Food, fireworks and the Fourth of July

Fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations might be fun, but they’re a whole lot better when accompanied by some great food and a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer. We’ve found some of the best places to view the displays and enjoy some good grinds at the same time. Here’s our quick guide to food for the Fourth.

Longhi’s

If you really have something to celebrate this holiday, head on over to Longhi’s at Ala Moana Center. There’s no doubt the restaurant has one of the most spectacular firework vantage points in the city - and it also has an elegant set menu that ought to make the evening memorable. The set four-course menu is not for those who want a casual view of the fireworks along with a cold beer - rather it’s a menu featuring some of the restaurant’s best dishes. Included for the $65 set price are a choice of salads (The Longhi Salad is a tasty creation of romaine, fresh island-grown tomatoes, Maui onions, green and white beans and gorgonzola cheese), and a choice of seafood entrees that include Prawns Venice (large prawns sautéed in garlic white wine and butter), and opakapaka. And then there’s a choice of main entrée; included are Chicken Marsala, Petit Filet Mignon and Lamb Chops with a Raspberry Mint Sauce. Desserts include the to-die-for chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean ice cream.

This is pretty much the place to go if you want a festive experience that’s a little on the luxurious side - but the food is excellent, the wine list award-winning and you just can’t beat the view.

If you don’t want to splurge on a set dinner, Longhi’s will serve their regular dinner menu from 4 to 6:15 p.m.

For reservations and more information:

Longhi’s Restaurant Ala Moana Center 947-9899

Hong Kong Harbor View

This Chinese restaurant specializes in seafood and has a spectacular view of the harbor at Aloha Tower. So it makes sense that it’s a prime pick for Tuesday night festivities.

Beginning in July, there’s a special fixed price 10-course menu, featuring some of the dishes that have made Chef Chih Chieh Chang one of the most respected and creative Chinese chefs in town. For $228, a party of 10 will enjoy dishes that include Chinese chicken salad, seafood pumpkin soup, live Dungeness crab, baked whole chicken with oolong tea, Peking duck and chef’s signature Flaming Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce. Shrimp cakes, king crab legs and pan-fried noodles accompany the dishes along with vegetables and dessert.

Best to make a reservation for one of the many window seats so you can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your table.

Fireworks at Aloha Tower Marketplace go off at 9 p.m.

Hong Kong Harbor View Seafood Restaurant

Aloha Tower Marketplace 566-9989 Validated Parking

Chart House

Even if you don’t get a great view of the fireworks, the sunset over the marina and cocktails at the bar are such festive events in themselves that you’ll find yourself in celebratory mood as soon as you step into this, one of Honolulu’s favorite restaurants. This month there’s a special “buy one get one free"offer, where every entrée ordered may be accompanied by a free entrée from the dinner menu. Guests have to order by 5:30 p.m. and the special runs Sundays through Wednesdays.

In addition to a menu that features fresh island fish, steaks and lobster, Chart House has an enormous pupu menu that features 80 items - most of them so popular that not one can be removed from the menu without loud complaints from regulars. Try the outstanding Kimi’s Firecracker Unroll, stuffed mushrooms, steak pupu, or finest grade ahi sashimi to understand why Chart House keeps regulars coming back for more.

Chart House 1765 Ala Moana Blvd No.2 941-6669

Don Ho’s Island Grill.

Here’s an easy way to enjoy reserved seating at the firework show at Aloha Tower: Make a dinner reservation at Don Ho’s where the oceanfront setting is the perfect place to view the July 4 spectacular.

There’s an all-you-can-eat buffet being served on Tuesday (July 3), and for $25 (including tax and tip) guests can enjoy a buffet spread that includes some all-American favorites. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked ham with lilikoi glaze, fried chicken strips, chili, Island-style baked beans, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, coleslaw and potato salad are among the dishes offered.

Enjoy a filling buffet while knowing you’ve got the best seat in the house to view the show.

Buffet is served from 7 to 9 p.m.

Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Don Ho’s Island Grill Ground Floor Aloha Tower Marketplace 528-0807 Validated Parking

Tower Grill

Upstairs, sister restaurant Tower Grill has oceanfront seating too - and a welcoming, Hawaiianathemed bar where drinks and pupu are served.

There’s an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes prime rib, sautéed fresh island fish, baked chicken, potato salad, greens, fruit platters and dessert; cost is $30 per person.

Tower Grill is also beginning a special three-course set menu in July, where $21 entrees include an 8-ounce Pulehu ribeye steak with shrimp, flame-broiled garlic flat iron steak with grilled shrimp and scallops and one of the restaurant’s signature dishes - made famous at The Trattoria - Slavonic Steak.

All entrees come with au gratin potatoes and veggies.

For more information on both the buffet and the summer menu:

Tower Grill Second Floor Aloha Tower Marketplace 537-4446

Bali By The Sea

If you happen to be looking for a fine dining restaurant to celebrate this year’s Fourth of July festivities, then Bali By The Sea, Hilton Hawaiian Village’s beachside restaurant, has a menu of fresh, local produce creatively constructed by chef prodigy Adam Hightower. Signature entrees include Sautéed Island Opakapaka crusted with Macadamia Nuts and Cilantro and Kaffir Lime Sauce, and Roast Rack of Sonoma Lamb with Orange Hoisin Glaze. Hightower relishes the challenge of creating dishes for guests with special needs - just ask for him when you get to the dining room if you’d like him to create something extra special!

This month there’s a kama’aina special that gives a 15 percent discount off the entire food bill - and includes the restaurant’s famous Chocolate Diamond Head dessert, complete with fresh fruit and dry ice “volcanic” eruptions.

Bali By The Sea Hilton Hawaiian Village 941-2254

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