Yard House

Best for: Happy Hour, Beer, American food
Location: Waikiki

making chicken lettuce wraps

I didn't think I would ever step foot in Yard House. I don't remember exactly who instilled such an unflattering picture of Yard House into my mind so early on, but the image of a trashy, crew cut military-infested bar deterred me from ever coming, and instead convinced me to remain on the opposite side of Lewers Street and go to two of my favorites, Nobu and Lewers Lounge.

When Anthony suggested we head over to Yard House last week, I did my best to mask the initial repulsion I felt and agreed to go since his friend works there, and I always have a good time with Anthony regardless of location.

pepperoni and mushroom pizza

Most people come for the huge selection of beers on tap. The only beer I'm really passionate about is lambic (if you're one of my Reedie friends, you probably remember just how passionate I am about my pêche lambic), so places like Yard House are somewhat of a waste on me. However, I tried a pint of white ale and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Alright, Yard House, anything else you'd like to teach me about myself? 

a half-consumed serving of buffalo wings

 Anthony and I shared three dishes:

1. Chicken lettuce wraps: stir-fried chicken, smoked tofu, pine nuts and green onions served with three dipping sauces and lettuce for wrapping. This was one of the more interesting [and fun to eat] dishes on the menu. I'm still trying to get over the fact that the Vietnamese are not the only people who wrap things in lettuce. However, you know what I'm going to say next: the Vietnamese obviously do it best.
2. Buffalo wings. These wings were just spicy enough. There's not much you can hate about buffalo wings. And it's pretty much the only thing that I will gladly eat with ranch dressing.
3. Pepperoni and crimini mushroom pizza. According to Anthony, even bad pizza is good. I'd agree but I've definitely had inedible pizza. In St. Louis, if I recall correctly. Fortunately, the pizza at Yard House is much better, with a nice thin crust that's perfect for folding the slice like a proper New York wannabe.

We came during happy hour, so everything was half off; otherwise, each dish would be about $12. For that price, I still would rather go to one of the many Japanese restaurants located on basically every block in Waikiki, but that's just my unabashedly Asian-centric taste talking. However, Yard House definitely confirmed a fact about myself that, deep down, I always knew: sometimes I am too judgmental for my own good. Maybe I should stop judging all the tourists from the Mainland who dine here and accept the fact that Yard House offers standard but satisfying American food, generous portions (we had food coma after sharing only three appetizers), and lots and lots of good beer. What's so wrong about that?

Doraku

Best for: Americanized Japanese food
Location: Waikiki

 

Doraku isn't very authentic, but this sushi chain from Miami offers exactly what I expect of anything from South Beach: a fun environment. (Florida should really stick to Caribbean food and leave the Asian to us.) Located on the third floor of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, some of the tables are located on an outside patio and overlook the Royal Grove - perfect for dates, while the rest of the seating remains inside - perfect for parties. There are a variety of seating options here: some square tables, high bars, and booths that can seat 4 people. As someone currently in an urban planning phase, I think more mid-range restaurants (and cities) should adopt this - diversity is always better.

Lara and her pickled vegetables

Mariah had the misoyaki butterfish ($13.50), and since butterfish happens to be my favorite fish, I helped myself to her plate. It was pretty good - not the best I've ever had, but it's miso butterfish, so you can't really go wrong.

red dragon roll

I decided to order something that I would never order at an authentic Japanese restaurant: the red dragon roll ($13.50). As American as you can get. I was pleasantly surprised by the different flavors and textures of the spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and avocado, topped with unagi, red tobiko, tobiko sauce, and spicy aioli. It wasn't spicy enough for me, but that's because I like my food hot. The sushi definitely isn't as well-made as most places in Hawaii, but the prices are great, the crowd is lively, and the location can't be beat.

Apartm3nt

Best for: Happy Hour, Drinks
Location: Century Center
Foodgasmic dish: Bombay Passion (cocktail)

$5 pizza

Lounges that actually serve good food blow my mind. Apartm3nt is a bit awkward - it's located in the same building as my old piano teacher, and for a while Erin and I weren't sure how to order - but once we got past all that, we had a great time here.

