Young adults wearing flashy nightwear bring their chatty attitudes, and gather at the small, discreet restaurant, Hukilau. Customers come to enjoy either a girls’ night out to gossip while gulping down tropical drinks or for a fun dinner date to relax in the low-key mood of a Hawaiian island at this cheery restaurant located on 642 Ramona St. in Palo Alto.

Hawaiians have enjoyed eating a good meal with friends and partying since the celebration of luaus during the 1800s, traditionally, a feast of achievements.

The atmosphere of Hukilau is festive, with touristy, risqué posters of Hawaiian hula girls on brightly painted red and orange walls. Adding to the Hawaiian atmosphere the seat cushions display hibiscus patterns as do the waiters’ shirts, while the waitresses wear their hair up in buns with hibiscus flowers. The staff even greets their customers with the friendly hello of “Aloha!” The mix of brightly colored decorations such as surfboards and hanging lights also create an appearance of a party at the beach.

Traditional Hawaiian music of a ukulele as well as the more modernized, upbeat Hawaiian music plays in the background, but is mainly inaudible because of the loud chatter of customers.

The menu offers a variety of traditional, casual Hawaiian food as well as foods with an Asian or American twist. Served with dark wooden plates and bowls, the portions are huge, so be ready to share.

An appetizer, The Hukilau Pupu Platter ($18) allows choice for those who want to try a variety of appetizers. It includes the choice of three dishes from the Hukilau chicken, Pele Wings, Ahi Poke, Big Kahuna Sausage, or Edamame. The Ahi Poke, cubed sashimi of ahi tuna, is silky with a hint of a spicy zest. It comes with seaweed, which provides a contrasting crunch with the softness of the tuna. The Pele Wings are spicy, yet also sweet, varying at each bite and lightly fried. Spicy yet again, the Big Kahuna sausage is thinly cut, yet does not come with as much pizzazz as the other two.

For entrees, the Aloha Chicken Adobo ($8) is moist and not at all dry. It comes with thin gravy that can be used to dip the chicken in as well as sweet tasting noodles underneath the chicken. All entrée plates come with a side of macaroni salad heavy on the mayonnaise, two generous scoops of steamed white rice and very sweet, ripe triangular pineapple wedges.

There is a lack of greens and vegetables on the menu, however you can order items such as the House Salad ($4), Tofu Poke Salad ($7), or Kalua Cabbage ($8.50) with roasted pork.
The sushi bar serves as a good snack stop while the drinks bar resembles a tiki shack, with bamboo walls and an overhang. Adding to the festivity, tropical drinks such as the Wicked Wahini ($5.50) made of sparkling wine and passion orange nectar juice or sweetly tasting passion orange guava juice, POG ($2) served with a pineapple wedge, cherry, and umbrella are offered from the bar. Draft beer ($4, $15 for a pitcher) and house wine ($6) are also offered.

As for desserts, there are no traditional Hawaiian delicacies, but the Big Island Candies Chocolate Brownie ($6.50) was delicious! The chocolate covered brownie steams when cut, yet the vanilla ice cream on top does not melt from the brownie’s warmth. The hot fudge is sticky and sweet and balanced out with the creamy taste of the whipped cream.

While eating, customers can also enjoy live Hawaiian bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Customers can also enjoy late night specials every Saturday and eat late with the kitchen open until 2:30 a.m.

With a party-like environment, the Hukilau is a great place to stop in for a bit to eat before heading out for the night, or after some late partying. Its concealed location, close to downtown, yet not right on university, gives the restaurant more seclusion, as a hidden Hawaiian hang out. The circular Hukilau sign is small and hard to see, yet those who pass by are sure to see the tiki wall at the entrance or hear the sounds of a Hawaiian band singing with the spirit of aloha.

642 Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-9533

www.dahukilau.com