CPK? Uh, we have one of those...

Last Thursday was my birthday, and I spent the day at work.  That was just fine with me, since my party wasn’t until the next night.  Still yet, I couldn’t just ignore the day my momma gave me, so after I finished my shift at 9pm I met Lia at one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Waikiki: California Pizza Kitchen. 

A taste of the mainland, in the center of Waikiki.

Of course I’m being facetious - CPK is a national chain, and if you live in a major metropolitan area , or a major suburb with a mall, you’ve probably encountered one.  That may be why when I recommend CPK as one of many dining options to inquiring visitors, some respond “ Uh, we have one of those…sooo.”  

Sooo… E Komo Mai, welcome to Waikiki.  A major metropolis with a trolley that runs every 5 minutes to Ala Moana Shopping Center.  Unfortunately the area’s lacking in the category of inexpensive, sit-down, indigenous restaurants that you were expecting to be within walking distance of your hotel.   So, you can eat at the CPK down the block, or the one at the mall. 

I digress and I rant, but it’s hard out here for a concierge sometimes when the closest option for “authentic” Hawaiian fare is Kenny’s at the Royal Hawaiian food court.  Again, some guests just aren’t lookin’ to crawl the mall for every meal.

Endless iced tea... bottoms up! 

Anyways, back to my birthday bolognese at CPK.  I got just that, and a bottomless mango iced tea.  I always order the spaghetti Bolognese here, because I can always count on it tasting good and hitting the spot (not too sweet… a lot of red sauces can have a cavity-quality to them, but this one doesn’t go that route).  It was an especially appropriate choice, since every year for my birthday my mom used to cook spaghetti for me.  Nothing beats the homemade, but it was the best I could do without Ma’dear.

Our server for the evening was Rachelle, just the sweetest thing.  All bubbly and genuine and friendly smiles.  In an attempt to embarrass me, Lia mentioned that it was my birthday, and Rachelle happily brought us an ice cream sundae with a candle, and led the b’day serenade.  Also, in accordance with family tradition, Lia took a photo of me faux-blowing the candle out, since the camera missed the real blow.

A faux blow for the camera...

Other perks about the Waikiki CPK include a warm atmosphere, with the option of indoor, bar, or outdoor seating.  It takes a bit longer to get a seat outside during peak dinner hours, but it’s worth it.  The 2nd floor lanai in the heart of Waikiki is great people watching, and I was a little too excited about the opportunity to capture the Newspaper Man on camera without having to pay! Haha, Lia was not impressed.

HA!  This just in... I'm amused.

Finally, they offer kamaaina discount of 20% if you show your Hawaii ID or local bank card.

DOA ?:  That could be interesting, but it’s just dinner, so you can probably wait.

HAUNT OR EXORCISE?:  Haunt it like a mall rat haunts Jamba.  Or like I haunt Cinnabon (now that’s one mall chain that Waikiki is really missing out on!)

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
2284 Kalakaua Avenue (Center of Waikiki Bulding, 2nd Floor (above Foot Locker))
Honolulu, HI 96815

out for labor day: A PHOTO ESSAY

---

M:  I thought this was a theme party, I was going for biker-chic.

L:  uhhh...

L:  ...looks like S&M's the trend.  I'm suprised they let you in.

M:  Me too. Let's check out the dance floor.

M:  There's bears in here.

L:  Yeah there are.

M:  Hey, some seats opened up at the bar...

M:  Hi Talon!  (...Miller Time tik tok...)  Check Please!

L:  I'm sober, let's go.

M:  Anything for you, Snooks.  Goodnight bar.  Goodnight bears.  Goodnight moon.

---

EAT, PRÆ, LOVE

Friday night I headed to Nobu, the sleek Japanese restaurant and lounge in the Waikiki Parc Hotel, for the launch of the PRÆ party. The title of this post is almost completely irrelevant to my review, as I didn’t eat anything at Nobu, and while I enjoyed myself, I wouldn’t say I loved the party. Frankly I just wanted to reference the best-seller-turned-feature film that got Julia Roberts and countless choosy moms exploring Hinduism. Surprising as it may seem, it’s not uncommon - many others felt similarly inspired to explore Catholicism after “Doubt,” or Helen Hunt after “Pay It Forward.”

