Moku Kitchen's food is usually quite good, I LOVE their gyozas. The sauce is amazing and my entire…read moretable loved it so much we got two. But, the pasta (fettuccine bolognese) was disappointing. It sounded really good from the description, but it had this kind of stale like taste? There was not really a punch of flavor or something that made me want to continue eating it. The jalapeno pizza was great, though. An amazing dish and I found myself going back to it often. The place is quite nice and also spacious, and the food came out fast.

We arrived here around noon ish on a Sunday and it wasn't too busy. Was able to get seated…read moreimmediately. The staff here was very friendly and on top of service. I ordered the Birria Pizza which was that days Pizza Special and my friend ordered the Banh Mi Fish Sandwich. Didn't take too long to receive our food. The Birria pizza was delicious and very flavorful, but I think it would be even better if it came with consome to dip the pizza in. My friend enjoyed his Banh Mi, but did state that the bread was too soft and got soggy so he couldn't eat it with his hands like you normally would. He did enjoy the flavor and appreciated the spiciness and fresh ingredients. We also shared Garlic Truffle Oil Fries which are my favorite to get. Especially when dipped in the house made ketchup (so good) and the mustard aioli.

Made reservations on Open Table and got seated right away. Food was amazing! I had the basil…read morecaesar with Korean fried chicken. The flavors were so good and the lettuce was perfectly crunchy, not the half wilted romaine like they have at other places. The other dishes looked good, but I enjoyed the salad so much I might just get that again! They said the owner has a bakery next door, but I didn't get a chance to check that out. Again, next time. It was so good, there will definitely be a next time soon!

My husband and I decided to try Fete for the first time tonight after a recommendation from a…read morefriend and it did not disappoint! I started with a Caesar salad which was impeccable. My husband got a carbonara which he really enjoyed and I got a Chaz burger which was...woah! Incredibly soft bun, meat cooked to perfection. The fries (you have to order these separately) were also very good-perfectly crispy! For dessert, we rounded out our meal with an olive oil cake + vanilla ice cream and a Robyn's cake. The lilikoi caramel that comes with the olive oil cake is AMAZING. Our waitress was Summer and SHOUT OUT SUMMER because we loved her. Very attentive and so kind. The location is right on a corner downtown and there is both indoor and outdoor seating options. We had an outdoor table and this was the only downside for me. The tables are all extremely close together end it's hard to get to the inside seat if you're a bigger bodied person. It's also right on the street and it was poppin' on a Friday night so it did get a little loud at times when a bus, motorcycle, or moped would pass.

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!

So glad we finally got to check out Botanico!…read more Parking is validated at Waikiki Shopping Plaza and the restaurant is on street level. There's limited outdoor seating, an amazing bar and the dining room. Loved the ambiance here! It was still casual but elevated. Service was spot on and we never felt like we were waiting too long for anything. For the food, I'd recommend the Caesar salad, clam spaghetti and pizza! Everything was good but probably could've done without the scallop appetizer and octopus escargot. Also, just ask them for kid options as there's no menu but they have a few items do select from. My daughter for the butter pasta and loved it! Overall, we were very satisfied with our visit and would definitely come back!

The world food tour duo resumed their search for exceptional cuisine ... This time at Botanico…read moreWaikiki, in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. The restaurant is located on Seaside Avenue, just past the stairway to the food court one floor below. It's an intimate space on two levels, the main level is dominated by the bar, where one can dine. There are some tables to the left of the bar, but the main dining space is a few steps down to the right of the entrance. There are tables for two on the left, tables for three in the middle, and tables for four on the right. I ordered a Pio Cesare Barolo but they didn't have it so I agreed to a 2022 Oddero Barolo as a substitute for the same price ($180). Unfortunately, the substitute wasn't as good as the Pio Cesare that I'm familiar with ... It was light, and a bit too acidic. However, it paired well with our food. We started with the Radicchio Citrus Salad ($19). It featured feta cheese, beet and cranberry puree, caramelized nuts, slices of apple, and orange zest / brown dressing. I would have been happy with this dish with a grilled breast of chicken. Our next appetizer was interesting to say the least. Lava Funghi & Salsiccia ($17) ... I thought we ordered a piece of lava. It was the cap of a portobello, stuffed with Italian sausage in what was supposed to be arrabbiata sauce. The latter is one of my favorite sauces over pasta ... This one was a poor second cousin. This dish reminded me of the black pancakes at Basalt ... Not my cup of tea. Our entrees were the Braised Beef Cheek ($48) and the Red Snapper Acqua Pazza ($55). The beef cheeks dish came with halves of brussels sprouts, but the dish was very dark in coloration. It tasted fine. My "fish stew" featured clams, mussels, shrimp, and a nice piece of snapper. It was flavorful and I wished I had saved my bread for this dish. We ended our meal with Tiramisu ($11) for the better half and an Americano (5.50) for me. The Tiramisu lacked the lady fingers needed to give the dessert body. Service from Reina was fine ... the atmosphere was fine ... the food, with one exception, was fine. We gave it a rating of 3.75 because there are better places for Italian food at this price point.

Came for pre dinner drink and snack…read more Got the litchitini - very yum, recommend. We also got the escargot. I loved it. One of the best escargots I've had. We sat at the bar. And came in right when they opened. Had to wait a little while they set up but they quickly took our drink order and started making them. Our bartender was super friendly and kind. I recommend. Would come again if in the area and looking for drinks and some food. If the rest of their menu is as wonderful as the escargot, this place is a gem.

