Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is known for their kurobuta pork loin tonkatsu. They are a chain in Japan and they have 1 location in Waikiki. The service and taste of their food is excellent. The tonkatsu are served as sets which come with shredded cabbage, rice, and miso soup. You can get refills on miso soup and cabbage. They have lunch specials that are under $20 and they give a good portion of food. I enjoyed the tiger shrimp katsu more than the tonkatsu. The tiger shrimp was huge and very crispy. The pork was a bit dry.

The prices for the tonkatsu sets are high compared to the other place on Kapahulu. They also put a service charge on each bill that is not gratuity so you still have to add tip. They do offer a kamaaina discount if you show your local ID.

I you plan to eat here, call and make a reservation in advance because they do get busy. For parking, you can park in the underground parking lot at the Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center and get validation from the restaurant.

For more information about Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin, visit www.pj-partners.com/bairin/index.html.

255 Beach Walk
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 926-8082

Rolled Omelet

Pork Tenderloin Katsu Set w/ Tiger Shrimp Katsu

Katsu Don Set

Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu Set

Japanese BBQ Yoshi

Japanese BBQ Yoshi is a yakiniku restaurant that offers premium meats. You can order items ala carte or choose a set menu. There is a $250 wagyu set and a $200 washugyu set. Both of the set menus will feed 2 people. The wagyu set offer A4/A5 wagyu beef and it's high recommended. My favorite item it the set was the wagyu ribeye steak. See below for photos from the wagyu set for 2.

If the set menu price is too high, they have happy hour from 5pm-6pm and 8:45pm-closing. They have a few meats that are under $20 and cooked items under $10. This place is always busy so I recommend making reservations a few days in advanced. If you come early, you have a better chance to getting a parking stall in front of the restaurant. If the lot fills up, street parking is the alternate option.

For more information about Japanese BBQ Yoshi, visit www.japanesebbq-yoshi.com.

1316 Young St
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 784-0067

Yoshi Green Salad

Assorted Kimchee, Namul, Nori

Pork Belly Bao

Miso Scallops

Beef Tongue

Wagyu Sampler, Wagyu Ribeye Steak

Wagyu Yakishabu w/ Negi & Garlic

Mini Udon

Bread Pudding

Yuzu Jelly w/ Watermelon Sorbet

Viaggio Honolulu

Viaggio is located on the 2nd level of the Velocity Honolulu above Italica Bar & Cafe. They serve Italian food and they incorporate local ingredients into the dishes. I recommend coming here for happy hour or an early dinner if you have an event in the Blaisdell Center. The happy hour is available at the bar from 4-6pm; walk ins only. If you prefer to have a nice sit-down dinner, then make a reservation for the dining room.

The restaurant overlooks Ward Ave. and the Blaisdell Arena. Their prices are high but the food taste great. The dress code is business casual unless you plan to sit at the bar then casual is okay. They offer complimentary valet parking; enter on Kapiolani Blvd. If you do street parking or you parked in the Blaisdell Center, you can enter Velocity Honolulu on Ward Ave. at Italica Bar and Cafe and take the elevator up.

For more information about Viaggio Honolulu, visit viaggiohonolulu.com.

888 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 592-8881

Steamed Clams

Pizza Fondue w/ Fresh Baked Focaccia

Spinach & Bacon Dip

Kunoa Beef Sliders & Fries

Polpi In Umido (braised octopus)

Izakaya Danji Honolulu

Izakaya Danji is a tiny dinner spot located on S. Beretania Street between Auntie Pasto's and the Goodwill Store. The food taste good and the prices are reasonable but the portions are small. Most of the appetizers are meant for 1 person so you may want to double up on some items. I recommend having dinner here before going to an event at the Blaisdell Center. It's a short walk and if you come right when they open, you can get seated quickly. For parking, there are a few spaces in front of the restaurant or there is metered street parking.

1095 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 888-8777

Goma Hamachi

Fried Fishcake w/ Shoyu & Butter

Chicken Nanban

Gyoza

Fried Rice w/ Spicy Pickled Mustard Leaf

Rigo

Rigo offers the flavors of Spain and Italy in one place. They renovated the former Genki Sushi and turned it into a beautiful open concept restaurant with a huge wine display case. From the dining room, you can look into the kitchen and watch the chefs prepare your pasta dishes. My favorites were the ajillo, crostini, and cacio e pepe.

The prices are a bit high and the portions are small but the service and taste of the food was good. They can accommodate big groups but reservations are recommended. They have a small parking lot on the side of the restaurant but if that fills up, there is metered street parking on Kapahulu Ave.

For more information about Rigo, visit www.rigohawaii.com.

885 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 735-9760

Garlic Parmesan Bread, Ajillo

Crostini

Cacio E Pepe

Funghi Pizza

Basque Cheesecake