Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the…read moreheart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back!

An evening to remember. Tonight's Prix Fixe Menu at Carte Blanche was nothing short of excellence…read more Each course was crafted with such creativity and balance: * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin with Smoked Trout Roe & Herbs: Each little section had its own unique flavors. * Soupe de Poisson with grilled City Bread from The Breadshop & Rouille: Sean said this was his favorite. He literally was wiping up the soup with his fingers. Haha! * Pina Colada Granita - the perfect palate cleanser! * Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Béchamel, Polenta & Fresh Relish: Amazing texture and flavors. Scallops were super fresh and cooked to perfection. * Double Cut Rack of Lamb with Charred Savoy Cabbage & Miso Red Wine Sauce: I was thiiiis close to licking my plate. Super YUM! * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart with Summer Berry Jam: There's nothing like pairing lemon and berries... but to brûlée the top, oh man!! And as a special treat, we even got to pre-sample the dessert for the upcoming November menu - such a sweet sneak peek of what's to come! + Hint: Favorite Local Snack. Grateful for this beautiful dining experience where every bite told a story in this beautiful atmosphere. 10/10 Highly recommended. 5 Stars!

La Mer was the most beautiful place to celebrate my birthday! From the moment we arrived, the…read moreservice was impeccable and made the evening feel incredibly special. The ocean views were absolutely stunning, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable celebration. One of our favorite touches was the variety of bread rolls to choose from, all freshly baked at the Halekulani bakery. Paired with their specialty butter, it was such a lovely complement to the meal. For my entrée, I ordered the Filet de Boeuf, which was cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed a variety of desserts, and every single one was exceptional. The combination of outstanding service, breathtaking views, and incredible food made this a birthday dinner I'll never forget. We loved everything and can't wait to return!

My wife and I celebrated our babymoon here and we were both quite disappointed. I want to preface…read moreby saying I honestly do not think my wife and I are very picky eaters as we have dined at countless fine dining restaurants and typically we are quite satisfied after. However, at La Mer, I think almost every dish we just didn't like. For example, the first course was a foie gras dish with cotton candy which incorporated a sweet element with the foie gras. Not a good combination in my opinion. All of the other dishes weren't bad per se, but they weren't dishes that we felt ourselves wanting to eat or wanting to finish. I know restaurants change their menu's all the time so maybe it was just the dishes we happened to get that we didn't like. The manager did come to check in on us and we communicated how we honestly felt. They did make a very nice gesture of removing 2 of our drinks and 2 of our desserts which was appreciated. On the plus side, the restaurant sits on the 2nd floor and has great views of the ocean. The decor is also nice and the service was good. Just not our cup of tea and we personally wouldn't go back or recommend.

Blast from the past! Have not been to Duc's Bistro in maybe... 10 years? maybe more!!!! I…read moreremember well the food being outstanding and the service was more than what I had then expected.... Here is my story: Located in the same place for 35 years plus. Duc opened his restaurant in the 1980's. Duc's Bistro is one of the original ethnic Vietnamese restaurants who opened in the 1980's and still continues to serve our community. Do not leave without bidding aloha to Duc who today is in the kitchen with his wife who both prepares all the food. His son now runs the front of the house along with staffers who have been there for years on end. The food is French Vietnamese. Of their slim clear concise menu, my favorite is their Roast Pork and Duck Pate. While all the dishes are good, those two stand out for me. And be sure you save room for their desserts. Their dishes are prepared and served such that if you choose to dine "family style" you have definitely sat at the right Establishment. The location remains the same. First Establishment on the westside of MaunaKea and Beretania Streets. Validated parking if you can get a staff in the lot across the street from Duc's. Bright Pink and Green Neon Sign for Duc's Bistro. You cannot miss it! Full bar or $25 corkage if you bring your own wine. Soft drinks and Vietnamese Hot or Cold coffee available also. Price point is approximately $50 per head from start to finish. Plan to have a meal there! You will not be disappointed.

I walked in at 7 and they said they were closing early because they took all of their reservations…read more Pretty bad because I was looking forward to trying this place

I highly recommend you try here at least once!…read more From the moment we walked we were greeted and seated promptly. The hostess and wait staff are all so friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating! The restaurant is very intimate and surprisingly not very noisy. The food is excellent. Every dish was flavorful and delicious! The lobster was cooked to perfection! The complimentary valet service is directly in front of the restaurant. The valet attendant was really nice and personable. I enjoyed talking with him while we waited for our car.

