FOOD SNOOPS: 220 Grille
220 Grille may be located next to the cafeteria at Kapiolani Community College, but the student-run restaurant is surprisingly complex and memorable. Set to reopen on November 13, the restaurant's closed just now, during midterms. As part of KCC's intermediate cooking class, 220 Grille is one of my favorite places to eat because its simple dishes, prepared and served by college kids, are consistently infused with local ingredients, bold flavors, and imaginative combinations.
The sirloin steak ($9) was delicious, grilled and served with a gently sweet red wine mushroom sauce. The meat was cooked medium rare as requested--all steaks, imho, should be medium rare. But the star of this plate was the side of taro croquettes, which was perfectly fried with a crispy crust that gave away to a tender, moist taro center. Practically gourmet! Served with a ratatouille and tomato salad, this dish was filling without being heavy, leaving room for the best part of 200 grille: dessert.
When I was a freshman just starting at KCC, I ate Chef Eddie's Famous Vanbanna Pie ($4) way too many times. Coming back, the dessert tasted just as good, even though Eddie no longer teaches the class. Just look at this photo and read the menu description: "Banana Infused Swiss Almond Vanilla Ice Cream on a Ritz Cracker Crust, served with Apple Banana Brûlée & Banana Rum Caramel Sauce."
DROOL. The crust, by far, is the best part of the dish, and the crunch of macademia nuts within the icecream. It's consistently good, every time I eat it, and leaves me wanting more...remember, remember, the 13th of November. Vanbanna pie, I be dreaming of you.
220 Grille
4303 Diamond Head Road
Tuesday - Friday
11am-12:45pm