Every year my family goes out to dinner on Christmas Eve.
And we like to try new restaurants, though with some restrictions, like, “not in Waikiki” and “not going to make my parents take out a second mortgage on the house.”
So we’ve had Christmas Eve dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (which is the closest to Waikiki my parents like to get).
But this year my mom wanted to try something new — and old.
Waioli Tea House, founded in 1922 and nestled in lush Manoa Valley (where my mom lived for a bit), was her out-of-the-box suggestion. It served a variety of food in its buffet, it wasn’t in Waikiki and, above all, it had an opening for seven on Christmas Eve.
None of us had ever been there before — there was some discussion about whether or not it was still open, actually — so we were excited to try it out.
Here’s what our recent visit looked like:
no images were found
Waioli Tea Room,, 2950 Manoa Rd. Phone: 808-988-5800.
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7 Comments
I’ve never been here. Adding to my list of places to try in 2011. Thanks!
ur final shot looks like my plate at family potlucks! waioli is beautiful, and serene, and my mom liked it too, which always adds up to a big plus for me anywhere.
@nonstopmari y’know who’s beautiful and serene? YOU are, bucky! hav a happy new year.
amazing. i thought the Waioli Tea Room was a urban myth- like the Japanese massage parlor worker.(i guess i strayed off the path a little reading Yelp reviews)
Happy New Year Cat!
I haven’t gone there but my wife, masako, has been there many many times. In fact she went there twice just last week for lunch.
yes–the holiday season’s more about family get togethers and quaint places than amazing food.
Ake Mashite Omede Tou