Reviews

 

West Hawaii Today’s readers pick Huggo’s and Huggo’s On The Rocks as:

2008 Best Dining Atmosphere

2008 Best Fish/Seafood

2008 Best Desserts

2008 Best Cocktails

2008 Best Pau Hana/Happy Hour

2008 – Nov. 14th Eric von Platen Luder receives award for Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist of the Year from the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Aloha Chapter, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu.

Each year the Association of Fundraising Professionals sponsors an annual awards program recognizing outstanding achievements of individuals who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy and their communities. This year Eric von Platen Luder received the award for Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist of the Year from this prestigious international association at a ceremony held in Honolulu. Eric is well known locally for his generous donation of time, talent, and energy to activities and events to help the community and its citizens.Please see news article in West Hawaii Today for more information.

Huggo’s Wins Prestigious Hale Aina Award

2006 Best Big Island Restaurant

2005 Best Big Island Restaurant

2004 Best Big Island Restaurant

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii’s Big Island Huggo’s does it again! Kona’s popular oceanfront restaurant received the 2006 Hale Aina Award for Best big Island Resaurant. These prestigious awards serve as recognition for restaurant excellence by readers of Honolulu Magazine.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of Hawaii’s favorite restaurants by readers of Honolulu Magazine. Huggo’s is honored to be included with other great winning restaurants statewide including Alan Wong’s Honolulu, Spago Maui, La Mer and Mariposa. Kudos go to our outstanding culinary team and the entire Huggo’s Ohana for raising the bar on Kona eateries,” stated owner Eric von Platen Luder.

Debuting in 1984, the Hale Aina Awards were the first honors to recognize local tastes. Honolulu Magazine subscribers vote on the award recipients with a ballot included in their annual restaurant guide. An independent research firm tallies the ballots and the winners are honored with Hale Aina Awards.

Huggo’s awards and rave reviews have stockpiled over the past 35 years. Huggo’s is a Kona icon and culinary magazine Bon Appetit aptly summed up the Huggo’s dining experience as “…the food is as good as the view, and the view is terrific.”

Jennifer Chappell, with Coastal Living Magazine gives Huggo’s a ringing endorsement with “this open-air restaurant features a thatched roof bar, nautical-style rope along the deck, plenty of wave-breaking rocks below, and front row seats for showy sunsets…making eating here at cocktail-sunset hour a must.”

Huggo’s, oceanfront on Kona’s Alii Drive, was founded in 1969 by Hugo and Shirley von Platen Luder. Son Eric took over management responsibility in 1981.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Scenic, sumptuous and seaside – legendary dining at Huggo’s on the Big Island. This is exactly what a Hawaiian seaside restaurant should be – the fare as good as the views.” Don Chapman, go! Inflight, January -February, 2008.

“Great location, great views and a long family tradition are parts of what makes a great restaurant, but it really comes down to the food and the service. Fortunately, Huggo’s offers both excellent service and superb food with their ever-evolving menu.” About.com, April 2008.

“(Huggo’s) specializes in Pacific Rim seafood and locally grown produce in a way that’s simply brilliant.” Sheila Cluff, Ojai Valley News, February, 2008.

“For superb seafood in an incomparable setting, take the family to Huggo’s. Huggo’s will be happy to accommodate the finicky child (okay my child) who refuses to partake of the incredibly fresh and flavorful seafood. ” Susan Segal, Coast Magazine, February, 2008.

“On the Big Island of Hawaii I am quick to recommend Huggo’s when asked about local restaurants. The food is excellent, and the fresh seafood is presented with a Hawaiian twist. Macadamia-nut Mahi-Mahi or Macadamia-nut Ono.” Capt. Suzanne Skeeters, nwa World Traveler, March, 2008.

“What better place to celebrate my birthday than at a lively place on the water called Huggo’s. The Cajun Seared Ahi is great with a glass of Sonoma Pinot Noir. And what a way to end the day: as the sun sets over the water, I have a dessert of luscious Macadamia Nut Pie Ala Mode.” George Medovoy, postcardsforyou.com, April, 2008.

“The oceanfront setting gets an equal share of the attention at Huggo’s. Diners feel as if they’re sitting on the waves as the tide rises. Majestic mantas come out at night, attracted by the restaurant’s lights. The fresh fish and teriyaki steak have made this eatery a favorite with visitors and kama?aina for many years.” Hawaii Magazine, Spring, 2007.

 

“Beach bars on Hawaii’s Big Island couldn’t get any cooler. Situated on the sandy edge of Kailua Bay, Huggo’s on the Rocks is as close to the blue water of the Kona Coast as one could get without getting wet. Order “The Kilauea,” a concoction for two that comes to your table in a kitschy bowl spouting a pool of fire and enjoy this volcanic explosion form two-foot straws.

 

“Kona’s Seaside Favorite: Honest fare and a prime location on Kailua Bay have kept Huggo’s going strong since the ’60′s. That cozy watering hole of yesteryear has grown into a classy restaurant that sprawls alongside reefs teeming with marine life. Your table might be a few feet away from lapping waves, on a lanai overlooking the Kona Coast. Sailboats may drift lazily in the distance, while the aroma of grilled fish travels the dancing lights of tiki torches?.

August 2000

“The A List-On the Waterfront: Kona, Huggo’s on the Big Island offers Pacific Rim cuisine, frosty tropical drinks and indulgent desserts, all served up with terrific sunset views.”