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French
There are very few French restaurants here on the island. With the exception of Brasserie Du Vin, which is relatively economical (but still very stylish), they are all pretty much upscale establishments. This section includes the only restaurant we know of on the island, La Mer, that requires either a jacket or a long sleeved, collared shirt. Being that we are in Hawaii, you will find some Pacific Rim touches here, particularly from the Asian side, but the focus is predominantly French.
Da Big Boy’z: All are recommended. La Mer and Michel’s are among the most upscale restaurants on the island, while Brasserie Du Vin, is, by far, the friendliest on the wallet. Café Miro is an excellent French restaurant with a bit of a Japanese twist, and just may be the pleasant surprise of the bunch.
La Mer. 2199 Kalia Rd. at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. 923-2311. Dinner nightly. Parking at hotel. Prices: $$$$. Map. La Mer is probably the finest of fine-dining restaurants on the island. Jackets or long-sleeved shirts are required here, but they will provide one if you get caught unawares. Chef Mavrothalassitis, of Mavro’s, was the brilliance that brought this French restaurant to national acclaim, and new chef Yves Garnier has been a worthy successor. The second floor dining room is elegantly adorned, while Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach provide a romantic backdrop to your evenings. The best of local fish varieties are prepared in saffron, truffles, and other exotic herbs and oils, Wagyu beef from Kagoshima is drenched in bordelaise sauce, and medallions of milk-fed veal are placed on a confit of beans and tomato, then covered with Roquefort sauce. You can choose various items from two to four-course menus, or get the nine-course degustation meal for $150 each. Prepare to be wow’d!
| An excellent lamb with shiitake mushroom and mint sauce at Cafe Miro in Kaimuki. |  |
Le Guignol. 1010 S. King St. next to the Blaisdell Center concert Hall. 591-1809. Dinner nightly except closed on Monday. Prices: $$$$. Map. There have been some ownership changes here, but this little restaurant continues to be a good place to experience French cuisine in a casual atmosphere. They offer such items as baked escargot w/garlic and parsley butter, a pan roasted quail salad, smoked salmon Napolean, a cumin-crusted roast leg of lamb with curry demi-glaze, and opakapaka in buerre noisette.
Duc’s Bistro. 1188 Maunakea st. 531-6325. Lunch and dinner daily except closed on Sunday. Parking in lot across street. Prices: $$$$. Map. Duc’s Bistro is a surprise smack in the middle of run-down looking buildings in Downtown Honolulu, but still just a short walk away from the trendy, artsy sections of Downtown. Duc himself, whose Vietnamese heritage is evident in some of the dishes, always seems to be there, and is very polite and helpful in a butler-ish type of way. There are a variety of different live bands playing nightly, mostly on the jazzy side, but can also include anyone from a single artist behind the grand piano to ukulele-playing Hawaiian musicians complete with hula dancers. The dim-lit, sophisticated ambience and French-inspired menu helps to put you in the mood and begs to include a glass of fine, aged port or Hennessey to go with your elegant meal.
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Affordable French - Roast chicken with Kalamata olives at Brasserie Du Vin. |
