6600 Kalanianaole Hwy.
Tel. 808-396-7697
Honolulu, HI 96825
Credit Cards: All Major
Pricing: Moderate-Expensive

On the mountain side of the Kalanianaole Highway in Hawaii Kai, Roy’s occupies both floors of a two story building in the Corporate Plaza. On the ground floor the bar and café seem relatively quiet, although a walk up a flight of stairs and you are awakened straight-away to find yourself in a large dining room humming with activity. The open kitchen, where Roy, in times past, worked on the line most evenings, and the sinuous bar frequently occupied at the time by a friend and inveterate chain smoker and drinker, Marty Kupps, a one time music-biz promoter, who would ogle the female “action” such as it was.  Marty claimed that he never gave “payola” to any disk jockey, and I suppose it might be true if you overlooked the endless cocktail hours, lunches, and dinners he entertained them with at the best restaurants in town; so in the strict sense he was correct.

He, in fact, caused the restaurant to delay enforcing a new non-smoking law until he left town a few days later for Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he never returned to Hawaii due to a fatal fall from his balcony.
Roy Yamaguchi was born in Japan to Hawaiian parents, and later training under French master chef, the late Jean Bertranou at L’ Ermitage in Los Angeles. He started working at Chef Bertanou’s second restaurant on La Cienega Blvd, his first being located on South Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. Roy is credited with shaping what is now officially known as contemporary Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. Weaving flavors together from Italy, Japan, Thailand, California and the South of France his menu spans the great distances between these countries. Chef Yamaguchi’s powerful techniques, used to blend ingredients from east and west to sauce dishes from his ultra-modern menu, are light-years away from other local chefs perfunctory efforts. The service is serious and the plates are decorated passionately.

Other Roy’s enterprises in Hawaii are:

Roy’s – Waikiki Beach
(808) 923-7697
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu HI 96816

Roy’s Kahana Bar & Grill in Lahaina
(808) 669-6999
4405 Honoapiilani Highway
Lahaina HI 96761
On Kauai, along with the lush flora and fauna,is one of the islands attractions.

Roy’s Poipu Bar & Grill
(808) 742-5000
2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr.
Koloa HI 96756 is one of the islands attractions.

Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill
(808) 886-4321
250 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa HI 96738

Roy’s – Kihei
(808) 891-1120
303 Piikea Ave., Bldg. 1
Kihei HI 96753

Roy’s – Ko’ Olina
(808) 676-7697
92-1220 Aliinui Drive
Kapolei HI 96707

Starters
Auntie Lei’s Aloha Roll
Spicy Tuna Topped with Hamachi, Salmon, Avocado & Ginger Ponzu

Sunrise at Haleakala
Tuna, Hamachi, Salmon, Avocado ↦ Asparagus Tempura Roll,
Dynamite Butter

Lakanilau Roll
Seared Kobe Beef wrapped around Snow Crab, Tempura Asparagus and
Avocado

Lobster California Roll
Lobster, Avocado, Cucumber & Tobiko

Main

Roy’s Classic Roasted Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
Lobster Cognac Butter Sauce

Hibachi Style Grilled Atlantic Salmon
Japanese Citrus Ponzu Sauce

Roy’s Original Blackened Island Ahi
Spicy Soy Mustard Butter Sauce

Roy’s Classic Trio of Hibachi Grilled Salmon
Roy’s Original Blackened Island Ahi
& Hawaiian Style Misoyaki Butterfish
Citrus Ponzu Sauce, Spicy Soy Mustard Butter, Sizzling Soy Vinaigrette

This is just a glimpse of the broad menu.

Wines, Whites
Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon,Chateau Ducasse Bordeaux, France
Sauvignon Blanc, Brancott Marlborough, New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc, Geyser Peak “Block Collection” Russian River
Pinot Blanc, Lucien Albrecht, Alsace, France
Pinot Gris, Ponzi, Oregon
Pinot Noir Rose, Etude, Carneros
Chardonnay, Au Bon Climat “Roy’s” Santa Barbara
San Angelo Pinot Grigio Montalcino, Italy

Red Wines
Banfi “Centine” Sangiovese Italy
Saint Hallet “Faith” Shiraz Barossa, Australia
Cabernet, J. Lohr “Seven Oaks” Paso Robles

These few selections are representative of a list that holds few bargains.

All branches offer a selection of wines by the glass.