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Leaving Roy’s To Upgrade Tiki’s Waikiki
Executive chef Ronnie Nasuti says he found his groove at Tiki’s. Jo McGarry photo I was sitting at Tiki’s Grill and Bar in Waikiki chewing the fat with Ronnie Nasuti. Literally. He’d just brought a dish of pork scratchings out of the kitchen with a side of homemade green papaya salad.
“I was watching some of our cooks eating these last night,” he says pointing to the puffy little pockets of pork fat, “and I thought they might make a cool appetizer.”
It’s the kind of dish that makes you thirsty for a cold beer, and just one of the many signs that Tiki’s is out to set some culinary trends these days.
“I’m going to call it chips and salsa,” Nasuti says as we marvel at the crisp pork rind melting beneath the spicy green papaya dressing. If it makes it to the menu, it will join dozens of new dishes Nasuti has created since taking the top chef position at Tiki’s late last year in a move that sent ripples of near-disbelief through the local culinary community.
But if the shift was surprising to foodies, it was also something of a shock for the chef who’d become a fixture in the open kitchen at the original roy’s restaurant in Hawaii Kai.
“It was really stressful leaving Roy’s,” he says with the kind of utter honesty that fuels his reputation as a humble and hardworking chef. “I don’t like to change, and I never imagined I’d leave the strong team we’d built in Hawaii Kai. I never really thought of working anywhere else. So, yeah, of course it was tough to leave.”
But when Tiki’s owners Bill Tobin and Kelly McGill made Nasuti an offer he couldn’t refuse, even Roy Yamaguchi wished him well.
Half a year later, the chef who towered above his team in the heat of Roy’s open kitchen is looking comfortable in the new cool of a refurbished and contemporary Tiki’s.
You need look no further than the new menu to see how his unpretentious, island-inspired dishes have replaced the nearly decade-old staples. New additions include Poisson Cru - fresh, local ahi infused with coconut milk and lime juice then tossed with fresh ogo and Kahuku sea asparagus and served with fried plantain chips; and Tiki Torched Tataki - seared fresh yellow fin with wasabi, white shoyu, takuan sauce and mango sunomono.
Sizzling Lettuce Wraps - soft Kula butter lettuce leaves filled with kalbi rib eye and served with house-made kim chee and bean sprouts - have become an instant favorite, and on a menu that features fresh island fish (grilled opah, cajun-style ahi and mac nut-crusted mahi are just a few), he’s also added prime rib poke, and a miso smothered pork shoulder that’s slowly cooked then served over kabocha puree and drizzled with a spicy demi glaze.
“When you look at a menu,” says Nasuti, “you have to understand the dishes. I just started by taking off the stuff I didn’t understand and replacing it with dishes that make sense. “
With bright-red accents on walls, plump, red cushions, red lanterns hanging at the bar, warm, wood furniture and live local music every night, Tiki’s oozes a new style and confidence that might just be strong enough to tempt even those who “never” go into Waikiki.
“I think I’ve finally found my groove,” Nasuti says looking out over the ocean from the restaurant’s second floor location at Aston Waikiki Beach.
I think Tiki’s has, too. Happy eating!
via midweek.com
On the Town with Hawaiian Music
by Niko Rivas & Haiya Sarwar | May 18, 2011Hawaiian Music / Let’s face it: Hawai’i is no New York. We can see how that sentiment might manifest into a sense of yearning, longing or even regret. But, instead of feeling slighted by the absence of freezing weather, snow and murky waters, we should celebrate the vast beauty of Hawai’i as found in its nature and culture. With that said, we’ve compiled a Hawaiian music guide which includes restaurants and bars that are hosts to some of the most talented local Hawaiian music in the world. Imua!
Tiki’s Grill & Bar
A fiery torch-laden lair overlooking Waikiki, Tiki’s Bar and Grill is fun and definitely decadent. Filled with island flair, this restaurant is guaranteed to please. Make sure to try their succulent mac nut crusted Mahi Mahi or their Aloha Friday Hawaiian Plate (loaded with kalua pig, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, ahi poke, Okinawan sweet potato, haupia and poi).
Featured Musicians: Vaihi, Ellsworth Simeona, Local Uprising, Alex of Manoa DNA, UnNatural, Beach 5, Kunoa, Mango Season and Johnny Helm.2570 Kalakaua Ave., 10:30am–12am, [tikisgrill.com], 923-8454Tapa Bar, Hilton Hawaiian Village
Nestled within the grand architecture of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, this open-air bar will slip you right into vacation mode. Serving Hawaii’s premiere Round Table Pizza, this bar takes beer and pizzas to a whole new level of refinement.
