Crafted Pleasantries . It's Kapahulu, $5 valet is well worth it. . Top recs from this visit: U-10 Scallops - overall a very impressive and tasty assemblage. The stack may seem intimidating but trust that you can enjoy it in one bite. If I can do it, so can you! -- The dainty morsels of green apple are unique, refreshing, & decoratively appealing. The polenta base is quite thick which slightly overpowers, but successfully contrasts, the buttery soft scallops. Spanish Octopus - full flavored smoked octopus blending very well with the sauces. Who's Your Caddy - ....because why not? (: Other recs - Bone Marrow, Golden flaked Chicken Nuggets (yes, there's gold). . Second time here and I admit, the ambiance is pleasant but its effects are heavily dependent on who you're with. As a girls night out, Blind Ox is a classy spot to dish out and catch up on all the tea. Whereas, a date night - prepare for conversations under pleasant low lighting. . cheers! read more

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We came here for a birthday celebration. This was a speak easy I found on OpenTable and then came to help for the reviews. The place was fairly small and we sat outside due to the large party. I would recommend going with a smaller group for the speakeasy experience. The drinks were delicious and very pricey! My drink came with a the blind ox branded golf ball which was pretty cool because you can keep it. The food smelled delicious as it was coming out. Def recommend but beware because your wallet might hurt a little! read more

Blind Ox - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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It's always a blur when I'm at Blind Ox. I don't think I came here sober once lol. This had to change that so I came here for dinner sober. Blind Ox is on Kapahulu Ave across Sushi Ginza Onodera and Running Room. They offer valet parking or you can search for street parking in the residential area. Safeway does occasionally tow so if you plan to park there, do it at your own risk. They offer seating inside and outside. Both are good options but it's slightly cooler inside. This past experience I dined inside and stayed sober so I could finally review them. We arrived and the hostess greeted us immediately. Our table was ready as we had reservations. It was honestly odd to come and not drink but I sucked it up and focused on the food. We ordered a bunch of items to share. The items we ordered were Bone Marrow, King Crab Tempura, 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken, U-10 Scallops, Bourbon Crème Brûlée, Tokyo Nights (I had to and it came with a gold crane on top of the ice) & a custom mock tail from the bartender. The kitchen didn't take long to get our orders out and the bartender was quick as a whistle. The food was good and I particularly liked the King Crab Tempura because the sauce reminds me of the Chinese soy based sauce with sizzling oil drizzled on steamed fish. U-10 Scallops we're my next favorite as the scallops were seared perfectly. The Bone Marrow was good but it was quite rich since I was tasked to eat most of it. Their 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken was better than expected and they were tender. Keep in mind it's quite dim inside so it's not the easier to get amazing photos of the food or of people. Overall, it was a good meal with a memorable ending at the valet stand. Poor guy must have ran to Kahuku to get my car because we were there a long time. During the long wait, a homeless guy who was clearly not in his right mind approached us and cussed at me out of the blue. He also asked offered us weed lol. At least we weren't attacked and he didn't throw anything at my car when it finally arrived. The valet did leave my car unlocked the entire time it was parked wherever it was parked though (my app notified me). I'm so glad nothing was stolen. Valet needs to fix this issue going forward for other customers. But...I finally have a night I recall at the Blind Ox ;p read more

Blind Ox - Bone Marrow, King Crab Tempura, 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken, U-10 Scallops, Tokyo Nights & custom mock tail (virgin Lava Flow w/raspberries) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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A bartender in Waikiki tipped me off that Blind Ox was worth the hike, and I absolutely loved everything I had! The Love Potion #829 and Tokyo Nights were both interesting, complex, and beautiful to boot! My only note would be that the floral rim on the former is a little much; maybe mix the flower petals with sugar to make it a bit less aggressive. The drinks were great, but the food may have been even better. The octopus and French onion soup were both perfectly executed, but my favorite had to be the blue cheese mac and cheese balls. So so so delicious! I could have eaten about 20 more. read more

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Everything about Blind Ox met our expectations. We had the private room, that also came with our own bathroom. Lighting was great, not too bright & not too dim. It was adjustable which was nice for when we took our pics. Our waiter was really awesome! He conversed with us, and even laughed at our jokes. He did videos with us, & even took our photos. The food was all delicious. Not all the dishes we had is pictured, but we definitely was full. It was all shareable for us girls. We even had oyster shooters which was delicious. The presentation of all the dishes was beautiful, and I like how our waiter explained all the dishes. He was very knowledgeable about each dish. He also made great drink recommendations for us ladies. Everything about Blind Ox was perfect for my sister's birthday. We definitely plan on coming here again! read more

