2012 Hale Aina Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2012 Hale Aina Award winners!

Each year, HONOLULU Magazine readers vote for their favorite restaurants in the Islands. Categories include Best New Restaurant, Best Service, Best Value, Best Wine Program, Little Restaurant You Love and many more.

The winning restaurants were announced at a gala reception held November 6 at the Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Ballroom. See our upcoming January 2012 issue for more on the Hale Aina Awards.

 

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

GOLD

Roy's — 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., 396-7697; Executive Chef: Chris Garnier

SILVER

Alan Wong's Restaurant — 1857 S. King St., Third Floor, 949-2526; Chef de Cuisine: Wade Ueoka

BRONZE

Morimoto Waikiki — 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., 943-5900; Executive Chef: Jevic Acain

TOP 5

Lahaina Grill — 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 667-5117; Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

TOP 5

TOWN — 3435 Waialae Ave. #103, 735-5900; Executive Chefs: Ed Kenney and Dave Caldiero

CHEF'S CHOICE WINNER

Le Bistro — 5730 Kalanianaole Hwy., 373-7990; Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

BEST OAHU RESTAURANT

GOLD

Roy's — 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., 396-7697; Executive Chef: Chris Garnier

SILVER

Alan Wong's Restaurant — 1857 S. King St., Third Floor, 949-2526; Chef de Cuisine: Wade Ueoka

BRONZE

Le Bistro — 5730 Kalanianaole Hwy., 373-7990; Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

TOP 5

Azure Restaurant — 2259 Kalakaua Ave., 923-7311; Chef de Cuisine: Jon Matsubara

TOP 5

Chai's Island Bistro — 1 Aloha Tower Dr., 585-0011; Executive Chef: Chai Chaowasaree

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT

GOLD

Lahaina Grill — 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 667-5117; Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

SILVER

Mama's Fish House — 799 Poho Place, Paia, (808) 579-9248; Executive Chef: Perry Bateman

BRONZE

Haliimaile General Store — 900 Haliimaile Rd., Makawao, (808) 572-2666; Executive Chef: Bev Gannon

TOP 5

Merriman's Kapalua — 1 Bay Club Pl., Lahaina, (808) 669-6400; Executive Chef: Neil Murphy

TOP 5

Pineapple Grill — 200 Kapalua Dr., Kapalua, (808) 669-9600; Executive Chef: Ryan Luckey

BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT

GOLD

Merriman's Waimea — 65-1227 Opelo Rd., Kamuela, (808) 885-6822; Executive Chef: Peter Merriman

SILVER

Kaleo's Bar & Grill — 15-2662 Pahoa Village Rd. #8512, Pahoa, (808) 965-5600; Executive Chefs: Malia Lamadora and Tammy Ancheta

BRONZE

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar — 201 Waikoloa Beach Dr. #801, Waikoloa, (808) 886-6286; Executive Chef: Eric Rouelle

TOP 5

Hilo Bay Café —  315 East Makaala St. #109, Hilo, (808) 935-4939; Executive Chef: Josh Ketner

TOP 5

Monette's — 62 Mauna Kea Beach Dr., Waimea, (808) 443-2850; Executive Chef: Michael Minshull

BEST KAUAI RESTAURANT

GOLD

The Beach House Restaurant — 5022 Lawai Rd., P.O. Box 1206, Koloa, (808) 742-1424; Executive Chef: Todd Barrett

SILVER

Kauai Grill — 5520 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, (808) 826-9644; Executive Chef: Garrison Price

BRONZE

Red Salt — 2251 Poipu Rd., Koloa, (808) 828-8888; Executive Chef: Seamus Mackenzie

TOP 5

Bar Acuda — 55161 Kuhio Hwy., Hanalei, (808) 826-7081; Executive Chef: Jim Moffat

TOP 5

Mediterranean Gourmet — 5-7132 Kuhio Hwy., Haena, (808) 826-9875; Executive Chef: Imad Beydoun

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

GOLD

Morimoto Waikiki — 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., 943-5900; Executive Chef: Jevic Acain

SILVER

La Tour Café — 888 N Nimitz Hwy., 697-5000; Executive Chef: Travis Inouye

BRONZE

Monkeypod Kitchen — 10 Wailea Gateway Pl., Ste. B-201, Kihei, (808) 891-2322; Executive Chef: Rob Daldall

