A refreshing iced dessert made from fresh mango in syrup is enough to feed you and your friends.
I started seeing posts and hearing mentions of various new food outlets in Downtown Honolulu a couple of months ago, and I became quite intrigued by the variety and the fact that they were all located in a single building. The Remington College Building is at 1111 Bishop Street and, while there have been a few eateries there for several years, all of sudden there was a hot new Mexican Taqueria, a great local place, an upscale contemporary spot serving gourmet-style food at plate lunch prices, and more.
Enlisting the help of my trusty eating companions, Ryan and Jennifer Ozawa, we planned an eating assault on Remington College. On our first visit it became clear that it was going to take more than a single visit and we would need eating reinforcements to complete the job on time!
Jordan Halbuna from Holimoli's shows off a piece of repurposed commercial cooking equipment that now serves as the ultimate laulau steamer. Every kitchen should have one.
Here's a brief overview of what you'll find at Remington College right now and we offer a more in-depth look at each spot as well below. Starting on the ground level there is a coffee & snack bar, Coffee Factory; 3 Star Gourmet, whose specialty is contemporary seafood preparations; Just Tacos, which is exactly what it says - tacos with a variety of fillings; Catania, Italian favorites with an emphasis on pastas and salads; Komala Curry House, the oldest restaurant here, but they offer some of the best Indian food in town; and Senpai which serves tasty Filipino and local dishes. On the below-ground level there is Dim Sum House, serving cost-conscious dim sum and Chinese standards; Holimoli's, the only place in Downtown where you can get traditional Hawaiian food as well as Samoan dishes; and last, but not least, Io's Grindz, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner done local-style. Click on the links below for more photos and information on each restaurant.
Jim Steiner in front of the coolest Food Court in Downtown Honolulu at the Remington College Building.
Before we get to the food, a bit of history about the building. I spoke with Jim Steiner, the gentleman whose family owns the building, to find out more. Jim told me that the property has been part of his family for a very long time. His great-grandfather, James Steiner, arrived in Honolulu from Czechoslovakia in the 1860's on a steamer ship. He was working and touring the world, but as has happened so many times, he set foot on Oahu and never looked back. He started working in a curio store and over time he prospered and eventually built the Elite Building on this same spot in 1899. At that time the main entrance fronted on Hotel Street and it housed the Elite Ice Cream Parlor & Bakery, Island Curio Shop and a number of rentals. The original building was torn down in the 1960's and the existing building was built in 1964.
The family leased the building and it feel into a rather sorry state of disrepair over the years. In 2000 they bought out the lease and decided to take over management. At that time the building was in need of renovation and upgrades which they undertook at considerable cost. The building overhaul unearthed some fascinating finds including an antique gin bottle and a piece of the original electrical wiring for the old building - a length of wood with three separate bundles of copper wiring embedded in it. Jim told me that at the time the Elite Building was built in 1899, the general distribution of electricity in Honolulu was relatively new and the building boasted the most modern of amenities for its time.
Now back to the food. I asked Jim if they renovated with the goal of attracting restaurant tenants and he told me that they were actively discouraged from doing so as eateries are known for causing a great deal of wear and tear on a building. Regardless of the advice of well-meaning property management types, the marketplace ultimately rules, and they were approached time and again by people who wanted to open restaurants. (Jim did admit that a Mexican spot was actively sought after to appease his assistant, Fran Orian, who lobbied for one!) In response to the demand for restaurant space, they spent additional funds to create a common grease trap and exhaust system for the building. Though this was expensive to do, it has proven to be cost-effective.
One thing that particularly appeals to me about the restaurants at the Remington College Building is that there are no national chains, and all of the places are truly local enterprises run by families and small groups of like-minded individuals. When we support these eateries, we are not only feeding ourselves, but our small business-owning neighbors as well. Not surprisingly, Jim was able to rattle off his favorites from each place and said that he sometimes picks up dinner for the family in addition to the frequent lunches he enjoys from the restaurants.
