GREAT EATS HAWAII: DORAKU

DORAKU

HONOLULU, HAWAII

DORAKU

1009 KAPIOLANI BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-591-0101

HOURS: Lunch 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Dinner 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Happy Hour 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Bar and outside tables only)

Late Night Happy Hour 9:00 PM - Closing

EMAIL: kakaako@dorakusushi.com

www.dorakusushi.com

Simply stated one of the best dinners of my life. Doraku is good. Really good. Only problem is that I was with business clients that do not know that I blog and did not take one single photo of the food. I blew it big time not taking pictures during my first visit to Doraku. Not to worry though, this gives me a reason to return real soon. Doraku on Kapiolani is located directly across from the Neil Blaisdel Center so it is very convenient for a pre or post concert dinner. We went prior to attending the Blue Man Group and let me tell you, the dinner at Doraku was the best part of this evening. Our seating was a 5:00 PM and we arrived the hostess offered us the option to enjoy the discounted Happy Hour menu if we sat in the bar or at the outside tables. Since were were entertaining guests, we opted for a standard table inside where you cannot order off the Happy Hour menu. Our waitress and her support staff were good. Saw a lot of piercings and tattoos between plates but it was all good. We started with Ahi Poke ($11.95) and Tako Poke ($8.95). Both of these are served with sweet onions, Ogo and Macadamia Nuts marinated in Doraku's Special Poke Sauce and garnished with Crispy Green Onions and Spring Mix Salad. Liked the freshness of the Tako. Ahi was fresh too, but these were not the dishes that knocked my sox off during our dinner. The Hamachi Carpaccio ($12.50) was "unbelievable". Thin slices of Yellowtail Sashimi garnished with slivers of Jalapeño and finished with Sweet Miso, Chili Oil, Red and Green Onions and Ponzu Sauce. We must of ordered four orders of this dish. The Yellowtail melted in your mouth and had a kick at the end from the jalapeno. The Grilled Hamachi Cheeks ($13.50) was fantastic. The Cheeks were meaty pieces of fish grilled with Hawaiian Sea Salt. Almost burnt on the skin and the fish just tasted incredible with and without the grated Chili Daikon Radish and Ponzu. The entire table went crazy over this dish and we ended up ordering several. The Red Dragon Roll ($12.95) consisted of Spicy Tuna, Shrimp Tempura and Avocado topped with Unagi, Red Tobiko, Unagi Sauce, Ao Nori and Spicy Aioli. Wow.....another flavor explosion in my mouth. Loved it. We enjoyed several of the Spicy Tuna and Avocado Rolls ($7.50). Fresh and delicious with buttery avocado. The Emperor Roll ($12.95) was another one that blew our socks off. Tuna, Salmon, Crab, Shrimp, Scallop and Avocado rolled together, crusted with Panko Breadcrumbs and flash fried. The scallop was in the middle and really cooked to perfection. I absolutely loved the Kagu-Tsuchi Roll "God of Fire" ($11.50). Spicy Tuna rolled with cucumber and jalapeño topped with Tuna Sashimi, Habanero Tabiko and a Spicy Garlic Aioli. Flavor and heat bomb that lit my head on fire. I wanted more....The Fire Cracker Shrimp ($9.50) was good but not my favorite. Shrimp lightly fried and covered in a little too much mayonnaise for me. We mixed it up a bit with the Japanese Garlic Steak ($16.50). Grilled Ribeye steak served with garlic ginger Ponzu Sauce and served with bean sprouts, mushrooms and sweet onions. Nice change of pace after all of the seafood. Everyone liked the Eggplant Miso ($6.25). Deep Fried Eggplant served with Yuzu Miso Sauce. The Panko Crusted Hamachi ($14.25) was also a table favorite. Fillet of Hamachi crusted with Panko and Fried. Served over King Oyster Mushrooms and Asparagus and topped with Mango Salsa, Cilantro, Mango Puree and Lemon Butter Ponzu. A lot going on here but good. This was a major grind session where everyone at family styles. Platter after platter of very high quality and perfectly prepared food that was simply delicious. Love this place and cannot wait to return and take some pictures! UPDATE 9/15/13. We went back and got some photos of this great food. Once again the food and service were fantastic. Doraku is now a TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE!