What it's like to dine near President Bill Clinton at one of Honolulu's finest restaurants

-

Food? What amazing food? And what was our order again? Those were the thoughts that were going through my mind (and probably others) as former President Bill Clinton walked through the door to dine at Nobu Honolulu Saturday night with a security detail in tow. 
Mr. Clinton arrived at Nobu around 8 p.m. after giving the keynote address at an event earlier in the evening at the University of Hawaii Manoa in Honolulu. Dining just feet away from No. 42 with my fiancé during my birthday dinner, I quickly realized what people were referring to when they mentioned the "star-power" and "charisma" that he possesses. As soon as he walked into Nobu, which is located on the ground floor of The Howard Hughes Corp.'s Waiea luxury condominium in the Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako, no one could focus on their amazing food and drinks anymore including us. There were tourist and local couples, as well as people from Japan. It was a treat to be in the same restaurant with one of our presidents. 
Nobu, which has several locations around the world, was created by celebrity chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and actor Robert DeNiro.
While there was lots of electricity in the air, I was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of Nobu's staff, who remained calm and collected. Myself, on the other hand, couldn't just let this night pass without snapping a photo or two of No. 42. I blame it on my reporter/journalist instincts, always trying to document things either through writing or photos.
Mr. Clinton came dressed rather appropriately for Nobu Honolulu's casual-dining scene, with a coat flanked over an Aloha Shirt. After chatting with a few people for a few minutes, he eventually sat at a table in the corner near the entrance of the restaurant with former Hawaii Gov. John Waihee and his wife, Lynne. I did not see what they were eating, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they either ate sashimi or sushi, two of the more popular items on Nobu's menu.
Mr. Clinton also wasn't the only celebrity in the house as San Francisco 49ers football players Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair and Eli Harold dined at a nearby table, arriving shortly after the former president.
The NFL players did manage to get a photo with Mr. Clinton, as evidenced by Armstead's Instagram account. We left before Mr. Clinton was finished dining with the Waihees, so we weren't as lucky to catch up with him for a photo. Not a bad night at all, though, seeing a president, NFL players from my favorite team and of course, dining with my favorite of all-time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Architecture firm starts process to build new office at Bank of Hawaii building

-
Image
G70, one of the largest architecture firms in Hawaii, has officially started the process of building out its new office spaces in Downtown Honolulu, according to public documents filed Tuesday. The Honolulu-based firm has filed two building permits totaling about $1.2 million for the build-out of its new digs at the Bank of Hawaii building at the Financial Plaza of the Pacific. G70, formerly Group 70 International, is expected to move from its current space at the McCandless Building on Bethel Street where it has been for decades towards the end of this year. The architecture firm's move follows the migration of another one of Hawaii's largest firms — AHL, formerly Architects Hawaii Ltd., which moved to the Pacific Guardian Center in Downtown Honolulu, including the penthouse space at the complex's Makai Tower.
Read more

New Italian, BBQ restaurants opening at Hawaii Kai Shopping Center

-
Image
  Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, which is anchored by a newly-renovated and expanded Safeway store, is adding an Italian restaurant in the vacant former Pizza Hut space as well as a well-known barbecue restaurant and bar, Shimogawa Scoops has learned. Tex 808 BBQ & Brews has confirmed that it is moving from the neighboring Hawaii Kai Towne Center to the marina-facing side of the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center adjacent to Liko’s Tap & Table. Meantime, a few doors down, a new Italian restaurant called “Repetti’s Provisions” is opening in the former 1,230-square-foot Pizza Hut space that’s next to Island Brew. The new eatery filed a permit for this space this week. Repetti’s is spearheaded by the same owners as Maui’s Serpico’s Pizzeria Restaurant, where they serve authentic New Jersey-style pizza, amongst other Italian cuisine. Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, which recently re-paved its parking lot, adds solid tenants to its tenant mix, which already includes the likes of Longs Dr
Read more

Exclusive: 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst buys posh Hualalai Resort estate in Hawaii

-
Image
Jeff Probst, the Emmy Award-winning host of the reality television series “Survivor,” has purchased an estate within the Hualalai Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii’s west coast for $4.85 million, Shimogawa Scoops has learned. Probst and his wife, Lisa Russell, closed on their big purchase on November 1, which includes 19,864 square feet of land and a four-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom home with an office within Kulanakauhale, the newest residential community in the Hualalai master-planned resort community. The 3,770-square-foot home was built by Aina Ola and furnished by award-winning designer, Gina Willman. It has gourmet kitchens with granite counter tops, custom African mahogany cabinetry, travertine flooring and Madeira concrete shake roofs. Hualalai Realty represented both sides of the transaction. Member amenities for this property include the Keolu Clubhouse and Hualalai Canoe Club, according to Hualalai Realty. The luxury resort community includes the Four Seasons-bra
Read more