Hale Aina Award Winners 2009

BEST OAHU RESTAURANT

GOLD
Roy’s Restaurant
6600 Kalanianaole Highway
396-7697
Executive Chef: Ronald Nasuti

SILVER
Le Bistro   
5730 Kalanianaole Highway., Hawaii Kai
373-7990
Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

BRONZE
Hoku’s
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
5000 Kahala Ave.
739-8780
Executive Chef: Wayne Hirabayashi
   
FINALISTS
Chef Mavro 944-4714   
Nobu Waikiki 237-6999

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT 

GOLD
Lahaina Grill
127 Lahainaluna Road., Lahaina
(808) 667-5117
Executive Chef: Arnulfo Gonzalez

SILVER
Mama’s Fish House
799 Poho Place, Kuau
(808) 579-8488
Executive Chef: Perry Bateman
   
BRONZE
Haliimaile General Store
900 Haliimaile Road
(808) 572-2666
Executive Chef: Bev Gannon
   
FINALISTS
Roy’s Kihei (808) 891-1120
Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, multiple locations, (808) 669-6286

BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT

GOLD
Merriman’s
65-1227 Opelo Road, Kamuela
(808) 885-6822
Executive Chef/Owner: Peter Merriman
   
SILVER
Cafe Pesto
South Kohala Coast, Kawaihae Shopping Center, Kawaihae
(808) 882-1071
Executive Chef: Moses “Moki” Tavares
   
BRONZE
Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
250 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa
(808) 886-4321
Executive Chef: Jason Verdun
   
FINALISTS
Canoe House (808) 885-6622
Kilauea Lodge     (808) 967-7366

BEST KAUAI RESTAURANT  

GOLD
The Beach House Restaurant
5022 Lawai Road, Koloa
(808) 742-1424
Executive Chef: Todd Barrett

SILVER
Hamura’s Saimin Stand
2956 Kress St., Lihue,
(808) 245-3271
Executive Chef/owner: Nick Barcial

BRONZE
Roy’s Poipu Bar & Grill
2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa
(808) 742-5000
Executive Chef: Natt Dela Cruz

FINALISTS
Blossoming Lotus Kauai (Now Closed)
Mediterranean Gourmet Restaurant and Bar (808) 826-9875

BEST NEW OAHU RESTAURANT

GOLD
Tango Contemporary Cafe
1288 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 120
593-7288
Executive Chef/Owner: Goran Streng

SILVER
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Waikiki
2201 Kalakaua Ave.
628-6760
Executive Chef/ Culinary Partner: Larkspur Sanchez

BRONZE
Beachhouse
Westin Moana Surfrider Resort, 2365 Kalakaua Ave.
923-2861
Executive Chef: Rodney Uyehara

FINALISTS
Banana Leaf Italian Bistro 735-8833
Formaggio Grill, Kailua 263-2633

BEST NEW NEIGHBOR ISLAND RESTAURANT

GOLD
Merriman’s Kapalua
Address: 1 Bay Club Place, Kapalua, Maui
Phone: (808) 669-6400
Executive Chef: Philip Wang

SILVER
Sansei Waikoloa
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive #H, Waikoloa, Big Island
(808) 886-6286
Executive Chef: Eric Rouelle

BRONZE
Mala Wailea
3700 Wailea Alanui Drive, Kihei, Maui
(808) 875-9394
Executive Chef: Corey Waite

FINALISTS
Lanai City Grille (808) 565-7211
The Melting Pot of Lahaina (808) 661-6181

BEST WINE PROGRAM

GOLD
Formaggio Wine Bar
2919 Kapiolani  Blvd.
739-7719
Master Sommelier: Roberto Viernes

SILVER
Vino
500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 6D-1
524-8466
Master Sommelier: Chuck Furuya

BRONZE
Chef Mavro 944-4714
1969 S. King St.
944-4714
Chef de Cuisine: Kevin Chong

FINALISTS
Amuse    237-5428
Lahaina Grill 667-5117

BEST BAR

GOLD
Mai Tai Bar
Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Third Level
947-2900
General Manager: Francine Cekada

