Pupu Picks
Plumeria’s Blooming Starters
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is home to a number of restaurants without walls. That may seem like a strange description, but with the hotel’s “anything for the customer” philosophy, it’s actually quite fitting. The elegant hotel offers a number of comfortable and scenic places to sit and enjoy the surroundings, and from those seats…
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Happy Hour Chinese Flair at Jade Dynasty
It’s not often people combine the ideas of Chinese food and happy hour, which is a shame. The very nature of many Chinese specialities make the cuisine a natural match for beer, wine and cocktails. If there is a traditional downside to the idea, it’s that many Chinese restaurants lack the full bars necessary to…
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Himalayan’s Top-Notch Starters
A quick word of advice: If ever someone utters a sentence containing the words “Himalayan Kitchen,” don’t wait for the inevitable conclusion regarding your interest in a Nepali and Indian lunch or dinner. It’ll just cut into your appetizer time. In this case, haste is a virtue. The four-year old Kaimuki restaurant is a must…
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New Starters are “Shor” to Be a Hit
There is something special about dining at Shor. The decor is modern and clean, the view of Waikiki Beach is stunning and the appetizers, oh my, they are tasty. And things keep getting even better. For the past few weeks and ending mid May, the menu at the seafood grill is undergoing a change that…
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Seared and Served in a New York Minute
It’s not easy being the chef, cook or server at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. The long history of outstanding food and fine service has created a level of expectation that demands nothing but a first rate dining experience. This is true whether ordering from the main, bar or appetizer menu. If it says “Wolfgang’s” it has to…
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Starters Defined By Decadence
The word to best describe the appetizers at Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa is “decadent.” Sure, fresh, light and flavorful all work as an accurate commentary on the menu, but none more accurately describes the richness and special nature of the chosen items. Beachhouse is a steakhouse with something extra….
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Starters Shine at Stage
A restaurant’s food should match its decor. Or is it the other way around? Either way, the pairing of ambiance and food sends an important message of uniformity and careful thought. The designers and chefs at Stage restaurant in Honolulu Design Center have figured it out. Just like the tables, lighting and artwork that accents…
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Delve Into Delicious Starters
Oh, the pupus at Hee Hing. Tender pockets of goodness swimming in light sauces, fresh vegetables in crispy coats, sweet shrimp in crunchy pockets and dim sum. Oh, yes, the dim sum — dozens of types all for the ready. The Dim Sum Combo ($9.25) includes four shrimp dumplings, four pieces of pork shumai and…
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Starters to Write Home About
A look around the third-floor terrace at Hyatt Regency Waikiki and it becomes clear what the $13 million renovation has done. The open-air hotel, already visually appealing, is fresh and more modern. So are the restaurants that inhabit the area. “The whole concept of Shor is an American seafood restaurant using locally-produced and organically-grown items,”…
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Oh My, Pho My Lien!
The menu at Pho My Lien was brought to Hawaii by Tommy (My) Dang and his wife Lien, who decided to share their family recipes to the hungry diners of Honolulu. Good thing they did. Pho My Lien is simply an outstanding and affordable Vietnamese restaurant centered around fresh ingredients and friendly service. What more…
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