Orchids Restaurant at the Halekulani Hotel

Verry Berry Mojito at Orchids.

Not only guests of the Halekulani Hotel can enjoy the ocean view. Diners
at Orchids can enjoy the same experience.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

I've been longing to again dine at Orchids at the Halekulani Hotel ever since I ate their exquisite version of the local favorite dish called the the loco moco. Picture a red wine poached egg in lieu of a sunny-side egg found at most local restaurants topping a perfectly shaped mound of rice and hamburger. That was for lunch so it was great to have the opportunity to return for dinner.

One of the high-end dining options at Waikiki hotels, Orchids offers one of the most spectacular views of the beach at Waikiki. The restaurant also has one of the best Sunday brunch buffets on the island.

Starting with a Verry Berry Mojito ($12; white rum, fresh berries, lime juice, mint leaves, splash of soda over ice), it's one of the best cocktails I've had ever. I have a sweet tooth which it satisfied but it's the refreshing taste that matched this cool summer evening that made it special.

It should be noted that the menu is a la carte and appetizers are per person. The focus of the dinner menu at Orchids is contemporary seafood but meat options are available.

This is the Halekulani Hotel which represents a high standard in the hospitality industry and the service at the restaurant is impeccable.

For a starter, the Big Island Abalone ($16) with Sea Asparagus, Tomato and Fennel Nege is filled with light flavors and the broth worth eating to the last spoonful.

Beef Tenderloin ($45) with Green Peas Puree, Potatoes, Olives, Hawaiian Sea Salt, Beetroot and Balsamic Jus. After just having a fine steak at BLT Steak nearby, I should have gone with the seafood option, but I love a perfectly prepared steak and this one was accented by the deep flavor of the balsamic jus. I remember an episode of the television series "Top Chef" about judges commenting on how perfect they loved a contestants pea puree. This is how I imagined it tasted.

Raspberry Bavarian ($11; praline crunch, rose marshmallow and red currant). If feel like ordering a second serving of a dish either it wasn't enough or it was delicious and refreshing that you couldn't get enough of it. This dessert fits the latter description.

As usual a selection of three kinds of bread presented before dinner.

Make a reservation for early in the evening and you'll likely be able to snag one of tables on the restaurant lanai. The views of the ocean are wonderful made all the better by the cool Hawaiian breeze.

Another view of the covered seating on the Orchid lanai.

(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Visit halekulani.com for more information. Hours: Breakfast 7:30am-11am (Mon-Sat); Lunch 11:30am-2pm (Mon-Sat); Dinner 6pm-10pm daily; Sunday Brunch Buffet 9:30am-2:30pm. Note that the restaurant has a dress code. For day: resort attire. Dinner service: collared shirts and slacks for gentleman, evening attire for ladies.

BLT Steak at Trump Hotel Waikiki

"BLT" stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel.

The entrance to BLT at the corner of Saratoga and Kalia Road.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

One of the most exciting restaurants to enter the Hawaii market is a location of BLT Steak, located in the Trump International Hotel in Waikiki, which elevates the classic American steakhouse with a French finesse. During my staycation at the neighboring Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach I had the opportunity to dine at BLT Steak on Friday evening.

I love pre-fixe menus especially when dining at fine restaurant for the first time. BLT Steak offers one called the Prix Fixe Blackboard Menu, a $60 four-course meal which consists of two selections of appetizers, entree, side and dessert of which the diner picks one from each category. It's a bargain when tabs at fine steakhouses easily can top $100 per person. Drinks are not included. For my pairing with the menu, I chose a glass of the Pino Grigio ($10) and a bottle of still water.

When ordering a bottle of wine or water, the server will ask the diner if they would like to keep it chilled or left on the table. In the center of the dining room is a table where a large ice bucket is holding bottles to chill. Friendly servers are always a benefit in making the diner feel comfortable in the restaurant and our server was enthusiastic in offering highlights of the BLT Steak menu.

