Dining on the Lanai Honolulu-Style

June 14, 5:35 PMHonolulu Restaurant ExaminerNina Maxwell

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Lanai Dining at House Without A Key at the Halekulani.

In Honolulu, you don't dine on a "pat-i-o," you dine on the lanai.

Given the beautiful weather here year-round other than rainy days and vog (volcano smog), dining in style here usually means dining on the lanai beachside.

There are plenty of restaurants here where you can get a beautiful view of the sun setting over the ocean — most of them are in Waikiki.

House Without A Key
The House Without A Key at the Halekulani is probably one of the best spots to sip a cocktail while watching the sun set over Waikiki.

Take a seat at one of the chairs on the lanai, and order up a cocktail while watching the sun's various oranges and pinks spread out over the ocean's horizon. While you're at it, you can also listen to live Hawaiian music under a century-old Kiawe tree, and enjoy a solo hula performance

This is relaxation at its finest. But you can also eat at House Without A Key.

You can get breakfast, lunch, cocktails and pupus (appetizers) here that will actually satiate your appetite. There is both a lunch and dinner menu — chefs grill outdoors at Sunset Kiawe grill on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This is a laid-back, informal place to grab a drink and a bite — it's touristy, but in a subdued way. There are no grass skirts here, nor blaring music. I think perhaps it appeals to an older, more mature crowd (but anyone can enjoy it).

 

The cocktail drinks are pretty standard tropical fare, and haven't changed in several years.

The most popular one right now is the Halekulani Mai Tai (2 rums, one floating on top of the other, fresh-squeezed lime, orange curacao, orange and rock candy syrup) with a sugarcane swizzler. Or you can get a Chi Chi (refreshing coconut cocktail), a Blue Hawaii or Sunset (Bacardi rum, fresh pineapple blended over ice).

Every drink and plate comes garnished with an orchid. Nice touch.

Among the choice of smaller plates, you have the popular coconut shrimp (coconut-crusted tiger shrimp in an orange mango coulis, $15) along with Ahi Poke Sliders (Ahi is yellowfin tuna, on Nori rolls, with Japanese pickles and wasabi mayonnaise, $18) and Thai-style Beef Satay (with cucumber onion salad, and a peanut sauce dip, $12).

You can also order Ahi Sashimi, Nalo Greens and Maui Onion soup.

If you're in the mood for more than appetizers, you can order pasta(organic spaghetti)  or something from Kiawe Grill, which offers everything from Shutomi (swordfish with cajun spice, caper tomato salsa) to Lamb Chops, a New York Striploin, or Surf & Turf Burger with sides of grilled asparagus, pineapple cole slaw, braised wild mushrooms, mashed potatoes or French Fries (or even Macaroni & Cheese).

Want dessert? There's Chocolate Tart, Halekulani's Coconut Cake, pineapple and lychee sorbets and ice creams.

My favorite is the coconut shrimp — though I haven't tried everything, I've never heard of anything that wasn't good here. I've been to several weddings and functions here, and the food has always been fabulous.

When you want to get an idea of how lanai dining should be done, this is it! There's a beautiful flow between the indoors and outdoors, and a view from every window and table. You come here for good food and drink, as well as atmosphere — it's the perfect spot to catch up with old friends. There's something magical about it.

House Without A Key
2199 Kalia Rd.
(808) 923-2311

Extra TIDBITS
The Halekulani says that novelist Earl Derr Biggers conceived his Charlie Chan detective series while staying in a nearby Halekulani cottage in 1925. His first Charlie Chan mystery – called "The House Without a Key" — focused on the cunning murder of a former sea captain set in the late 1800s. The House Without Key was rebuilt in 1983 with its name as a tribute to the famous Chinese detective of Honolulu who is part of the hotel's folklore.

The Halekulani notes on its menu that it only features trans-fat free selections. That's good to know.

Entertainment at the House Without a Key is by the Sunset Serenaders, Po‘okela and Pa‘ahana. Two former Miss Hawaiis offer graceful ‘auana hula — Kanoe Miller and Debbie Nakanelua. Nightly from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Valet parking at the Halekulani is free if you're enjoying one of its restaurants. Simply ask your server for a parking validation stamp, and tip the valet on the way out.

Orchids and La Mer

If you want an actual white-tablecloth dining experience with the same view, then try Orchids, which is the covered part of the Halekulani (the fancier La Mer featuring Neoclassic French cuisine is upstairs). It won't disappoint. Just step inside to get seated at a table, indoors or outdoors.