I popped in to Lewers Lounge the other night after meeting with a colleague who was in town for a convention. Fortuitiously, I ran into Lesa Griffith, an assistant features editor at the Honolulu Advertiser and heavy foodie like myself. She used to edit my work at TimeOut New York. We both love Lewers. One of the nicest things about the place, which the Halekulani recently redid in swank style, is Dale Degroff. He's the master cocktailer, known as the King of Cocktails who mixes up unreal libations, often based on classic, long-lost recipes. As part of an effort to reposition the always beautiful but formerly sedate Halekulani, the property hired him to revamp their beverage menus. I love Dale's drinks and drinking with Dale is almost as fun. You can call the hotel and find out when he's in town and, even better, when he's tending bar and Dale himself will mix you a stiff one. Be prepared. Three from Dale is more like five from your regular barkeep.

—Alex, 06/30/06