Finding Good Wine in Honolulu
Want a big fruity drink with a little umbrella in it while in Honolulu? No problem (just don't show any pictures of yourself imbibing them to your friends; what gets consumed in Hawaii stays in Hawaii). Beer's not much of a problem, either : most bars in Honolulu offer a good selection, including excellent local brews from the Kona Brewing Company. But what about wine? Hawaii's climate isn't suitable for winemaking, but it's ripe for wine drinking. That being the case, it's surprisingly difficult to find restaurants with quality wine lists and wine stores with knowledgeable staff and an excellent selection. Some picks after the jump. (photo)
Formaggio
2919 Kapiolani Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96826
Formaggio offers a range of reasonably priced wines by the glass and a good selection of sandwiches (the concept seems a little strange, but what doesn't pair well with a … kobe burger panini?). If you go here, however, be prepared to wait. If you can get a seat at the bar, do so; the bartenders are knowledgeable about what they pour, and you'll benefit by having constant access to them. (photo) [link]
Indigo
1121 Nuuanu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96817
Located in Chinatown, Indigo was featured in a couple of episodes of "Lost." It serves a "blend of modern Asian, French, and Mediterranean cuisine"; such breadth might … seem over ambitious, but Indigo pulls it off well. As no ethnicity comprises a majority of Hawaii's population, Indigo's approach shouldn't be much of a surprise; if a wide variety of people can mix well, why can't food? The wine selection is decent. and drink specials make Indigo a popular place for happy hour. (photo) [link]
Roy's Restaurant
226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI 96815
Sure, Roy's is a mainland chain, but the Hawaiian outposts are worth a stop (and the first Roy's was opened in Honolulu). The wine list is heavy on the Californians but … includes selections from the rest of the world as well. As for food, the ahi pokitini is a great preparation of the local delicacy, poke (cubed raw fish served as an appetizer, unless you enjoy it as much as I did, in which case repeat orders of poke transform it into a meal). (photo) [link]
Brasserie du Vin
1115 Bethel St
Honolulu, HI 96813
The wine list lacks focus but is large enough that you're bound to find something you'll like. On a recent visit, though, a sommelier seemed a little obnoxious (he chewed … out the bartender, who was great, for no good reason in front of the customers). The cheese plate was delicious and the bartender did an excellent job steering us in the right direction with cheeses as well as wines. (photo) [link]
HASR Wine Co.
31 N Pauahi St
Honolulu, HI 96817
HASR stands for "highly allocated spoiled rotten"; a wine distributor told one of the owners that she was spoiled rotten by always getting the "highly allocated" wines. … It's no mistake. HASR has an extensive selection, and the owners are knowledgeable about what they carry. One of them helped my wife and me select some great Spanish reds that we hadn't tried previously. If you go here, ask to see their bottles of Scottie Pippen's signature wines (33 Red and 33 White). HASR hosts tastings on Tuesdays and Fridays. (photo) [link]