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Came here for a surprise dinner for myself and a few friends. There are two dining areas. One where the check in is and on the right side after some stairs is a fancier dining area which will make you say wow! Parking may be a little tough especially during peak hours but they do offer valet service if you prefer not to find street parking. Staff are friendly and actually very engaging which is nice when you're out drinking with friends. Food here is actually really good. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered. We got the blind ox blue balls ($16) which is crispy mac cheese balls, bone marrow ($28) which comes with bread that you can put the bone marrow on. Defiently recommend! The blind ox french fries ($16) which is great to share. The truffle oil and garlic taste made the fries so tasty! Their special dipping sauce was also a plus!. The blind ox steak ($38) is an 8oz NY strip, very tender, juicy and flavorful steak which I also recommend! Lastly, we got the the A-5 Wagyu Katsu Sando ($52). Probably my favorite of all the foods. The wagyu is so rich and literally just melts in your mouth. A must try! Overall, a very good experience. Little on the pricey side but for the quality of the food, i'd say it's worth it. We did order a few drinks/shots but the food is the main event here at Blind Ox. read more

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I had been looking forward to coming to the Blind Ox. It's advertised as a speakeasy type restaurant with a hidden entrance and a focus on unique cocktails and intentional bites. Overall, I'd say it was a fine experience. Not quite what I was expecting and I don't feel a need to go back, but it was still good. Food: The food was overall good. No jaw dropping stand outs. It was all relatively tasty. We enjoyed the salad, fries, uni pasta, bone marrow, fries and steak. Drinks: I did enjoy my matcha cocktail. It was unique and the whipped foam at the top was thick and interesting. Ambiance: We were seated inside. The interior area is small with small booths and a bar area. The seats were small and tight so prepare to get cozy with your party. There is also outdoor seating but it seems if you're going to spring for this experience, you should request inside. read more

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Came here for the drinks, wanting to come back to try the food and see the bartenders again! Initially when I read some of the Yelp reviews that talked about the "NY/LA vibes," I thought to myself, "maybe I can skip out on this one." I'm your Cali girl, and you know we be bougie, hipster-esque, and fancy. But I'm also the girlie that likes uniqueness and different and unfamiliarity -- thus I didn't have too high of an expectation for this place. Boy, was I wrong. The drinks here were beyond my expectations. Bartenders were great! I felt like I made instant friends after my one drink. Huge shout out to Boo and Keisha! For drinks, I had the Viva la Matcha and Elevated Boca (per recommendation of Boo). I love Jasmine tea, and Viva La Matcha didn't disappoint. I smelled and tasted the floralness of the Jasmine, and loved how it was topped off with a matcha Pocky! The Elevated Boca is probably one of the best old fashion I've had. The couple next to me got a variety of food that looked amazing. I will have to come back to try the food. And I promised my Boo that I would. Bartenders were great. I came myself and sat at the bar. So I loved watching their interactions and mixology of drinks. Lastly, vote for Boo the Bartender! She's in a competition for a great cause. Proceeds go to an organization that brings awareness and prevention to girls bullying other girls! Link below! See ya ladies, drinks, and food next time! https://barboss.org/2023/boo-hooligan-2 read more

Blind Ox - Viva La Matcha - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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In the grand scheme of Honolulu spots, this gets a solid "mediocre" from me (which is my definition of a middle of the road venue...50% of things I enjoyed and 50% need some work). It definitely attracts a crowd in search of a cool, hipster, unique setting. I do like the secretive, darkened ambiance that this place has. It is a bit hidden, the windows are curtained off and the faux front door has a phone box to look like you need to speak to an operator for entry. The entry is actually on the side street with a valet parking stand which brings me to the first subpar issue: On the night I had a reservation, the valet told me he was full so there was no customer dedicated parking left. I circled the neighborhood x 5 and could not find any street parking. I told the hostess that we were just going to cancel and go somewhere else due to lack of parking and they told me to park in the Safeway lot across Kapahulu. The signage there warns of towing for non-customers so I was not really cool with parking there but the restaurant staff assured me that their own employees do it all the time. For a somewhat haughty spot, I was unimpressed with this recommendation but had no choice. If this is their solution, The Blind Ox should really negotiate something with the lot managers so that customers know they will really turn a Blind Eye to using their lot in this manner. I did not like spending my evening in a hidden, sequestered speak-easy without windows not knowing if my car was going to be there when I got done. The ambiance works by having a cool bar, lots of premium booze available, and a life-sized bull in the middle of the room with fully unadorned gonads on display. There are some nice custom house-made cocktails available with great menu descriptions of expensive ingredients and pricing to match (most of the cocktails on the menu are at least $20!). The service was about what you would expect from a bar setting (friendly if a little understated, but perfectly adequate. The 2nd issue that did not impress was the food. The menu descriptors sounded great but the deliverables were pretty average. The most notable items for my party were the Scotch Eggs which were tasty and on par with many I've had in Europe. But, the Oyster Shots and Gold Popcorn Chicken, were both less tasty than anything I've had anywhere (ingredients seemed of good quality but both screaming for salt). Overall, I'm glad I got to check this place out despite leaving with testicle envy. But after this visit, my recommendation would be: Take an Uber and leave your car at home, come for a cocktail or 2 and then go elsewhere for dinner. read more

