It was our first time dining here last night (7/11) and what a gem of a restaurant! Chris was our…read moreserver and let us know the specials of the day. He described everything with such care that it was hard not to order everything! I'd highly recommend a reservation as there was not an empty table the entire two hours we were there. The restaurant is on the smaller side so it can get quite loud but our table had great conversations and a overall lovely time. Appetizer: We ordered the konpachi hush puppies (apologies, they had a nicer name but this is how they were described to us) and they were delicious! I'm not a lover of fish, but these were so flavorful and the sauce paired perfectly with it. Drinks: I had the meringue di cedri to drink and it was akin to a lemon drop (10/10) it was sippable and lasted my whole meal. Husband had the Hana Koa Rice Breaker, which is one of his favorites as its smooth and pairs well with honestly anything. Entree: You will be missing out if you don't get the lemon risotto. I ordered it with the prosciutto and it may be one of the best meals I've had in Hawaii. The zucchini is done two ways in it: diced to be mixed in with the risotto and thinly sliced and grilled on top of the risotto. The panko crumbs on top really solidified the plate for me as top tier as risotto can get to be boring to eat after a few bites as they can lack texture, but not this risotto! Every bite was a journey and it was a very filling meal. My husband ordered the Korean steak and said it was better than some of the local steakhouses we had gone to. Our friend ordered the spaghetti carbonara and enjoyed it as well. Dessert: We were encouraged to try the Rocky Road ice cream and decided it was a must have when you visit. It was creamy, rich and delectable. We also opted to try the dessert special of the evening which was a Lilikoi cheesecake with a chocolate mousse. The cheesecake had a sour tang to it and the chocolate mousse partner with it to balance it out so it wasn't overly sweet. We loved it and I know in a few days we'll be craving this meal all over again!

The GOUGERES with smoked ahi spread were otherworldly delicious! Tender, moist parmesan cheese…read morepuffs with an egg custardy core. Perfectly paired with the smoked ahi dip. France meets Italy - meets Hawaii. I'm still dreaming of this. The burger features a thick, juicy, 8-ounce grass-fed patty made from a custom house-selected blend of short rib, chuck roast, and brisket. Get it with the crispy potatoes. You will thank me. Risotto on point. Luxuriously rich, creamy texture. The rice retains a slight al dente bite in the center, giving it structure rather than letting it become mushy. Prosciutto adds a perfect salty, savory crunch to break up the rich risotto. The only misstep was the fries served with the quinoa burger. They were chalky, served at room temperature, limp, and underseasoned. Excellent friendly informal service. Park at the municipal parking on Bethel St just 1/2 block away. Happy Eating!!

This is another hidden gem for Filipino Breakfast. If you're craving tapsilog and all the classic…read moreFilipino silog plates, this spot delivers. The place is small inside and can get crowded, but the wait was totally reasonable. I loved my fried fish Filipino breakfast, especially with vinegar on the side, simple, comforting, and so good. Even the little flower garnish was a cute touch. If you're looking for a home-style Filipino breakfast, Guieb Cafe is definitely worth checking out. Just come a little early or be prepared for a short wait!

One of my favorite restaurants to eat at on Oahu! The location is hard to find in a small run down…read morelooking strip mall and parking is crowded AH and there's usually a line to get a table BUT IT'S WORTH IT! The servers are all super friendly and attentive and the orders are accurate and come out quickly. My faves are the Adobo fried rice omelet with lechon kewali and Ube pancakes but everything we've ever had is ono!!

This place was amazing, a true hidden gem! the food was absolutely amazing. we did the eight course…read moretasting menu and for what we paid it was a steal. the chef was great at explaining all the dishes and service was top notch. i didn't expect much when i walked into the restaurant but after the first course, my opinion changed quickly! loved it, thank you!

i thought XO restaurant was interesting lol one of the…read moreservers was lit the other mumbled and couldn't quite hear what they were saying, me n wifey treated this like a michelin rated spot and chatted about every dish. our favorite was the beets. I think that for the price and everything its a solid deal, some good wine too... just on some real picky constructive critique shit i think they can keep evolving as chefs, the presentation is pretty much there, flavors r good, but something about it felt like certain dishes were a bit overcooked or elements could have been more perfected, it was close to super impressive , it kinda felt like you went to your big back friends house and they tried making fancy snacks for everyone in the kitchen, which isn't a bad thing, it was homey, haha but yea ,,, yall will figure it out , and we would come back again for sure, keep perfecting the craft , it was a good time !!!

Had the Creole Crab and Shrimp Pasta and the Chilean Sea Bass…read more This restaurant checked all the boxes from service, food and ambiance. They serve biscuits as a starter. Came with two spreads: pimiento cheese and honey butter. Biscuits had were not the tradional hard crust flaky layer type. They were more fluffy inside with smoother crust similar to the outside layer of a cake. Battery yummy. The better entree was the Chilean Seabass. One of the best sauces I've had on seafood. The sauce was perfect. Smooth blend of miso, cream, miron and what tasted like black sesame. Slightly sweet. Not too heavy. The Seabass was also perfectly cooked; springy and moist. The mushroom and spinach tasted like they were soaked on sweet white wine. Came with white rice topped with furikake. Pricey at $50 but worth it. The Creole Pasta had lots of real crab topping the pasta. Succulent shrimp mixed in the pasta. Seafood was fresh. The creamy sauce was not too thick but could use a little more of the creole seasoning. I expected it to be a little spicy but it was not. Good serving size. Came with two slices of toast. It's closer to Alfredo sauce but with the paprika taste. The staff were all so professional but chill and naturally friendly at the same time. One of the nicest restaurant staff I've met. The restaurant has a relax ambiance. It's on the second floor of the store. Dining room has high ceilings. We sat next to the big window. Just a perfect experience. Loved it.

We stumbled up this restaurant on yelp and decided to give it a try and it was probably our best…read morerestaurant night in Oahu. Coconut shrimp, poke with Taro chips, and burger are so good. Also try for rooftop seating, you get a nice ambience.

We'd like to say thank you for all the wonderful memories. We stopped by Mariposa one last time and…read moreenjoyed their chicken broth and popovers with all of my children. Everyone will truly miss this restaurant. Mahalo.

First off I had to mention that this spot has a great view of Ala Moana beach park. Just for that…read moreit makes this place worth visiting. The appetizers they bring you hit the spot, I really enjoyed the chicken consume. Don't know what will happen to this place once Neiman Marcus closes, but I hope they will stick around somehow!

MĀZE exceeded my expectations from start to finish. Every course was beautifully presented,…read moreincredibly creative, and packed with flavor. The progression of the tasting menu kept getting better, from the dry-aged Kona kampachi and Hokkaido scallop to the outstanding Washugyu flat iron galbi. The snacks were also a great introduction to the meal, especially the bourbon barrel smoked salmon toast and the oyster with yuzu kosho. Those may have been my favorite bites of the night, and that's saying something because I'm usually not a big fan of salmon. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly. A special shout-out to Jordan, who patiently answered all of our questions and helped make the evening even more enjoyable. The cocktail pairing was one of the highlights of the experience. Every drink was thoughtfully crafted and complemented the dishes perfectly. It didn't feel like an afterthought--it was an integral part of the meal and among the best cocktail pairings I've had. My only minor criticism was the beef and daikon broth served alongside the Washugyu. The flavors were excellent, but I wish the broth had been served a little hotter, as it would have made an already fantastic dish even better. Dessert was equally memorable, especially the seasonal sweet corn shave ice with black sesame orgeat. The lilikoi custard pie with whipped kinako cream was a nice finishing touch. Overall, MĀZE delivers one of the most creative and memorable dining experiences in Honolulu. The quality of the ingredients, attention to detail, and flawless execution make it well worth the visit. If you're looking for an innovative tasting menu with exceptional cocktails, MĀZE is a restaurant I would happily recommend, and I can't wait to return

MĀZE was the standout highlight meal of my trip to Hawaii this year. The chef's menu with drink…read morepairing was easily Michelin-star worthy. Taste, presentation, service, ambiance -- MĀZE really had it all nailed down. If there's one meal you should book for your trip, make it MĀZE. Although the menu looks short, it is deceptively filling. You start off your meal with a few amuse bouche bites. It's really a wonderful start, because the salmon toast was one of the best bites I had all night. The smoked salmon was melt in your mouth tender and the toast was fried to perfection. Another bite I really enjoyed early on was their "Fat bastard" oyster. I've never had this type of oyster before, but this one was especially plump, sweet, and had just the right amount of brininess to it. There's honestly not a single straightforward bite across the courses: everything has layers upon layers of flavor and a complexity that really accentuates the talent of the head chef. After the first course, there's an option to add a supplemental course for $34 -- a "Wagyu musubi". I cannot emphasize enough that this addition is a must. If you're coming as a couple, it's large enough that you're able to share a single one so that each person gets two bites. This bite is as delicious as it looks. The Wagyu is rich and fatty, and the crispy nori is the textural element that breaks up the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the beef. The tare delicately brushed on top adds a bit of saltiness to the dish and doesn't take away from the enjoyment and appreciation of the Wagyu itself. Another bite that I'll forever remember is the Jeju abalone dish. Served over a bed of finely minced edamame and served in a chicken jus, the dish had sweet, savory, umami, and all the right textures. I ate this dish especially slowly because I wanted to savor each and every bite for as long as possible. The abalone is tender and cooked perfectly -- not rubbery whatsoever. I overheard a chef saying that the tasting menu changes every month, and we had visited when they were mid-cycle. I believe some of the permanent menu items include the bourbon barrel smoked salmon toast and the wagyu musubi, but I really hope to see the Jeju abalone dish again someday when I visit in the future. Since MĀZE is from the the duo behind the famous cocktail bar -- Bar Leather Apron, just down the street, you would expect nothing less than extraordinary cocktails for the cocktail pairing. I can confidently say that there was not a single drink pairing that I was disappointed with -- both on the alcoholic and non-alcoholic side. My favorite cocktail of the night was their take on an Old Fashioned that was served with the Washugyu flat iron galbi course. I simply cannot say enough good things about MĀZE. Do yourself a favor and book a reservation right after you book your plan tickets to Oahu -- you won't regret it.

