Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Kanpai Bar and Grill. 404 Ward Ave
Honolulu, HI 96814

Tonite my wife and friends are going to try Kanpai Bar and Grill. The restaurant is located on Ward Avenue on what used to be the Dixie Grill BBQ restaurant.

We are actually looking forward to checking Kanpai Bar and Grill out, as this restaurant is operated by the former guys over at slammers that was on Kalakaua ave.

I have to admit the location that was over on Kalakaua was pretty weak…I mean, the location was kind of hard to get to, and it was kind of scary looking. I think this new location of Kanpai Bar and Grill is much better, and more accessible.

The chef is from the Alan Wong gang. He ran Pineapple Room in Macy’s Ala Moana before moving on.

I understand that the food is like Side Street Inn…really local, grinds style, but awesome execution.

I haven’t eaten all day and am looking forward to our event at Kanpai Bar and Grill. When I’m back, I’ll come back and post.

Update:

Okay, so we are back…

Overall, the experience was good. The place is airy and just like a sports bar with the darts, and games, and sports jerseys up on the walls.

Now to Food.

We ordered Garlic chicken, tofu, house salad, noodles with kalbi, potato mac salad,fried ahi belly, and had drinks.

The food came out pretty fast, except our friends who ordered before we got there ended up with their order last.

We shared everything pupu style.

Garlic chicken- pretty much standard fare, like you get in okazuya…really crunchy with the sweet soy glaze.

Tofu- again standard fare with shoyu, grated fresh ginger and a little bonito flakes and lots of green onions.

Ahi belly was really good, fried nice and crisp but still moist inside.

Potato mac salad, nice and mayonaissy and well cooked potatoes and macaroni.

And then the noodles. Sort of their version of fried saimin, with pieces of kalbi on top.

Lastly, the salad, Very large mesclun, maybe Deans Greens….with creamy garlicy dressing. Light, flavorful and refreshing.

Over all, the food had good flavor, the only problem was I guess I expected more from a former Alan Wong chef. Basically, the food was very local fare..satisfying, but not something I would salivate over and dream about…..like the porkchops at Side street, or the seared ahi salad from Nobu.

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