Blind Ox - The rear view namesake (impressive!) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A night at Blind Ox is like transporting to a NY/LA style bar. I came here with friends from the mainland and for a moment, I forgot that I was in Hawaii. For locals, this can be a fun experience that mimics a night out at a bougie bar on the mainland. Here's the 4-1-1: Valet parking is available for $5 or there is limited neighborhood street parking. You enter through the outdoor space. We made the mistake of walking past that area and trying to get in using the main doors that face the street. Since it's a "speakeasy" we thought we needed to use the phone that's on the wall to get in... but no, you just walk up to the host stand in the outdoor area. Drinks are $17-$27. Definitely on the pricier side but delicious nevertheless! Here's what we ordered: Viva La Matcha ($22) with Jasmine Infused Tequila, matcha, honey, elderflower, lemon, coconut foam and a green tea pocky on top! Mr. Crack Seed ($17) with Li Hing Mui Infused Bourbon, honey, lemon. These two drinks were my favorite!! I've had a few matcha and li hing mui drinks before but these two were my favorite of these pairings. The Jasmine infused tequila was one for the books. I've had a few infused tequilas in my day, but this one was floral and perfectly paired with the matcha. The plum flavor of the Li Hing Mui brought out the best flavors in the bourbon- simply a great pairing. The Madrid ($19) with Vanilla Infused Rye Whiskey, pickled chili pepper, elderflower, honey, lime, tamarind rim. I had just a sip of this from my friend, but he really enjoyed it- especially the tamarind rim. Tokyo Nights ($19) with Japanese Whisky, orange cognac liqueur, italian bitter, rhubarb bitter, yuzu, black lava salt. I've always been a fan of Japanese whiskey but I would say that this drink caters to someone with a different palette to mine. For food we ordered the: Blue balls (mac & cheese balls) Nori Shrimp Truffle fries. The Nori shrimp and truffle fries were the most notable. If I was to come again, I would probably just order the fries! Overall, it was a really great experience but the price point of $17-$22 for a cocktail is too high. read more

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So far so good. LOVE the ambiance!! There's several entrances. The outside seating was closed due to the weather. Love love love it. Let's see how the food is...! Service was great! Very attentive and knowledge on the menu! Definitely coming back! Loved what we ate but I want to try EVERYTHING!!! read more

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We stopped by for a drink and I tried the El Chapo, which they set on fire before serving! It was interesting, and they had a lot of other cocktails that I wanted to try. However, for $20 per cocktail, we would rather eat. I would have given 4 stars but the service was pretty bad. A server introduced herself to us then disappeared to go chat behind the bar for the rest of the night. Someone else finally took our order after like 30 minutes. I guess the $20 paid for the cool, imprinted ice cube. read more

Blind Ox - El Chapo - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you want a very intimate spot for some drinks I recommend coming here! They have a really nice outdoor seating area and a very interesting setup inside their establishment. ***What I ordered **Viva La Matcha (7.5/10) I wasn't too impressed by the drink, but it was definitely different. I liked the floral notes in the drink, but I thought it would be a little more earthy. Although, I did love matcha stick garnish! That was a cute touch to the drink. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back, although it is a little pricey. The staff was really professional and nice! The parking situation isn't too bad too. You can park on the street or do valet! read more

