Ilima Terrace Restaurant

I have two dietary needles to thread: - Gluten Free - Vegan / Whole Food Plant Based …and I can thread those needles at Ilima Terrace. My wife and I are locals and we love Ilima Terrace’s buffet, so much so that we come back often. But when I was recently diagnosed as gluten-intolerant the whole prospect of eating out ANYWHERE became a challenge. Gluten-intolerance is the most “un-fun” medical diagnosis for a food-lover like me to navigate and is forcing me to completely recalibrate my perception of which restaurants in my community can give me enjoyable culinary experiences without causing me harm. On my first visit since my diagnosis, I was still getting used to and learning how to dine out gluten free. Larry served us and it was Larry who told me of their gluten free options after I spoke up and asked as an afterthought just as we were finishing our meal. I should have spoken up earlier. Larry told us that they can prepare gluten free pancakes which I learned today on our return visit are are ALSO vegan. ✅and ✅ I ordered the gluten free vegan pancakes and came out in a few minute. Top them with blueberry compote from the buffet - delicious. I paired those up with several of the other gluten free and vegan options and had a full meal with lots of variety. In the past asked if they could scramble some tofu with veggies at the eggs station - no problem. The waiter came out in a few minutes with diced tofu for me to take over the egg station to have them prepare it to my preference. They even have a gluten free muffin among the pastries as well as a vegan option. Look for the muffin in white paper (gluten free) or red paper (vegan). From their regular buffet offerings, my favorites to meet my dietary needs are: - Steel cut oats - Fresh fruits - papaya, pineapple, blueberries, wholes apples and bananas - Salad bar - Avocado toast on gluten free bread topped with arugula, cherry tomatoes and capers - Tofu with mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots) - they used to make these with soy sauce but I noticed they recently changed the recipe to omit the soy sauce presumably to keep it gluten free - Country potatoes (a mix of small potatoes including purple okinawan sweet potatoes) - My wife and my favorite - little shooters of power juices. Kale juice with apple, watermelon-grape-grapefruit, carrot juice with ginger, and kombucha. There is also a small station with plenty of condiments so that you can add whatever you want to your meal. If you’re vegan but don’t have to avoid gluten, get the tofu mixed veggies and add soy sauce from the condiments. Make it the way you want it. Since my wife doesn’t have to avoid gluten and eats meat and dairy she can enjoy whatever she wants including her favorite salmon with capers, various cheeses and charcuterie. Everyone here can enjoy whatever they want and I will continue to come back knowing I can ENJOY eating a gluten free AND vegan at Ilima Terrace. Only criticism - in our last two trips there, the country potatoes were replaced with tatter tots that were deep fried crispy. I much prefer the potatoes. Deep fried tatter tots feel like public school lunch to me and is just a lazy alternative to potatoes. I hope this was only a temporary decision.

An opulent buffet with a large assortment of gluten free options. You can order from the menu but the buffet is a better deal. Besides the normal breakfast options they also have dim sum and a selection of Hawaiian fruit. They will also bring gluten free pancakes on request. The restaurant itself is a beautiful setting with great views. Make sure to visit the macaws on your way in.