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

[lovetotraveltx]

Can you get Puka dogs somewhere on Oahu. Got them on Kauai on our last trip and they were awesome!

 

[hopey1kenobi]

Can you get Puka dogs somewhere on Oahu. Got them on Kauai on our last trip and they were awesome!

Yep, Hula Dogs http://huladoghawaii.com/. Always busy, but always tasty!

 

[aboveH20]

I may have to extend my trip if I'm going to work in all the meals I have planned!

Thanks to all who continue to share.

 

[cmstpierre]

We will be staying at Aulani for our 10 year wedding anniversary in December. Still trying to decide between 5 nights at Aulani and 3 nights in Maui or 8 nights at Aulani. (We stayed on Maui/Kauai, and in Honolulu for our honeymoon 10 years ago.)

One of the things we give up by not going to Maui is reliving the honeymoon, dining at the same restaurants, etc. So - what are the options for special occasion dining in or around Aulani?

What I'd really like to do is private cabana dining on the beach -- is there anywhere that offers this? I've read through almost all of this thread -- and took notes!! -- but I didn't see anything like this mentioned. I am definitely looking for something more than Roy's -- we used to have one here, and we went there for anniversaries 1-4. We will visit the one on the island -- with the rest of our traveling party that includes our 3 and 5 year olds, and my mom and dad - but what I really want is that special night out for just the two of us.

Thanks for any ideas!!

 

[Susan2771]

We just returned from celebrating our 10 year anniversary at Aulani and we did not find any venues that do the private dining on the beach like you are describing. All the beaches on Oahu are public beaches and I don't think alcohol is allowed for public consumption on the beaches. It's hard to do the romantic private dining experience on the beach with those types of restrictions to work around.

The Royal Hawaiian which is a luxury property does have a oceanfront cabana dining experience which can be arranged through their Azure Restaurant.

 

[cmstpierre]

The Royal Hawaiian which is a luxury property does have a oceanfront cabana dining experience which can be arranged through their Azure Restaurant.

Happy Anniversary to you! Thanks, I will check out Royal Hawaiian. Private oceanfront dining sounds just as lovely, doesn't need to be on the beach.

 

[TALB]

Does anyone have a suggestion as to where to eat on Xmas Eve or Day? Does the resort offer anything special those days? Would it be a good day to go into Waikaki?

 

[gonzalj1]

Just back - some reviews


AMA AMA - we thought this was an excellent meal. DW had the lamb and I had the pork chop. Both were excellent. The polenta that came with my pork was a little on the grainy side for me but DW loved it. The mashed potatoes were awesome and the asparagus was well done.

The ambiance was amazing. We had dinner while watching a Hawaiian sunset. Gorgeous. Service was attentive without being intrusive.

Off the Hook - we had lunch here. Typical casual fare. No on complained but no one asked to go back either. I had a burger that was decent, DW had a grilled veggie sandwich which she said was good. Service is on Island Time.

Olelo room - we had drinks and munches here one night. The wings were good, the nachos passable and the drinks strong. Service was adequate.

Makahiki - the big disappointment of the trip. The night before we asked to take a look at the buffet and thought everything looked great. Looks can be deceiving. The only thing that I enjoyed on then buffet were the crab legs.

Rainbow Drive In - great loco moco with a major wait at lunch time. 20 minutes in line followed by a 10 minute wait for your food turns out to be worth it!

Leonard's bakery - awesome! We had one of everything and enjoyed them all. My personal favorite was the sweet and sour.

MonkeyPod - the only place we returned to. The pizza was good. DW enjoyed her noodle dish and the garlic truffle fries were amazing. Service was good and the beer selection was good as well.

Just Tacos - worst service of the trip. Food was barely adequate. We actually skipped dessert. Will not return.

 

[Leilanie94]

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!

My family *loves* Cinnamon's Restaurant in Kailua. We enjoy their famous Guava Chiffon pancakes and Red Velvet pancakes!!!

 

[bfosbenner]

YUM!

Just back - some reviews


AMA AMA - we thought this was an excellent meal. DW had the lamb and I had the pork chop. Both were excellent. The polenta that came with my pork was a little on the grainy side for me but DW loved it. The mashed potatoes were awesome and the asparagus was well done.

The ambiance was amazing. We had dinner while watching a Hawaiian sunset. Gorgeous. Service was attentive without being intrusive.

Off the Hook - we had lunch here. Typical casual fare. No on complained but no one asked to go back either. I had a burger that was decent, DW had a grilled veggie sandwich which she said was good. Service is on Island Time.

Olelo room - we had drinks and munches here one night. The wings were good, the nachos passable and the drinks strong. Service was adequate.

Makahiki - the big disappointment of the trip. The night before we asked to take a look at the buffet and thought everything looked great. Looks can be deceiving. The only thing that I enjoyed on then buffet were the crab legs.

Rainbow Drive In - great loco moco with a major wait at lunch time. 20 minutes in line followed by a 10 minute wait for your food turns out to be worth it!

Leonard's bakery - awesome! We had one of everything and enjoyed them all. My personal favorite was the sweet and sour.

MonkeyPod - the only place we returned to. The pizza was good. DW enjoyed her noodle dish and the garlic truffle fries were amazing. Service was good and the beer selection was good as well.

Just Tacos - worst service of the trip. Food was barely adequate. We actually skipped dessert. Will not return.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

My family *loves* Cinnamon's Restaurant in Kailua. We enjoy their famous Guava Chiffon pancakes and Red Velvet pancakes!!!

Thanks for the suggestion. My older dd still talks about the pineapple pancakes she had a little dinner type restaurant on Kaaui!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

YUM!

Thanks for your restaurant review!

What was the actual problem with the buffet? The choices or the food quality or both? We tend to like buffets and thought that was a reasonable price for Hawaii!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Has anyone done the Saturday night seafood buffet at the JW Marriott next door?

 

[lodge]

Has anyone done the Saturday night seafood buffet at the JW Marriott next door?

Someone did, I read it somewhere! They even put up the menu/price/link. They liked it, so we'll be trying it too.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Someone did, I read it somewhere! They even put up the menu/price/link. They liked it, so we'll be trying it too.

When do you go?

Let me know what you think of the seafood buffet and where else you eat, please.

 

[Nickyz79]

Hi there, does anyone know if you can or need to book the Makahiki for lunch or do you just go?

 

[DenLo]

Here's link to the JW Marriott - Ihilani (next door to Aulani) Saturday night seafood buffet.

http://www.ihilani.com/files/Naupaka Buffet Seafood .pdf

Someone posted earlier that they ate at Naupakas more than once and like it. They didn't say which meal they ate though.

 

[TagsMissy]

Anybody think I should start a Part 2 discussion, linking this in the first thread or just keep it going here?

 

[GoGoJulie]

Anybody think I should start a Part 2 discussion, linking this in the first thread or just keep it going here?

I vote to keep the thread here.

 

[TagsMissy]

I just came across this website, it shows restaurants in the Honolulu area that have been featured on some sort of food/dining TV show

http://www.tvfoodmaps.com/s3/HI/Honolulu