Dinner at Earls Waikiki

My friend wanted to celebrate her birthday at Earls Waikiki and I was excited to try the new restaurant that has 70 locations in the US and Canada. Getting a reservation for a large group on a Friday night was surprisingly easy. The toughest part was figuring out where to park as the restaurant has no validated parking. I decided to park at International Market Place and get validation with a $25 purchase. 

From the parking, it's about a 7 minute walk to Earls. After you check in at the host stand, go up the escalator. The restaurant is open air and was pretty warm that busy night so dress accordingly. The restaurant looks trendy and upscale with lots of greenery and dim lighting. I really liked the fun and lively atmosphere. I was also pleasantly surprised at the variety of dishes the menu offered from pricier steaks to more reasonably priced items like burgers and salads compared to other Waikiki restaurants.  

I ordered the carne tacos and they were delicious! Our group had a great time. Our server was pretty amazing and took good care of us. We were lucky to be seated at a long table as we saw a group squeezed tightly in a booth. The restaurant was also very accommodating and allowed us to bring a cake and did not charge a cutting fee. The parking is a bit of a deterrent, but I would like to return for their brunch menu in the future. 

Carne Tacos

Truffle Tortellini add prime sirloin

Beautiful restaurant

Earls Waikiki

2280 Kalākaua Ave Ste 201 

Honolulu, HI 96815

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Teppanyaki Farmer

Currently trending on Instagram these days are the steak rolls from Teppanyaki Farmer at the Lanai - Ala Moana Center's newest dining concept.

Loyal followers of Chef Kevin Ahakuelo, who used to work as a chef at Restaurant Suntory before branching out on his own with Tae's Teppanyaki restaurant,  are flocking to his new concept - Teppanyaki Farmer.  The menu is bigger than his previous concept, but his signature item, Da Original Steak Roll, is by far his most popular item on the menu, and if this is your first time trying Kevin's food, you'll want to order the steak roll on your first visit.

The grill is right out front, giving eager patrons a view of how the rolls are prepared. 

Thinly sliced rib eye steak

Raw Potato 

There are 3 options for toppings - garlic, wasabi sauce and spicy sauce.  I highly recommend the garlic! 

If you go during peak lunch or dinner time, expect to wait a half hour or more, but it's so worth it!

TEPPANYAKI FARMER

The Lanai at Ala Moana Center, Mall Level 2 near Macy's

1450 Ala Moana Blvd. 

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Lunch at Restaurant Suntory

My family has been dining at Restaurant Suntory for years, but always for dinner (read about it here).  A few friends of mine have been telling me about how good their teppanyaki lunch special is, so I went to check it out for myself.

The teppanyaki lunch special consists of 2 pieces of california roll sushi, certified angus sirloin (4 oz), grilled vegetables, steamed rice, and miso soup for $14.50.  

If you compare the price of this set to the other items on the lunch and dinner menu, you'll discover that this is great deal! It's the perfect amount of food for a mid-day meal and it won't leave you with a kanak attack in the afternoon.

Restaurant Suntory is open for lunch Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm.

Restaurant Suntory

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Building B, 3rd floor

2233 Kalakaua Avenue

(808) 922-5511

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Hy's Steak House Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Wine Dinners and Chef's Tables!

First Course: Trio of Sashimi paired with Red Car, Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2015

Hy's Steak House, synonymous with tradition and fine dining, is celebrating forty years with two new monthly dinner series beginning in April culminating with their 40th Anniversary Final Event on November 11.

In the first series, Hy's will team up with Master Sommelier, Patrick Okubo, and other well known sommeliers in Hawaii and offer exciting wine dinners featuring different wineries from around the world thoughtfully paired with Hy's exquisite cuisine.

The second series, Chef's Table, was inspired by the focus on local produce with the intent of elevating Hy's signature favorites by sourcing as many ingredients from local farms and ranches. 

Find an occasion to celebrate because each dinner is limited to 20 people and you don't want to miss these two innovative series.  Wine Dinner (five course prix fixe $150 per person) dates are:  April 12, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 23, September 20, and October 18.  Chef's Table (five course prix fixe $100 per person) dates are:  May 10, June 7, July 5, August 9, September 6, and October 4.  Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 808-922-5555 or emailing jonah@hyshawaii.com

I was lucky enough to attend a wine dinner preview and it was amazing!  The menu, appropriately named Synergy, combined ingredients to create exceptional dishes that will astonish your taste buds.  Each course was delicious and a favorite.  I loved the wine pairings and learning a bit of the background of each wine as well as hearing from Executive Chef Justin Inagaki how the dishes were created.  Thank you to Hy's and Chefs Grant and Justin for the exceptional meal!        

Second Course:  Butter-poached Colossal Shrimp with Big Island Caviar paired with Jordan, Chardonnay, Russian River 2014. 

Intermezzo:  Big Island Dragon Eye Granita

Entrée Course:  Kiawe Grilled Prime Filet Mignon with pan seared foie gras and truffle demi-glace paired with Lutum, Gap's Crown Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Sonoma 2013 and Domaine Chanson, Pinot Noir, Marsannay 2014.

Dessert Course:  Hawaiian Islands Experience - Kona Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee, Hawaiian Crown Chocolate Brownie, Macadamia Nut Caramel Crunch, Mascerated Poha Berry.  A special treat were the prosecco-soaked dragon fruit pieces on top.   

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