FINALIST

Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar — 2233 Kalakaua Ave., Bldg. B, Ste., 922-3400; Executive Chef: Nick Sayada

FINALIST

Japengo — 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Lahaina, (808) 667-4796

BEST LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT

GOLD

12th Ave Grill — 1145 12th Ave. #C, 732-9469; Executive Chefs: Kevin Hanney and Jason Schoonover

SILVER

TOWN — 3435 Waialae Ave. #103, 735-5900; Executive Chefs: Ed Kenney and Dave Caldiero

BRONZE

Kalapawai Café & Deli — 750 Kailua Rd., Kailua, 262-3354; Executive Chef: Jason Iwane

FINALIST

Kaleo's Bar & Grill — 15-2662 Pahoa Village Rd. #8512, Pahoa, (808) 965-5600; Executive Chefs: Malia Lamadora and Tammy Ancheta

FINALIST

Mala Ocean Tavern — 1307 Front Stt., Lahaina, (808) 667-9394; Executive Chef: Ben Klein

BEST SERVICE

GOLD

Roy's — 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., 396-7697; Executive Chef: Chris Garnier

SILVER

Alan Wong's Restaurant — 1857 S. King St., Third Floor, 949-2526; Chef de Cuisine: Wade Ueoka

BRONZE

La Mer — 2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311; Executive Chef: Vikgram Garg

FINALIST

Chef Mavro — 1969 S. King St., 944-4714; Executive Chef: Chef Mavrothalassitis

FINALIST

Lahaina Grill — 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 667-5117; Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

BEST LUNCH

GOLD

Mariposa — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2101, 951-3420; Executive Chef: Marc Anthony Freiberg

SILVER

The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 945-6573; Executive Chef: Lance Kosaka

BRONZE

Tango Contemporary Café — 1288 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 120, 593-7288; Executive Chef: Goran Streng

FINALIST

Epic — 1131 Nuuanu Ave., 587-7877; Executive Chef: Brian Chan

FINALIST

Hukilau — 1088 Bishop St., 523-3460; Executive Chef: Jason Takemura

BEST BRUNCH

GOLD

Orchids — 2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311; Executive Chef: Vikram Garg

SILVER

Prince Court — 100 Holomoana St., 944-4444; Executive Chef: Eddie Mizuno

BRONZE

Hoku's — 5000 Kahala Ave., 739-8780; Executive Chef: Wayne Hirabayashi

FINALIST

Mala Ocean Tavern — 1307 Front St., Lahaina, (808) 667-9394; Executive Chef: Ben Klein

FINALIST

The Plantation House Restaurant — 2000 Plantation Club Dr., Lahaina, (808) 669-6299; Executive Chef: Alex Stanislaw

BEST BREAKFAST

GOLD

Cinnamon's —315 Uluniu St., Kailua, 261-8724; Executive Chef: Carsie Green

SILVER

Longhi's — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 3001, 947-9899; Executive Chef: Ricardo Thompson

BRONZE

Boots & Kimo's —151 Hekili St., Kailua, 263-7929; Executive Chef: Ricky Kiakona

FINALIST

Big City Diner — 3569 Waialae Ave., Ste. 3, 738-8855; Executive Chef: Dennis Franks

FINALIST

Café Kaila — 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 219, 732-3330; Executive Chef: Chrissie Castillo

BEST WINE PROGRAM

GOLD

Formaggio Wine Bar — 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 219, 263-2633; Executive Chef: Almar Arcano

SILVER

Vino Italian Taps & Wine Bar — 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 6D-1; Master Sommelier: Chuck Furuya

BRONZE

Chef Mavro — 1969 S. King St., 944-4714; Executive Chef: Chef Mavrothalassitis

FINALIST

Brasserie Du Vin — 1115 Bethel St. , 545-1115; Executive Chef: Marco Elder

FINALIST

Lahaina Grill — 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 667-5117; Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

BEST VALUE

GOLD

Side Street Inn — 614 Kapahulu Ave., 739-3939; Executive Chef: Colin Nishida

SILVER

Kaleo's Bar & Grill — 15-2662 Pahoa Village Rd. #8512, Pahoa, (808) 965-5600; Executive Chefs: Malia Lamadora and Tammy Ancheta

BRONZE

Da Kitchen — 925 Isenberg St., 957-0099, Executive Chef: Les Tomita

FINALIST

Bangkok Chef —  2955 E. Manoa Rd., 988-0212; Executive Chef: Sansane Chang

FINALIST

Café O Lei — 2439 S. Kihei Rd, Ste. 201A, Kihei, (808) 891-1368; Executive Chef: Mike Wilson

