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Upscale Dining
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Roast pork loin chop w/Montasio and Speck, grilled potatoes, broccolini, and red wine Tartufata from Sapori Enoteca. |
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Sapori Enoteca. A Closer Look. 1341 Kapiolani Blvd. at the Uraku Tower near Ala Moana S.C. 955-3582. Dinner nightly except closed Monday, late-night till 12am Tuesday-Sunday, 2am Friday and Saturday. Parking in Uraku Tower building. Prices: $$$. Map. The latest, and possibly greatest creation of esteemed island Italian Chef Donato Loperfido, Sapori Enoteca features small, tapas-style dishes meant to be shared amongst diners, with a great affinity towards the pairings of fine wines and designer beers. General Manager Cynthia Fenner is a second-level sommelier brought-over from Neiman Marcus, and is a wealth of information, pairing a wide selection heavy on old-world Italian selections. Carrying a single menu that changes regularly (oftentimes weekly), all ranging in prices from $5 to about $18, the cuisine is very refined and sophisticated, especially for the price. You’ll find such great dishes as a risotto con funghi, house-made gnocchi, bruschetta with various toppings, charred ribeye w/Cabrales blue cheese glacage, and roast pork loin w/Montasio cheese and Speck ham. The atmosphere is chic and stylish, though a bit retro in design. Fabulous place for food and drink, any way you look at it, for both casual or special occasions!
Sarento’s Top of the "I." 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. at the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki. 955-5559. Dinner nightly. Parking at hotel or in lots oceanside of hotel. $$$$. Map. With large glass panels overlooking beautiful Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and the glorious Hawaiian sunset, we find a setting ripe for romance! If you can get into one of the large semi-circle booths, which is actually not that difficult when calling ahead, you will be treated to front row, unobstructed views that are perfect to get you in the mood. Combine these benefits with a ritzy, old-school glamour and atmosphere, as well as top-level service, and you have the beginnings of a worthwhile experience. If not a full dinner, try slipping in for a few drinks and an appetizer or two, especially if you can get a booth.
Matteo’s. 364 Seaside Ave. at the Marine Surf Hotel in Waikiki. 922-5551. Dinner nightly. Parking at hotel or on street. Prices: $$$$. Map. Matteo’s used to be one of the top choices for a romantic, fine-dining evening back in the day, but has undergone new ownership and aged a bit over the years. Remnants of greatness are still to be found, however, with its elegant atmosphere, attentive service, and extensive wine list, with bottles that can cost more than a month’s rent in Waikiki!
Sergio’s. 449 Kapahulu Ave. at the Hee Hing Building in Kapahulu. 737-4462. Dinner nightly. Parking in building. Prices: $$$$. Map. The Chef and staff from the former Sergio’s at the Hilton Hawaiian Village have transferred their talents to a new location, at the former Sam Choy’s Diamond Head in Kapahulu. The same fine-dining atmosphere pervades here, and the same menu that included a lot of meat-heavy Northern Italian dishes have come, as well. Not the most authentic Italian of places, with large servings of that include fancy salads, kicked-up pizza, a wide range of pastas, and, yes, meats like ricotta/herb-stuffed pork chop, ham and Fontina cheese-stuffed free-range chicken, Osso Bucco, grilled sausage with polenta, and more. The former location at the Hilton is now called Sergio’s Italian Table, and is a less formal, family-type restaurant featuring Italian-leaning dishes, as well.
Tavola Tavola. 3106 Monsarrat Ave. near Diamond Head. 737-6600. Dinner nightly. Parking outside store. Prices: $$$$. Map. Tavola Tavola has an unpretentious look (from the outside, that is), with its location close to the Waikiki Beach, but both the dishes, atmosphere, and service is elegant and tasteful. The owner is of Japanese origin, and describes his dishes as Northern Italian, from the Emilia Romagna region. There are items like pappardelle al Bolognese, which comes as a wide pasta noodle tossed with mushrooms and bolognaise sauce, and pesce alla griglia, or fish of the day over sauteed vegetables and aromatic olive oil. The pasta, breads, sausages, and desserts are all made fresh daily. You may also choose a 5-course degustazione meal for about $70.
Taormina. 227 Lewers St. at the Waikiki Beach Walk. 926-5050. Lunch and dinner daily. Parking at Embassy Suites on Beachwalk and Wyndham Hotel on Helumoa Rd. Prices: $$$$. Map. Taormina is similar to Tavola Tavola in that it features fine Italian cuisine with a Japanese twist, with the Japanese chef and kitchen staff featuring such items as uni (sea urchin) pasta and ama ebi (sweet shrimp) appetizers. Otherwise, Sicilian is on the menu, with prosciutto w/mozzarella and melons, seafood pescatore, tenderloin alla fungi, lobster with porcini risotto, grilled lamb Palermo, and many other fancy dishes. The dining area is sophisticated and well-designed, with romantic little nooks and partitions for intimate occasions.