Featured Musicians: “Little Albert” Maligmat, Typical Hawaiians, Olomana, Sean Naauao and Jon BaseBase.2005 Kalia Rd., 3pm–11pm, [hiltonhawaiianvillage.com], 949-4321Tropics Bar & Grill, Hilton Hawaiian Village
From their Big Kahuna Burger to their coconut fried shrimp, Tropics puts a local twist on American classics. Their dessert menu includes delectable creations like the Ginger- Scented Lilikoi Crème Brulee. Try their new Hawaii Five-0 inspired cocktail, a glamorous mix of rum and pineapple.
Featured Musicians: Henry Kapono, Celio Rodriguez, Jon BaseBase, Juke Joint, Beach 5 and Kailua Bay Buddies.2005 Kalia Rd., 7am–10:30pm, [hiltonhawaiianvillage.com], 949-4321Rumfire, Sheraton Hawaii
This restaurant sits right on the beach and is known for its “bahawaiian” cuisine. With a menu made to be shared “pupu” style, indulge in their mahi mahi fish tacos or kalua pork empandas. For dessert, the Kahuku sweet corn (Dole pineapple pudding with caramel popcorn whiskey molasses) is a must try. Cocktails include tropical re-mixes like the Bahawaiian Beach Boy, the Sexy Wahine, and the Bloody Maui.
Featured Musicians: Kamuela Kahoano, Jon BaseBase, Jeremy Cheng, Kona Chang, Ellsworth Simeona, Marlene Baldueza, Phoenix Night and Randy Allen.2255 Kalakaua Ave., 11am–12am, [rumfirewaikiki.com], 922-4422Duke’s Waikiki
Named after the world famous Duke Kahanamoku, Duke’s takes you back to an older era of Waikiki, offering a wide array of Hawaiian influenced cuisine paired with memorable desserts such as the enticing “Hula Pie” which consists of macadamia nut ice cream, fudge, a chocolate cookie crust, all topped with whip cream–although their $14.95 breakfast buffet might take the cake for the best experience at Duke’s.
Featured Musicians: Henry Kapono, Kona Chang Duo, Vaihi, Tahiti Rey Duo, Maunalua, Simple Souls, Beach 5 and the Eric Lee Band.2335 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 116, 7am–12:30am, [dukeswaikiki.com], 922-2268Chai’s Island Bistro
The live music at this venue complements the friendly and festive setting. While the prices tend to run a little steep, the seafood cuisine is exceptional–for starters, try the Gravlax Salmon Roulade with Crab Meat & Cream Cheese Mousse.
Featured Musicians: Nathan Aweau, Sistah Robi & Friends, Bruce Shimabukuro, Melveen Leed, Robert Cazimero, Jerry Santos1 Aloha Tower Dr., Wed.& Fri. 11am–4pm (lunch), Sun.–Sat. 4pm–10pm (dinner) [chaisislandbistro.com], 585-0011Lewers Lounge, Halekulani
Like a Great Gatsby throwback with some Hawaiian flair, this chic and swanky bar is the perfect place to kick back. Sip on a Bee’s Knees (gin, honey, and lemons).
Featured Musicians: Noly Paa, Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard.2199 Kalia Rd., 7:30pm–1am, [halekulani.com], 923-2311Mai Tai Bar
This hot spot at Ala Moana Shopping Center is the perfect atmosphere of modern Hawaiian music. With plenty of drinks and appetizers like their signature Angus Beef Sliders.
Featured Musicians: Kapena Band, Kapena De Lima, Chris Rego, The YOZA Project, Kamuela Kahoano, Beach 5, Simple Souls, Dayton Watanabe, Conscious Roots, Local Uprising, Tahiti Rey, Kahiau, Typical Hawaiians, Bamboo Crew, Kawao, and Irie Souls.1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 11am–1am, [alamoanacenter.com], 947-2900
This Memorial Day, pause to remember those who have gone before us , especially the men and women of our armed forces.
Linapuni is a small school located inside Kuhio Park Terrace housing, a state housing project. Students are in kindergarten through 2nd grade and many have never been to a sit down restaurant before. This week at Tiki's they had their special goodbye luncheon for the 2nd graders, who will go on to different schools next year. These are some of their thank you letters.