BEST PUPU

GOLD

Side Street Inn — 614 Kapahulu Ave., 739-3939; Executive Chef: Colin Nishida

SILVER

Uncle Bo's —  559 Kapahulu Ave., 735-8311

BRONZE

Shokudo — 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., 941-3701; Executive Chefs: Ken Conklin and Hugo Kutsuma

FINALIST

Home Bar & Grill — 1683 Kalakaua Ave., 942-2237; Executive Chefs: Neil Nakasone, Brandon Hamada and Jon Estrella

FINALIST

Rum Fire — 2255 Kalakaua Ave., 922-4422; Executive Chef: Brett Dalarmia

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS

GOLD

Duke's Waikiki — 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Ste. 116, 922-2268; Executive Chef: Keith Steel Kong

SILVER

House Without A Key —  2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311; Executive Chef: Vikram Garg

BRONZE

Tiki's Grill & Bar — 2570 Kalakaua Ave., 923-8454; Executive Chef: Ronnie Nasuti

FINALIST

Lahaina Grill — 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 667-5117; Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

FINALIST

Mama's Fish House — 799 Poho Place, Paia, (808) 579-9248; Executive Chef: Perry Bateman

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A DATE NIGHT

GOLD

Michel's at the Colony Surf — 2895 Kalakaua Ave., 923-6552; Executive Chef: Eberhard "Hardy" Kintscher

SILVER

La Mer — 2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311; Executive Chef: Vikgram Garg

BRONZE

Azure Restaurant — 2259 Kalakaua Ave., 923-7311; Chef de Cuisine: Jon Matsubara

FINALIST

Hy's Steak House — 2440 Kuhio Ave., 922-5555; Executive Chef: Zach Inouye

FINALIST

Mama's Fish House — 799 Poho Place, Paia, (808) 579-9248; Executive Chef: Perry Bateman

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BIG GROUP

GOLD

Ruth's Chris Steak House — 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #6C, 599-3860; Executive Chef: Eli Low

SILVER

Morton's The Steakhouse — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 949-1300; Executive Chef: Andy Degamo

BRONZE

Nobu Waikiki — 2233 Helumoa Rd., 237-6999; Executive Chef: Robin Lee

FINALIST

Brasserie Du Vin — 1115 Bethel St. , 545-1115; Executive Chef: Marco Elder

FINALIST

Formaggio Grill, Kailua — 305 Hahani St., Kailua, 263-2633; Executive Chef: Kavika Cahill

BEST VEGETARIAN

GOLD

TOWN — 3435 Waialae Ave. #103, 735-5900; Executive Chefs: Ed Kenney and Dave Caldiero

SILVER

Peace Café —  2239 S. King St. #C, 951-7555; Executive Chef: Megumi Yamaki

BRONZE

Mala's Ocean Tavern — 1307 Front St., Lahaina, (808) 667-9394; Executive Chef: Ben Klein

FINALIST

Downbeat Diner — 42 N. Hotel St., 533-2328; Executive Chef: Nick Alves

FINALIST

Loving Hut — 1614 S. King St., 373-6465; Executive Chef: Chef Hai

BEST GOURMET COMFORT FOOD

GOLD

Side Street Inn — 614 Kapahulu Ave., 739-3939; Executive Chef: Colin Nishida

SILVER

Kakaako Kitchen — 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 596-7488

BRONZE

12th Ave. Grill — 1145 12th Ave. #C, 732-9469; Executive Chefs: Kevin Hanney and Jason Schoonover

FINALIST

Kalapawai Café & Deli — 750 Kailua Rd., Kailua, 262-3354; Executive Chef: Jason Iwane

FINALIST

Soul — 3040 Waialae Ave., 735-7685; Executive Chef: Sean Priester

BEST STEAK

GOLD

Ruth's Chris Steak House — 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #6C, 599-3860; Executive Chef: Eli Low

SILVER

Hy's Steak House — 2440 Kuhio Ave., 922-5555; Executive Chef: Zach Inouye

BRONZE

Morton's The Steakhouse — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 949-1300; Executive Chef: Andy Degamo