Blind Ox - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We arrived and were sat in a tiny cramped table. I'm 5'9" and about 165lbs, I was struggling to sit comfortably and was sitting upright the whole time. Not sure how plus sized guests are supposed to sit at these tables unless they get a booth? Waitress was nice! The two drinks we got were the tequila machata one (ok) and the miso shitake drink (ok). Overpriced craft place what do you expect. I am not much of a drinker so I can't elaborate on cocktails. The lobster roll. Don't get it. Smells super old and fishy. The buns were your store bought Hawaiian rolls not toasted or buttered or anything. They take this limp frozen lobster and place it on top and give you with a side of this special clear sauce which tasted like tap water. How about butter and garlic ?! Pretty gross, you're in Hawaii go to a local poke place instead or how about they fish for local lobster? Hm.. there's an idea! The tacos with the raw fish. It was so bland. Needs a sauce or marinade, maybe a citrus marinade? The avocado smash was that of Albertsons guac. Unseasoned and no flavor throughout these overpriced tacos. Bland at best. At least the shell was crispy. The chicken nuggets with gold flakes. Go to Carl's Jr and get their chicken stars. Seriously, tough chicken and unseasoned. A complex looking dish only to be disappointed. I dipped them in my Mac and cheese ball sauce dip (very good). They give you honey and corn flakes on the size. Maybe the chef and owner were stoned when they came up with it? The bull balls (Mac n cheese)... best part. I mean you get Mac n cheese and you deep fry them and put a good sauce on them. Of course it'll taste good. But not $20 good for 5 balls. The real hero tonight....! Overall this was a recommendation from a guide so shame on us haha. Save yourself the $150+ meal and go get a poke bowl, shrimp plate, or anything else. Don't try and impress your date with this place. Looks cool, but the chef needs to step it up with the basics. read more

Blind Ox - Four items and two cocktails - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Such a cute speakeasy concept here! The menu is definitely intriguing and takes a few minutes to read through and decide what you'd like to drink and the pupu selection is amazing. It was super busy when we went but reservations are highly recommended since it's a smaller, intimate bar. read more

Blind Ox - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Great experience. It's definitely one of those neat experiences you should try on vacation. Lots of unique drink choices

Blind ox was on my bookmarks for a long time as i've never gone to a speakeasy before. Reservations are easy on Open Table - You can reserve up to 10 guests online, but you'd have to sit outside. Smaller parties can be indoors. 20% gratuity is also added to your bill for parties 6 or more. I was excited to go but upon arrival - the entrance with the phone was broken. You had to go around the building and towards the back to enter. Kind of a bummer cause we had to sit outside too so we didnt get the full experience. It was also a hot summer night so if you do dine outside then you should also dress accordingly. There are fans but there isnt enough to keep you cool through the night. Blind ox is really great for larger parties only because everyone can order something and you can try different things on the menu. I enjoyed the food, but most importantly the company made the difference as well. We had two different occasions that night. We had 2 birthdays and 1 celebration of life. They do provide a cake for your celebration too. Service was super friendly and attentive. There was apparently a sign that no phones are allowed inside the bar area. I would definitely go back again to try other things. read more

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Honestly live this place!! Everyone I go I've never been disappointed! From the cocktails to every dish on the menu is carefully thought of and crafted beautifully! Every time I'm in alohaland, I come here! The service is super friendly! The ambience is sexy, chill, and classy! Go there with your friends, significant other or just solo and you will be happy and satisfied! read more

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Great bar. Really loved the diversity, creativity, and balance of their cocktails. I went here twice in a week n got to try about 11 or so diff cocktails. My fav would have to be the ho o kahiko. It was like a macadamia nut old fashioned to simplify it but the taste was much more layered n complex. Couldn't get enough of it. Don't sleep on the tapas either cause they are good! Overall I can't say enough good things bout this spot. Would recommend and come back. read more

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Blind Ox, Blind Ox, Blind Ox! One of my favorite things about speakeasies is getting to see them all around the world. With limited knowledge before coming I was eager and excited. Ambiance is 4/5 with the suggestion that they turn the light's down. It was very bright but the set up and decor was very nice. Drinks is 4/5 - the selection was very good and I appreciated the variety of cocktails. Food is 3/5 - this was my biggest disappointment in the whole experience. The descriptions are very captivating but the food wasn't. The BEST things was the kampachi tacos, absolutely a must try. The oyster shooter while good had a little too much soy sauce which over powered the uni. The bone marrow wasn't good and I'll leave it at that. The mini lobster rolls are good but the mayo topping could go or they could add some flare to it. The scallops were good, I would recommend they make the polenta cake a little thinner. Overall, I would come back but I think it would be to drink. There are tons more on the menu and I would be open to trying a few. read more

