Hawaii The Big Island Revealed - Restaurant Reviews

DINING IN HAWAII. The image forms in your mind. Delicious, healthy island foods such as fresh fish, sweet pineapple and papaya, macadamia nut pie and a tropical drink. Well...maybe. Unlike other guidebooks which lead you to believe that every meal in Hawaii will be a feast, we are here to tell you that you will have ample opportunity to have hideous food served by uncaring oafs, as well as great meals served in the ambiance of a lifetime. We probably receive more letters of appreciation from readers about our brutally honest restaurant reviews than any other subject. Here are just a few of the reviews from the 5th edition of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed. (They're in no particular order here, but are categorized in the book.) Recommended restaurants are highlighted by an

symbol.

Buns in the Sun
75-5595 Palani Rd. • 326-2774
The sandwiches are good and the selection quite admirable. They use really good bread (baked there). For breakfast they have pastries, as well as egg dishes, including kalua pig and eggs with rice (a worthy choice). Avoid the biscuits and gravy; they taste like plastic. Good, flaky croissants. In the Lanihau Shopping Center off Palani Road. Breakfast is a reasonable $5-$7; lunch is $7-$11.

The Fish Hopper
75-5683 Alii Dr. • 326-2002
Meals here look appetizing and the interior is inviting, but looks can be deceiving. Their presentation is good, but keep the salt and pepper handy--the kitchen seems to be afraid of seasonings. We do like the clam chowder and the view from across the seawall is one of the best on Alii Drive. It's undeniably a middle-of-the-road restaurant; not bad but not great either. $10-$20 for breakfast and lunch, $20-$40 for dinner.

Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
75-5995 Kuakini Hwy • 327-0209
For some reason we neglected to review this place for years, and now we know what we were missing. Locals are the majority of the customers, and not just because it's not near Alii Drive. Jackie Rey's excels in every detail from well–made drinks to decadent desserts. Choose from their respectable wine list or go for the mai tai. The dinner entrees, mostly fish and steak, are attractively presented, and the chef knows how to combine flavors. Finish your meal with a Triple Fudge Brownie Roll. Lunch is equally good with an array of smart salads and sandwiches. $11-$17 for lunch, $13-$35 for dinner. No lunch on weekends. On Kuakini Hwy across from Walua Road.

Kimo’s Family Buffet
75-5739 Alii Dr. • 329-1393
Buffets by the pool at Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel in downtown Kona on Alii Drive. $8 for breakfast buffet. Is it the best food on the island? Get real! But it's cheap, cheap, cheap. Eggs and the like at breakfast. Nothing you wouldn't expect.

Quinn's Almost-by-the-Sea
75-5655 Palani Rd. • 329-3822
Truth in advertising. You're close to the ocean but can't really see it. Lunch offers seafood, burgers and sandwiches. The fish sandwich, especially Cajun style, is excellent, as are most seafood items. (Switch the mahi mahi sandwich for ono or ahi--it's mo bettah.) The clam chowder could use a little improvement. For dinner, it's the same menu plus more steak and seafood. Service is quick at lunch time. Consider the quasi-outdoor section for a nice lunch-time nautical, green ambiance. Lots of specials here. Most of the food is tastily prepared. We recommend lunch over the pricey dinner. $9'$13 for lunch, $9'$27 for dinner. On Palani Road across from the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel in downtown Kona. Limited parking.

Cassandra's Greek Taverna
75-5669 Alii Dr. • 334-1066
As close as you’ll get to authentic Greek food on the Big Island (with an island twist). Lunch makes use of pitas, omelettes, gyros, plus burgers and fries. For dinner it's gyros, lamb, seafood, casseroles and pastas. Pretty good food. $9-$15 for lunch, $20-$30 for dinner. In the heart of Kona on Alii Drive across from the seawall. They have a good happy hour with $2 beers and cheap pupus.

Sushi Shop Kyotoya
North Kona Shopping Ctr. • 987-8490
Located in the North Kona Shopping Center on the corner closest to the Kona Brewpub, this used to be good sushi at a reasonable price. What happened? The sushi doesn't taste fresh now. Simple hole-in-the-wall (literally) walk-up window, simple outdoor tables. $5-$9 for lunch. No credit cards. Closed Sundays.

The Canoe House
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr. • 885-6622
The indoor/outdoor setting near the ocean at this Mauna Lani Bay Hotel restaurant, coupled with expertly prepared and presented food, make this a memorable choice for seafood. This is a great restaurant by anyone's definition and one we are happy to re-review any time we can. The sunsets from an outdoor railing table are smashing most of the year. Items change often, so we'll refrain from singling any out. It's hard to go wrong here, unless you forget your credit card. Expect $35-$55, dinner only. Reservations recommended (make them for an early dinner if you want a sunset).

Huli Sue's
64-957 Mamalahoa Hwy 885-2772
If there are better pork ribs on this island, we haven't found them. Don't worry about getting your hands messy here. The meat literally falls off the bone with zero effort. Even the slaw has a surprising flavor that mixes well with the bbq sauce. Also good are the beef ribs, the chili cheese fries with cilantro sour cream and the desserts. The banana cream pie is possibly the best we've ever had and they make killer milkshakes. Pass on the bbq leg of lamb; it's too dry. All drinks are served in canning jars, and there's also a salad bar. The interior has a cozy, antique general store feel. Just across from the 56 mile marker on Hwy 19. $10-$22 for lunch and dinner. We're happy as pigs in slop here. Closed Sunday.
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Yong's Kalbi
65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy • 885-8440
Korean food with a local twist. Good fried mandoo (Korean dumplings). Be brave when picking some of the odder items (and avoid the chicken Katsu). $8-$12 for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. In the Waimea Center.

Puka Puka Kitchen
270 Kamehameha Ave. • 933-2121
Tasty entrees and stuffed pitas set in a tiny hole in the wall. (Puka is Hawaiian for hole.) Even though the menu is short, it's hard
to choose between the sauteed ahi, the locally raised lamb or the seafood platter. We're partial to the lamb, but they often run out. Get there early to increase your chances. Open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch. Dinner served Thur.-Sat. Closed Sundays. $8-$15. On the corner of Kamehameha and Furneaux.

Luke's Place
55-510 Hawi Rd. • 889-1155
American--The atmosphere here is very relaxing, almost elegant. It's a good Hawi dining alternative to Bamboo (with better prices). Portions are generous, but if you're looking for something small, the pork quesadilla or fish and chips pupu works well. Lunch is mainly sandwiches. Dinner is pasta, steak, ribs ($27) and seafood. Out back on the lawn (actually, it's a very convincing artificial turf), there's live music most nights. The bar is inviting and has good beers on tap. Service is usually adequate with the exception of a few servers. All in all, it's a nice addition to the short list of quality restaurants in this area. Adjacent to the Kohala Village Inn. $7-$15 for lunch and $10-$35 for dinner. Closed Tuesdays.