Included with dinner is Chicken Liver Pate with Ciabatta Bread. The pate is not oily and provides a hearty topping to the toasted bread.

From the prix-fixe menu, Kulana Strip Loin Tataki with Wasabi Meringue and Ponzu. Fresh and bright flavor highlight this dish with a delightful taste from the meringue. The other choice from the menu is a Braised Octopus (Tako) with Shaved Fennel and Black Garlic Vinaigrette.

Who doesn't love popovers? Included with dinner these are hot and airy and served with whipped butter and sea salt, I could have eaten a couple of these.

From the prix-fixe menu, Herb Roasted Mushrooms and Potato Gnocchi. This rich side could have been a meal in itself. The other selection from the menu is Braised Leeks with Cipollini Onion and Sea Asparagus Pesto.

What it's all about: A 12 oz Grass Fed Wagyu Rib Eye with Roasted Bone Marrow and Herb Butter. The perfect medium cooked steak should be delectable that each bite just almost melts in your mouth with flavor. This steak fits the bill. The bone marrow is a sinful extra. The second selection for the prix-fixe menu is a Brown Butter/Vanilla Bean Alaska Halibut with Steamed Mussels.

The steak is served hot in the pan with a generous slice of butter.

From the pre-fixe menu, a Strawberry Napoleon. A satisfying end to the hearty meal comprised of a refreshing strawberry mousse and sauce and honey if not easy to cut because of the crispy tulle. The second dessert selection is a Chocolate Cherry Cake.

Two complimentary brownies were served after dessert. The pieces are appropriately bite-sized after this filling dinner.

The restaurant is separated into three sections. A bar with that includes small tables and low chairs and the main dining room which is comprised of indoor and outdoor seating. Being this is Hawaii, it appeared the large number of guests were visitors looking for an outdoor dining experience. Those tables filled quickly. Furnishings in various shades of cocoa are in contrast with the floor to ceiling windows that surrounds the restaurant on three sides and the mirrors and white columns inside. Tables along the banquette feel rather close but uncomfortable is the banquette itself which was not designed for comfort in proportion to heigh of the dining tables. I am guessing this is why throw pillows are lined  along the seating.

Click HERE to view the menu. Visit trumphotelcollection.com or e2hospitality.com for more information. Reservations accepted online on each website or by calling 808-683-7440. Free valet parking for four hours at Trump International Hotel with restaurant validation.

Guests have a choice indoor or outdoor seating. This photo was taken
on yesterday morning.

BLT Steak is separated into a bar section and a main dining room.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Waikiki Beach Walk: Restaurant, Retail, Hotel and Entertainment Complex

Central plaza of Waikiki Beach Walk.

Second level walkway.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Over seven years ago this corner of Waikiki was a collection of dated and crowded streets and cramped hotels built in the 1950s and 1960s. After a $535 million redevelopment, this eight-acre area bordered by Kalakaua Avenue, Lewers Street, Kalia Road, Beach Walk and Saratoga Road has emerged as a vibrant gathering place called Waikiki Beach Walk.

The name is almost a misnomer since the heart of Waikiki Beach Walk straddles two sides of Lewers Street and not Beach Walk the street. The pedestrian-friendly project is comprised of restaurants, shopping, a central plaza, wide sidewalks, tropical plants a water fountain and buildings renovated into upscale hotels. One block was completely demolished to make way for a new 350-foot tower.

Yesterday I finished an excellent staycation at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach. The hotel's Aloha and Hula Towers rises above the complex's central plaza. Occupying the east side of Waikiki Beach Walk is Wyndham Vacation Ownership. Also within the project limits are newly built Trump International Hotel Waikiki and the renovated Outrigger Reef on the Beach, the hotel brand's flagship property. Adjacent to the Waikiki Beach Walk hotels is luxury property the Halekulani Hotel and its sister hotel the Waikiki Parc and the Outrigger Waikiki Shore condo/vacation rental.