Blind Ox - Mezcal Negroni - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We came here for a special occasion while on a visit to Honolulu. Perfect kind of venue for that! Food/drinks: Not a single thing I ate wasn't worth raving about! The best salad was flavorful. The lobster was succulent and fresh. The octopus was DELICIOUS! And the steak - oh my oh my! They were awesome about gluten free and dairy free modifications (cucumber instead of bread was my friend), and I didn't feel deprived. Key lime pie was cheesecake like with just a hint of tang; it's not key west pie but it was a satisfying finish. I know folks talk about the drinks but it'd be a shame to miss out on these bites. 4 plates plus dessert for 2 were perfect to feel full. Drinks: They were so good this needs its own section. Who's your caddy? Clever, sweet, yet balanced. The punch you didn't know you needed in your life. The Hawaiian old fashioned? Perfect if you like old fashions and coconut and almond. Not for everyone but delicious for me. My partner had a mezcal and old fashioned and raved about both. Service: Phenomenal. Our server was expert: helpful, friendly, checked on us, not overbearing. And she gifted us the key lime pie for our anniversary! I think they only do 1 seating a night so plenty of time to move at your pace. Ambiance: We love the speakeasies hidden in plain site, so we were surprised that this place was visible. That said, if we didn't have reservations inside, I might have been disappointed; it's gorgeous, luxe, lavish, and intimate. It was fun to try our first "blind pig." Thank you for making our anniversary and first trip to Hawaii so special! It was $$$$ and worth every penny. Our fave dining experience of the week! read more

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Great experience! Friendly, helpful service. Ambiance, decor is on point. Definitely good date spot. Sexy, sultry vibes. All the tapas we ordered were tasty. The wine by the glass menu is a bit limited. But staff was so attentive in helping us make a satisfying selection. Pleasured & satisfied! read more

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We saw this place on social media and thought about giving it a try so we made a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday. Before going, his friend warned us about the restaurant being overpriced and food being mediocre... well, we should've listened lol. Parking around the area is also close to impossible, however, they offer valet parking, it's $5 PLUS gratuities. Blind Ox is well known for their specialty cocktails and tapas. Their menu is very extensive but overwhelming... they have so many different alcohol on the menu then, add their cocktails and tapas to that too. Everything here is very overpriced!!! They definitely overhyped this place on social media. Don't get me wrong, the aesthetics of the place look very modern and sophisticated. And their cocktails were super creative and presented beautifully but that's pretty much it! All the dishes we ordered were so bland and portion sizes were small for the price we paid. The only thing we liked was the charcuterie board and that's something you just put together and not actually cook. Everything they provided on the board complemented each other well which was nice. We liked the aioli they provided for their truffle fries but not so much the fries, very little taste of truffle and very greasy. Bone marrow was not tasty at all, tiny portion as well! We barely got anything out of it. Not worth the price. We were also super excited for their carbonara and their popcorn chicken but even those were very disappointing! Both were so bland, didn't taste like anything at all. The popcorn chicken had honey all over the plate and we thought that will complement the dish but didn't do anything for it. We had to use the aioli from the fries to help with the taste. We also got the shrimp wrapped in nori; we thought it was a good idea in wrapping the shrimp with nori but nothing really special about it. I don't mind spending the extra money for good food and drinks if they're quality but this place didn't provide that whatsoever. I feel like we were robbed paying $400ish (not including gratuity) for whatever we ordered. Safe to say, I don't think I'll ever come back here again. read more

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When you got adult money, can do the thing called adult drinking, adult juice :D This amazing Speakeasy.. a sweet gem on kapahulu. I had this drink called Viva la matcha... boy oh boy is this drink dangerously delicious! so good like a matcha ice cream!! That good! My sweet tooth in a boozy drink. GAHHH!! I loved it. My friend got a special order drink Ox branch. They light it on fire! We shared some dishes.... -Petit lobster rolls: soft bread -Bone marrow: oooo yummy fatty goodness -u10 Scallops: on top of palenta was cooked to perfection. The little pickle in the middle gave it the extra oomf. -Truffle fries: that sauce with Serrano is the highlight of these fries. I love the kick but each time I dipped in I had an instant regret, yet I still kept going back for more. Now that's something you can die eating. -Bourbon crème brûlée: so good, I think putting the strawberries on top would have been better than on the napkin outside. That seemed weird. Recommend making reservation on OpenTable for indoor or outdoor, indoor is small and fills quick. Call if you want bar seating. Parking is valet $5 + tip... read more

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Definitely an update from its previous spot at Ala Moana mall which was nice for big work parties or other events but otherwise was too big and sprawling. This place is smaller and more intimate and has outdoor space too. However there is something about the acoustics of the room that makes it so loud you can barely hear the person sitting across from you. And this is not when the place is crowded but just if there's one other boisterous group. The drinks were pretty but not memorable. I'm not a whiskey lover and I think the menu changes bc I didn't see some of the drinks referenced in previous reviews. My friends who got the special whiskey drinks really liked theirs. One of them came with a branded golf ball which was a cute touch. The Caesar salad, deep fried pickles and peppers, mushrooms, and steak were delicious. The fried chicken was meh so okay to skip it. Service was solicitous. Definitely need to valet bc not much parking in the neighborhood so glad they offer that service for $5 not including tip. Overall nice bar, maybe best to go with one person you can sit right next to so you can hear what they're saying. read more

