Vintage Books — Restaurant in Honolulu

"It's strange what desire will make foolish people do. I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you. And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you..." - Wicked Game (1989)

I've been to speakeasy's around the world. From wandering the cobble stone streets in Old Europe to the neon-lit back alleys in Asia I've been to a few. Honolulu might surprise many time-travelers with the fun prohibition inspired bars they offer. I especially enjoyed my time at behind the hardware store in Mōʻiliʻili (now closed); the mysterious Green Lady hidden behind a bamboo fence in Waikiki; and tonight, the one neatly tucked away behind two doors in a Kaimukī bookstore. Here's my story...

I've been overseas traveling quite a bit lately, so I missed my lovely best friend's birthday. My bad, but if you know me, I always makeup big. So while in Korea I picked up a few things for BFF, the only thing that didn't fit was Nini Kim, 'cause Jealousy ain't good, ol' sport lol. I also told her get ready I'll treat you anywhere just choose fun!

We agreed on a speakeasy and found Vintage Books as our choice for the night. Located in Kaimukī on Wilhelmina Rise is where you'll be transported back into time. I reserved a spot via Open Table, which made it easy peasy. Upon entering we were greeted at the "book store" by an elegant blonde. To enter the speakeasy use code words "..here to see the private collection".

We were led through first door with a brightly lit and casual vibe, but that was just the reading area. Scarlet then opened the next door which revealed the vintage decor, dimly-lit parlor filled with gents and ladies having a grand ol' time. We chose bar seats and met the bartender Joe.

Joe, a charismatic gentleman with tattoos and pomade made us feel welcome from the start. Especially when he found out we both lived in the Bay Area for a chunk of our lives. Before even the start of our drinks we talked Bay Area sports, the Sunset district, Mission Tacos, and Tony Bennett!

First round of drinks:

LYCHEE MAR-TUNI ($16) *Ford's London Gin, Manzanilla Sherry, lychee.

MEET CUTE ($16) *Ketel One Dutch Vodka, cucumber, elderflower, mint, mango & lemon, absinthe, orange bitters.

I really enjoyed the vintage and sophisticated, yet smart casual vibe. Filled with eclectic lounge chairs, sofas, booths. Tables of various sizes. Faux antique wall and standing lamps. The walls decorated from a bygone era. A mysterious ambiance with a mixture of ages and diversity.

The shared food ordered:

CRISPY LAMB RIBS ($24) *Tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb ribs braised and glazed with a rich caramel sauce, then finished with fresh mint for a touch of brightness.

VENISON TARTARE ($20) *Maui venison tenderloin prepared à la Korean-inspired style with pickled five-flavor berries, pine nuts, Asian pear, aioli, drizzled with a spicy soy-based sauce, served on top of grilled rice paper.

COLD MUSHROOM TOFU0: ($17) *Chilled marinated smoked tofu combines with fresh scallions and earthy shimeji mushrooms for a refreshing take on a Sichuan classic.

Second Round of Drinks:

*Handsome Joe was given full creative reign on our second round. A Dapper Gentleman's Drink, Cocktail for the Elegant Lady. ($16-$18-ish per)

Third Round of Drinks:

I politely nudged Birthday lady to choose a nightcap for us and of course her eyes went straight to the top shelf + 12-years aged = ($$$$)

The shared dessert:

HOUSE-MADE HOT DARK CHOCOLATE served in Cutest cat mug and black Hemingway plate. ($$)

Free Validated Parking!

In the end, I chose the bar seating for diverse convo, and trust me, bartenders tend to have the best life stories! I had no idea Joe lived just blocks away from me in the foggy part of San Francisco. We reminisced of championship sports teams and... when I shared my party days stories with Chris Isaak and Bai Ling suddenly all eyes & ears were on... the dapper gent, me lol, pfft, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Ahh guess I lived a pretty colorful life too. And so the story goes...

Pls follow my IG adventures:...

