The Banyan Veranda, Honolulu

Recommended to me by the Concierge at the Hyatt Waikiki, this restaurant was a complete disaster. It took them 40 minutes to seat me, even with a reservation. The menu was limited and extremely pricey, even by Waikiki standards. The service was just as slow: TWO HOURS for two courses! The chicken was well cooked, but it was served with an unidentified side (perhaps an inedible garnish?), which I was later told was fried seaweed. Being an adventurous diner, I tried it. It was without a doubt THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I have ever been served. It was spongy, soggy with fryer oil (which needed to be changed). It was basically tasteless, except for the aftertaste of french fries and kid's meal chicken strips. Disgusting. The $8.00 mashed potato was acceptable, if WAY over priced. My drink order (water - no ice) was repeatedly disregarded and the wait staff pretty much ignored me, as my table was obviously an after thought. This place made pretenses about being Fine Dining by charging $36.00 for bar-b-que chicken and a side, and more for other entrées ($90 for a three course prix-fix dinner...come ON!). In that case, at least have the service to back it up. The staff seemed unmarshaled, poorly trained and clueless about culinary. It might seem a fine point, but I overheard the wait staff describe the chef's special distinctly different each time they offered it. Someone needs to let them know there is a difference between a 'jus' (a simple reduction sauce), a 'demi-glace' (a brown sauce made with wine), and a 'glaze' (egg or milk). They are not interchangeable and not typically used with seafood. Simply describing it as a sauce would have been perfectly suitable and not at all pretentious. Don't even get me started about the 'entertainment' - A Jimmy Buffet cover band...really? So, if you don't mind waiting hours for your dinner, being charged $40 for a steak, having to pay another $8 for a starch, and having to endure an enthusiastically ignorant waitstaff, this is the place for you! Otherwise, just drive up to Roy's.

The best view in Honolulu. Very relaxing with beach, Diamond Head and Moana Surfrider all around. Best Poke and the drinks were excellent. Only problem was the service. Too few servers for the number of tables. The music was great. Not loud and we could actually carry on a conversation unlike Lulu's or the Tiki Bar. The Banyan tree is even more beautiful than the one at the Iolani Palace. Would definintely go back for a nice relaxing evening.