Blind Ox is a very classy place if you just want drinks and some tapas. These are no ordinary drinks, they are specially crafted drinks. The tapas were fire! We enjoyed the truffle fries which were sooo good. Even the dipping sauces were so delicious. The lobster rolls were very good. The king crab tempura was perfectly crispy and the crab was delicious. The steak was melt in your mouth and seasoned well. We also tried the escargot, first timer, it was actually very tasty. Similar consistency to shrimp. I would definitely come back!!! read more

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Drinks were amazing here. I didn't like the green one but the presentation was beautiful. Service was great. They are shareable dish's here. Bf loves this place more than me but that's ok. Drinks are strong read more

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Blind Ox is definitely a top notch "speakeasy". For some reason I wanted the quintessential speakeasy to be more elusive and secretive lol. It definitely wasn't the easiest for me to find the right time slot for us to come though. It is for sure the hip place to be so reservations are highly recommended! Located in Kapahulu it was def a bit of a drive for us but very worth it. Parking is valet, $5 cash. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Pretty sure I even passed private rooms. Indoor is a bit more of an intimate setting. Outdoor looks very romantic as well just a bit of a diff feel. Soon as we walked in the door there was the Blind Ox statue. Everything from floor to ceiling had a very luxe look and feel to it. Wallpaper, the booth seats, the menus and chandeliers were just so elaborate! The food we ordered did not disappoint either. Prices definitely reflected the quality too lol. My first time trying bone marrow. I had been keeping a mental note of spots that had this dish available and I'm glad the Blind Ox popped that cherry! Very rich and oh so decadent. Total occasional treat. The oyster shots and escargot were also very luxurious treats for us that night. The fries were nothing to write home about so we'll skip that next time. Our server was very attentive and gave us the whole run down very smoothly. We never felt neglected. Even the other waitstaff that dropped off foods would explain each dish as it came. I already have a couple of things picked out for our next visit. This time I will make sure the reservation is made well in advanced and probably set it for a special occasion so we can splurge a bit more! read more

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Cute cocktail date spot. I stopped by for a drink with my husband and both of us really enjoyed the experience. I would definitely suggest sitting indoors... the vibe is there and it's beautiful. The outdoor seating area feels completely different, reminds me of a spot that would serve bottomless mimosas for brunch VS the inside feels like a speakeasy. I got the Viva La Matcha cocktail & it was delicious. If you enjoy matcha, you will love it. Very unique taste and texture. My husband got the El Chapo, which he enjoyed & it's fun how there is a fire attached to it. The Bourbon Creme Brulee was a pretty classic/good brûlée. read more

Blind Ox - Viva La Matcha - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Blind Ox is pretty excellent. We (or at least I) came here primarily for the drinks and they definitely delivered. I ordered the Bull & The Whip to start and because the whiskey is washed in beef and served with a slice of bacon, I expected something that was meaty and that I would appreciate for its uniqueness but might not necessarily like. I was wrong on both counts. It was a robust and unique, yes, but smooth with luscious whiskey (not meat) notes. And the bacon was also very good (and paired well with the cocktail). My gf ordered the Sol Y Paz, with which she was very happy. For my second cocktail, I asked the waiter if the bar could do anything with Scotch. The bartender came out and sat down with me to discuss what I was thinking of drinking, what she was thinking of making, and then went back into the bar. Presumably she performed some sort of occult rite because the waiter brought back some divine sorcery that was the best Scotch cocktail I ever had. The bartender came out again to see what I thought about it. So great! Onto the food, it tastes as good as it looks. The octopus was probably my favorite (tender, well flavored), although the 24k chicken had more substance (and I loved the honey served with it). My gf especially liked the fries, which were hot and well-seasoned. Duck prosciutto was obviously scrumptious, but small in portion size. All in all, this is a great place. Pricey, but great. read more

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I really enjoyed this place! We called in one night and they said they were able to fit us in at 8. Drove there, place is a LITTLE hard to find at night and there wasn't much parking around. I came to what I thought was the front but the door doesn't open and there was a phone with "pick up for service". Turns out the entrance is on the side where valet is. We were seated promptly. Entire staff was so nice and informed us of their hour thirty time limit. It is a little noisy inside but I loved the vibes. I ordered the matcha cocktail and my partner had a Moscow mule. COMPLIMENTS TO THE BARTENDER, they really know their drinks there and the food wasn't bad either. Everything was to share and we also got the bone marrow, fries, uni carbonara, and the New York strip. Fries- great sharing food. Came with this spicy dip that I enjoyed. Nice and crispy with pieces of whole roasted garlic that I realllly liked. 10/10 Carbonara- I didn't taste much of the uni but I saw it. It was creamy, good portion. Loved the poached egg on top and bacon. 8/10. Steak- this was good but it wasn't something amazing. Very tender but I like more of a char on it. Bone marrow- also good but not something I would crave. I would definitely be back, overall really enjoyed my visit. Also, I should add they use metal straws and I LOVE IT. SAVE THE TURTLES read more

