by Brian Gilp » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:34 am
It has been a couple of years since I have been on the North Shore but I don't recall any can't miss places. To be honest, I don't worry about the food so much on the North Shore. I would be willing to try anything, especially any shrimp truck you see. In Haleiwa believe it or not I like Cholos which is a mexican place by the Coffee Gallery which is a must stop of its own if you like coffee and (don't laugh) Pizza Bob's. Seems funny eating Pizza in Hawaii but it is a decent pizza and sometimes you just have to have a pizza. Also I have had good food at Turtle Bay resort. I forget the name but the place on the golf course was good and if you really want a nicer meal on the North Shore that may be your best bet. I am sure you can find the name at the Turtle Bay resort website. For me the North Shore is a different attitude and not about trying to find that great meal. Its more about being in the place and enjoying wherever you are at at the time.
If you head to the south part of the Island then dining becomes a different quest. Alan Wong's is on my top 5 all time meals. The setting was nothing to write home about and actually a little off-putting in that our table was lousy. Not much room, kept getting bumped by servers trying to negotiate a crowded noisy room. But the food made it all worth it. My wife and I argue about just where we rank it but I liked it as much if not more than places such as the Inn at Littel Washington and Picasso's.
BTW, while not part of your question the North Shore in August will not likley have the big waves that it would have in say November. When we have been there in the summer months the best surfing was actually on the south side and then the waves were only 1-3 feet. The north was flat. Maybe you will get lucky but if seeing the big waves on Suset Beach/Pipeline was in your plans you may not have much luck. A shame since one can easily kill hours watching the locals surf there. But a postive in that the beaches should be less crowded without the surf crowd. Lastly remember that all beaches are open to the public by Hawaii law so those beaches behind Turtle Bay are not restricted and some of the least used on the North Shore.
