430 Pkwy Offers Elevated Cocktails and Well-Crafted Bites

Photo: Melissa Chang

People somehow knew about 430 Pkwy’s opening without any fanfare, and even more incredibly, they were able to find the place without signs or directions.

The staff swears the new cocktail lounge is not supposed to be a speakeasy, and they didn’t deliberately try to be hard to find, but it’s quite a feat to get there on your first try. Located on the second floor at 430 Pi‘ikoi St. (thus the name), you’ll be lucky to find a stall in the building’s small lot, shared by neighboring tenants Hangang, Tempura Ichika, Sushi Gyoshin and massage places. The only sign you’ve arrived at 430 Pkwy is a welcome mat. But you’ll know you’re in the right place if you hear chatter and laughter behind the unmarked door.

Photo: Melissa Chang

Once inside, you enter another world. The lounge furniture is casual, comfortable and mismatched, yet somehow offer a cohesive vibe. There are kitschy retro accents, old-school games (playing cards, Uno, etc.) and books to make you feel like you’ve gone back in time and are relaxing in someone’s home.

Photo: Melissa Chang

Jacob Cedeno, previously with Nature Waikīkī, created the handcrafted cocktail menu, and my favorites were the Discovery Bae ($23), reminiscent of Hawaiian Punch, but smoother; and Blue Hawai‘i ($18), which is nothing like the touristy drinks in Waikīkī. This one is a clarified milk punch and super clean and balanced.

The food menu is interesting: The (mostly) shared appetizers, prepped and assembled at the far end of the bar, are fancy takes on familiar flavors, reflective of chef/owner Chris Kajioka’s and chef Daysen Masuda’s work at Miro Kaimukī and Agaru.

Photo: Melissa Chang

My favorite was the crab dynamite with rice, prepared by chef Daysen Masuda, and fresh nori ($28), which is filling and easy to share with companions. The dynamite sauce, with spicy mayonnaise, was creamy, spicy, sweet and savory, and super comforting.

Photo: Melissa Chang

The shrimp toasts ($24) on shokupan with spicy Kewpie mayo, shiso and kabayaki sauce were fun to eat and showcased upscale Asian flavors. It was great paired with the Blue Hawai‘i.

Photo: Melissa Chang

I also liked the black truffle Island Sausage chicken “hot dog” ($20). While it’s not made for sharing, we managed to cut it up into sharable pieces. Another “not-for-sharing” dish is the hamachi tostada ($24) on a Raiz tortilla. The chile crunch on the fatty hamachi was a great combination, but note that it is hard to eat gracefully, so not something to have on a date.

Photo: Melissa Chang

The tuna and smoked oyster on brioche ($14) is similar to the toast served at Miro, but here, the tuna is diced. Again, not meant for sharing, but the diced tuna can be split up if needed. I chose not to share because I loved it! Another sharable option: Newsome country ham ($22) with hazelnuts and olive oil.

Photo: Melissa Chang

If you’re feeling spendy, don’t miss the decadent monaka ($32), the Japanese wafer clamshell filled with vanilla ice cream and a generous dollop of caviar. The combination is a luxurious umami bomb.

The seating at 430 Pkwy is on a first-come, first-served basis, and depending how busy it is, a wait list is available. I’d recommend going really early or really late to get parking and beat the crowd.

Open Tuesday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. to midnight, 430 Pi‘ikoi St., (808) 490-5492, @430_pkwy