It’s always fresh at Seafood Village
Friday - August 08, 2008
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Jo McGarry is on vacation; This story is written by Don Chapman.
It’s almost an oxymoron: a Waikiki restaurant with a largely local clientele. But that’s Seafood Village, which this year celebrates 15 years at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. What’s the secret?
It starts with the freshest local seafood that includes Kahuku shrimp and produce that includes Nalo Greens and veggies.
“Everything is fresh, and all of our sauces made here,“says general manager Gary Chan.
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Then there’s excellent service from a staff led by the cordial GM, plus excellent value for your dollar. A good example of that is the Wok-fried
Opakapaka,two battered filets with either black bean or chili sauce ($18.95). All dishes are served family style.
Oh, and there’s no MSG.
It also helps that they work to stay on top. Chan and Albert Cloutier, director of operations for Seafood Village and sister restaurant Atlantis Seafood and Steak, recently sent Chef Qio Chen, the Seafood Village chef since “Day One,“to Hong Kong for two weeks in search of new recipes. One of the recipes he brought back has become an instant hit, Dynasty Shrimp. It’s shrimp that melts in the mouth, in a tangy garlic sauce,served with choi sum ($18.95).
“We’re the only place in Hawaii that has this dish,” says Chan.
He says that Seafood Village,with its two private dinning rooms featuring beautiful etched glass, is popular with kama’aina, whether for a lunch of dim sum or for dinner, as well as anniversaries, birthdays and graduation celebrations. Overall, the restaurant seats 220, with up to 70 in a private room.
“People like that we serve traditional Chinese cuisine, but with an Island flavor,” Chan says.
“But of course it helps that we’re on Kalakaua Avenue, on the ground floor (ewa tower of the Hyatt).”
In addition to the Dynasty Shrimp (another instant favorite if you like garlic),we also sampled the classic glazed Honey Walnut Shrimp ($19.95). It’s one of the best sellers on the menu,says Chan: “Kids love it.”
We also sampled another new menu item, Clams Lemongrass ($19.95), meaty clams in a broth of lemongrass,chilis,Thai basil and garlic. Fantastic.
These we enjoyed with shrimp fried rice - almost a meal in itself.
And while you don’t go to a Chinese restaurant for a great wine list, the list here is good, offering both American wines and Japanese and Chinese rice wines.
All in all, we left thinking, “No wonder they’ve been here for 15 years - they do everything right.”
Seafood Village Hyatt Regency Waikiki
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