3660 on the Rise
3660 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/737-1177
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Contemporary

Homegrown ingredients merge with European flavors to create such dishes as Dungeness crab cakes prepared in a ginger-cilantro aioli and served on a nest of angel hair, and pulehu (broiled) lamb chops, intensified by garlic, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Save room for the warm chocolate soufflé cake with espresso sauce and vanilla ice cream. Light hardwoods, frosted glass, green marble, and black granite mix in a low-key fashion here. There's almost always a full house in the 90-seat dining room (with room for 20 on a street-side lanai outside). It's a 10-minute drive from Waikiki. AE, DC, MC, V.

Alan Wong's
McCully Court, 1857 S. King St., 3rd floor, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/949-2526
Over $20
Honolulu
Contemporary

For starters, get "Da Bag," a puffed-up foil bag that's punctured at the table, revealing steamed clams, kalua (roasted) pork, spinach, and shiitake mushrooms. Garlic-mashed potatoes come with a black-bean salsa, grilled pork chops with a coconut-ginger sweet potato purée. Don't miss the coconut sorbet served in a chocolate-and-macadamia-nut shell and surrounded by exotic fruits. Finding this low-key restaurant can be difficult: Look for a white apartment building and a small sign after a parking garage where your car can be valet parked. AE, MC, V. No lunch.

Bali by the Sea
Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/941-2254
$40 to $60
Waikiki
Contemporary

In the Hilton Hawaiian Village, this restaurant is breeze-swept and pretty, with an oceanside setting offering glorious views of Waikiki Beach. Chef Jean-Luc Voegele, from the Michelin three-star restaurant Le Crocodile in Strasbourg, France, presides over the cuisine, a blend of French and Asian influences. Entrées include casserole of Hawaiian lobster and opakapaka (blue snapper) with Kaffir lime sauce, and the rack of lamb crusted with macadamia nuts and herbs. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No dinner Sun.

Benihana of Tokyo
Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/955-5955
Under $40
Waikiki
Japanese

These restaurants are as famous for their cutting-board theatrics at the teppan tables as they are for their food. If you don't mind being seated with people you have not yet met, and enjoy watching your dinner sailing through the air, this might be a nice alternative to a more formal setting. End your meal with some green-tea ice cream, a Benihana tradition. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Brew Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery
Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/593-0088
$20 to $40
Honolulu
Contemporary

The menu states "A vision for food, a passion for beer," and Brew Moon lives up to both promises. Entrées include sesame-seared ahi, fire-roasted ribs, grilled pizzas, and molasses and cumin-charred pork tenderloin. The dessert specialty is a float made with fresh-brewed root beer. Large picture windows show off the brewery and fermentation room where six beers are crafted, including a low-calorie light-alcohol brew and a rich copper-color ale. Vie for a table on the 150-seat lanai. On Sundays, Brew Moon is the site of a jazz brunch featuring live entertainment. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Bueno Nalo
20 Kainehe St., Kailua, HI, USA
Phone: 808/263-1999
Under $20
Kailua
Mexican

Long a Waimanalo landmark, this family-run eatery moved to the windward side of the island in 1998. It's still run by the same owners, who are dedicated to healthy Mexican cuisine. Velvet paintings and piñatas add a fun, funky flavor to the setting. The food is reliably good. Topopo salad is a heap of greens, tomatoes, onions, tuna, olives, cheese, and beans on top of a tortilla. Combination plates are bargains, and families will appreciate the keiki (child's) menu for diners 10 and under. Reservations for parties of fewer than six are not accepted. AE, MC, V.

Cafe Sistina
1314 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/596-0061
Under $40
Honolulu
Italian

Step off a busy Honolulu street and right into this tiny, artistic café. Sergio Mitrotti has gained quite a following with his inventive Italian-Mediterranean cuisine. He's concocted an appetizer of goat cheese, chili peppers, garlic, prosciutto, and Greek olives, and he fills ravioli with such delights as Gorgonzola, porcini mushrooms, red peppers, and pancetta cream. Linguine alla puttanesca comes alive with tomatoes, onions, capers, and kalamata olives. Also a graphic artist, Mitrotti has painted the café's walls with Italianesque scenes. AE, MC, V.

