O'ahu is known for its diverse culture, which is exhibited by the island assortment of foods. With wonderful choices and an array of cuisine options, there's sure to be a restaurant for everyone.
- The Counter, a new restaurant specializing in create-your-own gourmet burgers, opened in February at Kahala Mall.
The Counter offers more than 300,000 possible burger combinations in three different sizes and specialty meats, including Angus beef, grilled chicken, turkey, veggie, and seafood burgers, as well as an array of cheeses, toppings and sauces. The Counter is owned by Ed Robles, Pablo Buckingham, renowned local chef, D.K. Kodama, and Lost actor Daniel Dae Kim.
- Hawaii's first Jimmy Buffett restaurant, Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, opened at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber in February 2009.
Unique technology allows for beautiful sunsets, crashing waves and majestic mountains to blend seamlessly with the "Hot Spot Bar," the Ocean Waves Dining Booths, and the music of Jimmy Buffett and the Islands. The restaurant offers regional cuisine and signature cocktails, and features nightly live entertainment by local up-and-coming musicians.
- The Outrigger Reef on the Beach introduced its new restaurant, Kani Ka Pila Grille, in March 2009. The poolside bar and grille offers casual and tasty lunch and dinner fare daily, but its specialty is live nightly entertainment by renowned Hawaii musicians as well as the island's hottest up-and-coming artists.
Kani Ka Pila means "to make music," and the new restaurant is the latest example of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts' long-time commitment to supporting and sharing Hawaii's rich musical heritage.
- Coinciding with The Royal Hawaiian's grand reopening were the openings of the resort's two new restaurants, Surf Lanai and Azure. Surf Lanai offers casual, oceanfront dining alongside The Royal Hawaiian's pool, offering al fresco breakfast and lunch service.
The menu features classic mainland dishes with tropical accents. Azure, led by renowned local chef Jon Matsubara, offers sophisticated dinner service along Waikiki Beach. Azure specializes in fresh island seafood and fish, handpicked daily from the Honolulu Fish Auction. In addition to Surf Lanai and Azure, The Royal Hawaiian welcomes back its famous Mai Tai Bar.
- Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is undergoing an expansive renovation and will open in Spring 2009 with a contemporary new island design, featuring glass tiles, warm wood tones and floral fabrics.
The main architectural highlight is the new outdoor fire pits around the restaurant's perimeter that front the beach. Tropics Bar & Grill will be significantly expanded with more indoor and outdoor seating, a larger kitchen and new menu.
- In February, Chef Wolfgang Zweiner opened his first Hawaii restaurant, Wolfgang's Steakhouse, at The Royal Hawaiian Center. The restaurant, which is styled after Wolfgang's classic New York steakhouses, specializes in hand-selected USDA Prime Grade Black Angus beef steaks but also offers veal, lamb and seafood to please every palette.
