Tonight we tried something new, Tokoname in Kailua. It's a Japanese restaurant that's been open for about a month. The owners are two brothers who are friends of a friend. They're nice guys, and they're doing a really terrific job with this venture.
Tokoname's menu offers quite an assortment of items, including sushi. Something is sure to please any palette. I was quite torn between the rib eye steak, which I heard comes on a sizzling platter, the shrimp tempura, or the tonkatsu. Items can be ordered ala carte or as a teishoku (a set, or complete meal, that comes with a tossed green salad, rice, miso soup, and tsukemono - Japanese pickles). When we walked in, we saw some friends who were also trying Tokoname for the first time. They ordered the shrimp tempura, teriyaki steak, and the dynamite sushi roll. As we were chatting with them, we heard distinct sizzling sound -- apparently a rib eye steak being served. My mind was made up.
I decided on the rib eye. Sadly, by the time it arrived at our table, it was no longer sizzling, but it didn't matter. It was just as tasty even without the sizzle! And I didn't have to worry about anything getting splattered on my blouse, the one downside of a sizzling platter. Before the rib eye arrived, we were served the miso soup. It was just the right size and flavored well, containing tiny cubes of tofu and pieces of konbu (seaweed).
We didn't wait too long before the rest of the meal arrived. My rib eye arrived first, and it was a HUGE piece! It had to have been at least 12 ounces, and it filled up the entire sizzling platter. It was cooked just to my liking, medium rare, and already sliced in just-right-sized pieces. I was already in heaven looking at the steak, then tasting the first piece, and then I discovered that the steak rested on a bed of grilled onions and mushrooms! They were cooked just right. There was a hint of ginger on the steak, and it was seasoned just right to give it a little flavor, without overwhelming the taste of the beef, which seemed to be very good quality and was extremely easy to chew. The 3 pieces on the end were mostly fat, but that is to be expected with a rib eye.
We didn't wait long before the unagi and the rest of our teishokus arrived. My dining partner enjoyed his unagi, which was a generous portion. I commented that it looked different from unagi he's ordered at other restaurants.
The other items that come with the teishoku are quite yummy, and meticulously presented. The green salad is actually a pretty generous portion, garnished with 3 tomato halves and served with just the right amount of a very delicious homemade dressing. And no, they won't share the recipe! There were also two types of tsukemono, and a dish with 3 thin slices of avocado (probably the only thing that could have been improved - the avocado was still a little hard for my taste), sliced cucumber, with a scoop of a crab salad (imagine the stuffing of a California roll) and topped with what I think was nori strips. It was a great combination of ingredients, and the crab salad had a little bit of kick to it. There was also a small bit of dressing on the plate. Of course, a teishoku is not complete without a bowl of rice. Something about this rice seemed a little different, in a good way. I'm guessing it was not your typical Hinode Calrose rice, but probably a higher quality rice, maybe the same type they use for their sushi.
And speaking of sushi, I couldn't resist ordering the dynamite roll, which received rave reviews by a Yelper and the friend we ran into there. I have to admit I ordered it on blind faith, and really didn't know what was in it. Even when it arrived and I tasted a piece, I still was not sure what it was. It was like a California roll topped with some kind of fish, and two kinds of sauces. But I couldn't tell what the fish was. I asked the waitress after we finished eating, and she said it was baked maguro (it was hot when it arrived). The sushi rice was very flavorful and nicely seasoned -- none of that plain unseasoned rice stuff at Tokoname! And considering how new they are, it seems like they've developed a little bit of a following already, and a number of people were ordering sushi. There were three people sitting at the sushi bar when we arrived, and they were still there when we left! I heard a lot of people ordering the spider roll, which is made with soft shell crab. I also caught a glimpse of the spicy tuna maki, which looked very good.
The service was very good, and they managed quite well with only two waitresses, and one of the owners helping to serve as well. The service is very comfortable...professional, yet informal, and very polite and friendly. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a smaller place, I would guess seating 40-50 people, the furniture is nice, and they improved the interior, giving it Asian accents such as lantern lights. It also stands out from the street, making it noticeable to people driving by, which is important in a location like this one which is slightly off the main path, yet it is close to a few other table service restaurants in Kailua. (For those of you familiar with Kailua, it's next to Jack in the Box, on the same street as Assaggio's.)
The prices are very fair, and the meals are a good value, particularly considering the quality. The rib eye teishoku is one of the most expensive items on the menu, along with the sashimi, at $20.95. The Unagi teishoku is $18.95. Shrimp tempura teishoku is $16.95 (and it's HUGE!!! I'm ordering that the next time), and the lowest priced teishoku is the vegetable tempura at $12.95. Most of these items are available ala carte as well. The Dynamite roll is $8.95. I will try to take a picture of the menu and update this post later. They do not have a liquor license, at least not yet, but you can BYOB. And their beverages are almost a steal, at least as far as restaurants go, at $1.50 (canned drinks served over ice). Their lunch menu is very affordable, with items ranging $7.95 to $9.95, and I've heard they also have bentos available. And as if that weren't enough, they're open for breakfast too! I don't know what that menu is like though. When I find out, I'll let you know.
Oh, and if you know anyone looking for a job, please call them! Jeff and Brian are the owners. They need help in all areas! Yet, even though they're working with a skeleton crew, they do a great job, and I didn't feel that we waited very long for anything. And the quality of the food was excellent. If you're looking for something new, try Tokoname. We felt it was worth it to drive to Kailua from town just for dinner there!
Tokoname
442 Uluniu Street
Kailua, HI 96734
(808)262-TOKO (8656)
We THINK the hours are something like this, but please call to double check (they also may be closed for private functions on occasion):
Breakfast: 6 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 - 9 p.m.
