GREAT EATS HAWAII: GRAND LEYENDA CANTINA

Sunday, July 14, 2013

GRAND LEYENDA CANTINA

GRAND LEYENDA CANTINA

HONOLULU, HAWAII

GRAND LEYENDA CANTINA

WARD CENTER

1200 ALA MOANA BLVD

HONOLULU, HAWAII 96814

808-597-1725

HOURS: Monday thru Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

UPDATE 12/18/13 - Got a call from a vendor that sells to Grand Leyenda. He said they closed and left him hanging for some big bucks. I called the restaurant at 6:00 PM and there was no answer?

You can bet I was excited when we walked by the old Compadres Mexican Restaurant in Ward Center and saw that it had been totally renovated after what seems many years of vacancy. Turns out that one of the owners of Just Tacos took the leap of faith and invested in reinventing this space into yet another Mexican eatery. The entire restaurant has received a facelift and the new bar and outdoor seating is first rate. The bar features speciality tequilas that the owner actually has made in Mexico. As you enter Grand Leyenda, there is a wall of lockers similar to what you would see at Morton's with wine bottles. Customers may purchase a locker complete with Grand Leyenda's specialty tequilas stocked just for them. The lockers range from $300 for a single bottle to $800 and above for multiple bottles. You get your name on the locker and your own personal key to unlock your tequila every time you visit. We were not here for tequila so we went straight for the menu. While we were reading the menu, our waiter brought us the good old chips and salsa that I love at Mexican restaurants. The salsa lacked heat but was filled with fresh tomatoes and onions. I thought it was a bit sweet and really wished it had some heat. The menu includes most of the standard Mexican fare. Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas and the like. Our waiter recommended that we try the Cevichi ($10.99). This is fish marinated in lime juice with a little tomato, onion and cilantro. Served with guacamole and tortilla chips so I coated a chip with guacamole and topped with the Cevichi and some fresh salsa. Not bad but really kind of bland. This Cevichi was really missing something and I think it was flavor. I ordered a combination of three tacos that included a Fish Taco, Pork Taco and Steak Taco. I loved the Fish Taco best. The Pork Taco was basically Pork on a tortilla and the Steak Taco was basically steak on a tortilla. Nothing to add flavor or texture was added. I would return again for the Fish Taco. I could not eat the Beans and Rice. The beans were chunky and they had a taste to them that I did not like. Same with the rice. Something did not taste right. I think I was right because my daughter and wife who love rice and beans did not eat their rice and beans either. The Kids Meal Taco Plate ($6.99). My daughter did not care for the steak taco here but when we make them at home she eats them day after day. We tried a Combination Plate that included a Chili Relleno, Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. The Tamale was not bad. The Rellano and Enchilada were just filled with cheese and nothing else to add flavor. I need to eat here a few more times before I write the place off. Really wish Grand Leyenda could come through with some great Mexican food.