My friend and I walked through a tunnel of blue light to get to the lobby of the Waikiki Parc, so modern and chic. We entered the restaurant and I spotted my beautiful female friend Coco. Sauntering by the bar, Coco’s all legs and the most fashionable lady in red-lips gracing the room.

I'll have what she's having...

I kissed her on the cheek, exchanged pleasantries, and took a sip of her jet-lag inspired cocktail: crown and ginger ale. I then started my own tab at the bar, ordering the special of the night, $7 kettle one & whatever. The friend I came with got a watermelon martini - made with care and garnished with melon, rind and all. No seeds, though. Later we all enjoyed a tasting of pina-martinis, fruity and sweet it was like a spiked, melted shave ice.

The atmosphere was warm and the DJ was spinning a hypnotic mix of trance beats, an appropriate soundtrack for the night. The reason why I wasn’t loving it, however, was because this lounge was a little too small for such a large party. The place was packed, standing room only by 10:30pm. The crowd was taking away from the fashionable feel, and the room was dotted by a few too many surf tees. I’m not one to comment on dress code, but Coco must have felt violated by the indiscretion.

Full Bar!  A promoter's prayers answered

We eventually snagged a table and a friend ordered bubbly-bottle service. Champagne appeared to be the classy carbonated alternative to beer all around the room that night. Later I spotted someone across from us looking all like a “white Fantasia Barino,” to which Coco replied “didn’t she try to kill herself?” Is nothing sacred? The rumor mill just won’t quit; even at Nobu, our former American Idol can’t catch a break. She has a new album out.

We spent the rest of the night discussing things like a recent spread featuring models holding handbags and dressed as bears, and what to wear to the aloha bears party at Hula’s. TBD.


DOA? : No need. The champagne will go straight to your head.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE? : I’ll haunt Nobu another night. Plus, I really want to eat there sometime. I’ve been told I’ll love it.


NOBU WAIKIKI
2233 Helumoa Road (Waikiki Parc Hotel, lobby level)
Honolulu, HI 96815

UP IN FLAMES @ RumFire

This past Sunday I decided to check out the scene at RumFire, a sleek oceanfront bar and lounge at the Sheraton Waikiki. Every last Sunday from 7-11pm the venue plays host to a homo-centric dance party. Just moments after I walked in, a kind soul bought me a drink, earning the scene some early points.

I had gone to the outdoor cash-only bar overlooking the pool deck, and the bartender was so apologetic that she had run out of the night’s $5 special - skyy vanilla- and insisted on mixing any other drink for the same price. At any rate, I hadn’t had vanilla vodka since early college, and I wasn’t looking to revisit that unfortunate flavor of hangover. So I let the lovely bartender choose a drink for me. She insisted on a Bacardi Melon with Sprite. Hmm, it tasted like cavities, but I figured I shouldn’t go to Rum Fire without touching the rum.

The Fire Wall

While many guests lounged inside RumFire by the light of the illuminated bar, glowing orange from ceiling to floor, others were scattered about the outdoor tables, lit and warmed by torches and caldrons of fire. The dancing was outside too, with the DJ and sound system set-up on this first terrace of the pool deck. Sweet tea in hand I headed toward the small mass of people on the dance floor to meet a friend. In the midst of the dancing I also met the evening’s birthday boy, adorned with leis and moving to the rhythm of PCD’s “Buttons” ft. Snoop Dogg. I got in on the action when the beat dropped on “New York.” I did the Jay-Z part of that once at Wang’s (probably woulda been better off doing any of Nicole’s parts in “Buttons”).

concrete jungle where dreams are made of...