FINALIST

d.k. Steak House — 2552 Kalakaua Ave., 931-6280; Executive Chef: d.k. Kodama

FINALIST

Wolfgang's Steakhouse — 2301 Kalakaua Ave #301, 922-3600; Executive Chef: James Donahue

BEST SEAFOOD

GOLD

Nico's at Pier 38 —  1133 N. Nimitz Hwy., 540-1377; Executive Chef: Nico Chaize

SILVER

Roy's — 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., 396-7697; Executive Chef: Chris Garnier

BRONZE

Uncle's Fish Market & Grill — 1135 N. Nimitz, 831-4911; Executive Chef: Geoffrey Arakawa

FINALIST

Azure Restaurant — 2259 Kalakaua Ave., 923-7311; Chef de Cuisine: Jon Matsubara

FINALIST

Mama's Fish House — 799 Poho Place, Paia, (808) 579-9248; Executive Chef: Perry Bateman

BEST DESSERT

GOLD

Cheesecake Factory — 2301 Kalakaua Ave. # 113, 924-5001; Executive Chef: Steve Hessenflow

SILVER

JJ Bistro & French Pastry — 3447 Waialae Ave., 739-0993; Executive Chef: JJ Luangkhot

BRONZE

Roy's — 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., 396-7697; Executive Chef: Chris Garnier

FINALIST

Alan Wong's Restaurant — 1857 S. King St., Third Floor, 949-2526; Chef de Cuisine: Wade Ueoka

FINALIST

Café Laufer — 3565 Waialae Ave. #107, 735-7717; Executive Chef: Cyrus Goo

BEST CHINESE

GOLD

Little Village Noodle House — 1113 Smith St., 545-3008; Executive Chef: Kenneth Chan

SILVER

Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant — 1960 Kapiolani Blvd., 973-0168, Executive Chef: Bill Leung

BRONZE

Happy Days — 3553 Waialae Ave., 738-8666; Executive Chef: Lum Wong

FINALIST

Golden Duck — 1221 S. King St., 597-8088; Executive Chef: Wei Xian Lin

FINALIST

Pah Ke's, Kaneohe — 46-018 Kamehameha Hwy., 235-4505; Executive Chef: Raymond Siu

BEST TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN

GOLD

Ono Hawaiian Food — 726 Kapahulu Ave., 737-2275, Executive Chef: Vivian Lee

SILVER

Helena's Hawaiian Food — 1240 N. School St., 845-8044; Executive Chef: Craig Katsuyoshi

BRONZE

Highway Inn — 94-226 Leoku St., Waipahu, 677-4345; Executive Chef: Gary Toguchi

FINALIST

Haili's Hawaiian Foods — 760 Palani Ave., 735-8019, Executive Chef: Rachel Haili

FINALIST

Young's Fish Market — 1286 Kalani St., 841-4885, Executive Chef: Alan Young

BEST ITALIAN

GOLD

Assaggio — 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 1259, 942-3446; Executive Chef: Thomas Ky

SILVER

Auntie Pasto's — 1099 S. Beretania St., 523-8855

BRONZE

Café Sistina — 1314 S King St., 596-0061; Executive Chef: Sergio Mitrotti

FINALIST

Baci Bistro —30 Aulike St., Kailua , 262-7555; Executive Chef: Reza Azeri

FINALIST

Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar — 2233 Kalakaua Ave., Bldg. B, Ste., 922-3400; Executive Chef: Nick Sayada

BEST JAPANESE

GOLD

Tanaka of Tokyo — 131 Kaiulani Ave., 3rd Floor, 922-4233; Executive Chef: Brandon Naval

SILVER

Morimoto Waikiki — 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., 943-5900; Executive Chef: Jevic Acain

BRONZE

Nobu Waikiki — 2233 Helumoa Rd., 237-6999; Executive Chef: Robin Lee

FINALIST

Gaku Sushi Izakaya — 1329 S. King St., 589-1329; Executive Chef: Manabu Kikuchi

FINALIST

Sansei Seafood & Sushi Bar — 2552 Kalakaua Ave., 931-6286; Executive Chef: Roderick Dizor

BEST THAI

GOLD

Phuket Thai — 401 Kamakee St., Ste. 102, 591-8421; Executive Chef: Naret Sihavong

