Set the mood with delectable Italian dining

Bistecca Fiorentina ($125)

Waikiki serves as the hub of Honolulu’s social scene with gorgeous beaches, tons of shopping and a plethora of dining options. This can all be found in one convenient area — the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Nestled within this popular center sits Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar, where diners can bite into the finest Italian cuisine as well as sip on the restaurant’s exquisite wine collection.

Stop by the elegant spot on the bottom floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center for a grand selection of pupus, full-course meals and, of course, dessert. Start the meal off with a taste of the Salumeria, or deli. A classy combination of thinly sliced deli meats and servings of cheese come to the table ready to dive into.

Just a few options found on the Salumeria (deli) menu (prices vary)

Options include Prosciutto De Parma, Speck, Salame Cotto, Bresaola, Hot & Dry Salami, Salami Barolo Parmesan Reggiano, Boschetto, Gorgonzola Dolce, Manchego, Cambozola, Double Cream Gouda and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Prices vary ($9, $17 and $30) depending on the amount and combo chosen.

Also on the Salumeria menu is Iberico Jamon De Bellota, which is acorn-fed black Iberian ham that has been aged for 36 months. It is a true and rare delicacy in the islands, available at Il Lupino.

And, there’s nothing that’s quite so satisfying as enjoying a glass of world-class wine with the deli bites. Furthermore, there’s no better place to get a fix of premium wine than at Il Lupino, a multi-year winner of the Wine Spectator 2018 Best of Award of Excellence. The restaurant is one of only three restaurants in Waikiki that has been awarded this prestigious honor.

Wine Spectator honored 3,759 restaurants in 2018 worldwide, in the United States, and across 75 countries and territories. According to the magazine’s website, “Award winners all share one thing — a passion for exploring and sharing the world of wine, whether through eclectic flights with a sense of fun or cellars laden with well-aged gems from Burgundy and Bordeaux.”

Considering this award analyzed well over 3,759 restaurants across 50 U.S. states, plus another 75 countries and territories, it says a lot about the superior quality that Il Lupino has to offer, and that would be nothing but the best.

For the main course, Bistecca Fiorentina ($125) is a massive 32-ounce Prime Porterhouse Steak sourced from Master Purveyors in New York that holds a high standard of excellence in the meat it rolls out. The dish is served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables. This is a great item to split with the table, as it is a hearty portion. Plus, sharing will leave room for other Il Lupino offerings.

With a long list of top-notch cuisine and beverages, there’s something for everyone at Il Lupino. It also serves winning breakfast pickings from savory eggs Benedict to delightful French toast slices and invigorating acai bowls.