The experience at Mugen was magical ambience! From the valet person out front, to the lovely…read morehostess, wine sommelier Douglas, our server Shari, the other great people, Eduardo & unique name, Jahdi, made it memorable. I also thank hotel manger Vernon & manger Debbie!! THANK YOU!! Each utensil, 1 of a kind cocktails, bread & puzzle made spreads, gorgeous plating, chef well put together dishes, waygu beef tartare, Regiis Ova Ossetra Caviar, maine lobster, molokai venison, kona kampachi, scallops, maui beets, marrunga lamb, shima aji, toriyama a5 waygu, to 3 secret desserts and a surprise!! The sapphire tasting set is the way to go I say!! Comes with Chef's Seasonal Nigiri!! OMGOSH!!

5/5 We did the…read morePetite Course Experience on a recent evening and it absolutely delivered, romantic, upscale, and unlike anything else we've experienced here in Hawaii. My husband went with the Beef Selection ($88) and while everything was beautifully executed, the standout was hands-down the Kiawe Filet Mignon; perfectly cooked and full of smoky, rich flavor. The Pincho with Local Papaya & Prosciutto was the one dish that didn't quite land for him personally, but that's a minor note in an otherwise stellar meal. Dessert was a Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc served with Cashew Vanilla Ice Cream and Macadamia Nut Crumble; creative and indulgent. loved every course. The Charcoal-Battered Heart of Palm was a showstopper; such a unique preparation. The Local Veggie Pesto Pasta was comforting and fresh at the same time. My only minor critique mirrors my husband's on dessert; the Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc was lovely, but one bite of the sweet potato element was plenty for me. The ice cream and crumble though? Could have had a whole bowl of that. The seating window (we did the 5:30 seating) felt intimate and unhurried. If you're looking for a special occasion dinner or just want to treat yourself to something truly elevated, this is it.

A thoughtful tasting menu from a Hale ʻAina award-winning chef, with highs and a few misses…read more The standout of the night was the abalone steamed in sake over green curry risotto. Absolutely dreamy!! The abalone steamed with Sake was beautifully tender, and the green curry risotto absolutely knocked it outta da park!!! The squid with cauliflower dashi foam was another strong dish. The squid was incredibly tender, and the dashi sea foam was light, airy, and full of subtle umami. A great example of the chef's precision. Overall, the cooking shows a clear command of refined, "chefy" techniques The turnip mousse with caviar and olive oil , served in a coupe-style glass, was elegant in presentation but didn't quite deliver in balance. The turnip mousse was a bit too dominant and overpowered the caviar. The mushroom duxelles ravioli stuffed with mascarpone and ricotta also fell short. The pasta was undercooked to the point of chewiness . Firmer than expected for my taste even for al dente. It definitely distracted from delicate stuffing The chicken and mushroom reduction sauce definitely carried the dish, bringing depth of flavor. From a service standpoint, one moment stood out. When asked how the ravioli was, I gave honest feedback and was told that's how the chef intended it to be. That showed lack of grace for fine dining and didn't land well. If you're going to ask for feedback, don't be dismissive and defensive of the feedback. Also worth noting: after a $600 dinner for two, we asked for espresso at the end of the meal and were told the machine had already been turned off because they were closed. It's hard to take a "fine dining" restaurant seriously, when that happens. Overall, there's a lot of skill and thoughtful technique here, with some genuinely standout dishes . But also a few inconsistencies that keep it from being a top-tier experience. Happy Eating!! 38

Have been going to this restaurant since 1982 and always service and food has been good. went…read moretonight, july 4th and ordered a bottle of wine which did not taste good. tried to let it air to see if it would get better but it did not. It tasted 'vinegary'. advised the server and she spoke to her 'manager' about it and the manager advised that there was nothing she could do about it. I have tasted this wine multiple times in other restaurants, and I know this was not up to par. Said that we should have not taken it after the first sip given when bottle was opened. However, that is not enough to tell the full taste. I had only drank a few sips from the glass and she said she could not do anything about it. The management needs to have a manager who is more conscientious about customer service and esp with someone who has been coming there for years should be a consideration. I think she needs to be replaced it the restaurant wants to keep its reputation intact. Very disappointed with the experience today. The other servers were good but unfortunately they had no say in the matter. I never finished the bottle or brought what was left over home. First time I have had to write such a negative review about an experience. So sad.

Our first visit to Michel's was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the valet…read moreattendant was friendly and welcoming, setting the tone for a wonderful evening. We were seated at a beautiful table overlooking the ocean, providing the perfect setting to enjoy the sunset. Our server was warm, professional, and attentive throughout the evening. She introduced herself, presented the drink menu, and after we ordered a bottle of Evian and a ginger beer, we were served Lovash bread and pesto butter. She carefully explained the menu and reviewed the evening's specials before our meal began. The lobster bisque, prepared tableside, was both entertaining and delicious. My crusted onion soup was equally outstanding. Between courses, we were served a refreshing sorbet intermezzo. For the main course, I enjoyed the filet mignon with lobster tail, both cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. My guest couldn't stop talking about how incredible the Duck à l'Orange was. We finished the evening with Michel's famous chocolate soufflé, which was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. From the impeccable service and elegant ambiance to the breathtaking ocean views and spectacular sunset, Michel's exceeded our expectations in every way. It was a memorable dining experience, and we look forward to returning.