SILVER
Ryan’s Grill
1200 Ala Moana Blvd.
591-9132
General Manager: Charlotte Alvarez

BRONZE
Duke’s Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua Ave. #116
922-2268
Executive Chef: Keith Kong

FINALISTS
Side Street Inn 591-0253
RumFire 922-4422

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS

GOLD
Duke’s Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua Ave. #116
922-2268
Executive Chef: Keith Kong

SILVER
Hau Tree Lanai
Address: 2863 Kalakaua Ave.
Phone: 921-7066
Executive Chef: Rene Caba

BRONZE
Roy’s Restaurant
6600 Kalanianaole Highway.
396-7697
Executive Chef: Ronald Nasuti

FINALISTS    
Alan Wong’s 949-2526
Chai’s Island Bistro 585-0011

BEST ROMANTIC DINING

GOLD
Michel’s
2895 Kalakaua Ave.
923-6552
Executive Chef: Eberhard “Hardy” Kintscher

SILVER
La Mer
Halekulani  Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
923-2311 
Chef de Cuisine: Yves Garnier

BRONZE
Hoku’s 
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
5000 Kahala Ave.
739-8780 
Executive Chef: Wayne Hirabayashi

FINALISTS
Aaron’s 955-4466
Hy’s Steakhouse 922-5555

BEST BISTRO/NEW
AMERICAN CUISINE

GOLD
Le Bistro
5730 Kalanianaole Highway
373-7990 
Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

SILVER
Town
3435 Waialae Ave.
735-5900
Chef de Cuisine: Dave Caldiero

BRONZE
Chai’s Island Bistro
1 Aloha Tower Market Place
585-0011
Executive Chef: Chai Chaowasaree

FINALISTS
Lahaina Grill (808) 667-5117
12th Ave. Grill 732-9469

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

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

SILVER
Fook Yuen Chinese Seafood Restaurant
1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 200
973-0168
Executive Chef: Bill Leung

BRONZE
PF Chang’s China Bistro
1288 Ala Moana Blvd.
596-4710
Executive Chef: Stefan Arai

FINALISTS
Pah Ke’s 235-4505
Legend Seafood Restaurant Beretania 532-1868 or Waikiki Trade Center 926-8999

BEST HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT

GOLD
Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahulu Ave.
737-2275
Executive Chef: Vivian Lee

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

BRONZE
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
1240 N. School St.
845-8044
Executive Chef: Craig Katsuyoshi

FINALISTS
The Willows 952-9200
Young’s Fish Market 841-4885

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

GOLD
Assaggio’s
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #1259
942-3446
Executive Chefs: Thomas Ky and Simon Cheung

SILVER
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
1450 Ala Moana Blvd. #4240
Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace
356-8300
Executive Chef: Michael Longworth

BRONZE
Paesano
2752 Woodlawn Drive
988-5923
Executive Chef: Gerry Quach

FINALISTS
Auntie Pasto’s 523-8855
Café Sistina 596-0061

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

GOLD
Tanaka of Tokyo
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace
945-3443
Executive Chef: Brandt Nishimura

SILVER
Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant
1824 S. King St.
949-4584
Executive Chef: Willie Okimoto

BRONZE
Nobu Waikiki
2233 Helumoa Road
237-6999
Executive Chefs: Lindsey Ozawa and Yoshio Ono

FINALISTS
Yanagi Sushi 597-1525
Hakone 944-4494

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

GOLD
Phuket Thai Restaurant
1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 109
942-8194
Executive Chef: Khankeo Phanphongsa

SILVER
Keo’s in Waikiki
2028 Kuhio Ave.
951-9355
Executive Chef/Owner: Keo Sananikone

BRONZE
Mekong II
1726 S. King St.
941-6184
Executive Chef: Jean Hu

FINALISTS
Champa Thai 488-2881, multiple locations
Chiang Mai 941-1151

BEST SPICY

GOLD
Sorabol
805 Keeaumoku St.
947-3113
Executive Chef: Chongrak Suh

SILVER
Phuket Thai Restaurant
1960 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 109
942-8194
Executive Chef: Khankeo Phanphongsa

