Restaurants in Hawaii

Despite hating the long work days and being away from my family, there are great perks when it comes to business travel.  One of them is fine dining.  Because our meals can be expensed, we have the option to go to nicer restaurants that we would not have gone to if the cost came out of our own pockets.  I'm a budget-conscious person by nature, so I  am usually fine with good food, expensive or not.  However, some of my co-workers are a little finicky, so they opted for the coolest restaurants on island.  I tagged along (because I hate dining by myself), and here are a few of the restaurants we tried throughout the week that are really worth mentioning!

(1) Blu Water Grill - my friend brought me here because it was in Hawaii-kai and away from Waikiki. Their food was very good.  I especially liked the Kulua Pork Quesadilla, although the Mango-Guava glazed baby back ribs were also very yummy.  This is a local Hawaiian hang out, a great place for classic dishes.

(2) Merchanko-Tei - This is a sushi restaurant that gives you HUGE portions. I know, Huge portions and sushi usually don't go together, but it is possible, at this place!  The nirigis all have a generous cut of fresh raw fish. I would totally go back here again, even on my own dime.

(2) Morimoto - This restaurant is inside the trendy Edition Hotel on Ala Moana.  As you know, this restaurant is owned by Chef Masaharu Morimoto, one of the Iron Chefs. We went there with a hope that the food will wow us, but I was seriously underwhelmed by the dishes. We ordered a lot of appetizers and a main entree.  Of all the things we ordered, I only enjoyed the wagyu carpaccio and the braised cod.  The others were just "ok." Great presentation, but some of them were simply not that special.

(3) Nobu Waikiki  - I saved this for last because it IS the BEST restaurant of all.  Every dish is an OMG-delicious, and I am not joking!   The taste, texture, and presentation are superb.  Everything was delicious.  Dishes don't come cheap here, but I think it's worth just to try it and experience it. Your taste buds and tummy will be on Cloud 9!