Restaurants - Big Island

Hi folks, this is a wonderful place for information and I thank you all for the great insight. Restaurants are always talked about a lot and I%26#39;d like to get one good list pf places to eat and not to. Who better to ask then those who have eaten there.

If you would, please reply with a list of places you recommend and places to avoid. I%26#39;m sure this would help many people. Thanks in advance!

Restaurants - Big Island

We went to three great places on the Big Island:

Cafe Pesto - The food here is delish. I would probably stick with their pizzas since it%26#39;s what they%26#39;re known for. Basically, it%26#39;s Calfornia Pizza Kitchen but better. The crust is really good. We had the kula pork and pineapple pizza and it was very good. The crab cakes are to die for, one of the best I%26#39;ve ever tasted from any restaurant. The macademia-nut apple crisp is succulent, and the drinks are good too. Dinner will be about $60 for two.

Huggo%26#39;s - Great food... I recommend this place highly and tt%26#39;s right on the water. The garlic bread is yummy, the shrimp scampi is great, as if the flank steak beef teriyaki. The drinks are strong, and a must is the Kona Coffee Ice Cream Mud Pie. Dinner will be about $65-75 for two.

Pahu%26#39;ia - Very expensive but worth every penny. This is a place to say ';goodbye'; to the Big Island. Located at the Four Seasons Hulalani, it%26#39;s truly amazing... ocean front. The service is top notch, as it should... but the food is amazing, truly astonishing. I had veal medallions which melted in my mouth with every bit. The best mashed pototes I ever had - and I%26#39;m not a big mash potatoes fans. Dinner is about $180-200 for two.

Restaurants - Big Island

We enjoyed Pahu%26#39;ia, Kamuela Provision Co, Imari, Roys, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Kona Brewing Co. had great food but our service was terrible (might of just been a bad day for our server...but he was awful). We also ate at the CanoeHouse and were disappointed by the food. The location is nice, but food was nothing I%26#39;d recommend for the price.

ALOHA......

This a big place.......where are you staying.....you dont want to have to drive 8 hours to dinner.

For the my picks, I%26#39;d avoid the hotels as they all charge a premium and it is good but not so over the top.

.Four Seasons is stunning but very expensive.It is in my opinion not worth the price..it is priced to fit with the $700 a night room price that their guests pay. It is food prepared without a fault but which you could also get in New York.

I offer smaller, creative and unique places.....coming to hawaii for Pizza and mexican food is not very Hawiian.

These places are not chains and each offers atmosphere that is unique to enhance you island experience.....no buffets or laus....go to Las Vegas for them... rather I suggest you savor local and memorable....what you cant get at home or on the mainland with any ease.

Here is my list.....Where you can eat almost as well as the Four Seasons but for 1/2 the price.

Bamboo: in Hawi...original and creative island food. Atmosphere and off the beaten track

Kilauea lodge: in Volcano.. great game and fish.

Royal Thai :in Keauhou....best Thai here

Kenichi: in Keauhou.....like Roys used to be for half the price oriental fussion flare.. great fish

Merrimans: in Waimea...clean and fresh flavor with great service

and MAYBE...Roys......but it has suffered since he is now a nationwide chain......his sauces taste like out of a bottle, in my opinion. It is more show and less go. It is nice but not great.

Harringtons: in Hilo. on a tropical lagoon in old Hawaii atmospehre you can cut with a knife

That is where I would eat to have a variety of experiences and somthing to truly remember of Hawaii

HD

Aloha jahart, I agree with Dewtrell Hawaiian Pizzas are different and well worth a try. You will find many great moderate priced restaurants in Kona and in the coupon book many offer discounts. Being from NY you how to check the menu before entering. Have a great vacation. I have been to the BI 27 times every time was new and fun.