BY KAREN IWAMOTO
There’s no shortage of happy hour options in Honolulu, but Bakery & Table at the corner of South King and Piikoi streets is the only one in the area that boasts relaxed, airy outdoor seating that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day of work.
The restaurant’s ground-floor bakery offers Japanese-style baked goods and pastries, but head to the second level to find a spacious terrace complete with water walls, floor-to-ceiling art and a cozy lounge area with comfy couches and a fire-pit table for the pau hana crowd.
“It gets magical around 5:30 when the sun sets,” describes restaurant manager Royce Arakaki. “You don’t feel like you’re on Piikoi Street.”
During happy hour, beer is $2; wine and cocktails are $5. The cocktails rotate monthly. Featured this month are Berry Bourbon Smash, with a mix of blackberries, raspberries and other berries on hand; German Chocolate Cake, a blend of vodka and Godiva chocolate; and Gold Mango Margarita, with Jose Cuervo Gold tequila and lime.
All pupus, including Fried Calamari, Shrimp Cocktail and Chilled King Crab Legs (two pieces per order) also are $5 during happy hour.
But the highlight is the chilled seafood bar: Oysters ($5 for three during happy hour; $15 half-dozen, $27 dozen); B&T Ceviche ($5 happy hour, $8.50 regular), a daily selection of seafood in lime juice and a secret marinade that imparts it with a subtle Japanese flavor; and Seared Tuna Poke Tartar ($5 happy hour, $12 regular) served on a bed of avocado with the restaurant’s original truffle sesame sauce.
The emphasis is on fresh ingredients that change daily depending on what’s available from the market.
Be sure to come early — happy hour runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday — because the lounge area fills up quickly. Those who want to linger longer should consider booking a dinner reservation and exploring more of the eatery’s Pacific Rim dishes.
Bakery & Table
938 Piikoi St., Honolulu
592-7777
Restaurant: Lunch: Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner: Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30-9 p.m.
Bakery: Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Mondays
Honolulu, HI 96814
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