SILVER

Bangkok Chef — 2955 E. Manoa Rd., 988-0212; Executive Chef: Sansane Chang

BRONZE

Chiang Mai — 2239 S. King St., 941-1151; Executive Chef: Vincent Hu

FINALIST

Champa Thai — 3452 Waialae Ave., 732-0054

FINALIST

Thai Chef, Lahaina — 880 Front St., Ste. A12, Lahaina, (808) 667-2814

BEST FILIPINO

GOLD

Elena's Restaurant — 94-866 Moloalo St. #D4A, Waipahu, 676-8005

SILVER

Max's of Manila — 801 Dillingham Blvd., 951-6297; Executive Chef: Nestor Manimtim

BRONZE

Mabuhay Café & Restaurant — 1049 River St., 545-1956; Executive Chef: Rona Gadioan

FINALIST

Julie'Z Restaurant — 590 Farrington Hwy. # 532, Kapolei, 693-8778; Executive Chef: Julie Oasay

FINALIST

Thelma's Restaurant — 94-366 Pupupani St., Waipahu, 677-0443

BEST FRENCH

GOLD

Le Bistro — 5730 Kalanianaole Hwy., 373-7990; Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

SILVER

Chef Mavro — 1969 S. King St., 944-4714; Executive Chef: Chef Mavrothalassitis

BRONZE

La Mer — 2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311; Executive Chef: Vikgram Garg

FINALIST

Gerard's, Lahaina — 174 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, (808) 661-8939; Executive Chef: Gerard Reversade

FINALIST

Le Guignol — 1010 S. King St. # 108, 591-1809; Executive Chef: Travis Sutton

BEST GREEK

GOLD

Olive Tree Café — 4614 Kilauea Ave. #107, 737-0303

SILVER

The Fat Greek — 3040 Waialae Ave. #A3, 734-0404

BRONZE

Greek Marina — 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy. #E126, 396-8441; Executive Chef: Terek Guizuguis

FINALIST

Mediterranean Gourmet — 2970 E Manoa Rd., 988-8884

FINALIST

Pita Paradise — Piilani Highway at Wailea Ike Drive #108A, Wailea-Makena, (808) 879-7177; Executive Chef: John Arabatzis

BEST INDIAN

GOLD

India Café — 600 Kailua Rd., Kailua, 262-1800; Executive Chef: Jiva Segaran

SILVER

Café Maharani — 2509 South King St. , 951-7447; Executive Chefs: Christopher Rahman, Jocya Arfat and Nasrin Sultana

BRONZE

Himalayan Kitchen — 1137 11th Ave., 735-1122; Executive Chef: Suman Basnet

FINALIST

Café TajMahal — 3036 Waialae Ave. #B-4, 732-6496; Executive Chef: Kabir Chowdhury

FINALIST

Monsoon India, Kihei — 760 S Kihei Rd., Apt. 109, Kihei, (808) 875-6666

BEST KOREAN

GOLD

Sorabol — 805 Keeaumoku St., 947-3113

SILVER

Million Restaurant — 626 Sheridan St., 596-0799; Executive Chef: Chang Hyun Park

BRONZE

Kim Chee 2 — 3569 Waialae Ave. #104, 737-7733

FINALIST

Ah-Lang Restaurant — 725 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. C119, 596-0600; Executive Chef: Won Nam

FINALIST

Willow Tree Restaurant — 25 Kaneohe Bay Dr. #104, Kailua, 254-1139; Executive Chef: Alan Kirby

BEST MEXICAN

GOLD

Axteca Mexican Restaurant — 3617 Waialae Ave., 735-2492

SILVER

Cha Cha Cha Salsaria — 377 Keahole St. C-1A, 395-7797; Executive Chef: Laurie Kodama

BRONZE

Mexico Restaurant — 1247 N School St., 845-9059; Executive Chef: Jose Morales

FINALIST

Serg's Mexican Kitchen — 2740 East Manoa Rd., 988-8118; Executive Chef: Paco Jimenez

FINALIST

Zaratez Mexicatessen — 1637 Kapiolani Blvd.

BEST VIETNAMESE

GOLD

Hale Vietnam — 1140 12th Ave., 735-7581; Executive Chef: Joseph William

SILVER

Pho One — 1617 Kapiolani Blvd., 955-3438

BRONZE

Duc's Bistro — 1188 Maunakea St., 531-6325

FINALIST

Saigon Café —  1792 Main St., Wailuku, 243-9560; Executive Chef: Long Nguyen

FINALIST

Saigon Noodle House — 1020 Keolu Dr. #C1, Kailua, 261-2466

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