Hilo fancy sit down dinner

[dayna]

Going into hilo tomorrow and need to eat dinner between 4 and 6pm.

Suggestions on a nice sit down place?

Dayna

www.E-Z-Caps.com

[TomK]

My two favourites are Hilo Bay Cafe and Cafe Concerto. The former is definitely open between 4 and 6, not sure when Cafe Concerto opens, probably 5pm. You'll likely need reservations for either to be sure of a table. No wine at Concerto but you can bring your own bottle and I don't think there's a corkage fee. If you like Thai food then I can highly recommend Sombat's Fresh Thai Cuisine. It opens at 5pm for dinner. Naung Mai Thai Kitchen in downtown Hilo is also very good and is open all day, but not particularly fancy.

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[rainyjim]

Concerto opens at 5 and has a $5 corkage fee.

The food has been incredible several times though I will admit I was over slightly inebriated and taking good advantage of the BYOB policy.

However, Nothing on the menu is something you couldn't make easily yourself at home, which unfortunately violates my number one rule for eating out. (The menu at concerto is very fairly priced considering the above)

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I like cafe pesto ( on the bayfront - S. Hata building? )but of course the food is ridiculously expensive and some of the portions are disappointingly small though tittilatingly tasty!

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Hilo bay cafe is great food - once again at high prices, but I can never get over the fact it's located in a strip mall close to wal-mart - I mean we're in freaking Hawaii ... Location, location, location

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I personally live for Japanese food.

I haven't been to Miyos since its change of local (used to be on the pond, now in a strip mall like area) but their home style Japanese fare is irresistible.

I also love the Nihon restaurant which was just recently renovated and also is the home of a Japanese cultural museum.

Nihon definitely requires a reservation, but I would probably not bother at the others.

Edited for:
Favorites:
Concerto: capellini con meatball
Miyos + Nihon : combination special
Cafe pesto: haka'lau sandwich
Hilo bay cafe: couldn't say!


Never underestimate the power of the dark side.

[TomK]

Just a note for Dayna - if you do go to Hilo Bay Cafe the menu changes at 5pm from their afternoon to dinner menu. Choices increase at that point but so do the prices. The crab cakes are to die for by the way.

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[punafish]

Probably should steer clear of the Nihon restaurant. Never been there myself, but have never heard a positive word about it from any of our (many) Japanese friends. If Japanese natives from Japan don't want to eat there, then it's a good indication that it's likely not very good. So enter at your own risk.

Miyo's is good "shokudo" Japanese food, I love going there for lunch. But it isn't fancy by any stretch.

I've heard good things about the place out on the pond (Seaside?) on the way to Richardson's, but have never been there myself. Heard it's classy, tasty and expensive.

[csgray]

Do not confuse the Ponds (where Harrington's used to be) with the Seaside (across from 4 mile beach) or the Seaside with the Seaside Grill (across from The Ponds down from Verna's). All three are on the same road and very different. Yelp reviews on all 3 are all over the place which is part of why I haven't tried any of them.

Carol

[dayna]

I've eaten at Seaside and the Ponds. I liked the Ponds (hubby didn't). I thought the food was decent, it was too high priced and the service was mid range. The place at the Hilo seaside hotel (the coconut grill) had okay food and okay service. For breakfast the service was hit or miss.

Dayna

www.E-Z-Caps.com

[TomK]

Punafish - have you been to Miyo's since it changed location? I liked that place but haven't been there since they moved and the reviews on the web since the move aren't very good.

The old Harrington's (now Ponds) used to be wonderful but I haven't been back in a year or two after my last couple of experiences there. Personally I wouldn't recommend it. The Seaside Restaurant used to be awesome for dinner although not so much for lunch. Haven't been there for many years though but if it hasn't changed a good place to go for a special occasion in the evening. I think the Seaside Grill Carol mentions is the Coconut Grill at the Hilo Seaside Hotel. Many years ago they did the best mai tais in Hilo (read strongest) but wouldn't consider it a fancy restaurant, but haven't been back there for a long time.

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[TomK]

Dayna - maybe things can be narrowed down if you tell us the reason for the dinner. Not prying, but is this a special occasion, a dinner with friends or clients, just want to go somewhere fancy for a change?

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[Sue Nomie]

Heard the other day that Hilo Bay Cafe bought Nipon building and will be moving there late Spring.
They are keeping at least on cook from Nipon. Can't wait to eat there on the balcony over looking
Hilo bay.