A weekend in Waikiki

Even though our blog is about Big Island, we do occasionally get off the island. Last weekend we flew over to Oahu to attend the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Hawaii Free and Accepted Masons. We spent the weekend at the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki. Naturally we went to our favorite restaurants while we were there.

The restaurant we always make sure we visit is Sarento’s at the top of the Ilikai. It is on the 30^th floor and offers a spectacular view. As usual we start with a dram of single malt before dinner. On this occasion it was The Macallan 18 year. The bar at Sarento’s is very knowledgeable and heated the glass with hot water before pouring the dram. That procedure enhances the nose and produces an exquisite drink. Aside from the knowledgeable bar, we return every year for their delicious food and excellent service. We have been going there for years and are never disappointed. We always go on a Friday night and between 7:30 and 8:00 PM there is a fireworks display from the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is next door. The great thing about viewing the fireworks from Sarento’s is that you are either looking down on the display or even with it. It is an experience you don’t get anywhere else.

The next night we ate dinner at Michel’s at the Colony Surf. The restaurant is right on the beach which provides an ideal Hawaiian setting and a great view of Waikiki. This is another restaurant, famous for its French cuisine, that we make sure to schedule during our yearly trip to Oahu. The food and service is definitely first class. The Saturday night dinner was so good we even went back for Sunday Easter brunch. For dinner we both had the Ocean Bounty which contains fresh fish, lobster, shrimp oysters, and abalone. If you love seafood this is a dish not to miss.

This was our last trip to Oahu for a while as the next Grand Lodge Annual Communication will be here on the Big Island next April, highlighted by a luau on Saturday night. Our taste buds are salivating already.