At Margotto, they made it rain--rain shaved truffles. While they have other menu items, they are…read moreknown for their seasonal truffle menus and having well priced truffles which they source themselves from Italy. Under Chef Shiori Okuya, their tasting menu, was a nice way to experience the French-Japanese flavors of the restaurant. First we chose the amount of truffle we wanted for our meal. Then those truffles were shaved over multiple elegant appetizers; a Pot-au-Feu soup; a lobster fish course; oyster pasta; duck for our main; in Asian-style, a comforting rice bowl to end the savory courses; and finally even the dessert. Henry was an amazing server with flair and passion for the menu and we even took a little bit of truffle home to enjoy on soft scrambled eggs the next day. If you want to experience another side of Margotto, there is also Margotto E Baciare in Japan.

Though prone to hyperbole, please let me assure you that I am dead serious when I say I would give…read moreMargotto 10 stars if that were an option. I'm quite fortunate to have had many amazing dining experiences, more than a few of them of the fine-dining-persuasion and Margotto shook me to my core. Unforgettable and completely unlike anything I've had before. It's incredibly unassuming from the outside--like a secret or a speak-easy--elegant and understated on the inside. The staff are all so warm and welcoming and you'll want for nothing the entire time you're dining. It's a coordinated dance of service. Arrive hungry and ready to spoil yourself! Opt for The Grand Degustation and get the 15 grams of truffles. This is not the time to be stingy! In fact, you really need to get the Caviar Monaka and a glass of champagne to start--the crispy wafer is a nutty delight and a perfect compliment to little fishy pearls. THEN you can move onto the ten course meal. And since I'm telling you what to do, you'd be entirely remiss to skip the wine pairing. Chuck Furuya is a demigod with a palate that is twenty-seven steps ahead of us mere mortals. The wines on their own practically sing in their glasses but when paired with each dish? The transformation of flavors? Absolutely unreal. Let us not forget about the truffles. They're fruity and earthy and succulent, without being heavy or overbearing in any way. You WILL feel spoiled and you deserve it! If I lived here, this would be my go-to special occasion restaurant, no question. You must try it for yourself.

Review 33 (2026) We…read morelove El Cielo. This was the third time to come and eat. The first time we came, we didn't know what to order for Spain Foods. I have no idea of any menu. We ordered Seafood Paella, Mushrooms appetizer. The second time we added different menu. Seafood Paella, added Shrimp Ajillo with fresh homemade bread, Arugula beets salad. The third time ( this time ) we added another different menu. The more we come, the more we can try new menu and enjoy new tastes. Honestly El Cielo, all menu we tried even wine and draft beers, were top class, I love to nominate as the best restaurant in Hawaii. I am so glad I found the great restaurant, I was seeking for. Prices were not bad, as inflation everything costs are so expensive nowadays. Everywhere!! Their services are great too. If I live close by I would go El Cielo once or twice a week. Thank you so much. I will love to come back soon again.

Better than I expected.... Waikiki? I expected it to be expensive, touristy and overhyped. And yes,…read moreit is pricey and touristy. But the food is solidly good... I really enjoyed the octopus. Not too soft. It came with a nice chew and sat on a bed of thinly sliced potatoes. I could've eaten the whole dish by myself...No sharing next time. The egg custard was light, with a hint of bacon flavor. It was served in the shell in a high heeled shoe dish. So cute! The entrées were a bit of a different story... I ordered the pork shoulder at first and the waiter recommended it be done, medium rare. I have to say I am no longer a fan of bloody meat so I asked for it to be done medium. Honestly, it arrived and to my palate was a bit tasteless.... given that it was almost $60 I thought twice but was encouraged to send it back. The waiter was accommodating and I ordered the lamb chops instead. Two thick sliced lamb chops arrived about 15 minutes later and were a perfect medium served on a bed of potato and sweet potato. I really enjoyed this.... I like my lamb chops usually grilled, juicy and fatty. These were refined, trimmed of the fat and beautifully plated. I'd like to try the paella next time and more of the appetizers. Really good choice of fancy little cocktails also. I would reserve the back room for sure next time. That room has high ceilings and feels elevated. The front room where we sat was OK. I'd also opt for the outside seating area on a breezy evening... Otherwise it can be rather humid in the summer. Overall, excellent service and delicious food offerings. A bit pricey to be expected given the area.