01-31-2013, 05:27 AM
Dayna,
Hopefully this will help.
Ponds does have an afternoon 'happy hour' menu between 2-5, we have always had good service, some dishes are really good...others not (I really enjoy the furitake seared ahi, though I realize it is not a dish for everyone & their fish-n-chips are really good...but not 'fancy menu' fare) : http://pondshilo.net/
Seaside opens at 5:30 - the main reason to go to either is definitely eating on the water, Seaside has some very nice fish dishes, but over 1/2 of the seating is in a dark dining room...but if you do get waterside - patio seating, it is fun to watch the egrets.. : www.seasiderestaurant.com/
Nihons has new management, but have yet to re-try it...(I think everyone is waiting for someone else to...) - either no one is going there, or they were not open yesterday at 5 : http://www.nihonhilo.com/
Le Magic Pan crepes on Keawe may not be open till 5 or 5:30-ish, but is in the old Kaikado building, which is simply gorgeous...
Miyos is now in the Manono/Hinono strip mall (across from Big Island Candy), but the inside is very nice, and the menu is still good. Also in this mall is the Hawaiian Style Cafe, not fancy but a very clean (& service has really improved... so no really long waits that we have seen since the beginning of the year...)
Another not fancy but clean & open in that late afternoon is the more mom-n-pop Dons Grill, north (toward the bay) of Big Island Candy on Hinano : http://www.donsgrillhilo.com/
Hilo Bay Cafe is also in a shopping mall, again the inside is nice... food is very nice, and the 'happy hour' menu is more reasonable : http://www.hilobaycafe.com/
Imiloa has the sky garden, which has a fantastic clear view over Hilo on a beautiful day & is open during the late afternoons... they have both menu & buffet selections...we often stop for a quick bite before an evening show there : http://www.imiloahawaii.org/22/sky-garden-restaurant
Hopefully this will help.
Ponds does have an afternoon 'happy hour' menu between 2-5, we have always had good service, some dishes are really good...others not (I really enjoy the furitake seared ahi, though I realize it is not a dish for everyone & their fish-n-chips are really good...but not 'fancy menu' fare) : http://pondshilo.net/
Seaside opens at 5:30 - the main reason to go to either is definitely eating on the water, Seaside has some very nice fish dishes, but over 1/2 of the seating is in a dark dining room...but if you do get waterside - patio seating, it is fun to watch the egrets.. : www.seasiderestaurant.com/
Nihons has new management, but have yet to re-try it...(I think everyone is waiting for someone else to...) - either no one is going there, or they were not open yesterday at 5 : http://www.nihonhilo.com/
Le Magic Pan crepes on Keawe may not be open till 5 or 5:30-ish, but is in the old Kaikado building, which is simply gorgeous...
Miyos is now in the Manono/Hinono strip mall (across from Big Island Candy), but the inside is very nice, and the menu is still good. Also in this mall is the Hawaiian Style Cafe, not fancy but a very clean (& service has really improved... so no really long waits that we have seen since the beginning of the year...)
Another not fancy but clean & open in that late afternoon is the more mom-n-pop Dons Grill, north (toward the bay) of Big Island Candy on Hinano : http://www.donsgrillhilo.com/
Hilo Bay Cafe is also in a shopping mall, again the inside is nice... food is very nice, and the 'happy hour' menu is more reasonable : http://www.hilobaycafe.com/
Imiloa has the sky garden, which has a fantastic clear view over Hilo on a beautiful day & is open during the late afternoons... they have both menu & buffet selections...we often stop for a quick bite before an evening show there : http://www.imiloahawaii.org/22/sky-garden-restaurant