Restaurants

Sensei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Waikoloa Beach (Jennifer Miner)

Travelers spending their precious vacation time on the Big Island are wise to learn about recommended restaurants. Even small local chains are often more fun dining experiences than are the massive, pricey resort restaurants – and at the very least they’ll help budget-conscious travelers with their food budget. Hawaii has one such small, local chain that’s popular for good reason (as compared to, say, KFC or McDonald’s). Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar has a great Japanese and pan-Asian menu, with a fun, festive atmosphere that is downright contagious. If you don’t have a fun experience at Sansei’s, you’re really not letting yourself be part of the mood of the place.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar is in the Queen’s Marketplace area of Waikoloa Beach. This popular resort area has several off-resort restaurants, including Charley’s Thai Cuisine, that are both less expenisive and more interesting than the standard hotel fare. There are also Sansei restaurants on Maui and Oahu, so this relatively new (winter 2008) Waikoloa Beach restaurant was able to start off up and running, without the usual trial-and-error effects of grand openings.

The sushi is fantastic. There are, of course, the usual California rolls and spicy tuna rolls, but there are

Delicious Seared Tuna at Sensei Restaurant, Big Island (Nathan Kam)

alsomany, many creative option using locally caught ahi, ono, and other fish native to the Pacific. Hawaii aquaculturalists and farmers on the Big Island both benefit from the “buy locally” philosophy, and eager, happy tourists benefit from the great entrees as well. The seafood is fresh and delicious, and early bird specials make meals here even more affordable. Diners who don’t like sushi or seafood, have no fear (although why are you vacationing in Hawaii, then?) – the beef teriyaki, macadamia nut crusted pork, and tempura vegetables are all quite good.

Now, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar is no secret little hole-in-the-wall. It’s recommended by most Big Island Waikoloa Beach Resort concierges, and locals love it too: Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during peak travel seasons. We had an hour wait when, foolhardy as we are, we tried to stroll right in. Learn from our mistakes: Make reservations, and try to get there for happy hour, when most sushi is as much as 50% off. Amazing deal, amazing sushi. That, plus the fun atmosphere, really add up to an amazing night out in Hawaii.

There are two Ruby Foo’s in New York City. They both have glossy, bold decor – what could be considered kitschy Asian – that comes across as either glamorous or a little tacky, depending on your personal taste. Both Ruby Foo’s have all the big hitters of Pan-Asian menu items, such as spare ribs, Pad Thai and sushi. Diners seeking a traditional, Americanized version of Chinese food will not be disappointed (nor their palates challenged).

The one in Times Square caters somewhat to the post-theater crowd; this is the epicenter of Broadway, after all, and tourists sure love their big musical productions. Ruby Foo’s in Times Square of New York City helps carry on the big, festive mood of a Broadway show, with red and gold decor, loud crowds (especially during peak travel seasons) and free-flowing drinks. While this restaurant is touristy (due to its location), it is definitely not the most tourist-laden restaurant in midtown.

The Ruby Foo’s Uptown is at Broadway and 77th street, around a half-mile up from Lincoln Center. This Ruby Foo’s gets a lot of families during the day, whereas at night it turns into a popular place for the “Sex and the City,” single New Yorkers type of crowd. Somewhat less crowded than the midtown Ruby Foo’s, this restaurant still does very, very well. Indeed, during lunch and early dinner, it’s one of the more family-filled restaurants in the area.

The same restaurant in two different NYC locations, make for two very different dining experiences. In Times Square, post- theater crowds are to be expected, and the Upper West Side these days is full of a mix of young singles, and families with children. The two Ruby Foo’s reflect their locations. They have the same menus, though; try the Dim Sum Sampler to start, as it’s quite generous and can be a group appetizer. Both restaurants also have one of my favorite shareable desserts: The Bento Box Dessert Sampler. This twist on the Japanese Bento (usually the compartments have sashimi and other traditional Japanese menu items) has different selections of Ruby Foo’s desserts, easy to share with the rest of your dining party. Ruby Foo’s serves a wide selection of Americanized Pan-Asian foods: No surprises here. The entrees serve as nice background to for a family or group get-together, rather than the focus of the meal.