Gourmet on a Budget

Yet, fine dining on a budget must be out there somewhere; all it takes is a little time to look. As the founder of Aperitif, a local food and wine club, I have had the opportunity to experience nearly everything Honolulu has to offer in terms of cuisine, the best and the worst. Here are my Top 5 favorite culinary haunts.

Brasserie Du Vin (1115 Bethel Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, (808) 545-1115) – The atmosphere at this local Chinatown/Downtown eatery sends you back in time to early-1900's in France, with its dark hardwood floors, windowsill planters, cask room, patio, and candle light. Brasserie Du Vin is a vacation from the ordinary Honolulu scene, and perfect for a first date. As a helpful hint, the escargot is a buttery and garlicky delight for any palate. The cuisine is simple, but executed impeccably. Try the daily-changing three-course prix fixe menu ($25) for a great value and sample some generous wine pours by the glass.

Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries and Raspberry Coulis at Le Guignol

Le Guignol (1010 South King Street, #108, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, (808) 591-1809) – It is hard to believe that the quality of French cuisine, using both modern and classic techniques, would be found in this small unpretentious bistro, yet Chef Travis Sutton has exceeded expectations. Le Guignol serves traditional provincial-style French cuisine like veal sweetbreads, frog legs, escargot, and foie gras. Despite my desire to try something different, I always order the veal sweetbreads and generously offer my services on my fellow dining companion's dishes. I only discovered this hole-in-the-wall eatery, after recommendations by THREE notable chefs in Hawaii, all French. However, the icing on the cake is that you can easily have an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for under $40 a person. Plus, it is BYOB, so pack your favorite Bordeaux or Burgundy and have a memorable evening.

Sabrina's Restaurant (3036 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816, (808) 739-0220) – Home-style Italian cooking like your grandma used to make it (if you're Italian), available in a restaurant.  Every dish is made from scratch and made to order so you are guaranteed a dish that was not under a heat lamp for 30 minutes. Sure, an entire meal may take several hours, but if you have a nice bottle (or two) of wine and great company (it is also BYOB), you will be in culinary heaven. Although both homemade and packaged pasta's are available, go for the homemade stuff! The beef carpaccio appetizer is a must, as well as anything with lobster that Sabrina has on special. Plus, at $15-$25 an entrée it won't hurt the expense account too hard.

Beef Carpaccio Salad at Sabrina's

Tokkuri-Tei (611 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 (808) 739-2800) – Ok, so it's technically not fine dining, but what is sexier than sushi and sake? Tokkuri-Tei is meant for sharing and being able to sample quality fresh fish and sake for under $50 a person is a steal. The Japanese "nachos" are a must, as well as anything on their sushi/sashimi menu (abalone, uni, toro, etc.). Amongst all the quality Japanese restaurants in Honolulu, Tokkuri-Tei is a stand-out.

Town (3435 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, (808) 735-5900) – Reminiscent of a modern New York restaurant, Town offers homegrown, down-to-earth cuisine in a modern, trendy package. Dining at Town immediately makes you feel healthy and "green", since the majority of ingredients to the cuisine are local and/or organic. The menu changes daily to showcase only the freshest ingredients of the day. The cuisine paired with the eclectic and reasonably priced wine selection is unique in even the Honolulu-culinary world and a key to their success as both critics and non-critics seem to agree. Come with a small group of friends for a surprisingly intimate atmosphere. Plus, the bar is a hidden gem for any person who appreciates a good cocktail.

John Fujimoto is the founder of Aperitif, an Advanced Sommelier, a James Beard Certified Food Critic, and a contributor for Food & Wine Magazine.

Pictures by La Cutie and Kai Photo.