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+--- Thread: Kaleo's wins award (/showthread.php?tid=8015)
RE: Kaleo's wins award - DanielP - 11-10-2010
We also often enjoy the Lemongrass in Keaau, which keeps our going out a bit more affordable.
Dan
RE: Kaleo's wins award - Kelena - 11-10-2010
The Hilo Bay Cafe doesn't work for me, although I understand why others like it. The cuisine is excellent and superbly presented; the cocktails are perfectly conceived and executed and the service is excellent, with an attentive and even gorgeous wait staff. The problem for me is that I don't want to feel like I am in New York City. The acoustics there are not conducive to conversation and the sense of place is, again, lacking -- unless that place is New York.
I prefer Cafe Pesto if they would just turn off the air conditioner and open the windows. I tend to run a little hot (due to copious amounts of GPS), but Cafe Pesto chills me.
RE: Kaleo's wins award - DanielP - 11-10-2010
The acoustics in Cafe Pesto are worse for me. I feel like I am in a gymnasium filled with restaurant clatter. Menu seldom changes much and portions are meager at those prices.
I get what you are saying about Hilo Bay Cafe, stip mall location, Black and stainless, but I do like the varied and creative menu. The crusted Mahi Mahi at Seaside is incredible.
We live in way rural California half the year, where there are only 12 restaurants in a 60 mile radius, so coming to BI is loads of fun to explore different cuisine. Coming back very soon!!!
Dan
RE: Kaleo's wins award - John S. Rabi - 11-10-2010
quote:Pahui'a and Hale Samoa are the two best restaurants on the island. Canoe House, Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar and Merriman's make it to the Top 5 if money is no object.
Originally posted by DanielP
John, I know that you and I both like Paolo's; So how about your top 5. 5 budget and 5 non-budget? The last that I visited Kona, we tried a new place that was across from The King Kam where Paleo's Used to be. It was good and budget minded. I also like La Pasta and the Kona Inn Lounge side.
Kiluea Lodge, Holuakoa Gardens, Fish Hopper, Hilo Bay Cafe and Paolo's are the Top 5 in the next tier.
There are lots of good hole-in-the wall (3rd Tier) places all over the island.
BTW, La Pasta closed and the new place you mentioned is Splasher's. (They used be just a burger joint across of the pier.)
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS
888.819.9669
johnrabi@johnrabi.com
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
(This is what I think of the Kona Board of Realtors http://KonaBoardOfRealtors.info)
RE: Kaleo's wins award - Greg - 11-10-2010
There was once a contest here where the winner got a free meal at Huggos. Second place was two free meals at Huggos!
[8D]
RE: Kaleo's wins award - csgray - 11-10-2010
I have found that a measure of the quality of service in a restaurant is how they treat a single woman diner. I don't know why so many waitstaff assume in this day and age that a woman alone will be a lousy tipper, but they often create a self fulfilling prophecy by giving really crappy service. I eat out alone quite often at places where my husband's dietary limitations mean he can't eat there, Hilo Bay Cafe and Cafe Pesto are both places I finally gave up on after getting such poor service that I just cannot bring myself to go back. It just shouldn't take 45 minutes to get a drink and appetizer served in a half empty restaurant, and a simple meal of appetizer, dinner salad, and 2 cocktails shouldn't ever take 2 hours for a solo diner. It's a shame because they both have certain dishes I really like, and if I get even half way decent service when dining alone I am an extravagant tipper.
Carol
RE: Kaleo's wins award - DanielP - 11-10-2010
John,
I am sorry to hear that La Pasta closed. I felt that his food was excellent, especially for the price. Alas, I have yet to try your top tier choices. the austerity program, you know. Have been to all of the second tier places except Holuakoa gardens. Cannot agree on Fish Hopper. My last visit the food was disappointing. Been to Seaside in Hilo? By far my favorite seafood so far.
Dan
RE: Kaleo's wins award - John S. Rabi - 11-10-2010
quote:I have been to their Monterey restaurant and it's much better than the Kona one, but they finally got a new chef here and the food is 100% better! Give them another try. They have an early bird dinner special, a three-course meal for $14.95, you can't beat it. Not to mention the free appetizer coupon you can get from their web site! [
Originally posted by DanielP
Cannot agree on Fish Hopper. My last visit the food was disappointing.
][][] BTW, right next door is Tante's, a great and inexpensive Filipino restaurant, I eat there frequently.Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS
888.819.9669
johnrabi@johnrabi.com
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
(This is what I think of the Kona Board of Realtors http://KonaBoardOfRealtors.info)
RE: Kaleo's wins award - allensylves - 11-10-2010
Pog and Glen,
Pom my chop phet leuy krap!
I tried Full Moon Cafe (just up the street [mauka] from the Tsunami Museum, Thai and American) twice very recently and liked it both times.
Allen
Baton Rouge, LA & HPP
RE: Kaleo's wins award - Chuysmom - 11-11-2010
This thread is fascinating. I love to hear about all these different restaurants. I took Mom to The Ponds last week around lunch time. We were very plesantly surprised by the wait staff. She had their prime rib au jus and I had their corned beef. The sauerkraut was wonderful and prepared with apple. Both were excellent. They were very attentive without being too familiar.
As for Cafe Pesto, I agree that the service is rediculously slow...just no reason for that. Having said that, I LOVE the hum of other diners and hearing the dishes clanking in the background. It must touch a childhood memory.
We are very fond of Kaleos. Our very first experience was horrible. It was our anniversary and we were seated directly in front of an extremely loud band. Although the music was nice, we were forced to scream to hear each other. I commented on that to the waitress. Others did as well. Eventually they adjusted that problem. When my dear friend comes to town we always go for their salad with a piece of blackened Ahi and their amazing citrus dressing. This year we went again to Kaleos and loved the musician...he played both Hawaiian and older classics. His voice was gentle and just right for the atmosphere. Two of the waitresses came out and each did a hula - very cute - not pretentious. It was a good thing.
Carrie
http://www.sapphiresoap.etsy.com
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR