GREAT EATS HAWAII: 2026

Thursday, August 27, 2026

ALAN WONG'S ON THE VERANDA - THE KAHALA RESORT

THE VERANDA

THE KAHALA HOTEL AND RESORT

5000 KAHALA AVE

HONOLULU, HI 96816

808-739-8760

www.kahalaresort.com

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-veranda-honolulu-5

https://www.facebook.com/theverandakahala/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/248078869/united-states/honolulu-hawaii/the-veranda-at-the-kahala-hotel-and-resort/

With my daughter in town for a few weeks, we decided to head down to The Kahala for drinks and dinner. Didn't have any reservations or idea where we would eat. Hit the Plumeria Beach House and found that it along with the bar were closed at 5PM. Headed down the beach to the Seaside Grill which is a little hidden gem of a spot for drinks and light meals. The waiter was fantastic and we totally enjoyed sitting on the sand and enjoying the beautiful ocean view. Decided to go to Alan Wong's for dinner and walked in to find two or three gals at the podium who all looked like they saw a ghost when we walked in around 5:30. None of them smiled or welcomed us to the restaurant. I asked if they had room for two and all three immediately said "no" despite the restaurant being empty. I asked if they had a bar and they showed us around the corner where the bartender immediately let us know that they only serve a limited menu at the bar without about five items. Actually felt like they didn't want us to eat there. Bazaar. She then said it was the menu for the Veranda too. Looking at the bar and then the Veranda, we chose to sit on the Veranda and order dinner there. Glad we did because service and attitude on the Veranda were superior over Alan Wong's plus the view was amazing. My daughter enjoyed "The World's Best Mai Tai" while I relaxed with a crisp Chardonnay. The Ahi Sashimi was fresh and the perfect start to a pretty good meal. The Garlic Shrimp were good but nothing I would come back again for. The special steak was pretty delicious and the Chocolate Crunch Bars ended the dinner on a high note. The Veranda to me is another gem but I just wish you could order a larger variety of pupu's and entrees here because you cannot beat the atmosphere, ambiance and view!

ENJOYING ALAN WONG'S ON THE VERANDA

A WALK ON KAHALA BEACH BEFORE WE DINE

PRE DINNER DRINKS ON THE BEACH AT THE SEASIDE GRILL

THE VERANDA ALAN WONG'S MENU

THE WORLD'S BEST MAI TAI

WORLD'S BEST MAI TAI VIDEO

MUCH BETTER VIEW THAN SITTING AT THE BAR

AHI SASHIMI

SHRIMP PARMESAN GARLIC BLACK PEPPER SAUCE

STEAK WITH A VIEW

SPECIAL STEAK WAS $80

WAILUA CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BAR

Sunday, August 23, 2026

BOTANICO WAIKIKI

WAIKIKI SHOPPING PLAZA

2250 KALAKAUA AVE

HONOLULU, HI

808-200-3241

https://www.botanicowaikiki.com/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/botanico-waikiki-honolulu

https://www.instagram.com/botanico_waikiki/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/botanicowaikiki/

Botanico is a beautiful, fresh, clean and comfortable spot in the heart of Waikiki. It is located in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza which is one of the best maintained buildings in the city. Convenient validated parking is great for a Date Night in Waikiki. The inside and outside of Botanico is beautiful. They did not scrimp on the furnishings or details here. First impression was fantastic. The Receptionist/ Manager greeted us with a nice smile and we were seated quickly on a Friday night. The table next to us was large and everyone brought their own bottle of wine so I guess you can bring your own. Don't know if there is a corkage fee. Our waitress was very friendly, professional and efficient. Great service. The food however failed to impress. I liked most of the Terra e Mari Antipasto Misto. The Calamari, Bruschetta and Shrimp were standouts but the marinated seafood was terrible. Did not care for the marinade at all. The Rigatoni Bolognese was very bland. Not much flavor and something I would not order again. The Pizza was TERRIBLE. We only ate one slice between the two of us and left the entire Pizza on the table. Didn't want to take it home. The crust and sauce were very bland and tasteless. The toppings were also bland and it was like there was nothing on the Pizza. I have honestly had better Pizza out of a frozen box. Huge disappointment that I am sure they can fix with a few tweaks. Wish I could have wrote a more favorable review because I liked this place. I just gotta call em as I eat em.