Caffelatte Italian Restaurant
339 Saratoga Rd., 2nd level, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/924-1414
$40 to $60
Waikiki
Italian

A Milan family operates this tiny trattoria with limited seating. Every dish is worth ordering, from the gnocchi in a thick, rich sauce of Gorgonzola cheese to the veal scallopini in a light white-wine sauce sprinkled with parsley. The tiramisù is the best in town. Be aware that each person must order three courses (appetizer, main course, and dessert), a rule that keeps the tab on the high side. The chef will prepare a special mystery dinner for two for $60. There's no parking, so walk here if you can. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Tues.

California Pizza Kitchen
Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/737-9446
Under $40
Honolulu
American/Casual

This trio of dining and watering holes for young fast-trackers is worth the likely wait for a table. At the Kahala site, a glass atrium with tiled and mirrored walls and one side open to the shopping mall creates a sidewalk-café effect. Its newest location, on the top level of the Ala Moana Center, offers a great respite for the weary shopper. The pizzas have unusual toppings, such as Thai chicken, Peking duck, and Caribbean shrimp. The pastas are made fresh daily. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Cascada
Royal Garden at Waikiki, 440 Olohana St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/943-0202
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Contemporary

Island flair goes into the Mediterranean dishes created by Chef Matt Stephenson. Grilled prawns, Royal crab cake served with Asian pesto aioli and rouille, veal Milanese with arugula and mozzarella, and chicken Napoleon saltimbocca style are a few of the popular choices. The dining room's tables spill out onto a marble terrace with tropical gardens and a cascading waterfall. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Chef Mavro
1969 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/944-4714
Over $40
Honolulu
Contemporary

Named for chef-owner George Mavrothalassitis, formerly of the Four Seasons Maui and Halekulani, this high-end bistro combines island ingredients with contemporary French techniques. The chef bakes onaga in a crust of Hawaiian salt, herbs, and ogo (seaweed), and his terrine of marinated Waimanalo vegetables comes with diced Japanese pickles. Three prix-fixe menus are accompanied by suggested wines by the glass. The menu changes monthly, a testament to Chef Mavro's creativity and commitment to local, seasonal ingredients. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Compadres Mexican Bar and Grill
Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/591-8307
Under $40
Honolulu
Mexican

The after-work crowd gathers here for potent margaritas on the outdoor terrace. Inside, the wooden floors, colorful photographs, and lively paintings create a festive setting for imaginative Mexican specialties. Fajitas, baby-back ribs, huevos rancheros (eggs with salsa, beans, and guacamole and served on a tortilla), and grilled shrimp are just a few of the many offerings. D, MC, V.

Diamond Head Grill
W Honolulu-Diamond Head Hotel, 2885 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/922-3734
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Contemporary

The Grill is open daily for breakfast and dinner and for lunch on weekdays. Breakfasts include macadamia-and-ginger waffles, crab and egg crepes, and a local-style fried rice with Portuguese sausage and two fried eggs. Entrées include grilled yellowfin tuna with hot-and-sour lobster soy broth, sweet Kahuku corn-and-carrot risotto, and guava-and-mustard-crusted rack of lamb. There's a serpentine martini bar and a baby grand piano for live evening entertainment. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V.

