and we’re offering one free Lobster Thermidor dish with the purchase of an adult-priced buffet. It’s a way for Makino to say thanks for coming in.”

Crab House Makino

1910 Ala Moana Blvd.
946-7000
Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily Dinner: 5:30-9 p.m. daily