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Hello!
When we are visiting our new home for the first half of December here in Puna we'd like to start to get to know some good local eateries.
We'll be staying at the Hilo Seaside (we stayed there last time) unless anyone has a better idea of a place to stay in the same price range (plus we get a free hot breakfast there!).
We enjoy a vast variety of foods. Fast foods, slow foods, fancy foods, mom and pop foods, etc. Where's YOUR favorite place to eat?
Has anyone eaten at Kilauea Lodge? The menu looks delish!
In our town, we have McDonalds, Subway and a couple seafood places and a couple asian places. I'm looking for some variety.
Dayna
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Dayna Robertson
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My parents stayed at the Dolphin Bay for a few weeks and really liked it. Their room had a kitchenette, plus free coffee and fruit in the office for breakfast, it was walking distance to downtown Hilo, and no FedEx planes coming in over your room at 2 in the morning like the Seaside. To say my folks are frugal is an understatement, but they also like clean and safe. They were very happy there.
http://www.dolphinbayhotel.com/
If you go through Waimea on your visit get lunch at the Lilikoi Cafe in the Parker Center is good: fresh soups, salads and killer sandwiches on house baked bread using local ingredients and loving care.
In Hilo I really love Miyo's for home style Japanese.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Dolphin Bay is much nicer than Seaside, and the hosts are known for their helpfulness.
Try the Full Moon Cafe on Kalakaua Street, Sombat's Thai next to Ken's, Ken's, Cafe Pesto, Naung Mai Thai, Miyo's, Maui Tacos ...
I like the Lilikoi Cafe too ... not as much as I liked the Juice Shack which was the place in that spot before this management, but it's good. The Juice Shack people were nicer, the prices were lower, and the bread was still baked fresh. Still good though.
Other good choices in Waimea -- the Brewhouse, Village Burger at Parker Center (island beef, trained chef), Huli Sue's (new chef and menu, new prices, but supposedly good).
Try Baker Tom's burgers, malasadas, desserts in Papa'ikou across from Pinky's.
"And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody, outside of a small circle of friends ~ Phil Ochs
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Dayna
I'd certainly recommend a trip to Kilauea Lodge if you can afford it (it's not cheap). Great service and good food. We go there for special occasions. Just be careful on the drive back to Hilo...
Tom
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the Ponds is the old Harrigtons, right by the Seaside, with the Kens people running it...good food & semi reasonable early afternoon prices with a great fun view over ice pond (one of the few places in Hilo that has early afternoon service)
Miyos has a good Japanese tea house overlooking Wailoa pond
Seaside Restaurant has good seafood with seating out over the fish pond by 4 mile surf (opposite Carlsmith & James Kealoha park beaches)
Less view:
on the back side of Suisan there is a funky little diner/picnic table place that sometimes has beer battered mahimahi that is to die for (and one serving is big- can be split by most normal people & fills up my hubby...)
if your walking around Hilo town:
Bears coffee on Keawe has a really good souffle egg dish & there fresh fruit belgium waffles with fresh papaya & apple bananas is also yummy
Tinas Garden on Kamehameha near Basically Books (weekday lunches & F/S dinner) & Half Full Moon Cafe on Kalakaua near Kress movie; are both good for Thai fusion
Oh, there are just soooo many to choose from....
OH, and the SCUBA Sunday potluck is a must do for a wide selection of varied foods....Dec 4th...and the Keaau Parade cookie exchange on Dec 11 10th....(OK, it was midnight... I was up late trying to figure out a -bleep- program for mapping... a really cool program that loves right clicks & obscure command lines....but does some neato cool things...if I can figure it out...)
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Aloha Dayna!
If you want MAJOR ono local grinds - try Ocean Sushi on Keawe street! They have the tastiest sushi rolls (raw and no) and also tempura style veggies that really rock. Try the chicken katsu (drool) and ask for some green tea to go with it all...you cannot beat the price and everything is fresh and ONO!!!
E Komo Mai!
Carrie[
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Carrie Rojo
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
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The Sky Garden restaurant at the Planetarium is really nice. All floor to ceiling glass windows for great views overlooking Hilo. They serve chinese and local cusine. They are open 6 days a week(except Monday) and serve breakfast,lunch and Dinner. Lunch and dinner have buffets as well as menu ordering. They even have free Wi-fi
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What great suggestions everyone! Only 11 days till I leave Alaska.
Dayna
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Dayna Robertson
At Home Hawaii
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
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Ok, I was only HALF awake....
I would suggest that you do look around at other places to stay (esp look at Vacation rentals & B&B's). Unless you have a really good deal on your room, you will find some rooms closer to your lot & probably even less $$$, and maybe even nicer.
links:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii
http://www.stayhawaii.com/
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/hawaii.html
You may even want to spend your stay here by sampling different venues, each for a couple of days (added bonus: you will have an idea of the different places you will recommend to your friends & family when they ask)
Seaside can be OK...but does have some rooms that are a total waste of money & time ,esp if there is RAIN....they have some side rooms that have no view at all & a little door awning that drains water on you in a heavy rain... they are willing to change rooms if yours is not to your liking....but only if they have other rooms available...and if it is raining, that little awning is a pain - soaks everything you move in or out (can you tell we had a friend who stayed in one of those rooms during a rainy time???)
plus it is a long way to your lot, if you are looking to do a working vacation...
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