Canlis Restaurant

Canlis Restaurant (1954-2004)

“Most beautiful restaurant in the world”

Canlis was located at 2100 Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki, Oahu.

It was a High-class restaurant that was up there with the big boys: Michels Colony Surf, Yacht Harbor (Spencecliff), Rex & Eric’s, Nick’s Fish Market, and Mateos Italian.

Opened by Peter Canlis in 1954-1987

Origins

Famed restaurateur Peter Canlis’ first Waikiki restaurant was The Broiler Restaurant Waikiki (1947) on the mauka (inland) side of Kalakaua Avenue between Kaiulani and Uluniu Avenues. Was a small little place that said “The Broiler” and things were greasy and tasty and not too bad on the wallet. It was closed during construction of the 1955 Waikiki Biltmore which took over the block. 

Hawaii had a Foster Freeze and it was at the location that Peter had in mind when building Canlis Restaurant. The Fosters lived on Anela Drive on the slopes of Diamond Head until they would end up selling to Spence Weaver who bought the house and turned it into the life of the area. There were elegant parties with gorgeous decorations and amazing food for his friends and family and extended family. The Fosters would return to Tacoma Washington.

The Canlis would also be in San Francisco (1965) at the Fairmont Hotel. The Canlis' Restaurant (1950) in Seattle Washing was much more American Mid Century Design and featured “Pacific Northwest Cuisine”. And the establishment in Portland (1959) would be also known for its service.

Peter Canlis

Peter Canlis would exude service as he would take the time to go to diners' tables to greet them. 

After Moving from Hawaii to Seattle Washington-State Peter Canlis would stay at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in the early 1970s.

The Story of Pete & Pete

George James (Pete) Wimberly “The Architect”, and Peter Canlis, were Pete & Pete. Wimberly would be from the now Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Both known for places with lots of personality and thematics in the designs that reflect stories of the place it was built the two Petes would go on to make a Hawaii Landmark. The Architecture group Wimberly was famed for making many of Hawaii’s iconic buildings including being the favorite of Spence Weaver from Spencecliff. There would be different contrasting wall designs and a contemporary ambience with plants all around and an atmosphere of upper class poshness. The entrance at first would be a mixture of elements of Japanese, Polynesian, and Western mix in its doors with lanterns and shown on Hawaii 5-0. Pete Wimberly would make the building look distinctly Hawaiian with there being walks over water features, lava rocks in the walls, orchids growing on them, and a sight of lit up palm trees. With how the food smells came from kitchen to the outdoors it was easy to know if the restaurant was near, especially those who were at the bus stop smelling the spices and steak that would woft over making their stomachs growl. 

Rigid Tiki Art and Ki’i Cultural Consultation

Canlis Tiki was made by Mick Brownlee and Harue McVay did the ceramics. The tiki really stood out due to its approval from the University of Hawaii aesthetic consultant of art and discussions with cultural practitioners to see if it was done right. The largest of Tiki pieces displayed there had elements that were taken from the Bishop Museum collection where there are different sorts of jig jags and cuts that can be found on Hawaii Tiki or Ki’i. The top of the head is similar to one of the oldest Ki’i that have the similar eyes and made a bit more detailed for artistic details added with the same pattern of design. There were similar connections that artists that did not want to delineate from the unique aspects of Hawaii carving and illustrations by looking at two-mouth tiki or wave like usage for added detail. 

Blaine Fergerstrom was the contact to make their menus.

Some people would say Johnny Todd on the Keys! When they saw him playing and he would have a singer with him Joy Woode. Martin Denney played piano there, or it would be Jay Larrin at the piano in the piano bar and lounge area where people felt welcomed and met a lot of interesting people from everywhere. Rene Poulo was also one of the people playing there and can’t forget the Legendary Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman who also performed some of the best xylophone music in Hawaii there too.

Kimono Uniforms and Waiters in Tuxedos and if someone wanted to think if Hawaii 5-0 had a vibe the Canlis would be the epicenter of that time capsule of a show.

1970s, Bobby Anderson was an assistant Manager for several years.

