Article by Jae-Ha Kim
Photos by Denton Morris
(New York Post)
RARELY does a month go by anymore without urgent news from Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach, now feverishly making itself over after decades of fading away.
New shops! More malls! New hotels! More glitz, more glamour, better decor…oh, and don’t forget, higher prices too.
Less than four miles away, another neighborhood is experiencing a resurgence of an entirely different sort. Along Waialae Avenue, there’s no fancy window dressing, but there is great food. Here, three great stops to make.
Former New Yorker Liz Schwartz is in charge at the friendly Coffee Talk, a great locals hangout for fresh-baked pastry, coffee and free wireless (3601 Waialae Ave.)
A few steps down the street, Jinjie Praseuth Luangkhot is the pastry chef and owner of JJ Bistro & French Pastry. Raised in Laos, Luangkhot began his career scooping ice cream at Maxim’s.
Today, he’s famous around town for his picture-perfect desserts. But he also serves up a great Laotian menu. Go for the kang lao — veggie soup with kaffir lime leaves, tamarind and lemon grass (3447 Waialae).
Tops on the strip right now is Town, serving smart updates on Italian-American faves. The menu changes daily, depending on what items the chef shopped for – gnocchi with sage butter one evening; ahi tartare with risotto cake the next (3435 Waialae).
© JAE-HA KIM and DENTON MORRIS
Ive been there, too. It really is paradise.