12-11-2010, 12:50 PM
My comment is that fresh fish is overpriced here, even though most people would think that an island is the place to get good fish.
For the money, a steak or chicken is a better value. Jerry did mention price, so I'm just saying that being set on fish is equivalent to deciding to let yourself get somewhat ripped off. If that's what you really want, then go for it, but know it going in.
I think that Cafe Pesto is the nicest overall place in Hilo, but they do charge a lot for Catch of the Day, and fish is not where they return the most value.
It's all subjective. I agree that Seaside's portions were generous. OTOH, for the life of me I can't remember what I ordered. It wasn't memorable. I've had dinners at Pesto that were memorable. You find ambience secondary. For me it is primary. I love the period building that Pesto inhabits, the art on the walls, the 20 foot ceilings, the lighting that is low key without being too dark. I thought Seaside was not much above a diner in terms of ambience. But ... one could say it has unpretentious appeal, I suppose.
Mostly I remember looking out at the ponds through dirty plastic and being irritated by it.
My other favorite moderate place is Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi, but it's way too far away unless the party was hanging at the Kohala Inn for the night (which is cheap, btw).
I'm sorry to be the no suggestion person. Like I said, used to go to Kaikodo for special occasions. At this point, I don't bother to go out to eat unless I'm on the west side. (But if I were in Pahoa, I'd be interested in Kaleo's and Paulo's.)
For the money, a steak or chicken is a better value. Jerry did mention price, so I'm just saying that being set on fish is equivalent to deciding to let yourself get somewhat ripped off. If that's what you really want, then go for it, but know it going in.
I think that Cafe Pesto is the nicest overall place in Hilo, but they do charge a lot for Catch of the Day, and fish is not where they return the most value.
It's all subjective. I agree that Seaside's portions were generous. OTOH, for the life of me I can't remember what I ordered. It wasn't memorable. I've had dinners at Pesto that were memorable. You find ambience secondary. For me it is primary. I love the period building that Pesto inhabits, the art on the walls, the 20 foot ceilings, the lighting that is low key without being too dark. I thought Seaside was not much above a diner in terms of ambience. But ... one could say it has unpretentious appeal, I suppose.
Mostly I remember looking out at the ponds through dirty plastic and being irritated by it.
My other favorite moderate place is Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi, but it's way too far away unless the party was hanging at the Kohala Inn for the night (which is cheap, btw).
I'm sorry to be the no suggestion person. Like I said, used to go to Kaikodo for special occasions. At this point, I don't bother to go out to eat unless I'm on the west side. (But if I were in Pahoa, I'd be interested in Kaleo's and Paulo's.)