The world food tour resumed at … Vintage Books in Kaimuki (in the old 3660 On The Rise location). I tried parking in the lot under the building but was stymied by the need to use one’s phone to get in. I ended up parking in the lot behind the building … It is much easier to get in/out, even if it cost $7 for 3 hours. I expected to see more books at the entrance to the restaurant … It’s not as secret as one would have hoped.

The entrance behind the “secret door” is pretty narrow and we wound our way through the restaurant to a table near Waialae Ave. Tyler was our server and he was conscientious about the shellfish allergy for the better half of the duo. They use shrimp in their kimchi (Kimchee Flight) and the House Karaage.

We started with a 2021 Lingua Franca pinot noir from Willamette Valley ($80). It was very light in color but was full of fruit and very smooth.

We ordered the Venison Tartare ($16), Cowboy Beef Salad ($16), Crispy Lamb Ribs ($22) and the Taco Flight ($22) … the latter with two Suadero tacos and one Fish taco. The Cowboy Beef salad came out first … arugula, thin slices of radish ad Serrano chili, squares of crispy brisket, with a piquant nuoc cham dressing. I really liked the dressing, and I didn’t need the brisket. The venison tartare came next … a quenelle of cubed Maui venison tenderloin, pickled berries, pine nuts, and Asian pear sitting on an aioli, served with four rectangles of toasted bread. The tartare was subtly flavored; a little Dijon added to the soy-based sauce would have improved the flavor, IMO. The toast was great … I cut a pocket in the bread to hold the tartare.

The tacos came next …The Suadero taco was very subtly flavored but oh, so delicious! The fish taco was okay … Smoked marlin with a coconut confit fresh catch … Again, subtle flavoring.

Last, but not least, the piece de resistance … Crispy Lamb Ribs. Six ribs in two pieces, glazed with caramel sauce and topped with fresh mint. They we so tender and flavorful … My favorite dish!

We wanted the Baked Cheesecake but it was unavailable, so we opted for S’Mores Surprise! I don’t care for marshmallow, but I took a spoonful. I wanted more chocolate. I finished off my meal with a French Press coffee. Very light but a very nice coffee. I was pleasantly surprised at the bill … Haha, I’ve spent more for a bottle of wine. This is a very reasonably priced venue. The place was packed … we can see why....

Stepping into Vintage Books during the holiday season felt like discovering a hidden winter wonderland where all Santa's naughty list can be found.

The unique blend of a vintage bookstore and speakeasy lounge created a festive, intimate ambiance that immediately set the tone for an unforgettable evening

Each cocktail elixir was meticulously crafted by experts in the craft; treated every--flavor, presentation, and garnish--with care. The festive décor and warm lighting enhanced the magical vibe, making it the perfect spot to celebrate the season.

The Cocktails:

The Vintage Holidaze cocktail menu was an absolute delight, showcasing creativity and holiday cheer in every glass: •Notorious N.O.G.: Auntie’s famous secret-recipe eggnog was the embodiment of comfort and nostalgia—rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced. •Tutu’s Old Fashioned: A holiday twist on a classic, featuring Kuleana Nanea rum, cinnamon, and mole bitters, complete with an artful imprinted ice cube. It was both bold and heartwarming. •Chalet Martini: A refreshing yet decadent combination of Reyka vodka, menthe-pastille, and cacao, perfect for those craving a wintery escape. •Holiday Sangria: A tropical-meets-festive creation with Tempranillo, Remy 1738, and pineapple, blending warmth and brightness beautifully. •Alpine Highball: Crisp and invigorating with Braulio Amaro, lemon, and soda—a lighter, refreshing option. •Santa’s Little Helper: Huani reposado tequila paired with cold brew and Koloa cacao & coffee rums. This one brought a bold, caffeinated kick to keep the holiday energy alive.

Final Thoughts:

Vintage Books is more than a speakeasy--it's a destination that seamlessly blends literary charm with culinary artistry. Whether you're indulging in the Notorious N.O.G. or sipping on Tutu's Old Fashioned, every moment feels like a celebration of the season.

I can't wait to return and explore the food menu next time--if discovering a hidden winter wonderland where all Santa's naughty list, you can only imagine what the kitchen...