I had met a fun group dancing - the birthday entourage - including the event’s promoter Kevin, who apparently makes sure the party’s crackin’ at RumFire on a monthly basis. The DJ packed up around 11pm, and after consulting with the man of the hour on his B’day wishes, it was on to the next one…

DOA? : Drunk on arrival? I was.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE? : The outdoor dance party, the hospitable staff, and the warm ambience makes RumFire a hauntable hot spot.

RUMFIRE
2255 Kalakaua Ave (Lobby level of the Sheraton Waikiki)
Honolulu, HI 96815

Lettin' it all WANG OUT!

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to make it to the last Kon Tiki party of the season at Wang Chung's, a beach-themed night of revelry at the Asian karaoke bar.  We arrived around ten and the hole in the wall bar was packed, standing room only (which is typical at Wang's for this time on a Saturday).  Two military boys were cordial enough to give up a seat to my roomie Lia.  Their chivalry had its limits, as they then asked, rather nicely nonetheless, if they could motor-boat her.  Not tonight, boys.  Later they bought me a shot so I could catch up with them, but the effort was in vain as they were already three sheets to the wind.

To the wind I say! Thanks boys!

At any rate, I was able to get in a few standards - even with the crowd it was only about a 15-20 minute wait to get your song up.  Wang Chung's has one of the best selections of quality songs I've seen, plus a binder of "new songs" that's continually updated with new karaoke classics, from Keri Hilson to Ke$ha (still waiting to hear someone whisper "I like your beard" into the mic), to Young Money's "Bedrock," my personal favorite.

Wang's is definitely an intimate atmosphere, both because of the size of the venue and the friendly faces that work behind the bar.  Dan greets his guests by name and with a hug, and bartender Bud pours a pint of Hef  with lemon when he sees me walk in the door.  They only have two beers on tap, but one of them is Widmer Hefeweizen, and that’s all I could really ask for. The other is Sapporo.

Meanwhile, Cory whips up one of the best local kine cocktails in Waikiki, the lychee kamikaze. The mix of chilled lychee-infused vodka and lime makes for a refreshing melon taste in the end. Cory played bartender and host at the Kon Tiki party, and even managed to sing a ditty or two from behind the counter. Cory’s sister made it a family affair and brought it home with a par-for-the-course rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” sounding all expensive and shit like a young Marilyn Monroe.

Good songs, good drinks, good people. Wang’s is good to me, and she’ll be good to you too.

A typical night out Wangin’

DOA: I usually prime with a beer before I go, and let the Hef take it from there.


HAUNT OR EXORCISE: Haunt this bitch. I do.

 
WANG CHUNG’S ASIAN KARAOKE BAR
2410 Koa Avenue (Behind the Hyatt Regency)
Honolulu, HI 96815

Your Own.... Personal.... Pitchers

What's good on a Sunday night after you've had your share of soul-searching at Lulu's?  Double-down Sunday at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand.  You get a double for the price of a single on all well drinks, making it about $5 a cocktail.  I prefer my vodka tonics by the pint, so it seems like a fair drink special to me.  Make it a bloody Sunday and for a little extra bartender Talon will mix you up a scratch bloody Mary, made to order - you choose the heat, and he adds the pickle.  And olives.  And salt if you like.

But if you've had your fill of hard-A, maybe the personal pitcher is right for you.  Hula's pours Miller Light Drafts in pitchers perfect for a pair to share, or a single lush to suck down with a straw.  The last time I brought some fresh faces to the bar, they all were green with envy after ordering their Coronas and then seeing me with my pitcher of Miller Light for the same price.  In the end, we all had our own personals.  Needless to say everyone was pretty belige by closing. 

On Sundays at Hula's you can grab a seat at the bar or a table by the dance floor and talk story with friends while watching a mix of house/pop/hip-hop music videos on the two big screens.  Or if that's a little too impersonal, there's always the 808 boyz tearing up center stage.  They all got rhythm and their own style of dancing, but there's one in particular who could probably make it all the way to Vegas on SYTYCD based soley on his Jazz-inspired use of suspenders and bandana.  Not kidding, he's a very talented dancer.  I really think he should try out.  I believe his name is James.

