NEW OAHU RESTAURANT WITH A FOOD NETWORK "CHOPPED" CHAMPION

This new aesthetic restaurant in Kailua just opened.

Banyans Craft Kitchen + Lounge offers handcrafted cocktails and unique dishes, and you can dine under a banyan tree.

Its chef was on a winner on Food Network's “Chopped."

Popular dishes:
Tako taco: Charred local octopus, crispy chorizo, cilantro lime crema, romesco aioli. This is the dish that chef is famous for, as seen on Food Network. Love how the tako isn’t rubbery/chewy and flavorful.

Lobster “corn dog”: About 1.5 ounces of lobster that’s dipped in corn batter and deep fried; served with yum yum aioli and wasabi. One of my favorite bites of the evening.

8-hour local Oxtail pot pie: This deconstructed pot pie features bone broth gravy, local Mirepoix and puff pasty. Super savory

Cheese and charcuterie with jams, spreads and bread
Banyans s’mores table top campfire: Homemade marshmallows, Manoa chocolate and graham crackers for a fun DIY experience

Some of the dishes on the menu may change slightly during the week. Some of the dishes are a little pricier, but they’re designed to share.

Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

You can enjoy live music during dinner.

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