Hale ‘Aina Happenings: What’s New With Hawai‘i Restaurants in November 2017
New Italian prix fixe at Top of Waikīkī, Southern comfort food at 12th Ave Grill and dessert-inspired chocolate at Hy’s.
New Italian prix fixe with a view at Top of Waikīkī
Photo: Courtesy of Top of Waikīkī
Italian Cuisine-Inspired Prix Fixe at Top of Waikīkī
Top of Waikīkī’s revolving special, available through the end of November, is an Italian cuisine-inspired prix fixe. Start off with an Italian chopped salad with burrata, Ma‘o Farms sassy mix and artichoke with lemon vinaigrette. The main course is osso bucco, braised oxtail served with garlic risotto. The meal ends with a Maraschino-cherry-cream-filled cannoli served with vanilla affogato. Cost is $55 per person.
2270 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 923-3877, topofwaikiki.com
New Sunset Pau Hana Prix Fixe Menu at Roy’s Ko ʻOlina
Photo: Courtesy of Craig Bixel
Watch the sunset on the West Side with a three-course, prix fixe meal at Roy’s Ko Olina. Begin with local ʻahi, Japanese hamachi and organic king salmon, followed by a petite filet mignon and seared colossal shrimp. Finish off with Roy’s chocolate decadence for dessert. Cost is $46 per person or $56 per person with wine pairings. Available daily from 5 to 6 p.m.
92-1220 Aliʻinui Drive, Kapolei, (808) 676-7697, royshawaii.com
New Smoked Meat Dishes at Vino
Chef Keith Endo has a new toy—a smoker—at Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar, and he’s been busy playing with it. He’s serving two new dishes featuring smoked meat on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the restaurant. Try the BLT with kiawe-smoked bacon or street tacos featuring applewood-smoked brisket. First come, first served.
500 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 524-8466, vinohawaii.com
New Libations at Moku Kitchen
Photo: Courtesy of Moku Kitchen
Moku Kitchen released its latest cocktail, the Kō Hana Hou. (We love the name!) It’s made with Kō Hana Kea rum, Velvet Falernum, Giffard orgeat, lime and Clement d’orange foam. Available now.
660 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 591-6658, mokukitchen.com
Shrimp and Grits for Sunday Supper at 12th Ave Grill
The weekly Sunday Supper event at 12th Ave Grill goes Southern on Nov. 19, with a menu featuring Baja Gulf white shrimp and Anson Mills blue-corn grits, pickled Ho Farms okra, bacon-braised collard greens and a Hau‘ula tomato salad. For dessert, enjoy classic beignets made with Mānoa Chocolate. Dinner runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Cost is $32 per person.
1120 12th Ave., (808) 732-9469, 12thavegrill.com
New dishes at Agu Ramen Bistro
Photo: Courtesy of Agu Ramen Bistro
Tomato ramen is the newest dish on the Agu Bistro menu. (The ramen-ya served this at our Hale ‘Aina Awards award in September.) Also, back at all locations are Kurobuta sausage, ikageso (cuttlefish legs), iidako (seasoned baby octopus) and cheek-a-bu croquette.
Multiple locations, aguramen.com
Lūʻau Burger Back at Koko Head Café
For a limited time, the popular lūʻau burger—with local beef, pork and lūʻau leaves fried into a burger—is back on the menu at the brunch spot. Order it with a sunny-side-up egg and miso-smoked pork for a next-level experience.
1145 12th Ave., (808) 732-8920, kokoheadcafe.com
Dessert-inspired chocolates at Hy’s Steakhouse
Photo: Courtesy of Hy’s Steakhouse
Hy’s Steakhouse, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has unveiled new chocolate truffles inspired by its popular desserts, bananas Foster and cherries jubilee. Get a four-piece box, which also includes the Hy’s logo Le Noir truffle and a matcha-flavored praline, for $15. The eight-piece box, which has all the flavors in the smaller box along with a coconut-flavored truffle and one with Irish coffee, for $25.
2440 Kūhiō Ave., (808) 922-5555, hyswaikiki.com
Plantation Rum and Pau Vodka Featured at Mahina & Sun’s
Every Tuesday, Mahina & Sun’s offers samples of select craft beers, wines or spirits unique to the Islands, curated by bar lead Robert Bidigare. On Nov. 21, the restaurant will showcase Plantation Rum in specially made cocktails. On Nov. 28, Pau Vodka will be the featured purveyor with craft cocktails using the local spirit. The tastings are free and open to the public. No reservations are required.
412 Lewers St., (808) 924-5810, mahinaandsuns.com
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