The Pavillion Café
If not for a reader of this blog that resides on Maui, I would have never thought to visit the Honolulu Academy of Arts for lunch. But several months ago, this reader told me about a delicious lunch she had at the Pavillion Café while visiting with her sister. Since I live in close proximity to the Honolulu Academy of Arts, I decided to pay Pavillion Café a visit for lunch.
After walking through the entrance to the Academy, take a right and walk until you see the wooden podium. There are no signs to guide you here, but the Pavillion Café is quite easy to find.
Once inside, I had a seat on the far end of the restaurant. Even though it was already after 1:00 pm, the restaurant was still a bit crowded. I'm glad I decided to make a reservation.
When I arrived, I actually wanted to try the beef tenderloin sandwich, which received raves from this blog's reader on Maui. Unfortunately, due to a problem with the kitchen's gas supply, the beef wasn't being served on the day that I visited, so instead, I decided to go healthy. I ordered the sashimi salad with Nalo greens & shoyu mustard vinaigrette (US$10.95).
When the salad arrived I was amazed -- the fish looked so fresh. How's this for freshness?
To create this salad, a mountain of crisp fresh greens was topped with 10 (!) pieces of fresh sashimi (raw fish) before being drizzled with a little shoyu mustard vinaigrette. To be completely honest, although I thought the salad was refreshingly simple, I didn't particularly care for the dressing. This would have been nice with perhaps a wasabi-based, or even a kochu jang-based dressing. I just didn't enjoy the flavor of the mustard with the greens.
To go along with my meal, I had a cup of coffee (US$1.25). The brand served here is Graffeo, which is a small roaster out of San Francisco, California.
For dessert, I really wanted the chocolate and walnut torte. Unfortunately, it was already sold out when the waitress came by to take my dessert order. Instead, I had the chocolate pot de crème (US$5.95).
The chocolate here was thick and smooth, and almost fudge-like in texture. The whipped topping added just a touch of additional sweetness to the slight bitterness of the chocolate. By the time I was finished, I was wishing that I still had more.
On a subsequent visit, I had the salmon burger (I think that's what it was called) on a house made roll with dilled horseradish sauce & green salad (US$8.95).
The soft, fluffy roll was topped with a "meaty" salmon burger, with the dilled horseradish sauce providing a savory, spiciness to the well seasoned salmon. The generous side salad was garnished with a few walnuts and thinly shaved bits of cheese. This was a healthy, filling and tasty way to satisfy my lunchtime cravings.
The food here at the Pavillion Café is delicious and reasonably priced, especially when the quality of the food is considered. The service here was a bit uneven, as there were times on both visits when refills of both coffee, and water, weren't offered for an extended period of time. For the most part, lunches here at the Pavillion Café have proven to be relaxing, making this a place that I will frequent quite often.
Addendum: A reader brought to my attention the fact that this place is actually more of a bargain than I originally made it out to be. How so? Well, if you do decide to have lunch here, admission to the Academy of Arts is actually free (admission is normally US$7.00 for non-members). So in addition to some delicious food, you can also view the Academy's wonderful exhibits as well. How's that for a bargain?
The Pavillion Café
Inside the Honolulu Academy of Arts
900 South Beretania Street
Telephone: 808.532.8734
Reid- Seems like you have no Middle Eastrn or Iranian restuarants on the island? Can this be true? If so, you are really missing out.
Posted by: MEalcnetric | October 22, 2005 at 06:34 PM
They are a little short changed on those nationalities MEal. When Mills & I sent a box most of what we sent was Middle Eastern ingredients so Reid could at least get a hand of the flavors and techniques. Grilling being a great common denominator of both Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Posted by: Jo | October 22, 2005 at 07:27 PM
I may need to send to send a care package....
Posted by: mealcentric | October 23, 2005 at 06:04 AM
Reid,
The food looks really good. I can't wait for your post.
Meal,
Yeah they are a bit short on the Middle Eastern food in Hawaii, as Jo has stated.
Posted by: milgwimper | October 24, 2005 at 06:09 AM
Hi MEalcentric,
Welcome and thanks for commenting! We don't really have any Iranian restaurants here that I know of, and to be quite honest, the majority of the restaurants here don't stray too far from the usual Asian cuisines. It's OK with me, but sometimes I long for something different -- French, German, African or Jamaican foods would be a nice change every now and then.
Hi Jo,
I actually used some of the spices already to make a few food items. A Lebanese friend gave me a few recipes to try out when his wife was here visiting. The food is not bad. I though the sumac sprinkled over rice was good. =)
Hi MEalcentric,
If you'd like to do a package swap, send me an e-mail.
Hi Milgwimper,
The food here was really good. The post has been updated and yes, we are lacking in some areas, aren't we?
Posted by: Reid | October 24, 2005 at 09:58 PM
Hi Reid - Man that salad looks Ono, and the prices are really good! I've been using sumac over rice too, in addition to adding it to my vinegarette's
Posted by: Kirk | October 25, 2005 at 05:49 AM
Hi Kirk,
The salad was delicious although I wish the dressing had been different. I guess I don't really care for shoyu/mustard on vegetables...except maybe cabbage!
The sumac over rice is great isn't it? Maybe I'll try to use it in a dressing as well. Thanks for the idea.
Posted by: Reid | October 25, 2005 at 11:26 PM
I love the summac on kebabs, both meat & veggies. I'm glad you've tasted a few things. MEal, are you Middle Eastern? I sure wouldn't object to having a few cooking tips for your particular region. I love ME food. Well, I'm not crazy about lamb but my husband is and I'm happy to prepare special things for him.
Posted by: Jo | October 26, 2005 at 05:52 PM
Hi Jo,
I've used some of the other spices as well, but unfortunately, I don't have an area where I can grill (it's not allowed on my lanai). Once I find a good location, I'll try the grilling spices. Thanks again!
Posted by: Reid | October 27, 2005 at 10:41 PM
- i think it's really cool that places like the Academy of Arts & the Contemporary Museum have good food! a while back, my sister & i went to the academy on the first wed. of the month and spent our 'admission fare' on lunch --- there are days when the price of admission is waived and you can get in free (there's a donation box at the entrance)... we were poor students back then =p
Posted by: renee | October 27, 2005 at 11:22 PM
I like doing them under the oven broiler. Clean up quick tip, spray the pan and the rack (I use a cooling rack) with PAM before using. Also, line the pan with foil, shiny side up. You get a tiny bit faster brown.
Posted by: Jo | October 28, 2005 at 06:18 AM
Reid,
Yeah Hawaii is lacking in some culinary areas but I am sure it will come to the Islands! Well if you need any more stuff, just let us know! I love sumac on rice, and eggs...Hmmm...Might have to go the middle eastern grocery store! :D
Posted by: milgwimper | October 28, 2005 at 07:08 PM
Hi Renee,
I have corrected the post to mention that very fact. Normally, admission to the Academy of Arts for non-members is US$7.00. For the price of a meal (starting a just a little more), you get free entrance to the museum. This make the food more than a bargain.
Hi Jo,
Broiler sounds like a good option. Thanks! I'll let you know how things go. =)
Hi Milgwimper,
Yes, due to the large Asian population here, we have no shortages in those types of eateries. We definitely are lacking in other areas, but then that's what cooking at home is for, right?
Thanks for the tip on using sumac with eggs. It's something that I really should try.
Posted by: Reid | October 29, 2005 at 06:13 PM