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Woohoo! Goodbye 2021! The Blind Ox gets the honor as my last review for 2021! I'm all down for speakeasies and Blind Ox joins the club of Gas Lamp, Bar Leather Apron, the former Harry's Hardware Emporium (RIP), among others. My vaccinated friends and I managed to snag a table on a rainy day. We went for: - White truffle oil fries - Spanish octopus - Nori shrimp - U-10 Scallops - Blind Ox Steak - Bone Marrow For drinks we went for: - Tokyo Night - Thyme Out - Playa Del Sangre The fries were covered in spice and grated cheese, with multiple dipping cheeses. Not super truffle, but still a nice starter. Not greasy, but also not super crispy. The octopus was tender, sliced, and grilled. Not quite as good as Vino's Spanish octopus, but tasty nonetheless. The Nori shrimp is a real standout, with large tasty shrimp in a balanced breading over some kind of puree. Eat them fast though as the puree will cause the breading to get soggy. The scallops were grilled, served on tiny little bread cups. Very fresh tasting and firm. The steak was a sizable amount of grilled meaty goodness, with herb butter and a few potatoes. Not super tasty, but nicely medium rare and tender. The bone marrow was the oddest thing, as they appeared to have removed the marrow from the bone, pan fried it and returned it to the bone. Less greasy this way, but not what we were expecting. As for the drinks, my friends really didn't like their Thyme out or Playa Del Sangre, but that Tokyo Night was delicious. The bartender did warn me it was bitter, (like my soul?) but it turned out quite nicely balanced with the citrus notes just peeking through. Would definitely order again as it's one of the best drinks I've had at a speakeasy. Parking is a kind of a crapshoot as it's all valet or whatever you can find in the neighborhood. The service is solid with efficient, fast and polite wait staff. Bathroom is clean, but you have to go through a private dining area to get there which is a bit odd. They do have a semi-outdoor spot that is covered, but was not available due to the heavy rains. Definitely a splurgy night out, but what's life without that? read more

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This place you absolutely must add to your list. The ambiance is a tale of two worlds. Inside has the charm of a speakeasy - it's intimate, dark, and vintage. Contrast that with the outside which feels modern, airy, and lit in the best way. I came here with a group of friends and embarked on a culinary and mixological journey, sampling every item on the menu. And each drink and dish was on point. My favorites are the oyster shooters, popcorn chicken and uni. Special shoutout to Boo, the bartender. She mixed up one of the best Old Fashioned I've ever tasted. And I've had my fair share! Tips: make a reservation through open table and bring some cash as parking is valet only. read more

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June 2022- this was my 2nd visit to Blind Ox. Both times we were greeted promptly at the entrance and seated, and had great customer service. The servers checked up on our table and our drinks and food were brought out timely. The drinks though!! I don't think you'll be disappointed with any drink choice. The flavors, quality of the alcohol and the presentation were all excellent. My favorite is the Madrid and Bill & Whip. It had a kick to it, a spicy Smokey flavor. The food was well prepared and delicious. I recommend the fries and wagyu. The decor of the place is really interesting too. It's a bit dark so it might be hard to see the menu clearly. But all the details of the space make this a unique experience. I'm looking forward to going again. read more

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Note: this is a COVID era dine/drink in review. A speakeasy bar on par with the ultra lounges of Vegas. Life's too short to drink cheap booze or poorly made cocktails. Judge a bar by its ability to make its signature cocktail? Let's go. Blind Ox cask strength Makers Mark flamed Old Fashioned. Properly stirred for two minutes, three kinds of bitters for bold complexity, hugely aromatic with fresh and charred citrus oil and the Luxardo cherry to boot. Perfect and the best example of an Old Fashioned I've had in Hawaii. Bartenders make the experience. Expertly skilled in their craft, know the flavors of the massive selection of libations they carry, excellent at making recommendations to match your taste all, while holding a conversation that makes you feel welcome. Can't drink on an empty stomach. Small bite tapas impress and are absolutely made to pair with brown libations. The A5 wagyu tartare ($54) is stunning. The perfect single bite of finely diced A5, its rich fat made even richer mixed with preserved quail egg is sat atop an king crab nori chip which provides huge umami. It is topped by foie gras, dabbed with kabayaki sauce and finished with osetra caviar. Not to be outdone, the duck prosciutto ($30). A brown butter toasted, hallowed out round of sourdough is filled with a sliver of duck prosciutto glazed with truffle oil that enhances the earthiness. Parm for salt, lemon for zing; it is all topped and further seasoned by osetra caviar. Excellent oyster shooters ($14). Who doesn't love kushi oysters and Hokkaido uni? Outstanding fresh kampachi tartare tacos made even better by a super zesty lime and avocado mash. Only ask, please top this with a big spoonful of osetra caviar, please? Tip: Quantity of individual tapas can be adjusted for your party size. Tip: Bar reservations by phone only. Valet parking only. $5 + gratuity. Outstanding COVID health and safety measures. QR vax check, online contact tracing, heavy sanitation and excellent social distancing. A couple, several right proper libations, a few exquisite small bites; this moderate outing for two, $370. But, in a world where $5 is a nickel, $25 is a quarter, and $1,000 is a dime, Pappy's 12 and Macallan vintage beacons you to indulge, the sky is the limit. Outstanding. read more

