Post #650 by Kailuageoff on Fri, Apr 12, 2002 2:15 PM

Ahhhh, the Honolulu Restaurant... If I could open a tiki bar this would be it. Completely annoymous on the outside, a bit of paradise seating no more than 40 on the inside. Okay, so everything is looking a little long in the tooth (tusk?). The fishnets have lost their starch. The carved coconut monkeys are starting to fray. The bamboo is so brittle flamming volcanos should be served with oxygen masks and fire extinguishers.
Nevermind, because after 24 years at the same location the owner/bartender David Chan is one of the nicest gentlemen on the planet, and his wife the most warm and charming of hostesses.
When I re-introduced myself last night as a loyal patron from 1980's, they were delighted but unphased because they probably hear the same thing all the time.
To sum up, I arrived at 4:30, had a Scorpion and a few dumplings, purchased a mug and a tiki shot glass, ordered a Mai-Tai and got David to autograph an old menu for me. Well, not the original (and beautiful) menu -- they showed it to me but said it was a precious keepsake. Afterwards he pulled out his personal menu from TV's in DC -- where he learned his craft -- and pointed to some of his favorite mugs and glasses. The whole thing was so touching and authentic...
Thankfully they said business was very good and they had just had new menus printed. Location is on Telegraph Road in Alexandria on the outer side of the beltway.