A Peek at Waikiki’s Newest: Five Star International Buffet

While shopping at Royal Hawaiian Center the other day, we learned the Five Star International Buffet which was under construction for some time now was finally open. We had already eaten, but the friendly hostess invited us inside to take a look around. Buffet restaurants don’t usually inspire expectations of elegance, but this restaurant pleasantly defied my expectations. The interior design and furnishings and dimly lit bar counter are modern and stylish. The galley style buffet space is not visible from the dining areas, adding to the sophistication of the space, and the food is elegantly presented. The food is set out in small portions, and chefs in the elevated kitchen space directly behind the food keep a sharp eye out so it stays fresh and replenished. One look at the food presentation and I knew this restaurant was under Japanese management. Unfortunately I didn’t get to taste the cuisine, but I hope it tastes as good as it looks. Here’s a portion of the dinner offerings:

Sashimi:

Ikura with Yamaimo, Pork Kakuni in the back:

Chawanmushi and Nimono in the back:

Assorted maki and nigiri sushi:

Assorted tempura:

Shrimp and Scallop stir fry:

Desserts: 

Some Western dishes including pasta and beef stew?:

In addition, there were also chilled selections including shrimp cocktail, oysters, cheeses and various salads.

Pricing for lunch and dinner:

They have a small private room, so it would be perfect for a special occasion or small company gathering. It’s a little pricey so I’ll have to wait for the next special occasion, but I can’t wait to try it. I have a feeling this is one buffet I’ll leave feeling satisfied, but not overstuffed and hating myself.

MENU: View a sample menu on their website. 

Five Star International Buffet
Royal Hawaiian Center, Bldg C, Level 3 (by Forever 21)
2201 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
808.380.9300

Hours (see above photo)

Today’s Lunch for One

Natto onigiri and miso soup with onions and zucchini.

Natto is one of my favorite musubi fillings. Natto musubis are hard to find nowadays, but for a brief period in the mid-90s Family Mart (a convenience store chain in Japan) used to carry it. After school, my friends and I, in our Japanese school uniforms, used to love going to the nearby ファミマ “Fami-Ma” to buy snacks. I was in love with their natto musubi.

There are various theories online about why natto musubis are rarely sold today, when natto maki sushi can be found anywhere. Apparently the mix of warm rice combined with the live cultures in the fermented natto doesn’t make for an ideal situation, food safety-wise and smell-wise. I guess it’s just easier to deal with served with cold sushi rice (thanks to the antibacterial effects of vinegar).

But, I say, they’re just not the same – one is not a substitution for the other! I love natto maki too, but I also love natto musubis in a different way. I make both at home, depending on which one I’m in the mood for: hikiwari (finely chopped) natto is the only way to go for natto maki and shiso leaves are a must. For the musubi I prefer the larger whole beans seasoned well with shoyu and a generous sprinkling of salt on the outside of the rice ball. It’s a little sticky and messy (watch out for that falling bean!) but SO worth it.

2011 Ends, 2012 Starts

I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions and such, but I do want to work on blogging more consistently in the new year. One obstacle is the fact that I lost the charger for my digital camera, thus the camera usually in my purse currently lies dead on my desk. The charger is somewhere in the house, I know, so I guess the new year must begin with a major cleanup. Sigh…

The holiday season was a blur. Christmas weekend was spent chilling with FIL from Maui. We started with a picnic with food from Gulick Deli, and basically continued our eat-a-thon for the rest of the weekend.

Also for the first time in my life I had my car stolen over Christmas, which made for a little post-Christmas excitement. Not to worry, it was recovered a few days later undamaged.

Over New Years we were thrilled to welcome BIL4 and SIL4 home from Los Angeles, with MIL joining from Maui. Dinner at our place this year was rather quiet without the fireworks but festive nonetheless. I only remembered to snap a few photos of the sushi rice “cake” and corn kakiage I made before everyone arrived and I got busy.

2011 was a whirlwind of a year – I continued to work on developing my business, spent lots of time with family, ate well, etc. It was the first year in a long time we didn’t travel anywhere, so I think we’re overdue for a trip this year. I feel island fever coming on, and seriously miss Japan. 2011 also brought about the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which changed our family’s life forever, although we’re blessed to be alive and well.

I have a feeling 2012 will be a good year for us.

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2012 too!