by Noelani Anderson
The Happy Hour at Doraku, in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center on the Waikiki strip, boads a simple but delicious menu, cheap, quality drink specials, and an casually elegant atmosphere that is perfect for any occasion. The happy hour appetizer menu includes indulgent chicken karaage, the geisha roll (a delicious twist on the classic spicy tuna roll), miso glazed soybeans, california rolls, and a seared ahà tartar served on a bed of greens. All of these dishes are priced between three and five dollars, as are the beer and wine selection and the bartender's specialty drink of the night.
Two details of Doraku's Happy Hour make it especially happy, one: parking is free at the Royal Hawaiian Parking Structure (don't forget to ask your server to validate your ticket!), and two: hours are 5-7, meaning you don't have to rush to make the usual six o'clock happy hour cut off time. During the Winter this late happy hour means you can even catch sunset on the beach and have time to put in orders before seven o'clock.
I rolled into Royal Hawaiian's parking structure at about 6:30, having come from campus where I was in class until six. I threw a sarong around my waist and changed into a cute summer dress and threw on some heels, figuring I might as well dress up a bit. A friend was waiting for me outside of Doraku's entrance on the third floor, across from Suntory restauraunt. We were greeted by a lovely hostess who showed us to a large wooden table where we were seated, community style. The table could fit about twelve people and is usually reserved for large parties but during happy hour you simply dine next to neighbors, or you have the entire table to yourself, depending how busy it is.
We shared all of the appetizers mentioned above, my friend had a large Kirin ($5) and I chose the Bartender's special, which was a stiff margarita on the rocks made with Cazadores taquila, which happens to be a personal favorite ($3). Before we knew it the time was nearly 8:30, and we were wrapping things up, satisfied, full, and happy, when the manager approached us and offered to buy us a round of drinks if we wouldn't mind moving to a smaller table, as there was a large party that required the big wooden one. We saw absolutely no problem in a free round of drinks and happily moved, ordering one more roll at our new location and finishing out the evening with a proper buzz. The last roll we ordered, the red dragon, was not on happy hour but it was exquisite, and well worth the $13 cost. Doraku has great happy hour deals, across the board, but their regular menu is also affordable and offers a wide variety of Japanese-Latin fused sushi and entrees. Whether you are going out on a first date, for a birthday, or celebrating the completion of that last final or paper, Doraku has a pocket friendly happy hour that I would highly recommend, monday thru friday from 5-7. Happy Hunting!
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