Ala Moana area - Hank's Haute Dogs

Without a doubt, Hank's Haute Dogs serves up the best hot dog you'll ever eat in your life - really! From haute cuisine to haute dogs was a journey taken by owner Hank Adaniya when he closed his nationally renowned 4-star Chicago restaurant Trio and came home to Hawaii and decided to open a sort of hole-in-the-wall hot dog place. Located in an area of car dealer ships and businesses (which does have the advantage of giving you lots of street parking available during the weekends), the place is always hopping with customers lining up out the door to place their orders. There is limited seating inside, chairs lined up outside where people sometimes eat and around the corner of the building are three picnic tables with umbrellas and this being Hawaii, people share the tables. While we were here this past weekend, an episode of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" with Guy Fieri was being filmed - which gives you an idea of just how popular Hank's Haute Dogs really is.

But it's the food that brings people from all over the island to this small oasis of the perfect hot dog. Hank's Haute Dogs offers up classic dogs using Bratwurst from Milwaukee, local Kukui Portuguese sausage and genuine Chicago Vienna all-beef hot dogs - you know the real hot dog with a casing that snaps when you bite into it? The Classic Dog section includes a Chicago Dog with all the trimmings, Polish, Chili and the sinfully, no doubt bad for you, Fat Boy, a bacon wrapped deep fried hot dog with mayo, lettuce & tomato - if you like bacon, you'll love this - I certainly did.

My fav (we've been there 7 times in the last two months and Marco is vowing to eat his way through the menu) is the Andouille sausage, with grilled onions and Cajun spiced mustard - a tad hot, but wonderful flavors, well worth the heat (pictured above along with fried onions). Another popular sausage is the Chicken which is grilled and served with a sweet mango relish and lime mustard. Naturally in Hank's hot dog world there are daily specials, such as Alligator, Rabbit, Buffalo, Lobster, Duck & Foie Gras - huh? - and a really wonderful Kobe Dog. For those who don't eat the dog, there is a No Dog and even a smaller size regular dog for the keiki. The dogs are priced from $3.75 to $6.25 with the Specials slightly higher.

Sides include great french fries made with Castle Rock potatoes and fried twice for that perfect crisp and probably the best sweet onion rings we've ever had. Hand dipped in Panko batter, they are simply phenomenal. Or if you want to go exotica, you can always opt for the Duck Fat Fries, finger lickin' good, a bowl of chili or the Truffle Mac & Cheese. Standard beverages are available and some very special tropical cocktails (nonalcoholic) such as Hibiscus Lemonade, Pineapple Ice, a wonderful Lilikoi-Lime Soda and Hank's Ice Tea.

Affordable Tip: The reason the prices are so very low for such high quality is the fact that they do not take credit cards - it is Cash Only

Inexpensive - Under $10
Per person, not including drinks
Prices are subject to change without further notice

Mon. to Fri. from 10 am to 4 pm
Sat. & Sun. from 11 am to 5 pm (free parking behind building on Sundays)

324 Coral Street (off Ala Moana Blvd., between OfficeMax and Comp USA) 532-4265 for phone orders. Also at International Market Place in Waikiki

Kaimuki - town

town has been one of our favorite restaurants since they opened several years ago just down the ridge from where we live. And yes it is town, not capitalized, simply lower case. Which perhaps explains part of the philosophy of Chef-Restaurateurs, Ed Kenny and David Caldiero. Keep it simple using only the freshest ingredients and if they are not available, change the menu. Because of this philosophy, town quickly became one of the hottest new dining spots in Honolulu and a multi award-winning restaurant, with innovative Mediterranean influenced menus that change often depending on what is in season. And always, always, wonderfully prepared food, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned, often with herbs they grow in front of the restaurant.

town is a beautifully designed restaurant with original art work that changes almost as often as the menu and a high energy vibe that matches the stainless steel bar and modern tables and chairs. Although the menu does change, some things remain the same, such as the homemade Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce, a to-die-for indulgence which I seem to order every time we go there, along with one of their sensational salads that taste like someone just went out back and picked the lettuce and tomatoes for it.

If you're lucky enough to be there when they have the Braised Pork Cheeks, do not pass them up. Served with an excellent smooth polenta and sauteed bitter greens, it is a totally memorable meal. One of the more popular dishes is the Half Roast Chicken on a bed of croutons - really delightful. Or try a bowl of creamy risotto with truffle oil or a steak from beef raised free-range on the North Shore. Whatever you choose, you're sure to be delighted with it.

