GetOut Magazine

Kona Grill gives mall food a new meaning
By ADRIENNE FRANK
Get Out
Sept. 25, 2003

Wait: We arrived at noon on a Tuesday and were given our choice of a table outside or a booth inside. We opted for the latter.

Service: No complaints here. Our friendly server kept the iced tea and the ice water coming and was quick to make sure everything was prepared to our liking.

What we liked: Avocado egg rolls are my favorite appetizer of the moment. Luckily, Kona Grills egg rolls stuffed with avocado, sun-dried tomatoes and red onions and served with a sweet honey-cilantro dipping sauce didnt disappoint. Not the least bit greasy and featuring generous chunks of avocado, the appetizer was a fabulous start to our lunch. The teriyaki salmon salad, with mixed greens, somen noodles and sesame-soy dressing, was also delicious; marinated and grilled to sweet n tangy perfection, the salmon was the perfect salad topper. We were also impressed with the sweet-chili glazed chicken (which was more spicy than sweet), served with rice and baby bok choy.

Scene: Popular with business people and beautiful people alike, Kona Grill located just off the food court at Chandler Fashion Center was more crowded than the nearby Sbarro and McDonalds combined. One step into the restaurant and we knew why. Featuring plush, intimate booths, dim lighting, a sushi bar and an impressive fish tank, the airy dining room is swanky yet comfortable. Bathroom break: Larger than most studio apartments, the restroom was spotless and well-stocked. The full-length mirror something overlooked by most eateries is a nice (and much-appreciated) touch.
Tab for two: $37 with tip for avocado egg rolls ($7.95), teriyaki salmon salad ($9.50), sweet-chili glazed chicken ($9.95) and an iced tea ($1.95).

If work werent buying: Good mall food is hard to find. Next time I go shopping, Ill break for lunch at Kona Grill.

Reviewer #2

By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 6:15 p.m. on a Friday and were seated immediately.

Service: Our server took our just waters order without showing any signs of tip withdrawal. A plate of thick, sliced sourdough bread and whipped butter was on our table within minutes. Our server delivered, bused and refilled without skipping a beat. She was impressive.

What we liked: The 8-ounce prime filet was cooked to our tricky medium/ medium-rare specifications pink but not too juicy. The sizzling-hot steak was accompanied by a tasty bunch of sautéed mushrooms, a generous portion of kicking green beans swarming with crushed red peppers and a pile of white cheddar mashed potatoes.

Scene: Thanks to the packed outdoor patio/bar, approaching Kona Grill was like walking toward a kegger. The young, stylish party people were practically spilling into the parking lot while throwing back Konas crazy-good happy hour specials ($1.99 margaritas for ladies, $3 martinis and $2 Bud Lights as well as half off select sushi, pizzas and appetizers). The scene was completely chill inside. The dark dining room was lit up by a gorgeous 2,000-gallon saltwater fish tank and 16 large, jellyfish-like orange arty lights hovering from the seemingly endless exposed black ceiling. The sushi bar, open kitchen and spotlights shining down on the center of each table were practically the only other sources of illumination.

Bathroom break: Pretty cool. Shiny black stalls, a wide stone basin sink, gold-framed mirrors, a blue and white mosaic wall, stone flooring and music piped in from the bar. Oh yeah, it was clean and stocked to boot.

Tab for two: $73 with tip for a caterpillar roll ($13), baked sea bass ($19.95) and prime filet ($23.95).

If work werent buying: I can't get with the lets-do-dinner-at-the-mall deal, but it's definitely my first choice the next time I'm shopping at Chandler Fashion Center.

Kona Grill
3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler,
Major cross streets: Chandler Boulevard just west of Loop 101
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations accepted: Yes
Health report: Three violations on June 17
Prices: $7.50-$25.95
Most interesting item: Big Island meatloaf (andouille sausage, white cheddar mashed potatoes and wild mushroom ragu), $9.75-$14.75

Next week Our reviewers visit House of Tricks in Tempe.