$5 happy hour

It's a pretty dressy place, at least by Hawaii standards. During happy hour, food is half off, which means $5 pizzas. I've heard complaints about their other dishes, but I am a big fan of their pizza. Cocktails are also $5, and my bombay passion (Bombay Sapphire, raspberries, passion fruit, and vanilla) was so good that I didn't even bother to try a different cocktail and instead ordered it again.

There are supposed to be different rooms for dancing and playing pool, but we were having such a good time eating that we forgot to explore. However, the bathroom is another story. While the rest of the lounge is beautiful, the bathroom, while designed to be just as classy, is not maintained at all. It was as disgusting as a nightclub on Kuhio. Work on that, Apartm3nt, because I'd like to come back.

Edge of Waikiki

Best for: Happy Hour, View
Location: Sheraton Waikiki

$5 cocktails

The Edge of Waikiki is the poor man's Mai Tai Bar. The drinks are not quite as fancy, the view is not quite as breathtaking, even the hotel is not quite as nice (Sheraton vs. Royal Hawaiian). However, at five bucks during happy hour, who cares if the cocktails are served in disposable plastic cups when you can still stare out into the Pacific Ocean?

Mariah's first mai tai!

Amuse Wine Bar

Best for: Wine tasting
Location: Honolulu Design Center

Amuse seems like it would be a great date place. It's a wine bar at which you purchase a prepaid card that allows you to taste different wines at the push of a button. There are over 80 wine dispensers that pour one ounce samplings - feel free to hold the button longer if you want more than one ounce. Enough cabernet, chardonnay, pinot noir, and riesling to keep you happy. I had (too much) fun with the moscato.

They also serve food (dinner and happy hour), but I come for the wine. Next door is Stage Restaurant, which I need to try some time.

Top of Waikiki

Best for: Happy hour, Late-nite, View
Location: Waikiki

gorgeous views of Waikiki, whether you come before the sun sets or after

The Top of Waikiki is Hawaii's only revolving restaurant. Located at the top of the Waikiki Business Plaza, this three-tiered restaurant offers a 360-degree view of Waikiki and much of Honolulu. The hour-long revolution is slow enough so that you barely feel the rotation, but sure enough, especially after a few cocktails, eventually you'll wonder why you are suddenly facing the mountains instead of the ocean.

I've been here four times, at three different times of the day. The first time was the only time I came for an actual meal (dessert), so I was seated at a table on the edge of the top tier, close to the bar. Dessert is okay. I had the Candy Bar, which is exactly what it is: a glorified deconstructed candy bar... Twix, perhaps. Not the most memorable dish, but who cares what you're eating when you have a view like this?

The next two times I went were for the 5-7 pm happy hour, which offers $4 martinis and $7 appetizers. You are only allowed to sit at the bar for happy hour, which is at the very center of the top tier. None of the appetizers are very memorable, even though the chef is obviously trying to be innovative. However, for the price, it is certainly a good deal. The 5-7 happy hour is packed, mostly with tourists in their 40s and above. Not exactly my kind of crowd, which is why my fourth time coming to the Top of Waikiki was the best.

A couple of months ago, I returned with Mariah for the 9-11 pm happy hour. Just like the 5-7 pm one, martinis and appetizers are cheap. The main difference is that, instead of swarming with old people, the bar is now almost empty. As someone who values privacy and good service, I will now only be coming at this time. The bartenders are much more attentive and friendly this late in the night, which usually means you can order cocktails that aren't even on the happy hour menu for the same $4 price. Love it!

Panya Bistro

Best for: Happy Hour, Japanese pastries
Location: Ala Moana

Japanese cheesecake and a mango-tini

I can't stand eating in shopping mall food courts (unless I'm in Singapore), so Panya Bistro is my default place when I get hungry for a snack. The atmosphere is chic, their Japanese pastry selection is large, and the food is a good deal.

On Sundays and Mondays they have all-day happy hours, which is kind of ridiculous. $5 cocktails and $5 appetizers. The cocktails are okay; the happy hour cocktails at Plumeria and Hiroshi are much better. Stay away from the martinis - they're basically sugary slush. The mojitos aren't too bad, but pretty weak.

strawberry lemondrop martini

$5 lychee mojito

As for appetizers, I usually order the gyoza, which, again, is only okay. The best food at Panya has to be the desserts. Their Japanese cheesecake reminds me that Asians do, in fact, make everything better. They also have a huge selection of bread pastries at the front. 
 

Japanese cheesecake with cream