Going to Aulani -- Let's list places to eat

[lovetotraveltx]

I guess it wouldn't be too bad to spend a couple of days at Disneyland on the way home after Aulani. Too bad the airlines won't let you have a 48 hoûr layover!

Some airlines will let you count a few nights as a layover!

 

[aboveH20]

Some airlines will let you count a few nights as a layover!

Hmmmmmm. Worth looking into.

 

[psimon]

Some airlines will let you count a few nights as a layover!

For my trip in a few weeks, I just booked two flights.... a red eye out of Maui into LAX, arriving 4:44AM on a Thursday morning, and then a red eye out of LAX at 11:50PM on Friday. 2 almost full days of DL.... if we don't crash from the time change coming back east first!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Saralyn]

We really liked Naupaka Terrace at the JW Marriott next door. I thought their selection and prices were better than anything at Aulani. It's open air seating with a view of their pool and the ocean. We ate dinner there twice and were very pleased with our meals both times.

http://www.ihilani.com/Oahu-Hawaii-Restaurants/Napupaka-Terrace-18.html

 

[aboveH20]

For my trip in a few weeks, I just booked two flights.... a red eye out of Maui into LAX, arriving 4:44AM on a Thursday morning, and then a red eye out of LAX at 11:50PM on Friday. 2 almost full days of DL.... if we don't crash from the time change coming back east first!

---Paul in Southern NJ

Creative scheduling!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Enjoying this thread. Some dining questions, please.

Has anyone done the afternoon tea at the hotel where The House Without a Key restaurant is, (Halekulani)? Or any other afternoon tea on the Island.

Also, what's a good place to get flavored pancakes, ie, pineapple, banana...

Any Puka Dogs on Oahu?

Most reasonably-priced good seafood close to Aulani?

Thank you!


Thank you!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Bump

 

[momofthreeangels]

Just tacos across the street was a complete disappointment! Worst food we ate on our trip......

 

[aboveH20]

After finally deciding on the Polynesian Cultural Center's luau, my husband mentioned that last time he went to Hawaii (pre me) he went to the luau at Hale Koa to meet an army buddy. He's a sentimental type, so I know he'd like to go back there. Anyone been to both and have thoughts?

 

[stitchgal]

We are coming on the 10th of August! I've read through the thread but anymore recommendations for plate lunches or local type places? Thanks.

We plan to do Duke's on Waikki, never been to this location but we've had great meals at the one on Maui and in California.

 

[Halle]

We are coming on the 10th of August! I've read through the thread but anymore recommendations for plate lunches or local type places? Thanks.

We plan to do Duke's on Waikki, never been to this location but we've had great meals at the one on Maui and in California.

We ate at the Yardhouse @ Waikki, food was 100 percent better than Dukes.

 

[psimon]

We ate at the Yardhouse @ Waikki, food was 100 percent better than Dukes.

Not that I put a lot of stock in Yelp, but I noticed that Dukes has 4 stars and Yardhouse has 3.5.

What do you think Yardhouse is better? (Doing my research for our trip in a few weeks )

Thanks

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Halle]

Not that I put a lot of stock in Yelp, but I noticed that Dukes has 4 stars and Yardhouse has 3.5.

What do you think Yardhouse is better? (Doing my research for our trip in a few weeks )

Thanks

---Paul in Southern NJ

The food, service and the atmosphere at the Yardhouse were fantastic. Dukes reminded me of a place that tour buses stop at. No attention to detail. There is a buffet at Dukes which we did not take of advantage of.

Loved, loved, loved Monkey Pods which is across the street from Aulani. We also loved Roy's (upscale dining). Ate at MonkeyPods 4 times and Roy's twice. Ama Ama for lunch excellent food, horrible service. Have a great trip.

 

[carissa1970]

The food, service and the atmosphere at the Yardhouse were fantastic. Dukes reminded me of a place that tour buses stop at. No attention to detail. There is a buffet at Dukes which we did not take of advantage of.

Loved, loved, loved Monkey Pods which is across the street from Aulani. We also loved Roy's (upscale dining). Ate at MonkeyPods 4 times and Roy's twice. Ama Ama for lunch excellent food, horrible service. Have a great trip.

What type of food is Monkey Pods? I don't remember seeing that place when we were there at Thanksgiving. Thanks!