Grazie... There's…read morenothing more I enjoy than to hangout with my besties and as I secretly had my eye on Mezzo and Italian Restaurant and bar which is located on the lower level of Market City Shopping Center can be almost missed as the entrance is quite simple with a neon sign and not much more though the simplicity does end there. Walking in I do love the slight dimly lit vibe as it gives me the feeling of relaxation and escape though it's not dark but just a calmness as we were taken to our table the staff is very nice and welcoming. Their menu offerings as I enjoyed a unique twist like Crostini Al Porcini which is a crostini topped with mozzarella and mushrooms was a fresh bite as some of the arugula that is topped off gave it a nice bite. The Rib Eye steak which I still dream about which we asked to be sliced for us was done perfectly and the Demi sauce was very delicate yet so flavorful and what a hearty bite along with our Caesar salad a classic that you just can't go wrong. I've also had the Puttanesca which was delicious as the linguine cooked just right scooped up all the sauce and yes this was two different nights but enjoyed just a wonderfully as I'm so grateful to have thoughtful friends I'm so thankful for, thank you Terry K and Nadine C as Mezzo was a wonderful place to escape. Cheers my friends as I'm beyond happy for these moments as hearty and amazing as the food is here so are the memories. Thank you!

10/10. This was such a great experience. Shoutout to Mr. Jose for such amazing service! Granted…read morethey were out of 3 of the items we wanted to try, Mr. Jose had no problem getting us everything else we needed & wanted! Offered great suggestions & just a good fun individual! The ambiance was perfect to celebrate a special occasion & the food was tasty! Definitely will be back. Maybe earlier in the week so they are not out of what we want! Haha! Thank you Flair for having us! God bless Mr. Jose.

The food was really good. We had the 14 oz. ribeye, Brussel sprouts, truffle ravioli, and potato…read morepuree. They were out of quail eggs so the beef tare tare was not available. VERY disappointed in not receiving any free bread, especially at an expensive restaurant like this. Only after we finished eating did we notice our waitress, Kylie, distributing the bread to other parties around us. She did not acknowledge the situation. A bit disappointed as well that they asked what the occasion was. It was for my birthday but there was nothing special about the service or any free desserts. Another review said they received a free dessert for their birthday.

Found a hidden gem in downtown Honolulu on Bethel Street across the Hawaii Theater. From the…read morestreet, Pewa has the appearance of a boutique, a cafe or even a clothing store, but walk further in and there is a hidden speakeasy. It's the location of the former Leu Stand. An escape from the hustle and bustle of the business district. The first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful ambiance, a newly designed, charming interior. Cocktails are absolutely amazing! Looking at the spirits on the shelf behind the bar, they serve nothing less than premium drinks! We've tried a lot of the dishes here. If you love sandwiches, I highly recommend trying all of them if you have the opportunity. The happy hour is an amazing selection of dips, wings, shoestring fries or even Brussels sprouts. Friendly atmosphere, bartenders and staff! Parking is limited to street parking or one of the city municipal lots nearby. If you already work in downtown, it is a nice stroll from your office.

First off, I will be doing another review when I go again. Unfortunately the day I went, the AC was…read morebroken and it was a very hot Hawaiian day. I do not blame the restaurant, since it does happen. But it was uncomfortable in the restaurant. The server we had was very to the point with a lot. She didn't wait around and just took our orders and left. Brought the food out and we had to stop her to get condiments. We also had to ask for more water multiple times. I do think it was also because of the heat. We were only in there for hour half, while she's working in it for four or more hours. Food wise, everything was very good. Didn't think anything amazing about it. Probably the best thing I tasted was the rigatoni. The pasta was cooked perfectly and sauce was super flavorful. Cocktails were very good. I did have a weird flavor for my Brighter Days Cocktail. I took a sip and went "it's very citrusy". I thought it was an odd pair when looking at the menu, and thought I would try it. My friends really liked theirs and I was like "is it not super orangey for you?" They said no. So we switched drinks and theirs tasted great. They both tasted mine and went "whoa". I guess mine had a lot of orange juice in it. Not sure why. Hope to go back and get a better experience and try more!

Back for my second visit, and the Hapa Baby cocktail is easily a top favorite! If you aren't into…read moredark, heavy drinks, this one hits the mark. It's light, refreshing, and citrusy with a smooth botanical profile--bright and easy to drink, but definitely still packs a kick. The menu is also a blast to flip through with all the backstories behind each creation, and I can't wait to come back to try the other drinks--especially the Shell Stable! - Food & Drinks Scallion Pancake: Outstanding balance with the sauce and easily the standout over the other pancake option. Pho-Inspired Drink: A creative, adventurous option--a bit too spicy for my personal taste, but worth a try if you like heat. Limited Melona Cotta: While the melon flavor didn't come through as strongly, the rich cotta pudding at the bottom definitely compensated for it. - Service & Seating Tips The Team: Chris and Harry made my first visit memorable, and coming back for round two confirmed how great the hospitality is here. Chris constantly checked up on me, and both are super welcoming, happy to answer questions, and passionate about sharing the bar's history. Tip: Sit directly at the bar to save yourself the hassle. While servers cover the floor and outdoor area, it's tough finding the right timing to flag them down without feeling awkward while they're carrying items back and forth. Quirky Touches: Check out the washroom--their pigeon-poop soap dispenser was hilariously adorable and such a fun detail!

Nestled in Chinatown, this bar has delicious drinks with colorful descriptions and even tastier…read morepupus. If you're attending a show at the Hawaii Theatre down the road, make room for this spot before or after. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, great food and drinks, and plenty of parking across the street. Pop in, have a good time, and drive responsibly