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*** RESTAURANTS (NON-SUSHI)***
- Salt (3605
Waialae Ave, dinner only, happy hour) "Very inventive" rave
admirers of tapas-style dishes packed with unique flavors along with sausages,
house-cured meats and cheeseboards and handcrafted Prohibition-era cocktails;
grab a counter seat in the industrial-like setting, kitted out with track
lighting, metal beams and wood accents and black and white photos or steal away
to the upstairs loft for a nibble.
- Lucky Belly (no reservations; 50 North
Hotel Street- chinatown) entrees $8-$14; draws a stylish crowd
with its sleek, earthy-industrial interior w/ rough plank wood walls, exposed
ductwork & and its delicious ramen with smoky pork belly and a rich,
gingery broth
- Hasr Bistro (31 North Pauahi Street - chinatown) entrees $15-$40; next door to the wine shop of the same name,
serves French- and Italian-inspired dishes like Kona lobster cioppino; buy a
bottle in the shop and have it with your meal
- Duke’s (2335 Kalakaua Avenue) the famous Duke's restaurant & beach bar
- Town (3435 Waialae Avenue; closed
Sun) Lively & non-fancy New American–Italian locavore heaven with
innovative use of local ingredients, industrial digs' hip, young yet welcoming
vibe, with its reasonably priced taste of urban chic.
*** RESTAURANTS (SUSHI)***
- Sushi Izakaya Gaku (1329 S King St, dinner only, closed Sun) crazy good reviews on Yelp &
Chowhound & Tripadvisor; hole-in-wall, best sushi, fresh; This Manoa
izakaya-style spot is a favorite among Japanese food enthusiasts, serving
dishes straight out of a Tokyo bistro; offering everything from the freshest,
most highly prized raw fish to more standard small dishes and omakase, a meal
here is pricey, but it's worth it for connoisseurs seeking an overall authentic
experience
- Doraku Sushi (2233 Kalakaua Ave., 7 days lunch & dinner) - This
Miami import's unique takes on classic choices will rock your world agree avid
sushi lovers; low-lit chill atmosphere; find a perch at this posh location on
the third floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center overlooking the main strip of
Honolulu
- Mitch’s Sushi (524 Ohohia Street Honolulu, 7
days lunch & dinner) "In-freakin'-credible!" cheer fin fans who
dive into the outstanding chirashi plates and large portions of the freshest
fish at this Japanese seafooder, a reservations-only BYO set in a nondescript
warehouse near the airport car rentals; it's not the prettiest locale, but the
master sushi chefs ensure that every piece is a balanced work of edible art
- Imanas Tei (2626 S King St, dinner only, closed Sun) Incredible
reviews on Yelp & Tripadivsor; seek out this smallish University-area
Japanese spot for the most authentic specialties and the freshest fish,
including excellent sushi and delicious shabu-shabu – the flavors seem
traditional, but the twists keep you coming back
- Yanagi Sushi (762
Kapiolani Blvd, 7 days lunch & dinner) local favorite with a lively
atmosphere and photos of celebs is the real deal; big portions bring crowds,
even into the late hours so reserve ahead
- Yohei Sushi (1111 Dillingham Blvd., 7 days
lunch & dinner) authentic Japanese, meticulously presented sushi sure to
transport you to Tokyo; not cheap and the hole-in-the-wall digs can seem
overcrowded, but given the unbelievable offerings, it remains popular
nonetheless.
*** NIGHTLIFE ***
Chinatown = hipster area
- Thirtyninehotel (39 N. Hotel St.) not a hotel; Up the stairs of a
dilapidated building, through a white washed club room inside, end at the sunny
and lovely rooftop
terrace, where insider-y nightlife folk begin their night out
- The Manifest (32 North Hotel Street) chic coffee bar by day and
sleek cocktail bar by night, the glass-ceilinged, exposed-brick loft space is
flooded with natural light.
*** THINGS TO DO ***
- Hike Diamondhead
- NYT recommends breakfast
before if on Sat @ Farmer’s Market: 7:30 - 11 AM, Kapiolani
Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Rd
(Parking Lot C)
- Manoa falls - Easy 1,200m hike with shoulder-height vegetation akin to Jurassic Park
(scenes from the third movie were filmed here). - http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trail.php?TrailID=OA+19+007
- Waimea Falls – cool, easy hike
- " Booze cruise" - best options are:
- Maita'i Catamaran
- Na Hoku II Catamaran
Cruises
- Waikiki Rigger
- North Shore - rent a jeep and head on out! Dining while you're there:
- Lei Lei’s @ Turtle Bay Resort- Surfers go for a nice dinner; beautiful views; has just what you need, from breakfast to drinks after a round on the green to a pleasant dinner; the casual atmosphere is so welcoming; while the fare is a minor miracle and much better than it needs to be for a golf clubhouse cafe
- Jameson’s - A Haleiwa tradition, this surf 'n' turf standby hasn't lost its charm, with a beautiful open-air location facing the water and postcard views; a romantic mood enhanced by hurricane lamps, overhead fans and a symphony of island flavors
- Stortos – for sandwiches
- Ted’s - amazing bakery w/ yummy breakfast (also great shrimp plate & Haupia pie)
*** YOGA ***
Based on strong, Vinyasa Flow classes
- Waikiki Hot Yoga - legit, nice & clean. 108 degree
sauna! $25/class
- Miramar at Waikiki Hotel - 2345 Kuhio Ave
- Daily
9:30, 11:30, 4:30, 6:30
- Power Yoga Hawaii - Bryan Kest style, good music
- 510
Piikoi
- Th
5:15 / Fri 9:30, 12, 4:30 / Sat 9:30, 5 / Sun 9:30 / Mon 9:30, 12
- Sunset Yoga Hawaii - *ON BEACH AT SUNSET* $15; must RSVP:
www.sunsetyogahawaii.com
- Ala
Moana Beach
- Thurs,
Sun 5:45pm
- SUP Yoga w/ Salt Fitness -
Email to sign up: http://www.saltfitness.com/class-schedule/
- Fri
5-6:15 (sunset), Sat 10-11:15am & 5-6:15, Sun 10-11:15 & 5-6:15