 

[Saralyn]

What type of food is Monkey Pods? I don't remember seeing that place when we were there at Thanksgiving. Thanks!

http://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/ko-olina/dinner-menu/

Also, they have great deals at happy hour:
http://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/ko-olina/happy-hour/

 

[Dean]

The food, service and the atmosphere at the Yardhouse were fantastic. Dukes reminded me of a place that tour buses stop at. No attention to detail. There is a buffet at Dukes which we did not take of advantage of.

Loved, loved, loved Monkey Pods which is across the street from Aulani. We also loved Roy's (upscale dining). Ate at MonkeyPods 4 times and Roy's twice. Ama Ama for lunch excellent food, horrible service. Have a great trip.

I must admit that I found Duke's Waikiki good but not great the one time I've gone. I haven't tried the Hula grill in Waikiki. I very much enjoy the Maui and Kauai Duke's locations but my favorites are Leilani's Maui and Keoki's Paradise Kauai. I find Hula grill Maui hit or miss and I'm not sure if I've eaten at Kimo's. Of those Keoki's is my favorite. One hint, generally they will let you use the widely available discount of a free piece of Hula pie with the early bird specials. Another hint, Keoki's had Mint chocolate Hula pie in addition to the normal one last time we were there.

Hopefully DVC will get with the program and expand it's holdings in HI.

 

[stitchgal]

I must admit that I found Duke's Waikiki good but not great the one time I've gone. I haven't tried the Hula grill in Waikiki. I very much enjoy the Maui and Kauai Duke's locations but my favorites are Leilani's Maui and Keoki's Paradise Kauai. I find Hula grill Maui hit or miss and I'm not sure if I've eaten at Kimo's. Of those Keoki's is my favorite. One hint, generally they will let you use the widely available discount of a free piece of Hula pie with the early bird specials. Another hint, Keoki's had Mint chocolate Hula pie in addition to the normal one last time we were there.

Hopefully DVC will get with the program and expand it's holdings in HI.

I've never had a bad meal at a Duke's. Kimo's on Maui was good when we went. I believe that they only have a buffet on the weekends? I love the hula pie-mint choclate, yum! Thanks for the tip on the free hula pie!

 

[bnk1120]

We ate at Monkey pod twice. I made same day ressies so we wouldn't have to wait. Loved the ravioli appetizer and the Mahi Mahi fish and chips! Nice to just walk over and back without having to drive anywhere.

 

[hopey1kenobi]

After finally deciding on the Polynesian Cultural Center's luau, my husband mentioned that last time he went to Hawaii (pre me) he went to the luau at Hale Koa to meet an army buddy. He's a sentimental type, so I know he'd like to go back there. Anyone been to both and have thoughts?

I've been to both & both were really good. The experiences are completely different though.

The Hale Koa is a traditional Luau with entertainment, drinks & ono (delicious) food. It's relatively cheaper than the other, bigger luau's & is has fewer ppl in attendence for each seating. I would rec it over Germaine's, Paradise Cove & Chief's.

The PCC is (can be) an all day excursion. The PCC itself is a museum/park of sorts that you can easily spend all day at. The "Luau" portion is okay, but it is not the 'traditional' Luau you would expect. The food is delish & there is entertainment while you eat. To round out the "package" after dinner there is the "Ha: Breath of Life" show, which I can't praise enough; it is outstanding.

It really depends on what type of experience you want.

 

[aboveH20]

I've been to both & both were really good. The experiences are completely different though.

The Hale Koa is a traditional Luau with entertainment, drinks & ono (delicious) food. It's relatively cheaper than the other, bigger luau's & is has fewer ppl in attendence for each seating. I would rec it over Germaine's, Paradise Cove & Chief's.

The PCC is (can be) an all day excursion. The PCC itself is a museum/park of sorts that you can easily spend all day at. The "Luau" portion is okay, but it is not the 'traditional' Luau you would expect. The food is delish & there is entertainment while you eat. To round out the "package" after dinner there is the "Ha: Breath of Life" show, which I can't praise enough; it is outstanding.

It really depends on what type of experience you want.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Last time I went to Hawaii I saw Don Ho but didn't get to the PCC (so now you have an idea how long it's been). I definitely want to go to the PCC this time. The after dinner show sounds intriguing.

My prime interest in Hale Koa is that my husband (he's a bit older than I) went there when he was on r'n'r from Vietnam and even though he doesn't remember it, he likes to return to places he's been before whereas I like to go to places I've never been to before!