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Loan docs is given for stars because reservations are for five status still showing up reservations were made for 5 o'clock on a Saturday evening and staff are still rolling up at 5:02. After that the ordering and serving process was smooth and timely. Mike D kept an eagle eye on my table and brought out each dish just on time. Mind you, my party of two ordered the key lime bites with the Caesar salad and a round of Bull and Whip. Speaking of Bull and Whip, perfect execution of wagyu infused bourbon: very smooove. The key lime bites were deliciously tart, the lime gelee a bit too firm, didn't quite compliment the key lime and whipped cream. Highly recommend the blue balls: crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside. The blue cheese flavor wasn't overpowering and the sauce added a nice kick. The bourbon infused creme brûlée was light and sweet accompanied with tart raspberries and strawberries. The salt a nice compliment. Mind you, not too sweet, just right, so that you can eat a whole dish solo. read more

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Missing the awesome & eclectic restaurants I'd visit in the PNW, I was happy to visit this restaurant for dinner. Reservations are recommended but walk ins are welcomed. FYI- their menu consists of tapas so be ready to share your dishes Lucky for me, my reservations were early hence the restaurant wasn't too busy. After browsing the menu and Yelp: we ordered and loved Blind Ox steak King crab tempura U-10 scallops Petite lobster rolls Dishes were perfectly plated and delectable! We enjoyed each dish and loved their version of an old fashioned. Awesome atmosphere, food & service- I'm a fan and I can't wait to return for more ! read more

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My husband and I came here on a date night after hearing rave reviews from several friends, and we were not disappointed! First off, we loved the great outdoor seating during these Covid times. The interior is very swank speak easy style, but the outside is great, too. It has a huge covered area with comfortable booths and lovely decor. The valet parking for $5 is also super convenient, since it can be tough to park in the Kapahulu neighborhood. We aren't big cocktail drinkers and we don't like sweet mixers, so we ordered the $40 bourbon flight to share. It was fantastic! We got to discover some new bourbons and the presentation was just beautiful. For dinner, we shared 3 tapas, which was ample food for us. The kampachi tacos made with won ton shells, avocado and a drizzle of jalapenos were outrageous!! We will be back just for this dish alone! We also loved the lobster rolls, so tasty. Finally we got the popcorn chicken. It was really yummy but even better after we asked the server to bring us a side of sriracha and he also brought us a homemade sriracha aoli, which went perfectly with the dish. We were celebrating my birthday, and they kindly brought us a complimentary key lime pie that was outrageous. Really enjoyed the entire experience. We'll be back! read more

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Came here for Mother's Day with the family. Parking is valet only from what I can tell. I really like the decor. Might not be for everyone but i thought it was great. We were seated promptly and offered given some recommendations. Service was good and our waiter was very helpful when it came to explaining what everything was. We ordered a ton of food. There's too much to list. But the highlights were the escargot, the steak and potato dish they have, the waygu sandwiches, and the uni pasta they serve. The bill was pricey but I was expecting that so it is what it is. Will definitely be back for more in the future. read more

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Tapa and drinks only. Came here with some few friends. Great ambiance! Their outdoor seatings have tables and I believe the indoor only have the bar and the ox inside. Lots of drink varieties specially whiskey. If you love whiskey this is the place to go. They have a pretty good selection of Tapas. My favorite was the uni oyster shooter. It's in such a unique shaped cup. Looks like the horn of an oxen. Service was really good. The downfall was that I think our waiter forgot out escargot and when we asked for it he said they were still working on it but we were already done with some of our food. No parking. It's all valet. It's $5 not including tip. Overall it was a great experience. read more

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