Roy's Ko Olina

Description:

• The latest in Roy's empire of excellent restaurants opened in 2004 in Ko Olina Resort on the leeward coast of Oahu, some 16 years after the flagship restaurant opened in Hawaii Kai. One of some nearly three dozen locations around the globe, Roy's Ko Olina perches in a peerless location overlooking the lagoon, waterfalls, and 18th hole of the Ko Olina Golf Club. The space, formerly home to the Niblick Restaurant, has been totally transformed to include Roy's famous display kitchen and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the view. Roy's usual high-decibel style of dining has been replaced by a relaxing, romantic atmosphere where you can have a conversation without shouting while enjoying the incredible cuisine. The menu changes daily, but you can generally count on Roy's classics: blackened ahi, hibachi salmon, and Szechuan baby-back ribs. Some great additions include Asian pesto steamed fresh fish, cilantro-dusted papio (jack trevally), kiawe-grilled filet mignon, and roasted chicken with huli-huli (sort of a Hawaiian BBQ sauce) sauce. Unlike the Hawaii Kai location, Ko Olina is also open for lunch; between lunch- and dinner-time, you can enjoy appetizers at the bar. It's worth the drive to participate in this incredible dining experience.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010