Chai's Island Bistro

Chai's Island Bistro
Chai Chaowaseree
Restaurant & Bar
Euro-Asian
Aloha Tower Marketplace Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 585 0011 Neighborhood: Honolulu Map
Platter
Clams

Owner of Singha Thai and Chai's Island Bistro, Chai Chaowaseree  is one of the most pleasant people on the planet. Confident and self- assured in his work, he has managed to combine a competitive spirit and modest disposition. The youngest of 7 children, Chai grew up in Bangkok where his mother owned a restaurant - and where he developed an early fascination with cooking.

"Thai food is all about using the flavors we have around us - not just making food hot and spicy," he says. "We use lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, all  the aromatic herbs, and then we use heat." The result, as anyone who loves Thai food knows is a special marriage of flavors.

When Chaowasaree first came to Hawaii he worked his way through a variety of restaurants learning the ups and downs of restaurant life. "I even worked for a short time at a KFC," he says, never too proud to remember his early days. 

While Singha Thai, opened almost 20 years ago remains one of Waikiki's most popular Thai restaurants, Chai's Island Bistro shows another side of the creative Chaowasaree. Singha specializes in both traditional and non-traditional Thai dishes while Chai's caters to Chaowasaree's love of Pacific Rim Cuisine. The Thai influence is  evident, of course in the flavors, the fragrance and the spice of the food, as his background brings  to Hawaii cuisine the unmistakable influence of another culture.

 Marrying the fresh flavors of the Pacific - fresh fish, Island grown produce and tropical fruits, he is able to incorporate the fragrances and flavors of his homeland. Grilled beef salad has a lemongrass dressing, for example. His steamed whole moi is served with jasmine Yukari musubi, tempura Nalo braising greens and  is lightly steamed over Asian pesto sake. Consequently at Singha you will find Thai dancers performing every night, and at Chai's some of the best entertainers in Hawaii today.

The intimate setting, the tropical ambience of the outdoor lanai with its mini waterfalls and colorful bromeliads provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of music, food and wine.

Everyone comes to play for Chai. Jake Shimabukuro had until recently  a regular weekly gig that will resume in April after he finishes his new CD. The Cazimero brothers play once a week, with younger brother Robert performing solo with piano on Tuesday and Saturday. Olomana, Azure McCall, Na Leo and Kealii Rachel are all performers who appreciate not only the setting, but the fact that Chai appreciates live performers and is willing to give them a venue.

Popular at lunchtimes, too, Chai's serves a quick and inexpensive ($20.00) lunch that features some fabulous dishes. Three courses include fresh Kauai prawns and chicken langostinos served over jasmine rice with a spicy sauce, Kiawe smoked chipotle-guava marinated grilled pork tenderloin with roasted red pepper risotto, nalo braising greens and a balsamic reduction and a premium NY strip served simply with baby red potatoes and roasted garlic jus.

Service is fast and efficient at lunchtime and the ambience is perfect for away from the office meetings, or just a simple lunch with friends.

At night, amidst the trickle of water from the outdoor fountains, the shimmering of moonlight on the silver decorations that hang from the ceiling and the gentle sounds of local musicians, Chai's becomes a magical  dining destination.