Mike Pirics and Karl Diebold would work at Canlis and then use that experience to open “The Bistro”. David Lau would work there for 4 years before starting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (1986).

Tom Selleck had his table under the coconut fronds, which was nicknamed “Tom Selleck’s Table”. 

Diners have many fond memories of eating all sorts of things like: lobster tails, frog legs almondine, Canlis Salad (Hawaii-version) served tableside, an unforgettable experience, and Steak Tartare to, oh and not to forget fully loaded baked potatoes. More on the list was: Filet Mignon, Crab Louis, Butterfly Shrimp, 

Danny Kamekona and Sally Kalei Davis use to sing the Hawaiian Wedding song originally entitled; "Ke Kali Nei Au" (Waiting There for Thee). 

Spencecliff Corporation Acquisition

The unexpected acquisition of Canlis, once renowned as the "most beautiful restaurant in the world," by Spencecliff Corporation in 1987 was a testament to the shifting tides of the Hawaiian hospitality industry. Spencecliff, a chain known more for its coffee shops, had recently fallen under Japanese ownership. This acquisition, fueled by the rising yen and the influx of Japanese capital into Hawaii, represented a strategic move to elevate Spencecliff's brand and tap into the lucrative luxury dining market. Canlis, with its storied history and impeccable reputation, was seen as the perfect acquisition to signal this transformation.

“I remember as a kid when the family would take Sunday drives and we drove by Canlis and I thought one day I'll go there to eat. It wasn't until after I was married that my husband and I garnered enough money to go out on the town for dinner. I felt so regal and privileged. Once in a lifetime of warm memories.” -Customer, Carol Mancini

Waikiki’s Legendary Piano Man John Saclausa

The person who was the draw was John, John Saclausa, he was really popular from his personality and the art of talking to people. A piano man is someone who is the one who goes back and forth with customers and the bartender who creates a sort of chemistry in the room. Not all chemistry is made the same as it could be the music people like to sing could be the strength or people could be sharing their time for a story or hearing people's stories out loud. Things were especially intimate in the Green Turtle and these people would spend a lot of their offtime there having fun before heading home or bringing a sweetheart, but the family sort of person probably wouldn’t be there. This back and forth would keep people wanting to play to have that feeling that the room would be lit up from their interactions and music, but usually the pay wasn’t all too good, but it wasn’t about the pay, because many people were just trying to make a name for themselves until something better would come along. And for John he was a natural, so many opportunities came his way. 

John Saclausa would be a name that rings a bell with the Old-timers of old Hawaii and the posh restaurants scene where the regulars tended to be of the wealthier class. As the crowd would change his set would change and that group tended to not change very often as did the songs they preferred. He was long perceived to be one of the most talented individuals by the mai tai drinking clientele, well dressed, and forward-thinking with a sense of humor the crowd would always be having fun. 

There was a piano bar in the back room with John Saclausa who entertained at the Green Turtle piano bar where it was part of the fun to sing. Saclausa used to call up a person in the audience who would be a singer in the audience and everyone had their songs they liked to sing. Many of these were the regulars and he would go around the room letting all of them have their turn to skiing and he would choose whose turn it was and it was always a surprise. It would always have people wondering when it was their turn if they had always gone there and that meant even if there was a really interesting conversation with a friend the mike might come to you and the spotlight would be on you. John Saclausa list of gigs: Canlis, Queen’s Surf (Spencecliff), South Seas Village (Spencecliff), Cavalier the Eagle’s Nest Bar, and Our Lady of Peace Cathedral. When he went places he would take the John Saclausa Fan-base with him, so when he had gigs the venue would get their money's worth and maybe even more. So, when he left to play at the Eagles Nest it sort of took the crowd, and drained-the-bar of the Green Turtle.

Staff: Felicidad Bartolome, David Lau, Chef Larry Higashi, Buzzy Lyons head bartender, 

Marti Rounds “I had a painting of Canlis in my art exhibit last month and so many people would tell me their stories when they saw it. Those days are long gone.”