Oahu'a Best & Most Affordable Restaurants

Oahu, while not the largest island, is the most populated which means on this island you'll find the most restaurants, nightclubs, activities and hotels than on all the other islands combined. The Honolulu metro area offers some of the most varied food in the world, no doubt due to Hawaii's diverse population which comes from all over the world. From 5-star restaurants to little hole-in-the-wall take-out spots and prices that go from $10 to $40 & up, whether you're craving Himalayan cuisine (yes, really) or French classic, you'll find it here.

And the places to find the most affordable restaurants are in the neighborhoods where the local residents dine. Kaimuki is a short bus ride from Waikiki with the main street, Waialae Avenue, aka Restaurant Row, lined with award-winning restaurants of every ethnic cuisine imaginable (even the Himalayan) featuring fresh ingredients from farms throughout Oahu and serving wonderful food at affordable prices. Also close to Waikiki is both Monserrat & Kapahulu Avenues where there are many small neighborhood restaurants serving up great food at great prices.

The Chinatown/Downtown Honolulu area was revitalized a number of years ago. Along with the original Chinese herbalist stores, noodle shops and markets, suddenly art galleries, nightclubs and restaurants were popping up in beautifully renovated brick buildings, many with outdoor courtyards for perfect al fresco dining. It's become such a foodie, arty, entertainment haven, that every month there is the 1st Friday celebration that brings thousands and thousands of residents (along with savvy visitors) to Chinatown's streets.

The restaurant reviews are "recommended only" since I've never seen any sense in writing about something simply to tell people not to go there. My philosophy has always been in reviewing restaurants to look for good value for your money, whether it is a budget or a high-end restaurant. If you're paying only $10 per person, don't expect china and linen, but more likely paper with plastic utensils. On the other hand if the meal is costing two of you well over $100, everything, and I do mean everything, should be perfect - service, food and atmosphere.

We pay for all our own meals and do not accept advertising from any of the restaurants that will be listed. Many of these restaurants are small and cannot afford advertising in the tourist magazines or the daily newspaper, so you will rarely find them in those publications. I will be adding new restaurants on a daily basis. Bon Appetit!

$ - Inexpensive - $10 or less
$$ - Moderate - $10 to $20
$$$ - Expensive - $20 to $40
$$$$ - Very Expensive - $40 & up
Per person, not including drinks, taxes or gratuities.

30 September 2009

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


Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)