Hawaii’s restaurant scene is sizzling these days, and appetizing new culinary offerings are awaiting visitors across the island chain.
On Oahu, spring 2013 marks the debut of Arancino at the Kahala, an upscale restaurant focusing on classic southern Italian cuisine. Located at the Kahala Hotel and Resort, it is distinguished by a wood-burning pizza oven, display kitchen, private dining room and outdoor patio.
www.arancino.com
Since HASR Bistro opened its doors in Honolulu’s Chinatown recently, it has earned accolades for its tasty food with French overtones. Its Hawaii-born chef Rodney Uyehara comes from award-winning restaurants like Chai’s Island Bistro and Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider Hotel.
www.hasrbistro.com
In Honolulu’s eclectic neighborhood of Kakaako, visitors can savor Japanese delicacies at the newest location of Doraku Sushi. This wildly popular restaurant takes its cue from the Izakaya style of dining, where clients share traditional dishes, many made with local ingredients.
www.dorakusushi.com
Heading to the Big Island? At Honu's Restaurant — part of the renovated Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel — chef George Gomes Jr.'s new dinner menu creatively incorporates fresh island-grown produce, meat and seafood into meals with a sophisticated twist.
www.konabeachhotel.com
For families visiting the Garden Isle, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa has unveiled a completely revamped children’s menu with food that’s nutritious, fun and tasty. Its Tidepools restaurant now offers a three-course organic menu for kids developed by famed chef Alice Waters.
www.grandhyattkauai.com
On Maui, the bi-annual Restaurant Week Wailea promotion takes place in May and November. Throughout Wailea Resort on the island’s southwest shores, chefs create three-course prix-fixe dinners for $29, $39 or $49 per person. Proceeds from the special menus go to the Maui Food Bank (www.wailearesortassociation.com). Nobu Lanai, the new restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, has taken that island’s dining scene to a new level. It treats guests to world-renowned chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa’s signature Japanese cuisine as well as creations that showcase local ingredients.
www.noburestaurants.com
Also on Lanai, epicureans can savor culinary creations at Manele Bay's new restaurant One Forty. Inspired by the island's 140 square mile radius and the fact that its medium steak is grilled at 140 degrees, One Forty offers an extensive steak and seafood dinner menu.
www.fourseasons.com/manelebay