Dixie Grill
404 Ward Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/596-8359
Under $40
Honolulu
Barbecue

This southern-inspired eatery emphasizes just how much fun food can be. Specialties include baby back ribs, smoked barbecue chicken, whole Dungeness crab, campfire steak, and fried catfish. Recipes for the barbecue sauces come from Memphis, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Texas. Sandwiches, salads, and comfort foods like meat loaf round out the dinner menu. Save room for the Georgia peach cobbler. Children will enjoy the outdoor sandbox. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Duke's Canoe Club
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/922-2268
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Contemporary

Named after famous Hawaii surfer Duke Kahanamoku, this casual, crowded, and moderately-priced eatery specializes in steak and seafood. Fish can be served up Duke's style - baked in a garlic, lemon, and a sweet basil glaze. The chef will also grill, sauté, roast, or hibachi your fish. Other specialties include Caesar salad and macadamia-and-crab wontons. Patrons enjoy kicking back in the barefoot bar, and on weekend evenings Duke's hosts sunset "concerts on the beach" on its outdoor terrace. Reservations essentialAE, D, DC, MC, V.

Golden Dragon
Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/946-5336
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Chinese

Nearly 50 à la carte dishes and a six-course Signature Selection dinner make up the menu of fine Cantonese, Szechuan, and nouvelle-Chinese dishes prepared by chef Steve Chiang. Signature dishes include stir-fried lobster with curry sauce and Szechuan beef. Two of the house specialties - the Imperial Peking duck and Imperial beggar's chicken (whole chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in a clay pot) - must be ordered 24 hours in advance. The restaurant overlooks the lagoon on the mezzanine of the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Rainbow Tower. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/599-4877
Under $40
Honolulu
Contemporary

Snuggling up to Honolulu Harbor, this indoor-outdoor eatery, part of a West Coast-based chain of microbreweries, is Aloha Tower Marketplace's busiest. The menu is American with an island twist, from chicken skewers in a hot peanut-coconut sauce to fresh-seared ahi in a sansho (Japanese pepper) crust. There is also a variety of pastas and pizzas. Ask for tastes of the dark, medium, and light beers before choosing your favorite. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Hard Rock Cafe
1837 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/955-7383
Under $40
Honolulu
American/Casual

The Honolulu branch of this international chain has rock-and-roll memorabilia along with surfboards and aloha shirts for local color. The Hard Rock has always sold more T-shirts than T-bones, so don't expect culinary surprises on its formula menu. The portion-controlled quarter-pound burgers hold sway, but don't overlook the ahi steak sandwiches or the watermelon baby-back ribs. French fries are a must. The oldies play too loudly over the sound system, and you'll probably have to wait for a table. Reservations not accepted. AE, MC, V.

Hau Tree Lanai
New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/921-7066
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Contemporary

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner under graceful hau trees alongside Kaimana Beach and hear the whisper of the waves. Breakfasts include a generous eggs Benedict, fluffy Belgian waffles with fruit or nut toppings, and a fresh salmon omelet. Two standout dinner entrées are the jumbo shrimp with mushrooms, tomatoes, Maui onions, and white wine over fettuccine and a sesame-crusted hoisin rack of lamb. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

House Without a Key
Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/923-2311
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Contemporary

This Waikiki jewel, nestled in the serene Halekulani hotel, serves salads, sandwiches, and meat, fish, pasta, and chicken entrées for lunch or dinner. Favorites include Joy's Sandwich (crabmeat salad, bacon, and avocado on whole-wheat bread) and the beef burger on a kaiser roll. With the ocean and Diamond Head in view, this is a mesmerizing place at sunset, when there's wonderful live entertainment. A breakfast buffet is served daily 7-10:30. Reservations not accepted. AE, MC, V.

Hy's Steak House
Waikiki Park Heights Hotel, 2440 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/922-5555
Over $20
Waikiki
Steak

Hy's is famous for its kiawe-broiled New York strip steak (kiawe is a mesquite-type wood), cold-water lobster tail, and rack of lamb. The filet mignon tartare and oysters Rockefeller are excellent, as are the panfried O'Brien potatoes and Caesar salad. Tuxedoed waiters offer helpful menu suggestions. The atmosphere is snug and librarylike, and you can watch the chef perform behind glass. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Indigo
1121 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/521-2900
$20 to $40
Honolulu
Contemporary