Parking information: There are seven 20-minute stalls behind the building on Adams Lane. Adams Lane can be accessed from Bishop Street. Be sure you are in the far left lane as you cross Beretania heading Makai. Just after you clear the intersection you will see a small road on the left going one-way, this is Adams Lane. Drive around to the rear of the building and you will see the parking stalls marked with traffic cones. The security guard at the building is quite vigilant about keeping the stalls clear for drop-in visitors.
Coffee Factory is the spot for gourmet coffee drinks, smoothies and light lunch items.
Coffee Factory
6am-3pm Mon-Fri
258-5595
Coffee Factory opens bright and early at 6am for the headed-to-work crowd. Grab a coffee beverage (they have the full range of lattes, espressos, etc.), a pastry or order a smoothie to start your day. Around 10:30am you can pick up some light lunch items such as salads and sandwiches. Popular items are the fresh fish specials and the bento boxes supplied by Sugoi's out at City Square in Kalihi. Sugoi's Bentos are just $5 each; choose from Mochiko Chicken or the very famous Garlic Chicken.
Jim's Choice: Chicken Caesar Salad made with Sugoi's Garlic Chicken, "This is one of the best Caesar salads I've had."
One of the newest eateries here, gourmet preparations at great prices are the norm. Pan Seared Chicken Francese features a butter, lemon juice, parmesan and white wine sauce and is accompanied by fresh veggies prepared al dente.
3 Star Gourmet
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm (breakfast until 10am)
Sat 11am-3pm
545-8610
This spot is owned by three gentleman with several decades of combined restaurant experience between them. Robert Borce, Roly Piso and Ray Peralta opened this eatery just a couple of months ago and the menu reflects their backgrounds in contemporary food. Ahi Katsu with Wasabi Aioli or Peppered Salmon with Dill Sauce are just a couple of examples of what they say they do best: seafood.
Jim's Choice: Zesty Crab Cake Sandwich, "I'm craving one now!"
Tacos are the order of the day at Just Tacos and you can't go wrong with one of these fresh-off-the-griddle corn tortillas filled with carne asada.
Just Tacos
Mon, Tue & Thu 11am-8pm
Wed & Fri 11am-5pm
545-5960
Just Tacos has gotten a lot of great press over the past few months. Owner Jesus Santoyo hit on a winning formula with a 'Tacos Only' format that allows customers to choose the filling. With 10 choices of meat and/or veggie fillings and a variety of salsas, sauces and condiments that are made in-house, customers have been lining up since they opened. One of the best things about the tacos is the use of freshly made corn tortillas that you watch roll off the press and onto the griddle.
Jim's Choice: Taco Salad, "New on the menu and really good."
The comfort of Italian food is found at Catania and the Linguine with Clams offered white wine high notes and a generous dash of black pepper which made for a satisfying dish.
Catania Ristorante Italiano
Mon-Thu 10:30am-7:30pm
Fri 10:30am-3pm
528-4588
Andy Lau learned the art of Italian and Mediterranean cooking at the fondly remembered Manoa restaurant, Beau Soliel. When they closed down, he brought his culinary skills to this spot and has gained a loyal following of customers over the years. Catania offers all of the classic pasta, seafood and meat dishes one would expect as well as some unique sandwich and salad combos. One of the most popular is the Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich which you combine with the salad of your choice. Jennifer really enjoyed her Linguine with Clams - we all had a taste and it was excellent.
Jim's Choice: Lasagna, "All of their pastas are good but this is a classic - excellent."
Meat lovers and vegetarians will both find many choices at Komala Curry House. Spicy Lamb Curry; Potato, Peas & Cauliflower and Saffron Rice make up a typical lunch plate.