Among the 47 tenants on two levels are some popular restaurants: Yard House known for its extensive collection of beers, Roy's Waikiki featuring Chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Need something fast and cheap, head over to Subway, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or ABC Stores. Specialty retailers offers a collection of gift and clothing stores.

(story continued below)

Chairs and tables for Cheeseburger Beachwalk on the complex's
second level.

View from the second level of the central plaza.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Key to the design of the central plaza is providing a space for entertainment and play. Waikiki Beach Walk features a regular Sunday showcase of free music performances as well as yoga classes on Wednesdays.

It appeared that Waikiki Beach Walk was the new hangout for local residents and visitors alike. But after the downturn in the economy, the complex like hotels and other shopping centers in Waikiki struggled to keep its tenants busy. Over its first five years in operation Waikiki Beach Walk has seen a turnover of its retail and restaurant spaces mainly on its second level. It's saving grace is being the prime restaurant and shopping option for the complex's on-site hotels.

Still Waikiki Beach Walk is a beautiful addition to Hawaii's most popular visitor destination. It's an inviting complex that complements the neighboring hotels and is almost like an extension of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. It has rejuvenated this corner of Waikiki, a trend that has extended to other properties on Kalakaua Avenue.

Visit waikikibeachwalk.com for more information. Valet parking available at the Embassy Suites porte cochere (enter from Beach Walk) for $6 with same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk shop or restaurant. Additional parking available at Wyndham Vacation Ownership (enter on Lewers Street).

The pedestrian-friendly walkways of Waikiki Beach Walk.

The shops on the east side of Lewers Street.

A water feature at Waikiki Beach Walk. The wording on the fountain
features Hawaiian words and its translation: I hear the sweetly voiced
water, let it ripple, let it rise. The sign advertises the Waikiki Beach
Walk's Sunday Showcase.

The walkway of Waikiki Beach Walk segues into the west end of the
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

A plumeria tree among the tropical plants at the complex.

The Embassy Suites Hula Tower is located conveniently above
the heart of Waikiki Beach Walk.

The Embassy Suites Aloha Tower rises above Waikiki Beach Walk.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk: Breakfast on the Grand Lanai

Cute sayings on the guest room key cards reminds one daily of the
complimentary breakfast service.

My breakfast this morning.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

This is one a series of posts covering aspects of the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk.

The Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk includes one of the hotel chain's most popular features: the complimentary cook-to-order breakfast. Plus it's served on the Grand Lanai of the hotel. Sit beneath the sky or the shade and you'll still feel like you're in outdoors enjoying the cool breeze and morning sun of a Waikiki morning.

Breakfast is served 6:30am to 10am. Guests should have their meal voucher ready in case it is needed to be presented to staff. Two separate buffet lines provides all the basics guests may want for breakfast from eggs, toast to fruit. A made-to-order station allows guests to choose fillings placed into a cup that a cook folds into the omelette. Some may feel it is inconvenient that the drinks, coffee and juices are served from a different structure but it allows to spread out the line of people in the morning. This drink hut also has two lines.

I think it's pleasant to have the Grand Lanai on the same level as the swimming pool which is lined with palm trees and the floor comprised of stone tiles. The Grand Lanai is also the location of the Manager's Reception which I missed on the night I checked-in.

Reading my USA Today newspaper at my table I never felt rushed by the staff or guests looking for a table. This brings up an issue that can be problematic with the complimentary breakfast service at Embassy Suites hotels. At some locations the dining room is not large enough to accommodate the flow of guests especially when the hotel is fully booked. There might be waits for tables and then waits in the buffet line and longer waits at the made-to-order station. Rather than risk this problem I headed to the buffet when it opened at 6:30am.

