Da Spot Re-opens in Honolulu

More than a year after they shut down their humble Pumehana Street storefront and took over what was a golf shop, Ahmad and Ako Ramadan have reopened Da Spot as a full-fledged, stylish restaurant (though you still order at the counter).

Located on South King Street, across from the new Longs, the resurrected Da Spot has the same intensely spiced global cuisine (Thai basil veggies, lamb curry, Moroccan chicken—and a lot more), stuffed grape leaves, signature baklava and 34 different smoothies. Now it also serves sandwiches and house-made sorbets (created in three giant Carpigiani batch freezers).

And Da Spot has a whole new, stylish look, with orange walls, Middle Eastern lanterns and a tiled floor fit for a casbah.

Da Spot has long been my non-katsu plate lunch spot of choice. Last weekend I had a combo of Parmesan chicken and Egyptian chicken with brown rice and a piquant mango salad. Two meals worth of food for just 10 bucks. And the flavor was priceless. I had to also order my favorite smoothie—the Orange Sunset made with OJ, strawberries, bananas and a housemade lilikoi sorbet.

Right now Da Spot is in soft-opening phase. Come next week, the empty deli case will be stocked with cheeses, olives, hummus, mikhalil (Egyptian pickled eggplant) and other goodies that will alter your future potluck picnic plans.

Ahmad and Ako are the hardest-working people in the Honolulu food scene. In addition to their new home base—which will also soon feature live music—they will retain their University of Hawaii kiosk (vegetarian selections only), their presence at the KCC and Kailua Farmers’ Markets, their Waikiki spot in the Community Center on Ohua Street and catering. Plus they are raising three lovely, precocious kids. Phew.

Da Spot, 2469 S. King St., 941-1313