Get Into The ‘Blue Zone’ At Local Eatery

Pho Soup Station offerings from the “Flavors from Around the World” buffet

As Pagoda Floating Restaurant approaches its 54th year of serving Hawaii and bringing families together, the hardworking staff is looking back at the eatery’s rich heritage with a focus on what has made the dining destination popular among multiple generations of patrons.

Pagoda general manager John Teruya explains that he and his team are integrating healthy options that don’t sacrifice taste to supplement the existing menu selections and longtime favorites. Teruya is working on implementing Blue Zones concepts throughout the restaurant’s operation, and has worked with HMSA, which is recognizing local communities like nearby Makiki with meeting Blue Zones benchmarks associated with a well-rounded life and residents who live well past the expected average age.

Whole Fresh Steamed Dungeness Crab

“In order for us to continue to survive and serve future generations of diners, we looked back at what has made us successful as we move forward,” says Teruya. “What is it that has allowed us to last this long? It’s about good food, how we serve it and what our experience means for local diners. It’s not only about the food you eat, but (also) the way you live overall in a community-centric lifestyle.”

Some of these new dining concepts can be discovered while celebrating Administrative Professionals Week at Pagoda Floating Restaurant via the “Flavors from Around the World” buffet available April 25-27 for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet, which offers great value for adults ($18.95), seniors ($15.95 for those 60 and older) and keiki ($7.50 for kids ages 5-8), will feature an eclectic array of offerings including a robust pho station complete with the popular Vietnamese soup and garnish options.

Items from the build-your-own poke bar

The special buffet will also have a variety of salads, including Tofu Watercress (Japan), and Taegu Pasta (Korea) salads with unique regional influences. Diners can also look forward to a build-your-own poke bar, which allows guests to layer rice, poke and tasty toppings.

Multiple entree choices will be available on the buffet: Clams, Mussels and Garlic Butter Cream Sauce with Linguine (Italy); Grilled Lemon-grass Chicken (Thailand) and “Molokai Style” Steamed Catch of the Day (Hawaii). Don’t forget about dessert, as popular local choices will be served including Butter Mochi, Haupia, Lemon Bars and Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Flight Specials ($20) with half pound portion of Steamed Alaskan Snow Crab Legs

Seafood enthusiasts can reel in the sweet, delicious taste of Whole Fresh Steamed Dungeness Crab for just $15.95 with the purchase of two adult buffets at either lunch or dinner. Guests will receive one crab for every two buffets, and the live crab is prepared to order (available while supplies last, cannot be combined with other offers or specials) via multiple preparation styles including the traditional steamed with drawn butter, or with a spicy garlic sauce and crab miso over linguine.

Check out Pagoda Floating Restaurant for the popular Wine at 5 series during which wine representatives offer tastings with food included for just $25. The next Wine at 5 is slated for Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the La Salle room (above the restaurant) with live entertainment and a comfortable, relaxed vibe.

In conjunction with the Wine at 5 concept, Pagoda also offers Flight Specials for $20 apiece. Guests can choose from a Premium White Wine or Red Wine Flight or a Premium Sake or Soju Flight that is accompanied by a choice of Fresh Oysters (three per order), a half pound of Prime Rib Platter or a half pound portion of Steamed Alaskan Snow Crab Legs. Flight options are available throughout the day, and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone experience, or as a supplement to a buffet or entree choice.