Sometimes a meal is so good that even when you return from a trip, you can still taste it. That was the case with my last meal in Waikiki. Sometimes the best dinner recommendation in Waikiki is at a fancy hotel with fireworks!
It might have been the location, a palm tree speckled beach with the sweet sounds of slow steady waves, or the fireworks, a brilliant and fantastic show right off the beach in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, or the company, a bunch of close friends sharing their most exciting recent trips, but I’m pretty sure those were just icing on the top of some of the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten.
* Brussels sprouts with caramelized Maui onions and smoked bacon
* Sea Urchin Risotto with black truffles, corn and arugula
* Scallops with a lemongrass, sweet corn and soy bean sauce
* Nori Puree Ahi Poke with Maui onions, piquillo peppers, avocado, wasabi cream, taro chips
Now, that I have your attention, let’s talk about dinner in Waikiki. Checking into the Hilton Hawaiian Village is somewhat spectacular. It’s a huge resort- yet- somehow in a corner spot in Bali Steak & Seafood, with the windows and doors open, I felt like my group was in a private sanctuary built just for us. We ordered a sweet wine white from Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley to start our first course. Each course was beautifully prepared and presented, somehow satisfying all my taste buds without becoming too full.
In between the first and second course, we all got out of our seats and headed to the balcony for the fireworks show. The Hilton clears the beach every Friday night for the fireworks, which draws a huge crowd even with people not eating at the restaurant. The best view is from the Bali balcony, so reserve your dinner reservation in time with the show (usually around 7:45pm).
After the light show in the sky, there was dessert. Not one dessert, not two desserts, but an entire dessert tray with a wide assortment of flavors and combinations. I may have eaten an entire Crème Brule all to myself. The cheesecake was also one of my favorites, which should show you how good it was because I’m usually known for only devouring chocolate dessert. This cheesecake was fluffy and sweet, not dense like normal cheesecakes.
If you find yourself in Waikiki, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Bali for a really special night. There is a chef’s tasting menu that has a little sample of all the best choices or just reserve a table for wine and dessert. I promise, you will not be disappointed.