Local boy Glenn Chu turned Honolulu on its ear by daring to open a trendy restaurant in a seedy downtown neighborhood - and succeeding. The decor emphasizes wicker and track lighting, and there's a charming back lanai that shields you from the downtown hubbub. Chu's variations on foods from his Chinese heritage include crispy wontons stuffed with hot goat cheese, Szechuan peppered beef loin in black-bean sauce, and prawns with hot chili-garlic sauce. The restaurant is within walking distance of the Hawaii Theatre. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Kakaako Kitchen
1216 Waimanu St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/596-7488
Under $20
Honolulu
Contemporary

The floors of this converted warehouse are concrete, the furniture is plastic, and the plates are Styrofoam. But this is home of the perfect "plate lunch," including fresh fish entrées, tofu burgers, pan-seared chicken salad, and a teriyaki chicken sandwich. You can even order brown rice and a side of mesclun greens. Best yet, you can order takeout and head to the nearest beach park. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. Closed Sun. No dinner.

Keo's in Waikiki
2028 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/951-9355
$20 to $40
Waikiki
Thai

Hollywood celebrities have discovered this twinkling nook with tables set amid lighted trees, big paper umbrellas, and sprays of orchids. Favorite dishes include Evil Jungle Prince (shrimp, vegetables, or chicken in a sauce flavored with basil, coconut milk, and red chili) and chiang mai salad (chicken salad seasoned with lemongrass, red chili, mint, and fish sauce). Consider ordering your food mild or medium - it'll still be quite spicy. For dessert, the apple bananas (small, tart bananas grown in Hawaii) in coconut milk are wonderful. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Kua Aina Sandwich
66-214 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa, HI, USA
Phone: 808/637-6067
Under $20
Haleiwa
American/Casual

A must-stop spot during a drive around the island, this tiny North Shore eatery has a few tables inside and a few more on the lanai next to the road. Burgers are heaped with bacon, cheese, salsa, or pineapple, and the grilled mahimahi sandwich comes with a homemade tartar sauce. Do try the French fries. You can also check out Kua Aina's newest location across from the Ward Centre Expect a crowd. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards.

L & L Drive Inn
Kahala Mall Shopping Center, 4211 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/732-4042
Under $20
Honolulu
American/Casual

In the Kahala Mall, and at more than 40 neighborhood locations throughout the island, the "drive inn" serves up an impressive mix of Asian-American and Hawaiian-style barbecue plate lunches. Chicken katsu (cutlet), beef curry, and seafood mix plates include two scoops of rice and macaroni salad. There are also "mini" versions of the large-portion plates that include just one scoop of starch. This is great casual island dining, with prices that are very affordable. Great for takeout: Pick up lunch and head to the nearest beach park. Reservations not accepted No credit cards.

La Mer
Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/923-2311
Over $40
Waikiki
French

This oceanfront favorite marries French and Island cuisine, with such starters as tartares of hamachi (yellowtail), ahi (yellowfin tuna), and salmon with three caviars. Entrées include onaga (pink or red snapper) fillet cooked skin-side crisp with confit of tomato, truffle juice, and fried basil, and breast of Barbary duck roasted with lavender honey. The symphony of four desserts and the cheese and port course are highly recommended. In addition to à la carte selections, there are two complete dinner menus: four courses for $85 and six courses for $105. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, MC, V. No lunch.

Maple Garden
909 Isenberg St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/941-6641
Under $40
Honolulu
Chinese

The reputation of Maple Garden is founded on its spicy Mandarin cuisine, not its decor. The lights are a little too bright, but the space is comfortable and the food is delicious. Favorites are the eggplant in a tantalizing hot garlic sauce, lobster in black-bean sauce, and a Peking duck that must be ordered 24 hours in advance. MC, V.