There is a full bar and the wine list features boutique vineyards, many available by the glass.
There is seating for dinner at the bar which is our favorite place to eat and outdoor seating (which is dog friendly), neither of which requires a reservation. But if you want to be seated at one of the tables, reservations are an absolute must. There is a $15 corkage fee per bottle and Tamura's Wine Store is just up the street on the left hand side

Open Mon. to Thurs. - 6:30 am to 9:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 6:30 am to 10 pm
Continental Breakfast 6:30 am to 11:30 am
Lunch - 11:20 am to 2:30 pm
Gap Menu 2:30 to 5:30 pm (limited selections available)
Dinner - 5:30 to closing

3435 Waialae Avenue, Kaimuki - 735-5900
Parking is available on the street and behind the building.

$15 or less - Breakfast & Lunch
$15 to $30 - Dinner
Per person, not including drinks, taxes or gratuities

Chinatown - Little Village Noodle House

The award-winning Little Village Noodle House is located in the heart of Chinatown and features the cuisine of Northern China, Szechuan and Hong Kong. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, be prepared to wait awhile at this extremely popular restaurant. Chef Chan is renowned for his sauces, from sweet and sour to a wonderful black bean sauce – you know the kind of flavor that makes you wish you were at home and no one looking at you. Although it has noodle in its name, the Little Village Noodle House serves far more than just noodles.

With a large menu of appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian, meats, poultry and seafood, most of which are priced under $10, you just cannot go wrong in whatever you order. The Sizzling Black Cod is one of the favorites on the menu and is beautifully prepared. Or try the Spicy Garlic Shrimp or the absolutely addictive Pan Fried Beef, sliced thin and fried crispy with a hot spicy flavor.

There are at least 14 noodle choices, any of which would be a winner. So it comes down to whether you would like them with duck, chicken, beef, pork or Tofu, or better yet, you could try one of their signature dishes such as Minute Chicken Fried Noodle with boneless chicken stir-fried with garlic and red bean curd sauce served over crispy Hong Kong style egg noodles – great dish.. With its extended menu, bright, family oriented atmosphere and food that seems more gourmet than plain, the Little Village Noodle House should not be missed.
Affordable Tip: Check out their website below and print out an Internet Coupon offering 10% off the Special of the Week. http://www.littlevillagehawaii.com/

Open Sun. to Thurs. from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. from 10:30 am to midnight

1113 Smith Street, Chinatown - 808-545-3008
Inexpensive: $10 to $12
Per person, not including drinks, taxes or gratuities

Chinatown - Brasserie du Vin

Within the past three weeks, Marco (my SO of 28 years) and I have been to one of our very favorite restaurants, Brasserie Du Vin three times. If you've ever been to Paris you will think perhaps you had wandered down some small side street off of the Champs Elysees and into a classic French Bistro. If you haven't been to Paris, don't worry....when you eat at the Brasserie Du Vin, you'll feel like you're there at a much cheaper price. And you'll actually be in Chinatown, Honolulu, Hawaii which can be almost as exotic as Paris - mais oui!

The tables and chairs are mix and match, the décor is perfect with a long wooden bar along one wall leading to an outdoor patio and the cask room (the only one with air conditioning) which is used when the restaurant gets totally slammed with customers, which happens often. Add in classic foods and wine and you have a restaurant to remember. It is not cheap, but it is also not expensive and well worth the cost. Try the Steamed Salt Spring Mussels topped with their crispy pommes frites (french fries for those of us who don't speak the language - yes, yes, I did live there, but every time I opened my mouth to speak French, they knew immediately I was an American and would only speak to me in English, so I basically learned diddly squat as they say).

They feature a nice assortment of starters, beautifully prepared salads, lunch and dinner entrees, including the highly recommended marinated pork chop with a warm pine nut-grape and shallot butter sauce, as well as the daily prix fixe menu that includes an appetizer, entree and dessert for $25 (price subject to change). There are also cured meat or cheese plates with the air dried Bresaola Della Veltellina absolutely addictive. And as it might possibly be said in France (although I seriously doubt it), Brasserie Du Vin is an absolutely ooh la la experience.

Affordable Tip: Brasserie Du Vin hosts a Happy Hour from Mon. to Sat. from 4 to 6 pm featuring half off all well and specialty cocktails, plus about 9 items from the menu, such as escargots, baked brie, grilled fish du jour and moules frites (the mussels). Go on Wednesday night and enjoy free live entertainment starting at 7 pm, with jazz, slack key guitar, Celtic music, Latin and everything in between with absolutely no cover.

Mon. to Sat. – Lunch 11:30 am to 4 pm; Dinner 4 pm to late

1115 Bethel Street, Chinatown 808-545-1115

Moderate: $10 to $20

Per person, not including drinks, taxes or gratuities