Clearly, Vintage Cave is the best restaurant in Hawaii. However, 53 by the Sea, now about one year old, located at the former site of John Dominis, is vying for #2. Certainly, 53 has the best view in Hawaii:
At the Sea is obvious, but why 53? That is their address on Ahui Street. Why is this street important? I grew up on 524A Ahui Street, a couple of blocks mauka (towards the mountain) of this restaurant. I caught The Bus to the closest point, and saw an undeveloped (and am being really nice here) of the surroundings to Ahui Street as I walked to the ocean. However, given a ride home after the meal, homeless tents lined Ahui Street to Ala Moana Boulevard. I would not recommend walking back to the bus stop at night.
Here are Benny Ron, Diamond Head and Leighton Chong:
Benny is pointing at Leighton's new book, Song of Planet Earth. We met to discuss the Blue Revolution, and all of us were in blue. It was one of those impulsive experiences. We were planning to have a drink to discuss the future, but the setting, Leighton's new book, Pearl's 4th year anniversary...whatever, but we stayed for their special dinner. We were exceptionally well served by Chelsea:
Our first course was a sashimi trio with a Pieropan Soave Classico 2011:
The second course was a heart of palm and watercress salad with a Chateau d'Aquaria Rose Tavel:
So far, nothing exceptional, but with endearing art. The third course was a seared diver scallop with caviar, accompanied by a sweetish Dr. Hermann Riesling Mosel, a nice complement.
The scallop was okay, but pedestrian. I keep harping on the need to remove the moisture to gain the taste that then develops. It appeared that the black and white morsels were truffles, a huge plus for this dish. Next was a fresh catch, and I don't remember what it was, but it was fine, with a Nicolas Feuillate Chouilly Champagne:
Leighton and I had petite filet mignon (Benny, jumbo shrimps, which he loved) with asparagus, king trumpet, mushrooms, spinach and a bleu cheese sauce, plus a Groth Cabernet Sauvignon. Almost excellent, except the steak was a bit dry:
The final and 6th course was a coconut panna cotta with lilikoi/mango topping, plus a Saracco Moscato:
I truly enjoyed this creation, even though I was satiated. We were insulted, but Chef Thomas Ho was too busy to come by to say hi.
I should add that we were serenaded by fireworks (on a Thursday night?):
And, most especially, Ginny Tiu on the piano:
Ginny, we all know, acted with Elvis (I think she is on the right):
And was a child prodigy, appearing with her siblings on the Ed Sullivan Show. Her sister, also above, is Vicky Cayetano, wife of Ben, the former governor.
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