Downtown, located on the ground floor of the Hawaii State Art Museum in downtown Honolulu, is not just a museum café; it is, in my opinion, the best place for lunch on the island. Downtown only serves lunch, but it attracts a full house Monday through Saturday, as Chef/Owner Ed Kenney serves the freshest daily salads and specials — extending his philosophy of eating local from his flagship restaurant, Town. On my last visit, this special of pan-roasted opah (moonfish) with Mana Ai’s pa’i‘ai (pounded poi) and Big Island kabocha and beans was outstanding. The fresh kabocha and beans imparted vibrant flavor, the opah was crispy on the outside and juicy inside, and the pan-fried pa’i’ai, tasted like pan-fried taro-flavored mashed potatoes. It was a well-balanced meal that lingers in my memory and reminds me why Downtown is my favorite lunch spot in Honolulu.