Despite the constant flow of guests at this Waikiki hotel, the line at the buffet was always moving. There was no line at the drink station and there were always tables to spare for other guests in the hour I spent on the Grand Lanai. One really can't offer generous words when it comes to a basic well-made breakfast. In the end it tastes fine but it satisfies and is filling.

The shaded dining area on the Grand Lanai.

Signs on the fourth floor directs guests to the Grand Lanai.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

Dining at Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa's Ama Ama

Ama Ama entrance. (photo credit: Star Adverstiser)

View of Ama Ama from the beachside of the restaurant.
(photo credit: MattGeneral/flickr)

Outdoor seating at Ama Ama. (photo credit: HawaiiLogue)

The obvious attraction of Ama Ama, Disney's Resort & Spa's Aulani fine dining restaurant, is the atmosphere. The restaurant's dining room is open air and offers expansive vistas of the beach at Ko Olina and the view made even more striking at sunset when our party dined there on Friday night.

Thatched roofs shelter guests in three seating areas. One section allows guests to enjoy drinks and pupus at the bar. We were greeted by a pleasant hostess and after a short wait (but long enough that we had to sit down on the benches just inside the entrance) we were escorted to our table.

Again it's the view that counts wherever you sit and it's unlikely there is a bad table in the house but guests should request if they specifically would like indoor or outdoor seating. My understanding is that hotel guests normally have any priority for reservations and seating choices.

The menu itself is a lumbering wooden thing with the hotel name etched into the cover. I noticed several guests enjoying an Aulani Wave ($13), one of Ama Ama's signature cocktails. It's striking not for the coconut rum, mango and passion fruit liquor, pineapple juice mix but for the souvenir multicolored glow cube in the cocktail itself. Fun but I opted for a glass of white wine (King Estate Pino Gris, Oregon $12) and its subtle fruity tone.

Walnut bread with butter and black and pink Hawaiian sea salt.
(photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler)

Chicken firecracker with pineapple sauce.
(photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler)

An appetizer of chicken firecrackers (four pieces, $17) is a spicy take on the spring roll and pineapple dipping sauce started our dinner accompanied by walnut bread with black and pink Hawaiian sea salt to sprinkle on the butter. It was unusual to have the extra salt but nevertheless it was an interesting start.

I can't say how my guest enjoyed the rack of lamb ($45) but I was less than enthused for my entree, the seared ahi tuna shrimp with Kamuela tomatoes, basil and Nicoise olives garnished with eggplant caviar ($36). The ahi was overcooked so the sear which is usually in stark contrast with the bright fresh uncooked part of the fish was lacking. At least the remaining ingredients helped to make the dish partially satisfying.

Rack of Lamb (photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler) 

Seared ahi tuna and shrimp (photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler)

Although the Hawaiian chocolate cake with Ka'u coffee cream and caramel chard ($10) did look delicious, my choice was the lighter flavor of the coconut panna cotta with chilled passion fruit broth and green tea tulle ($10). Dessert did not disappoint especially when accompanied with table-side pressed coffee ($9.50)

As characteristic of Disney hospitality the server was attentive without being overly so. Musicians traveled through the restaurant entertaining diners which adds to the atmosphere or becomes distraction if that's not your thing. For the fine-dining prices, Ama Ama should be reserved for special occasions especially if you live in Honolulu and making the long trek to Ko Olina.

Ama Ama is named after a local mullet fish popularized in Hawaiian songs.  Click HERE for online reservations, menu samples and more information about Ama Ama and Aulani's other restaurants. Located at 92-1185 Aliinui Drive in Kapolei, self-parking is validated for four hours with a $35 dining purchase. Hours: breakfast 7am-10:30am; lunch 11:30am-3pm; dinner 5:30pm-10pm. Reservations strongly recommended. Attire not permitted: tank tops, swimwear, men's hats, cut-off pants and torn clothing. See specific restaurant attire info online.

Coconut panna cotta (photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler)

Hawaiian chocolate cake (photo credit: TheHopefulTraveler)