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I'm on the island for vacation (yay!) and we spent a week up by Honokaa, 2 days in Kona (waay too hot for us) and are now in Hilo fo a week.
Given the lava situation I thought it best to stay out of the way and not venture into Pahoa, however a local friend of ours encouraged us to go to dinner at Paolo's Bistro. Has anyone tried it? What do you think?
On another note, our friend directed us to the first scenic outlook on the right as you go over the "singing bridge" exiting Hilo going north, on the belt road. From there, at night, as you look out over the bay and Hilo town, you can see a lava fountain (presumably fissure 8?). I took a few pics with my iphone but they are pretty bad. It was a surreal site to see. I can imagine what it will be like if we go to Paolo's.
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I've only been to Paolo's once, some years back, but have meant to go again for quite some time. It's like eating in a small bistro in a little Italian town. You almost feel like you're in someone's home and they are cooking for you. He has limited menu every evening, and seating is limited, too. Not many tables. I was told to make reservations. I remember I had to call a few times until someone answered. Also, when we went a few years back, it was BYOB. Might have been a corking fee, not sure. I hear Paolo is from a small seaside village in Italy.
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I went to Paulo's a couple weeks ago and it was wonderful. Great food, Paulo was cooking that night and came out and talked to everyone. Wonderful true Italian chef. I had heard that the service was painfully slow but we were very happy with the pace, not too slow at all. And if Paulo's is booked, try Kaleo's, always good. DO come to Pahoa. You'll meet friendly people and see a sky unlike anywhere else.
Certainty will be the death of us.
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My Favorite! Paolo is an artist. Go early
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Paolo is a great guy. An Italian by heritage but a kamaaina through and through. I remember playing basketball with him 30 years ago as he was my best friends neighbor as a kid.
On top of all that he serves authentic Italian food cooked with love.
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Paolo's is just one of the best things here.
Been there a number of times over the years.
Never disappointed.
My fix for real Italian here.
I just always made sure to bring really
good and appropriate wine with.
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Thanks! We ate at Kaleo's last time we were here and had a good experience. I've read about Paolo's and understand the menu changes daily depending on what's available, they don't have alcohol but you can BYOW and there is a $15 corkage fee. There are a fair number of reviews complaining about very long wait times for food, water, etc., but we'll see. We're not in a hurry and my SWMBO lived in various European countries (including Italy) so she's used to that dining style. Got reservations for dinner tonght!
I also read on a punaweb thread that the parking lot of the Sacred Heart church in Pahoa is a good place to legally:-) see the lava. True?
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$15 corkage fee? Most of the wine drunk in my household doesn't even cost $15 a bottle. How about BYOCS, or "bring your own corkscrew?"
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HI Someday @ 08:43:30 07/27/2018-
Hope and wish for a great experience for you this evening.
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You cannot actually see the lava at Sacred Hearts, but a good glow....there are very few public areas that you are allowed see the actual fissure, most of them are miles away... and on public roadways.... so imaging is not really an option... flyovers & boat trips are the closest legal way right now...& DLNR is issuing some pretty hefty fines for those they find in the closer areas.... so unless you want a heavy duty ticket as a reason to return, probably best to front the flight or boat costs...