Nick's Fishmarket
Waikiki Gateway Hotel, 2070 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/955-6333
Over $20
Waikiki
Seafood

It's hard to beat Nick's seafood. The outstanding bouillabaisse combines lobster, crab, prawns, mussels, clams, and fish. Here you can sample imu-style seafood: Ti leaves and hot lava rocks line the cooking pot to steam such delicacies as Tristan lobster tail, scallops, and salmon. Nick's is also one of the few places with abalone on the menu. Leave room for Vanbana Pie, a decadent combination of bananas, vanilla Swiss-almond ice cream, and hot caramel sauce. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/737-2275
Under $20
Honolulu
Hawaiian

The adventurous in search of a real "local food" experience should head to this no-frills hangout. You know it has to be good if residents are waiting in line to get in. Here you can sample poi, lomilomi salmon (salmon massaged until tender and served with minced onions and tomatoes), laulau, kalua pork, and haupia (a light, gelatinlike dessert made from coconut). Appropriately enough, the Hawaiian word ono means delicious. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. Closed Sun.

Orchids
Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/923-2311
Over $40
Waikiki
Seafood

It's appropriate that you can hear the waves from this oceanfront dining room that lays out the best seafood bar in town, including sashimi, poke (marinated raw fish), and shellfish. Recommended are the pistachio-crusted hapuupuu sea bass and a hearty paella that combines fresh-caught fish, mussels, jumbo shrimp, squid, and saffron rice. Meat and poultry dishes include a mustard-herb roasted Colorado lamb rack and tandoori-roasted island chicken. Try for a table on the lanai. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V.

A Pacific Café Oahu
Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/593-0035
$20 to $40
Honolulu
Contemporary

Chef Jean-Marie Josselin's award-winning menu takes Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian cuisines, and combines them with Hawaiin homegrown products. Lunch highlights are a shiitake mushroom sandwich with mozzarella, and a mixed green salad with grilled Japanese eggplant, goat cheese, and chili vinaigrette. A superb dinner choice is the wok-charred mahimahi with a garlic-sesame crust and lime-ginger beurre blanc. It's easy to see why chef Josselin's restaurants are favorites on three Hawaiian islands. AE, DC, MC, V.

Padovani's Bistro and Wine Bar
Doubletree Alana Waikiki, 1956 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/946-3456 or 808/947-1236
$20 to $60
Waikiki
French

Renowned Hawaii Chef Philippe Padovani serves up such savories as panfried venison loin with ginger plum sauce and sweet-potato purée, and sautéed tiger shrimp with mushroom-herb polenta and tomato and basil sauce. Available are a prix-fixe menu for $45 and a tasting menu for $85. Located in the Doubletree Alana Waikiki, the dining room is small and romantic. The upstairs wine bar offers 50 varietals by the glass, single-malt Scotches, snacks, and an enclosed cigar room. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Palomino Euro-Bistro
Harbor Court, 66 Queen St., 3rd floor, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/528-2400
Under $60
Honolulu
Contemporary

Palomino is developing a loyal clientele with its menu fusing French, Spanish, and Italian cuisines. Entrées include mahimahi with creamy polenta, fig-caper-olive relish, and mussels, and Basque-style chicken. Also consider the seafood ravioli, the crab cakes with pesto beurre blanc, and the fusilli with hot Portuguese sausage. The restaurant's art-deco decor includes handblown glass chandeliers, a grand staircase, American and African woods, and a 50-ft marble-and-mahogany bar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Patisserie
Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/735-4402
Under $20
Honolulu
German

By day, this bakery in the Kahala Mall is a deli dominated by fluorescent lights and a shining display case, but five nights a week it turns into a 24-seat restaurant with great German food, a rarity in Hawaii. The menu is small - only 10 entrées - but any choice is a good one. The Wiener schnitzel is juicy within its crispy crust, and veal ribs are garnished with a sprig of rosemary. Try the potato pancakes, crisp outside and soft inside. Tossed salad and European-style breads are included in the price. No liquor is served, but you can bring your own. Reservations not accepted. MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon.