Kalei provided exceptional service during my visit. She was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made…read moresure everything was taken care of throughout the entire experience. Her friendly personality and genuine kindness made me feel welcomed and valued. She checked in regularly, anticipated our needs, and ensured everything went smoothly. Outstanding customer service like hers truly stands out. Thank you, Kalei!!!

Love their spicy poke nachos, we normally bike from Waipahu to 604 just to eat their spicy nacho…read morepoke. The portion is larger enough to feed two people and the spiciness and flavor is amazing. I love that it served on a bed of crispy one ton pis and drizzled with unagi sauce that enhances the entire flavor. Great location, near the Arizona Memorial. Lots of free parking and the view overlooking the harbor is so relaxing. Service has always been fast and helpful. While you're there try their Cocojito. The refreshing flavors of coconut and mint will have you wanting more. Nice place to spend any time.

The world food tour reconvened at Solera, in the Ritz-Carlton. The last time we dined here it was…read moreLa Vie. There were wine specials and I took advantage of this offering, choosing a 2023 Beaune Boucherottes from Louis Jadot. Our server (Malama) brought a 2021, which was great from my perspective. This wine sells for $180 and was listed at $177; what a deal! We chose Bone Marrow ($32), Beets and Strawberry Salad ($28) as our starters. Entrees were the Butchers Cut, which offered Filet, Ribeye or NY Strip ($70). I chose the NY strip and ordered Foie Gras ($32) to accompany it. Our other entrée was the Huli Hainan Chicken Plate ($42). Malama told us the Foie Gras was a mousse, so I asked her to bring it out with the other two appetizers. The Bone Marrow plate came with two halves of bone and four pieces of toasted ciabatta. The Foie Gras dish was interesting ... Three piped dollops of foie gras mousse, with three quenelles of a pineapple mostarda and a plate of Madeleines. The Beets & Strawberry Salad was a visual and taste treat ... It was my favorite of the three starters. The foie gras atop the Madeleine was too sweet for our palates; it was much more successful on the toasted ciabatta that accompanied the bone marrow. The NY Strip came sliced, with another bone marrow and mashed potatoes. The Hainan Chicken came with ginger scallion rice, lomi tomato chile, dark soy (which was very watery), slices of cucumber and cilantro. The chicken was the least successful dish we've had here. I give the executive chef kudos to add variety to the menu. The steak came with a container of miso bordelaise ... I thought it was okay, my tablemate didn't like it. I tried the foie gras mousse on pieces of steak ... It was okay. We had the steak and chicken dishes boxed and perused the dessert menu. I don't usually eat dessert so the decision on what to order is left to my fellow foodie. She chose the Flourless Chocolate Cake ($16); I asked for a cup of coffee ($11). The cake was rich and dense, almost like fudge. We boxed that up ... My fellow foodie has enough food for next week. What did we think? The décor is pretty much the same as when it operated as La Vie, except for the addition of black tablecloths. There was a pianist playing near the bar ... That added a nice touch to the ambience of the place. Service was fine but not what we were looking for. We gave Solera a rating of 4 (perhaps a touch under). We expect a bit more when the bill is $427.22 (plus tip).

Solera is located right across the lobby on the 7th floor of the The Ritz-Carlton Residences…read moreWaikiki Beach. My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon and decided to try Solera since we had a breakfast credit each morning. WOW is all I have to say. The food was absolutely incredible. We each got a drink--I ordered a matcha and he got a latte, and both were so good. For food, we shared the Hawaiian omelette, and they did not hold back on the meat. The service was top-notch. Our servers were attentive without being overbearing and checked in just the right amount, which always makes a difference. I would highly recommend Solera for both drinks and food--definitely worth a visit.