I’m a creature of habit.  When it comes to dining out, this is especially true.  Why?  Because I’m fussy, and kind of a pain, and when all is said and done, I’d just as soon enjoy a meal that hasn’t been spit upon by a server unfamiliar with my peccadillos (or my gracious tipping).

Ironically, I also appreciate a great meal at someplace new (or, at least, new to me).

So, when my sister-in-law, Christy, made reservations for our family at Il Lupino Trattoria and Wine Bar (a restaurant whose cheerful yellow awning I pointed-out to the fam, as we pulled into the drive at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel) for dinner, I experienced a familiar twinge of trepidation mixed with the excitement I get when I feel I’ve stumbled upon something worth sharing with my readers.

It’s tough to please everyone in a large group.  Harder still when that group includes a vegetarian, a duo of teetotalers , a trio of folks who enjoy a bottle of wine (each), a two year-old and a four year-old, a duo in the midst of successful diet regimens, one general mess, and a self-described “Surfer – Sailor – Adventurer” (guess which one is me…).   But, lo’ and behold, we had a fan-friggin’-tastic dinner!

Il Lupino (it means “little wolf”) is a nickname given to restaurateur Peter Zwiener (son of Wolfgang Zwiener, of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse fame), and was the name he chose for his foray into Italian cuisine.  The venue is decidedly more Weho than Waikiki, and I daresay that if Alessi ever makes a deli-meat slicer, it will be right there, on the counter in the swanky joint's Salumeria.  But as sassy and slick as the restaurant is, the attire runs the gambit from flip-flops to Fendi.  One lady sashayed by our table in a Hervé Léger dress, swinging a Kieselstein-Cord handbag, only to join her companion - a handsome fellow wearing an Aloha shirt and cut-off jean-shorts.

And while not cheap, the fare’s fares are decidedly fair.

I enjoyed the Carpaccio di Manzo (no relation to Caroline or Albie) and a deliciously zesty Linguini all’Arrabbiata con Polpettone (a meatball made from veal, pork, and beef).  My brother, Happy, savored his  Risotto con Aragosta, while Christy’s Piccata di Pollo was tender and flavorful (without succumbing to too much lemon as is often the case).  Meanwhile, my nephew, Eli, showed me how big boys eat pasta, before retreating into the world of Angry Birds.  The biggest hit of all, was the Salmone ordered by my stepbrother’s girlfriend’s father, Robbie (that he insisted we all sample).

Adding more pros to the con-free list, the service was friendly, the food was delivered in a very prompt manner, and made as specified.

I guess the thing that sums-up the experience better than anything else is that upon returning to the hotel, we asked the concierge to make us another reservation at Il Lupino, for next week.

Happy Chanukah, y’all!

Il Lupino Trattoria and Wine Bar
Royal Hawaiian Center
Waikiki, Hawaii
Click HERE for info

Get into it!