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Rum Jungle alone makes
E&O worth a night out

It wasn't until I celebrated "Life" at E&O Trading Company that I realized its potential for the cocktail crowd. Beautiful people, dim lighting and a sophisticated atmosphere all added up to a winning concept that drew four times the amount of guests originally expected.

E&O Trading Company Location: Ward Centre (next to Compadres) Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays Call: 591-9555 3 stars

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the restaurant's management will allow a repeat of the one-time party hosted by Grant "G-Dog" Fukuda and Giorgio Taye back in April.

But that's OK. I've got two other reasons you'll want to visit this spot, which fellow Star-Bulletin columnist Nadine Kam accurately described as "a cross between Indigo and Shanghai Bistro."

ALTHOUGH the Ward Centre location is the first to open in Hawaii and is owned by a hui of local investors, it's not the first establishment to bear the E&O name.

That honor goes to the chain's San Francisco location, established in 1997 and followed by restaurants in San Jose (1999) and Marin County (2004). Each one is a variant of the 19th-century British colonial spice trading theme, with Honolulu described as the "Outdoor Asian Marketplace."

While a bit contrived, the Asian vibe helps distinguish E&O from some its neighbors. There's lots of wood, accented by bamboo and the strategic placement of tapestries, pottery and an actual gong.

The bar itself is classy, although a bit understated. Hang a quick left past the front door and you'll find the restaurant's lounge area. Climb up on one of the nine wooden chairs at the bar, or post up at one of the two high tables nearby. A number of regular dining tables fill out the open-air space next to a walkway that leads to Ward Centre's parking lot.

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RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Pull up a chair and grab at drink at E&O Trading Company's bar. Drink and pupu specials are offered weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

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THE LOUNGE at E&O has already established itself as a destination for quality jazz on Thursday nights. The Buddy Mak Jazz Quartet made the move here from Waikiki after the Jazz Loft closed a few months back, and had already attracted a decent crowd by the time I arrived.

While the crowd was a bit older than I'm usually comfortable with, I also noticed a few younger cats and a couple of guys sporting T-shirts and jeans. Everyone was fixated on the music of Buddy Makapagal, Darryl MacKay, Don Smith and Lew Maddox, but a couple of people (including myself) kept sneaking peeks at a basketball game being broadcast on a plasma screen hanging over the bar.

There was one other thing that kept stealing my attention away from everything else inside the restaurant: the cocktails! I was pleasantly surprised to discover that E&O is home to some of the tastiest libations I've ever had at a Honolulu watering hole.

Prices here aren't for the faint of heart, with specialty drinks (called "Nioman's Secret Elixirs") priced at $8 and $9 a pop. And forget about ordering a Bud Light or Heineken here. The only bottled beer you can get is Hinano, although quality brews like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Red Hook IPA and Guinness are available on draft.

IF JAZZ isn't your speed, consider E&O the next time you head out for pau hana with some co-workers. From 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, the restaurant offers $1 off all beers, pupu specials and a different elixir priced at $5 each day.

At that price, I guarantee you'll get your money's worth as the cocktails arrive in 10-ounce martini glasses. If I didn't have to get on a plane to Las Vegas this morning, you can bet I'd be here getting jiggy with a few Rum Jungles, the featured elixir on Fridays.

Whether you're just in it for the drinks, looking for a quality place to take a date or need a spot to warm up before heading to jazz night at the Living Room on Thursdays, E&O Trading Company is a surprisingly good choice for the martini crowd.

How much for a Bud Light?
Forget about beer at E&O -- it's all about Nioman's Secret Elixirs. Your best bet is a Rum Jungle ($9), a mix of gold rum, pineapples and secret ingredients that are aged for at least three days in mason jars below the bar. The final result is reason enough to drink here. Also try the Tiger's Paw ($9), Pomegranate Margarita ($9) and Dharma Rum ($8).

Get things to do?
Not really. The vibe here is better suited for a date, especially later in the evening once happy hour is pau.

What about the grinds?
I'm no food critic, but I know you'll be able to find better Southeast Asian cuisine elsewhere in Honolulu. Your best bet is to eat first, then hit E&O for drinks afterward.

And the help?
As always, sitting at the bar ensures a better experience than sitting at a table. I had no problems ordering drinks, partly due to the fact that I knew the head bartender from my radio days when he was a manager at Kincaid's.

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Been there,
done that

Hightide Cafe
2600 S. King St.
945-3555
Visit Andy Bumatai's comedy showcase on Thursdays for a glimpse at Honolulu's next stand-up stars. Pool tables, darts and ono food also boost Hightide's appeal.

Chili's Grill and Bar
4211 Waialae Ave.
738-5773
If you're stuck at Kahala Mall and need to take the edge off, Chili's gets the job done. The pupu menu, full of deep-fried goodies, is the main reason you'll want to hit this joint.

Scores Bar and Grill
661 Auahi St.
526-4161
Scores is an oasis for the active drinker -- Megatouch games, a pool table and a ton of dart machines provide hours of entertainment. I just wish they would offer food here.