Podmore

Opened in 2021, just six blocks from its sister restaurant, Podmore is the second Honolulu dining venture for British chef Anthony Rush and his wife Katherine Nomura. The mission here is simple and the execution faultless: first-class food and speciality cocktails in a beautiful, welcoming environment, quite unlike anywhere else we’ve been in Hawai’i.

With a single menu for lunch and dinner and a popular weekend brunch card, Podmore’s ever-evolving, seasonal food and drinks showcase the finest local produce and highlight both the nostalgic flavors of Rush’s English upbringing and the vast and varied influence of travel. In addition to contemporary twists on British classics like Fish & Chips (here with mahi mahi rather than the traditional cod or haddock), Bangers & Mash and Chicken Pot Pie, the all day menu includes a host of international favorites like Lamb Vindaloo, Tagliatelle Carbonara and Scallops Petit Pois à la Français, as well as a good selection of snacks and small plates that are perfect as both an appetizer or a light lunch.

Like it’s weekday counterpart, the weekend brunch menu (served Saturday 10:00 - 14:00 and Sunday 09:00 - 15:00) is oxymoronically both simple and extravagant. There aren’t too many places on the islands where you can get a full English breakfast and Podmore’s lavish version is second to none, with everything made in house from the black pudding to the baked beans and the ketchup. But if your taste is for sweet over savory, or you fancy something a little lighter, there’s a host of other mouthwatering options from Fried Chicken & Waffles to Smoked Soufflé Pancakes and Spinach & Mushroom Toast. The menu also boasts a dedicated ‘Tasty Bits to Add’ section that ranges from the expected (avocado, bacon, rösti) to the unusual (confit duck leg) and the downright indulgent (caviar).

Drinks - in particular cocktails - are as significant a piece of the Podmore puzzle as the food itself. Positioned in the market as an upscale cocktail lounge as well as a restaurant, Podmore’s list is both extensive and inventive with a number of truly exceptional presentations that please both the eyes and the palate. The price point is at the higher end but the quality more than warrants this. Try the Bloomin’ Chung Chow or the Club Tropicana and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Housed in the historic Joseph W. Podmore building - a two story turn of the century structure made primarily from native Hawaiian lava rock - the restaurant’s stylish décor is perfectly aligned with its world class food and drinks and impeccable service. Plush emerald green booths and regal purple bar stools, brass accents and ambient lighting, the atmosphere here marries upmarket London chic with English countryside charm.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, Podmore - just like it’s older sibling Senia - has quickly established itself amongst Honolulu’s most popular bars / restaurants. Hardly surprising when you learn that Rush and Nomura met whilst working at renowned New York City restaurant Per Se, with the chef having honed his culinary skills in various other Michelin starred kitchens including The Fat Duck in Berkshire, England and The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley.

So if you’re looking for first-class food and delectable drinks, crafted with passion and meticulous attention to detail, look no further than Podmore…