Food at Aulani

[RivGirl]

@RivGirl great food report! I've been looking at a lot of menus and haven't been impressed by the food at the price points so your detailed review is very helpful. I'm likely going to mostly buy grab and go/prepared stuff since we have the kitchen.

Did you stay at the Embassy Suites? There are a couple places I'd like to visit in Waikiki, but not sure about the parking. There's a very basic restaurant in Hilton Hawaiian Village that holds intrinsic value to me and I'm trying to work in a happy hour/sunset meal.

We did stay at the Embassy Suites, for three nights, before moving to Aulani for four. Parking was valet only (no self park) and $60-something/day. I think there are other self park public garages around if you just want to come in for the day, but since we were parked at ES I didn't make myself aware of them.

 

[WinterSolider]

@RivGirl great food report! I've been looking at a lot of menus and haven't been impressed by the food at the price points so your detailed review is very helpful. I'm likely going to mostly buy grab and go/prepared stuff since we have the kitchen.

Did you stay at the Embassy Suites? There are a couple places I'd like to visit in Waikiki, but not sure about the parking. There's a very basic restaurant in Hilton Hawaiian Village that holds intrinsic value to me and I'm trying to work in a happy hour/sunset meal.

There's plenty of affordable parking in and around Honolulu/Waikiki.

After hiking Diamond Head, we usually get metered parking near Leonard's and then validated parking at either the International Market Place garage or the Royal Hawaiian Center garage. It's extremely cheap with validation.

EDIT: I just checked my credit card statement. The parking meter by Leonard's was $1.50 and the parking at International Market Place was $2.00.

 

[tikisunset77]

I just have to add - the malasadas from Olelo were perfection. Ridiculously expensive 4 bucks a piece but they were delish. We usually pick up some from Leonard's food truck in Waikele but it was nice they have them now at Aulani.

 

[RivGirl]

I just have to add - the malasadas from Olelo were perfection. Ridiculously expensive 4 bucks a piece but they were delish. We usually pick up some from Leonard's food truck in Waikele but it was nice they have them now at Aulani.

Agreed! We had both Leonard’s and Olelo, and even though all Olelo has are the plain ones, I think they compete evenly with Leonard’s plain. Really enjoyed the stuffed custard varieties from Leonard’s, though.

The price must have gone up since you were there last, because Aulani malasadas are now $5 per

 

[TDK44]

This has all been said here, but will reiterate:

• Mina's Fish House at the Four Seasons is excellent, and if you're looking for fine dining in Ko Olina, this would be my top recommendation
• Ama Ama was pretty, but not on par with Mina's in terms of quality + value (both expensive, but Mina's is more "worth it")
• Sitting at the bar at the Olelo Room was the highlight for me -- amazing sashimi, and the bartenders there are incredibly talented
• Worth getting a Mai Tai at Monkeypod, and the food is above average for something easy and casual

 

[WinterSolider]

Agreed! We had both Leonard’s and Olelo, and even though all Olelo has are the plain ones, I think they compete evenly with Leonard’s plain. Really enjoyed the stuffed custard varieties from Leonard’s, though.

The price must have gone up since you were there last, because Aulani malasadas are now $5 per

The real star at Leonard's is the pao doce, which is a Portuguese sausage and sweet bread pig in a blanket.