If you wanna compete with center stage then go on and break it down on the dance floor.  Sundays are definitely a mixed bag for dancing at Hula's, with usually a meager crowd later in the night making it happen.  Nonetheless it's hard not to when David Guetta and Kelly Rowland command you to DANCE!

DOA:  Drunk on arival? Only if you're looking to B.O.

HAUNT OR EXORCISE:  Haunt away.  Sundays are fun days, but there's much ado Thursdays-Saturdays at Hula's too. 

HULA'S BAR & LEI STAND
134 Kapahulu Avenue (2nd Floor of the Waikiki Grand Hotel)
Honolulu, HI 96815

Feed Your SOUL Sundays

Skip dinner on Sunday night and get down to Lulu's Waikiki!  Arrive a little after 7pm for the main attraction -Simple Souls, the local duo Jenn and Zaysha, who provide listeners with an acoustic mash-up of contemporary hits and classics. 

They're both blessed with the velvety chops of Lauryn Hill, with Zaysha on guitar and Jenn on the beat, and two mics for soulful harmony.  The tunes of Beyonce, Fergie-ferg, and even Lady GaGa make the mix on any given night, along with those of Erykah Badu, Lenny Kravitz, and Miss-educated Lauryn Hill herself.

The gals of Simple Souls, as seen performing at Jimmy Buffet's
(now Lulu's and Mai Tai Bar are the places to find them)

While soaking up Simple Souls, get down on an order of Beach Boy Nachos.  It's is a mountain of golden corn tortilla chips with real cheese and fresh fixins that can serve 3 for just $12.  You might need a beer too, though drink specials don't start till 10pm. 

Go to Lulu's on Sundays as a final stop for the weekend to unwind and relax, or as a first stop on a Sunday Night out!  With another bar looming just next door, it's on to the next one...

DOA:  No need to be drunk on arrival, unless you're meeting a really awkward group of people at Lulu's, in which case use your discretion.

HAUNT OR EXORCISE:  Haunt this bitch!  Simple Souls Sundays at Lulu's doesn't seem to get old. 

LULU'S WAIKIKI
2589 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(on the corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu, above Starbucks)

Flashback - RED LION

RED LION WAIKIKI is a basement dive-bar bar in a surprisingly upscale location - the Hyatt Regency on Kalakaua. While it boasts DJ and dancing till 4am every night, the floor is rarely occupied by a soul. The exception is Broke-ass mondays (RL's bread-winner, with real cheap beer specials but a $10 cover) and occasionally dollar drink night (formerly Thursdays, moved to Tuesdays, $10 cover). Although the last few dollar nights I went to, my group had to break the dancing ice, and found few others willing to get down on the floor. The music is a mild, no frills mix of top-40 and old-school R&B.  I used to bring my friends there all the time, but then I realized other venues have so much more to offer, like patrons and friendly bartenders.

No one knows what theme they're going for, with booths shaped as baseball gloves, walls adorned with swiftly painted images of bull dogs and scottish coat of arms, and a disco-lit dance floor. Maybe they've got the right demographic in mind though: people who don't care that they're spending their time in Waikiki consuming marginal bar food and weak well drinks in a basement.  

REVIEW:

DOA? Yes, drunk on arrival is recommended for a more enjoyable experience.

HAUNT OR EXORCISE? Exorcise this bitch - haunt something in a more hospitable environment.  Unless it's Monday night, in which case go for broke!

RED LION WAIKIKI
2424 Kalakaua Avenue (Basment of the Hyatt Regnecy, diamond head tower)
Honolulu, HI 96815

E Komo Mai ! ! !

Welcome to OUT IN WAIKIKI, a new source for residents and visitors to get the detes on waikiks's social scene : food and drink haunts, nightlife, street style and anything else deemed deserving of social commentary. Follow us for a scathing good time out in waikiki!