GREAT EATS HAWAII: DA KITCHEN CAFE - LOCAL AND HAWAIIAN FOOD

DA KITCHEN CAFE

HONOLULU, HAWAII

We were looking for somewhere to eat close to the University of Hawaii prior to a Woman's Volleyball game. My family had never dined at Da Kitchen so I treated them to a place that I visited frequently on Maui and once before on Oahu. We arrived all wearing green for the volleyball game. The waitress asked if there was a game tonight while quickly seating us at an inside table. The dining area is small here and they use tables out front and in back for overflow. All of the waitresses are cute and perky. Smiles flowing everywhere. The menu features local favorites such as Lau Lau, Chicken Katsu, Fried Spam Musubi, Burgers and a host of other very large portion plates. Most all served with two scoops of rice and potato/macaroni salad. My daughter ordered the Kalua Pork off the Kids Menu ($5.95). This was a large scoop of pork served with rice, mac salad and a ketchup/chili sauce. She actually liked the sauce and put it on the rice. She loved the Kalua Pork but just wished it was served with more cabbage. The Opakapaka Fresh Fish Special ($15.95) was served with a large house salad and two scoops of rice and mac salad. The house salad was enough for two people and the Oriental Dressing was good. I was a bit disappointed that they fried a very nice piece of fish. Would have liked this just sauteed or baked. The breading was light and the fish inside was good. The Daily Soup and Sandwich Combination ($10.50) featured a Tuna Sandwich with Crab and Corn Chowder. the Tuna Sandwich was served with a nice slice of tomato, onion and lettuce on the side. I loved the flavor of this sandwich probably because the bread was soaked in butter and then lightly toasted. I held back and only at half. The Corn and Crab Chowder had just a little too much going on. It was a bit salty, sweet and bitter all at the same time. Could not figure this one out and could not taste the crab. All around us people were enjoying huge plates of Chicken Katsu, Lau Lau and Kal Bi Ribs. This is a gourmet plate lunch joint that really does a great job if you are not counting calories, fat or trying to drop a few pounds before the Holidays.

UPDATE: 2013. DA KITCHEN CAFE IN HONOLULU CLOSED.