Komala Curry House
Mon-Fri 10:30am-3pm
523-9900
Lata Kumar is behind the counter of this eatery which has been here for almost 11 years, making it the senior member of the Remington College restaurant ohana. The food here is excellent and this is one of the few places in town where they really do mean spicy when they label a dish 'spicy.' Another great thing about Komala Curry House is the good selection of vegetarian choices offered every day. It is easy to go in here and make a complete vegetarian meal. I particularly enjoyed the Mung Bean Salad which isn't always available; if you see it, you should order it.
Jim's Choice: Shrimp Marsala, "I like the spicy dishes and this one is my favorite here."
Senpai offers a nice spread of Filipino dishes and other local favorites as full plate lunches and the very popular mini-plate size - it's all good.
Senpai
Mon, Tue & Thu 9am-8pm
Wed & Fri 9am-3pm
No phone
This eatery has been here for a few years but has been owned and managed by Virginia Angeles for just a year. She prepares Filipino dishes offering several choices for the hungry diner, including daily specials. The Pork Adobo was some of the best I've had - very tender, moist and meaty with hardly any fat. The gravy was perfectly balanced as well without too much vinegar, as sometimes happens. This is the smallest eatery here but the food packs a big flavor punch. Highly recommended.
Jim's Choice: Pinkabet, "Not sure if I'm pronouncing it right but it is delicious."
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, local favorites are what Io's Grindz does so well. The Teri Meatloaf was a daily special and it usually comes with two scoops rice but I was dieting that day and got salad instead!
Io's Grindz
Mon-Fri 7am-2pm (breakfast until 10:30am)
521-2326
The cook here, Wade Berinobis, is well-known for his food from his days at the Koolau Golf Course. He has brought his secrets here and he knows exactly what he is doing. The food is very good and they pile it on local-style. Breakfast is a highlight; Jim's assistant, Fran Orian, says the French Toast Strips are a must-try. They offer daily specials and one of them I enjoyed was the Teri Meatloaf. I'm not usually a fan of teriyaki since it is often too sweet, but this was very nice - like teriyaki should be, and the meatloaf was moist, juicy and delicious.
Jim's Choice: Rueben Sandwich, "Wade is an excellent cook, everything he makes is good."
Craving Hawaiian food? Holimoli's serves up lunches like this plate filled with Kalua Pig, Short Ribs, Poke and Rice - the Laulau didn't fit in the picture it's so huge.
Holimoli's
Mon-Fri 10am-til it's all gone
546-5533
The newest member of the ohana, Holimoli's, has been open for just about a month. The owners are anxious to share their Hawaiian and Samoan food with customers, and the customers are responding. We got to peek into the large steamer where the Laulau was cooking and they are impressive. Eating one is even more impressive as they are stuffed full of goodies including a large piece of pork. This is one spot where you can get some Samoan favorites including the corned beef concoction, Pisupo. The hours can vary as they close when the last bit of food is gone, and some days that can happen not long after lunch.
Jim's Choice: Laulau and Poi, "Their poi is very good and I love the laulau."
Dim Sum is what they're known for and we enjoyed the Char Siu Bau, Siu Mai and Spinach with Shrimp Gau for just $1.88 per order - that's a deal and the quality is respectable.
Dim Sum House
Mon-Fri 6:30am-4:30pm
Sat 10am-2pm
524-8328
Despite the arrival of a fancy dim sum spot just around the corner, your money might be better spent at Dim Sum House. We tried several dim sum and Ryan, who recently dined at the expensive contemporary spot, was hard pressed to figure out why someone would pay three times as much - if the food is what you were interested in, that is. Noted Chinese food expert and historian, Anthony Chang, informed me that the reason the dim sum is so good is the cook/owner comes from Legends (Honolulu's premier dim sum restaurant), and has a standing offer to return should he so wish. The menu also features a broad selection of Chinese dishes and the daily specials ring in at just $4.50, so you can eat well for very little money.
Jim's Choice: Bittermelon Stuffed with Ground Pork in Black Bean Sauce: "A lot of people don't like bittermelon but this is really good."