Tokoname's menu offers quite an assortment of items, including sushi. Something is sure to please any palette. I was quite torn between the rib eye steak, which I heard comes on a sizzling platter, the shrimp tempura, or the tonkatsu. Items can be ordered ala carte or as a teishoku (a set, or complete meal, that comes with a tossed green salad, rice, miso soup, and tsukemono - Japanese pickles). When we walked in, we saw some friends who were also trying Tokoname for the first time. They ordered the shrimp tempura, teriyaki steak, and the dynamite sushi roll. As we were chatting with them, we heard distinct sizzling sound -- apparently a rib eye steak being served. My mind was made up.
I decided on the rib eye. Sadly, by the time it arrived at our table, it was no longer sizzling, but it didn't matter. It was just as tasty even without the sizzle! And I didn't have to worry about anything getting splattered on my blouse, the one downside of a sizzling platter. Before the rib eye arrived, we were served the miso soup. It was just the right size and flavored well, containing tiny cubes of tofu and pieces of konbu (seaweed).
We didn't wait too long before the rest of the meal arrived. My rib eye arrived first, and it was a HUGE piece! It had to have been at least 12 ounces, and it filled up the entire sizzling platter. It was cooked just to my liking, medium rare, and already sliced in just-right-sized pieces. I was already in heaven looking at the steak, then tasting the first piece, and then I discovered that the steak rested on a bed of grilled onions and mushrooms! They were cooked just right. There was a hint of ginger on the steak, and it was seasoned just right to give it a little flavor, without overwhelming the taste of the beef, which seemed to be very good quality and was extremely easy to chew. The 3 pieces on the end were mostly fat, but that is to be expected with a rib eye.
We didn't wait long before the unagi and the rest of our teishokus arrived. My dining partner enjoyed his unagi, which was a generous portion. I commented that it looked different from unagi he's ordered at other restaurants.
The other items that come with the teishoku are quite yummy, and meticulously presented. The green salad is actually a pretty generous portion, garnished with 3 tomato halves and served with just the right amount of a very delicious homemade dressing. And no, they won't share the recipe! There were also two types of tsukemono, and a dish with 3 thin slices of avocado (probably the only thing that could have been improved - the avocado was still a little hard for my taste), sliced cucumber, with a scoop of a crab salad (imagine the stuffing of a California roll) and topped with what I think was nori strips. It was a great combination of ingredients, and the crab salad had a little bit of kick to it. There was also a small bit of dressing on the plate. Of course, a teishoku is not complete without a bowl of rice. Something about this rice seemed a little different, in a good way. I'm guessing it was not your typical Hinode Calrose rice, but probably a higher quality rice, maybe the same type they use for their sushi.
And speaking of sushi, I couldn't resist ordering the dynamite roll, which received rave reviews by a Yelper and the friend we ran into there. I have to admit I ordered it on blind faith, and really didn't know what was in it. Even when it arrived and I tasted a piece, I still was not sure what it was. It was like a California roll topped with some kind of fish, and two kinds of sauces. But I couldn't tell what the fish was. I asked the waitress after we finished eating, and she said it was baked maguro (it was hot when it arrived). The sushi rice was very flavorful and nicely seasoned -- none of that plain unseasoned rice stuff at Tokoname! And considering how new they are, it seems like they've developed a little bit of a following already, and a number of people were ordering sushi. There were three people sitting at the sushi bar when we arrived, and they were still there when we left! I heard a lot of people ordering the spider roll, which is made with soft shell crab. I also caught a glimpse of the spicy tuna maki, which looked very good.
The service was very good, and they managed quite well with only two waitresses, and one of the owners helping to serve as well. The service is very comfortable...professional, yet informal, and very polite and friendly. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a smaller place, I would guess seating 40-50 people, the furniture is nice, and they improved the interior, giving it Asian accents such as lantern lights. It also stands out from the street, making it noticeable to people driving by, which is important in a location like this one which is slightly off the main path, yet it is close to a few other table service restaurants in Kailua. (For those of you familiar with Kailua, it's next to Jack in the Box, on the same street as Assaggio's.)
The prices are very fair, and the meals are a good value, particularly considering the quality. The rib eye teishoku is one of the most expensive items on the menu, along with the sashimi, at $20.95. The Unagi teishoku is $18.95. Shrimp tempura teishoku is $16.95 (and it's HUGE!!! I'm ordering that the next time), and the lowest priced teishoku is the vegetable tempura at $12.95. Most of these items are available ala carte as well. The Dynamite roll is $8.95. I will try to take a picture of the menu and update this post later. They do not have a liquor license, at least not yet, but you can BYOB. And their beverages are almost a steal, at least as far as restaurants go, at $1.50 (canned drinks served over ice). Their lunch menu is very affordable, with items ranging $7.95 to $9.95, and I've heard they also have bentos available. And as if that weren't enough, they're open for breakfast too! I don't know what that menu is like though. When I find out, I'll let you know.
Oh, and if you know anyone looking for a job, please call them! Jeff and Brian are the owners. They need help in all areas! Yet, even though they're working with a skeleton crew, they do a great job, and I didn't feel that we waited very long for anything. And the quality of the food was excellent. If you're looking for something new, try Tokoname. We felt it was worth it to drive to Kailua from town just for dinner there!
Tokoname
442 Uluniu Street
Kailua, HI 96734
(808)262-TOKO (8656)
We THINK the hours are something like this, but please call to double check (they also may be closed for private functions on occasion):
Breakfast: 6 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 - 9 p.m.
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