Feast on local favorites, enter to win trip to Vegas

Dora Higa of Moanalua Valley won a free trip for two to Las Vegas, simply by dining at one of her favorite restaurants — Pagoda Floating Restaurant & Catering in Honolulu.

A longtime customer of the landmark restaurant, she recalls many fond memories of the place, including attending countless baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, Christmas parties, even her family reunion and granddaughter’s first birthday party 42 years ago. “We used to come to Pagoda all the time,” she said. “I like the ambiance, the food, the friendly staff and the koi pond.”

Known for its buffets and menu of local flavors, the iconic restaurant, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, continues to be a favorite tradition of many local families. Recently, Pagoda expanded its staff, welcoming to its team some familiar faces from other old-time Hawaii restaurants, such as Kenny’s and New Eagle Café.

Also, there’s a new “East Meets West” dinner buffet priced at just $19.95, available Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. ($9.95 for keiki 8 years old and under). Enjoy Pagoda’s buffet classics, such as chow-mein noodles, house fried rice, steamed fish “Island style,” sauteed vegetables and miso soup, as well as special hot entrees featuring seafood, beef, chicken and/or fish. There also is a salad and poke bar with ahi, mussels, tako, gobo and bean sprouts, as well as executive chef Jason Takemura’s signature tofu poke salad consisting of tofu, edamame and taegu. For dessert, there’s an assortment of cakes, pies and fruits, as well as bread pudding and soft serve ice cream with zensai (red bean with mochi balls, along with assorted toppings).

Also, ask about the “From the Kitchen” menu, offering Roast Prime Rib with Au Jus ($9.45, 8-ounce cut), “Select” King Crab Legs ($18.95, approximately 1 pound) and Steamed Whole Maine Lobster ($12.95) that can be shared family-style.

Pagoda also continues to serve its popular Breakfast Buffet ($12.95, 6:30-9 a.m. daily), Lunch Buffet ($16.95, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Saturday), Sunday Brunch Buffet ($35.95, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), and Prime Rib and Seafood Dinner Buffet ($38.95, 5-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday).

“We want families to remember the time-honored traditions of the Pagoda from when they used to come and their kids were little,” says general manager John Teruya. “Now their kids are grown and hopefully they bring their kids, so it’s generations of people remembering what Pagoda was known for — the buffets, good food, special occasions — and we’re trying to bring that back.”

Entry deadline for this month’s contest to win a free trip to Vegas is Sept. 30, and drawing will take place Oct. 15. For details, contact Pagoda restaurant.

Pagoda Floating Restaurant & Catering

1525 Rycroft St.
948-8356
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily (ala carte), 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily (buffet);
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Saturday (ala carte), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday (buffet), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Brunch;
Dinner: 5 to 9 p.m. nightly (buffet)
Pagodahawaii.com