BRONZE
Spices
2671 S. King St., Suite D
949-2679
Executive Chef: Sam Li

FINALISTS
Cafe Maharani Indian Restaurant 951-7447
Green Door Café 533-0606

BEST DESSERTS

GOLD
Cheesecake Factory
2301 Kalakaua Ave.
924-5001
Executive Chef: Steve Hessenflow

SILVER
JJ’s Bistro & French Pastry
3447 Waialae Ave.
739-0993
Executive Chef/Owner: JJ Luangkhot

BRONZE
Roy’s Restaurant
6600 Kalanianaole Highway
396-7697
Executive Chef: Ronald Nasuti

FINALISTS
Alan Wong’s Restaurant 949-2526
Cafe Laufer 735-7717

BEST RESTAURANT FOR
A BIG GROUP

GOLD
Buca di Beppo
Ward Centre,
1030 Auahi St.
591-0880
Executive Chef: Amy Johnson

SILVER
The Willows
901 Hausten St.
952-9200
Executive Chef: Jay Matsukawa

BRONZE
Prince Court
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
100 Holomoana St.
944-4494
Executive Chef: Khamtan Tanhchaleun

FINALISTS
Sam Choy’s 545-7979   
Mediterranean Gourmet (808) 826-9875

BEST RESTAURANT FOR
BUSINESS LUNCH

GOLD
Mariposa
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2101
951-3420
Chef de Cuisine: Marc Anthony Freiberg

SILVER
Pineapple Room
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Macy’s, third floor
945-6573
Executive Chef: Lance Kosaka

BRONZE
Downtown @ HiSAM
Hawaii State Art Museum
250 S. Hotel St.
536-5900
Chef de Cuisine: Steve Brown

FINALISTS
Kincaid’s 591-2005
Indigo Eurasian Restaurant & Bar 521-2900

BEST BRUNCH

GOLD
Orchids
Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
923-2311
Executive Chef: Daryl Fujita

SILVER
Prince Court
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
100 Holomoana St.
944-4494
Executive Chef: Khamtan Tanhchaleun

BRONZE
Hoku’s
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
5000 Kahala Ave.
739-8780
Executive Chef: Wayne Hirabayashi

FINALISTS
Plumeria Beach House 739-8780
Mariposa 951-3420

BEST AMBIENCE

GOLD
Michel’s
2895 Kalakaua Ave.
923-6552
Executive Chef: Eberhard “Hardy” Kintscher

SILVER
Orchids
Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
923-2311
Executive Chef: Daryl Fujita

BRONZE
Hy’s Steakhouse
2440 Kuhio Ave.
922-5555
Executive Chef: Zack Inouye

FINALISTS
La Mer 923-2311
Chef Mavro 944-4714

BEST SERVICE

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

SILVER
La Mer   
Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
923-2311 
Chef de Cuisine: Yves Garnier

BRONZE
Chef Mavro
1969 S. King St.
944-4714
Chef de Cuisine: Kevin Chong

FINALISTS
Hoku’s 739-8780
Ruth’s Chris Steak House 599-3860

BEST LITTLE RESTAURANT YOU LOVE

GOLD
Le Bistro
5730 Kalanianaole Highway, Hawaii Kai
373-7990
Executive Chef: Alan Takasaki

SILVER
Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St.
545-3008
Chef de Cuisine: Kenneth Chan

BRONZE
Town  
3435 Waialae Ave.
735-5900
Executive Chef: Dave Caldiero

FINALISTS
Olive Tree Café 737-0303
Baci Bistro  262-7555

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT

GOLD
Hoku’s 
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
5000 Kahala Ave.
739-8780 
Executive Chef: Wayne Hirabayashi

SILVER
La Mer
Halekulani  Hotel
2199 Kalia  Road
923-2311 
Chef de Cuisine: Yves Garnier
 
BRONZE
Orchids
Halekulani  Hotel
2199 Kalia  Rd.
923-2311 
Executive Chef: Daryl Fujita

FINALISTS
Mac 24/7 921-5564
Nobu Waikiki 237-6999