Big roasted birds, gravy boats and lots of family. Thanksgiving is all about tradition. But if you are celebrating Thanksgiving in Waikiki, you are already breaking with tradition, and if you’ve come this far, you might as well go all the way and let your imagination run wild.
Fortunately for you and your imagination, Waikiki Beach Walk has the best dining selection in Waikiki. And with so many delicious choices of how to treat yourself and your family, you just gotta ask yourself, why limit it to just one day?
Here are some wonderfully creative suggestions for making the entire week of this year’s Thanksgiving your best ever.
When in Rome ...or Hawaii
“...then eat like you are in Hawaii,” according to the old saying.
And if you want to eat like you are in Hawaii, then look to Roy Yamaguchi, who wrote the book on it.
Literally. Roy was one of the founding members of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine, an electrifying epicurean movement in the early ’90s which emphasized the use of locally grown products and combining foods and cooking styles based in classic French cooking with influences of Asian and Island cuisine.
In Roy’s case, the evidence is in amazing dishes like a sumptuous Char Negi & Pepper-Yaki Filet Mignon with a "Hapa" Congee, Sumida Watercress, Jicama Slaw and Sesame Garlic; or an incredibly delectable 48 Hour Tender Pork Shank with orange & Mint Pesto Butter and Portuguese Sausage Puree
The end result is a singular Thanksgiving meal that celebrates the polyglot of cultures of Hawaii that could very well be one of the most memorable things of your visit to Hawaii.
Like you didn’t have enough to be thankful for.
When in Rome ...er, we actually mean Rome
Taormina was inspired by the authentic flavors of its namesake, the quaint Sicilian seaside village of Taormina, and therefore serves the timeless cuisine of Southern Sicily with contemporary style and flair.
However, instead of the heavy sauces associated with southern Italian cooking, Executive Chef Hiro Mimura instead dresses the freshly made Sicilian pastas in pure, extra virgin olive oil.
When paired with crisp fresh vegetables, entrees of the highest quality lightly grilled fresh fish and lobster, lamb chops and free range chicken, the result is a delectable range of healthy options, yet also providing that warm, fulfilling feeling from a hearty meal.
Throw in a superb selection by the in-house Master Sommelier from Hawaii’s most diverse collection of more than 100 Italian wines, and you’ve got the textbook example of what is known as “comfort food.”
Just like a Thanksgiving dinner.
The Healthy Approach
Thanksgiving is usually a feasting day of maximum indulgence. One of the stereotypical images is of folks loosening their belts after chowing down copious amounts of turkey, spuds and gravy. But hey, this is Hawaii, and you’re probably not even wearing a belt.
Plus many people already have healthy eating regimens, and prefer a less indulgent way to treat themselves on this day.
For them, Nalu Health Bar & Café is the perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Especially when they add a day on the beach or on the waves at Waikiki as their accompaniment to Nalu’s delicious and nutritious menu.
Which includes their acclaimed acai bowl, with imported grade A açaí directly from Brazil complemented with an array of mouth-watering, fresh, locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Add some delightful smoothies, fresh island coffee, coffee flavorings, cold brew on tap, kombucha, coconut yogurt, gluten free bread, and gluten free vegan baked goods, and you are ready for fun in the sun. Which is also quite untraditional for Thanksgiving.
A Cut Above
It’s not an outrageous stretch of the imagination to think some people prefer a good cut of beef over turkey.
And for a holiday as special as Thanksgiving, the good cut of beef should be an exceptional cut of beef, and the setting should be a fine one.
When people think of fine dining, many think of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and a luscious cut of tender, juicy steak nestled next to a baked potato loaded with the works
And whatever cut of beef you are in the mood for, rest assured Ruth’s Chris has the best, and they are prepared in their signature and patented preparation for steaks, basted in butter and sizzling on a 500-degree plate when delivered to your table. (Permission to now swallow all the extra saliva that has just welled up in your mouth.)
Simply put, you can’t go wrong picking Ruth’s Chris for your location to have an elegant traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
The Traditional
It’s also not a huge stretch of the imagination to think that some people love turkey, and look forward to Thanksgiving.
Yard House has seen you and heard you.
That’s why they are offering an epic Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner, including sliced turkey with gravy or Fried Nashville Hot Turkey. Rest assured that they have all the fixings, plus their traditional 100+ beers on tap and dozens of big screen TV’s in which to watch football.
Which is another Thanksgiving tradition.
A Saving Grace: Complimentary Parking in Waikiki
Waikiki Beach Walk offers complimentary valet parking with a $10 purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant or restaurant.
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PHOTO CREDIT
All photos courtesy of Waikiki Beach Walk unless otherwise indicated