Normally, you don’t want to argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel. I suppose that’s how they buy ink over at the Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii’s largest daily newspaper).

Each year they rank Hawaii’s Best 150 Restaurants according to readers and Advertiser critics. Is there a better way?

I’d like to think so. You see, years ago An American Bistro was considered one of the island’s best restaurants. We ate there one night. It was OK. Not great. But OK.

Apparently we were not the only couple not fully satisfied with the menu, the décor, the service, or that “certain something” that gets you to come back.

The next week An American Bistro closed down.

“The next week An American Bistro closed down.”Not long after that we had dinner with friends at Bobby McGee’s in Waikiki. It’s been a favorite for many years. The service is special as the help dress up in various costumes and act out their character as they’re taking your order and serving your food. Cool.

I should say, “acted out” because it wasn’t long after that meal that the help showed up at the door only to find the door was closed. Bobby McGee’s had closed down. For good.

Do you see a trend here?

Waikiki is the home to many fine restaurants. We saved up enough money to treat ourselves at Canlis—a fine and legendary dining establishment known for its service and steaks. On the night we treated ourselves at Canlis we were in for a surprise.

While the food was fair, it was memorable only because there wasn’t anything special about it to remember? Service? OK, fine dining is supposed to be a little more relaxed, right?

Relaxed, I can handle. Comatose? No thanks.

Shortly after that visit, Canlis closed down for good. Shortly afterwards, it opened as a satellite Police Station.

Do you see a trend here?

“When people ask me my opinion of a restaurant, I hem and haw and change the subject.”For about a year we didn’t go out at all because we were afraid our curse would spread to other well known and memorable dining establishments.

It did. Late one evening we stopped at King’s Bakery on King Street. They served the freshest, warmest, tastiest Hawaiian Sweet Bread you’ve ever had. Until a few weeks later when they closed down and moved everything to California.

Today, when people ask me my opinion of a restaurant, I hem and haw and change the subject. As to what I think is the best restaurant in town? Well, someone asked me that a few months ago.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.

When did Bobby McGee’s in Waikik close? My family and I ate there a number of times back in the early 1980's, while I was stationed with the 25th ID, and enjoyed the service; and the dressed up help in various costumes acting out their character as they’re taking your order and serving your food. Sorry to hear of their closing.