Special dinner recommendation for Big Island?
Jun 22, 2014, 5:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: san francisco, ca
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Posts: 233
Special dinner recommendation for Big Island?
Aloha! We will be heading back to the Big Island for our 10th anniversary in October, and I'd love to have a really fantastic dinner to celebrate on the island. We haven't booked any of our hotels yet, so we could do this dinner (on a Thursday night) anywhere on the island. We will have our two year old with us, and he is usually well-behaved in fine dining situations.
Where would you go?
Thanks!
Where would you go?
Thanks!
Jun 23, 2014, 8:13 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 971
For an excellent dinner, I'd go to the Holuakoa Gardens (and cafe) in Holualoa (just above Kailua-Kona: http://www.holuakoacafe.com/). Beautiful garden setting, ocean sunset view, koi pond/waterway to distract the 2 yr old. If you want "fine dining" (and the concomitant price), you could pick any of the upscale resorts, or a chain like Roy's (Waikoloa resort) or even Merrimans (Waimea and Waikoloa resort).
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
Jun 23, 2014, 9:38 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,445
For an excellent dinner, I'd go to the Holuakoa Gardens (and cafe) in Holualoa (just above Kailua-Kona: http://www.holuakoacafe.com/). Beautiful garden setting, ocean sunset view, koi pond/waterway to distract the 2 yr old. If you want "fine dining" (and the concomitant price), you could pick any of the upscale resorts, or a chain like Roy's (Waikoloa resort) or even Merrimans (Waimea and Waikoloa resort).
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
Jun 24, 2014, 12:06 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: san francisco, ca
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 233
Thanks for the ideas! Sounds like we should stay on the Kona side that night, as there are better dining options over there? It doesn't need to be "fine dining" per se, just hoping for some amazing food 
thanks!
thanks!
Jun 24, 2014, 12:16 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,128
If you want a very special experience, try dinner at a Volcano:
http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/dining/
Not fine dining, but really, that does not exist on the Big Island. However, Roy's is great.
http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/dining/
Not fine dining, but really, that does not exist on the Big Island. However, Roy's is great.
Jun 27, 2014, 9:40 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 125
If you are more interested in the view than the food, I would recommend Brown's Beach House at the Fairmont: http://www.fairmont.com/orchid-hawai...wnsbeachhouse/
Not that the food is terrible, it is just not memorable. But the view I will never forget!
My very favorite place to eat is not fancy but again, the view: the residents' beach house at the Four Seasons Hualalai. But it is, alas, restricted, I think. A restaurant on the property was closed while we were there so they gave us access. I don't think that is the case any longer.
Not that the food is terrible, it is just not memorable. But the view I will never forget!
My very favorite place to eat is not fancy but again, the view: the residents' beach house at the Four Seasons Hualalai. But it is, alas, restricted, I think. A restaurant on the property was closed while we were there so they gave us access. I don't think that is the case any longer.
Jun 28, 2014, 11:09 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: san francisco, ca
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 233
Hi! Thanks for the recommendations! No need to be "fine dining" - just hoping to find a meal where we go "wow, that was fantastic" I'll keep searching through this board for more ideas as well. Thanks!
I'll keep searching through this board for more ideas as well. Thanks!
Jun 29, 2014, 5:15 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL / KOA
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Posts: 232
You should check out www.konaweb.com they have a very active visiting the Big Island forum which also covers Big Island dinning. Enjoy your trip.
Jun 29, 2014, 1:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 984
You should check out www.konaweb.com they have a very active visiting the Big Island forum which also covers Big Island dinning. Enjoy your trip.
Jul 5, 2014, 3:48 pm
#10
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For fine dining, I would definitely suggest 'Ulu at the Four Seasons, or for something casual-luxe, the Residents Beach House (also at Hualalai) offers amazing dishes with one of the best sunset views on the island.
Jul 9, 2014, 12:33 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
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For an excellent dinner, I'd go to the Holuakoa Gardens (and cafe) in Holualoa (just above Kailua-Kona: http://www.holuakoacafe.com/). Beautiful garden setting, ocean sunset view, koi pond/waterway to distract the 2 yr old. If you want "fine dining" (and the concomitant price), you could pick any of the upscale resorts, or a chain like Roy's (Waikoloa resort) or even Merrimans (Waimea and Waikoloa resort).
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
A lot of places are great food, but not "fine dining" (Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, for example)
Jul 12, 2014, 4:10 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: san francisco, ca
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 233
thanks for the recommendations - looks like some tasty options! I think we'll stay near Kona that night, and then head over to Hilo/Volcano the next day. Here's hoping for a gorgeous sunset on our anniversary!
Jul 13, 2014, 2:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 984
Sunday nights, KonaBob and Eke play Hawaiian music at Daylight Mind Restaurant (6-8pm) in Kona.
http://daylightmind.com/
http://daylightmind.com/
Jul 10, 2015, 4:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
Surprise Wedding Anniversary
If you want a very special experience, try dinner at a Volcano:
http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/dining/
Not fine dining, but really, that does not exist on the Big Island. However, Roy's is great.
http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/dining/
Not fine dining, but really, that does not exist on the Big Island. However, Roy's is great.