Wine Consultant

by Mark Lloyd
(Honolulu, Hi)

Coming to Honolulu this Summer?

They say the Stay-cation is in vogue this summer, but many, many people will be visitng the islands once called "Sandwich." When you land, get to your hotel, bathe in mother ocean to wash the airports off and have a Mai Tai it is time to relax. And then the big question: "Where should we go for dinner?"
Of course there are the classics like Ruth's Chris Steaks (well-airconditioned, great bartenders!), Roy's (not only fish, the Shortribs ROCK!), and Cheescake Factory (I have no idea WHY people wait in line there).
Cool visitors like yourself need to know of the independent shops in Waikiki that are great finds. Try the Ocean House at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. Beautifully prepared dishes, independent of the hotel. We are talking On The Sand, open-air, tiki torches, breeze in your hair beauty! Have a cold glass of Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay from Tandem Winery with some blackend Ahi medallions and you are on the right track. Enjoy the view of Diamondhead less than a mile away, looking like a postcard; and feel the air cool with the changing colors of the sky at sunset.
The new Trump Hotel will be opening across the street in November of 2009, with all its Donald-ness and steak houses, and I'm sure, impressiveness. So for this moment surround yourself with Hawaiiana and a 45 foot outrigger canoe hanging over your head like some kind of ancient chandelier, and watch the less- comfortable visitors picking up their beachtowels, packing their sunblock as they make their way back to their rooms, while you sip great wine and nibble fresh fish.

When its time for a night cap, do what the locals do and stroll next door to the exquisite HaleKulani. When you enter this 5 star Hotel you imediately feel the understated elegance. The first hotel in Waikiki back in 1927, the HaleKulani how has an "Annex" because HaleKulani is too elegant to have a "Bar."
Enjoy a three piece jazz band, with stand-up base while white gloved servers, and a reknowned mixologist do his magic. You might think you are in 1950's New York City, or Paris, and then you will remember...; when yoo exit the Annex you can change into swim trunks and swimsuits and, again, let mother ocean wash the day away. The beach is right on property!
Yes, Honolulu is the perfect spot for food and comfort. I just don't get it why so many guests say they prefer Maui. I believe it is because they never had the inside tips that you now have. And there are 100 more like this! Enjoy...Relax, and live.
Live, Breathe, Surf, Wine.