Roy's
Hawaii Kai Corporate Plaza, 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy., Hawaii Kai, HI, USA
Phone: 808/396-7697
$20 to $40
Hawaii Kai
Contemporary

Two walls of windows offer views of Maunalua Bay and Diamond Head in the distance, and a glassed-in kitchen affords views of what is cooking at Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaii Kai venture. The menu matches Hawaii flavors with Euro-Asian accents. It's hard to find a better blackened ahi in a hot, soy-mustard butter sauce. Of the individual pizzas, the best is topped with vine-ripened tomatoes, goat cheese, and roasted garlic. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Ave., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/599-3860
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Steak

Here's a steak joint that doesn't look like one. This pastel-hued dining room on Restaurant Row caters to meat lovers by serving top-of-the-line steak cuts. Side orders include salads and an ultracreamy spinach au gratin. Charbroiled fish, veal, and lamb chops provide tasty alternatives to the steaks. For dessert, try the house special, a bread pudding happily soaked in whiskey sauce. Portions are quite large. AE, DC, MC, V.

Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant
449 Kapahulu Ave., 2nd fl., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/732-8645
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Contemporary

Choy's motto is "never trust a skinny chef," and indeed, his broad girth and even broader smile let you know you'll be well fed with such offerings as deep-fried, Brie-stuffed wontons with pineapple marmalade, fresh fish and vegetables wrapped in ti leaves, seared ahi seasoned with ginger, and roasted duck with a Big Island orange sauce. Two people can easily split the entrées. AE, MC, V. No lunch.

Shizu
Royal Garden at Waikiki, 440 Olohana St., 4th floor, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/943-0202
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Japanese

Diners seated around a teppan (iron grill) watch as a dexterous chef slices and cooks meats. Featured is an elaborate 10-course teppanyaki dinner, along with traditional Japanese dishes and a sushi bar. Try green-tea cheesecake for dessert. The two teppanyaki rooms, which seat 8 and 10 people respectively, have spectacular stained-glass windows with vibrant irises. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Singha Thai Cuisine
1910 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/941-2898
$20 to $60
Waikiki
Thai

Dishes here are prepared in traditional Thai fashion, with just a sprinkling of Hawaiian regional flavorings. Seafood, vegetarian curry dishes, and the Thai chili are wonderful. Singha's beautiful Royal Thai dancers dressed in traditional costume add to the occasion, performing nightly center stage in the restaurant. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Sunset Grill
Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/521-4409
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Contemporary

The sweet smell of wood smoke greets you as you enter the Sunset Grill, which specializes in kiawe-broiled foods. The place is supposed to feel unfinished, with the marble bar top and white tablecloths contrasting nicely with the concrete floors. The salade niçoise, big enough for a whole dinner, includes marinated grilled ahi. The trout and scallops, cooked in a wood oven, are both very good, and the daily pastas, accompanied by a glass of wine from the Grill's extensive 400-bottle selection, are definitely worth a try. AE, DC, MC, V.

Sushi Sasabune
1419 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/947-3800
$20 to $60
Honolulu
Japanese

This tiny sushi bar is the home of the island's most famous "trust me" sushi. Sit at the bar, and you eat what the chef chooses for you. And don't expect a California roll - you might be served something as exotic as teriyaki octopus. Sasabune's sushi specials also include crab, salmon, and tuna, and come with miso soup, seaweed salad, and adzuki-bean ice cream. The sushi is authentically Japanese, with fish and seafood flown in from around the globe. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

The Willows
901 Hausten St., Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: 808/952-9200
$20 to $40
Honolulu
Hawaiian

The food is served buffet style, with the trademark Willows' curry back on the menu, along with roasted Portobello mushrooms, laulau (a steamed bundle of ti leaves containing pork, butterfish, and taro tops), and pineapple-mango barbecued ribs. Man-made ponds meander between thatched dining pavilions, and there's also a tiny wedding chapel and a gallery gift shop. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V.