Going in 2 weeks, staying on the North Shore - Turtle Bay - and need decent lunch/dinner ideas. One or two higher end places and the rest mid-priced or lower, but not real fast food. North Shore suggestions are welcome, but obviously we will be driving around the island so any locations would be helpful.

1. Anyone heard of Rainbow Drive-In in Honolulu. Saw it on a recent FoodNetwork special and it looked great! Also saw Rachael Ray eat at a Bento place in Waialua (North Shore Country Okazo & Bento) that looked good. Both are in the cheap eats category so I'd love to get opinions and not a bellyache from bad food :-).
2. Whew! That was a lot to ask. Appreciate any help!!
3. While I'm at it, where can the hubby get the best (or some really good) Poke? What are some good Chinatown Eats? Are Hawaiin Chocolates anything special (Vintage Chocolates or suggest somewhere else)?
4. I was just there for two weeks and my favorite place to eat was at the hawaiin bbq places like L&L. it really gives you a tase of the culture.
5. Here are some varied suggestions:

   For shrimp trucks - go to Giovanni's. It's literally a converted truck/van on the side of the road. If I remember correctly, it's about 10 minutes southeast of Turtle Bay. If you're going to order it spicy, get the sauce on the side!!

   Shave ice - Matsumoto's in Haleiwa.

   Haleiwa town - might be closer to you than Waikiki; there is Jameson's by the Sea, Cholo's (mexican), Kua Aina (good burgers), and Breakers (bar).

   Local foods - Rainbow Drive-in is good (if the mixed plate is too much for you, get the teri-beef burger). Up the street from Rainbow Drive on Kapahulu Ave (as you head away from Waikiki), on the left side, there is a Hawaiian restaurant called Ono Kine Grinds. Decent servings, decent prices. And there is always Zippy's!

   Higher end cuisine - Sarento's at the top of the Ilikai in Waikiki; good food, great view. Alan Wong's, Roy's (both 4 or 5 star restaurants).

   Poke - hmmm…..you know, sometimes you can get decent poke at the supermarket deli like Safeway or Foodland. If you are really adventurous, try the spicy raw white crab.

   Chinatown - there's a place one or two streets over from Bethel Street (Smith St?) call Little Village. Try the Walnut Shrimp. Legend Seafood on Beretania for the Dim Sum.

   Hawaiian Chocolates - if you ever get over to the Big Island, get the Big Island Candies Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies. I think you can order them online.

   Hope that helps!!! Hmmmm….I think I'll grab my husband for dinner out!

6. I also need dessert, probably the North Shore so we can bring it back to the hotel after a long day.
7. I was in Hawaii for two weeks last year and didn't have a bad meal on the three islands I went to. I used the Lonely Planet travelguide to Hawaii, and their suggestions were dead on. I'd go that route. It's also good just to ask folks that work at the hotel when you get there.
8. My husband and I bumped into a restaurant called Canoe's in Honolulu. It was a bit more expensive, but if you have the Entertainment card they did take it there. It was located in a hotel at the end of the strip, by the marina. I am sure the natives would know what you are talking about if you asked.

   For Dessert, the Dole Plantation is really good, if you like pineapples. They have really good Dole Whips! Mmmm!

9. Waikiki has many of the restaurants like the mainland does… Cheesecake factory, Black Angus etc.You really can't go wrong with most of the higher end restaurants…Benihana is good etc.

   For local "grinds" Rainbow Drive-in has been around for MANY years and is a local favorite with most people and has always been inexpensive. The "Mixed Plate" is my suggestion for you to try. Also, all around the island you will see shrimp shacks or shrimp trucks… Very good. The ones near Turtle Bay have a tank of live shrimp which they cook fresh with lost of garlic etc. Not bad for a roadside stop.

   Poki is so common in Hawaii that you can purchase it at most of your local grocery stores (fresh seafood counter).

   For dessert, hands down, Leonards Bakery for "Malasadas" (donut). Guava filled, custard filled or plain.

   Does this help?

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