That feeling of despair when you've been looking forward to trying a new place specifically for a dish they're known for, and they don't have it! Pray for me, people. We saw this place on Hawaii News Now and were dying to try their 90 day aged burger. No such luck. I wanted it with their plantation pineapple ice tea, also no such luck. So we stuck to water and shared their brisket sandwich. I had really high hopes for the brisket sandwich, but it just kind of fell flat. The meat was dry, the sauce was too salty, and the flavor just wasn't super pleasant. It was served with some housemade potato chips that were overcooked and had some of that acrid burnt bitterness to them. I asked for a sauce to go with the chips, the waiter went looking for a crème fraiche sauce, then came back and said they didn't have any. Does this place keep anything on hand? It wasn't even remotely packed and they were out of everything. This was only about halfway through lunch service. The waiter, a young guy, wasn't super helpful and had a bit of an annoyed air about him, so that didn't make the meal any better. I'll probably try them again another day to see if I can try any of the great things people are raving about, but after the experience, I'm not in too much of a hurry. read more

The prix fixe was amazing. The wine and whiskey pairings were perfect. We were a table of 10 with several culinary afficionados amongst us and were blown away! Justine and chef husband, Kevin Lee have a jewel. Except for the brisket bao, the menu is unapologetically European as marked by the well selected charcuterie, sausage soup and homemade foccacia which I could not stop eating. PAI has raised the bar for Hawaiian epicurean landscape. read more

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Excellent location for an all vegetarian chef taster menu. I've always struggled to find a really good restaurant that did vegan or vegetarian food really well. This one is a gem. The service was very attentive and friendly. The selections for vegetarian options was large and very well paired with a vast selection of wines. Do try the chef's taster menu whether vegetarian or not. You will be pleasantly surprised! read more

I think I ordered the wrong thing. This place looks awesome and my cocktail was Avery worthy but the Charcuterie sandwich was not a success. The sandwich had a a great roll and greens was a disappointment in between. House made charcuterie fell way short of Boars Head. Sometimes home made to the 9th degree is a mistake. I will be back. I think there is lots of talent in the kitchen. read more

Love the food, overall a bit pricey but acceptable. Recommend 8-course menu.

A wonderful culinary experience! Service was exceptionally gracious and thoughtful. They celebrated our wedding anniversary with glasses of Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rose. Cocktails were super delicious! We thoroughly enjoyed our fine dining gastronomical journey in their quiet, laid back and cool ambiance. Thank you, Pai Honolulu, for making our occasion special. We will definitely be coming back! read more

I came here during restaurant week because they were serving schnitzel and my mom misses German food. I've had lunch at Pai before, but this was my first time dining during dinner. The service was excellent, but the portions are quite small. I ordered a second entree midway into the set menu because I thought we'd end up driving through McDonald's afterwards. The spaetzle was very crispy and dry and the schnitzel could have used a bit more flavoring or salt. I'm used to soft, gnocchi-like spaetzle, so it wasn't my favorite. The winner of the evening was the kambocha soup...very flavorful and textured with all the ingredients. I think the salmon crudo would have tasted a bit better if it was served much colder. I would really rate this place 3.5 stars if I could. Three stars just seems cruel, but this place is expensive, so my expectations are a bit higher. read more

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This is a must for all foodies. The chef's tasting menu is my favorite. I have been here now about five times and have not once been disappointed. Delicious. Chef Kevin is defiantly a chef to watch. His fiancé, Justine, runs the front of the restaurant making you feel welcomed and at home right when you walk in the door. read more

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The takeout place where I wanted to order Thanksgiving dinner was oversold and I am so glad this happened because this led me to explore some other options. I read about Pai Honolulu recently and decided to order takeout. Our Thanksgiving meal was perfect! From the curbside pickup experience to the directions for warming up the dinners, everything was perfect. The Thanksgiving dinners were so yummy. No one had any complaints. At the end of yesterday's meal, we're already talking about ordering again next year from PAI. Typically I am not so fond of bread pudding because it's usually some crumbled white bread with a few raisins and white sauce. Chef Kevin's version surpassed my idea of bread pudding by far! His bread pudding resembled an awesome pumpkin pudding that was sliceable - it was so yummy that everyone ate all of it, and one guy even licked all of the caramel sauce out of his plastic container (we did takeout). Justine's attention to customer service is incredible - a cell phone # was even provided for last minute questions about warming up the takeout meals, and she followed up to assure everything was good. We're already checking on the PAI website for their Christmas menu. I can't recommend this place enough. read more

We came here with a group of friends for a nice dinner last night. This place is a tad harder to find but you have to walk into the undercover courtyard to find it. Going in, it was a nice ambiance, with friendly staff awaiting. The menu looked really good and we were excited to try everything. After scanning the menu, we decided to order the chicken fried oyster mushrooms, parpadelle, and the cornish hen. We were also able to taste a bit of the pumpkin walnut salad and the lasagna. Overall I thought some dishes were lacking in flavor while some were just overseasoned. I would have to say the best dishes were definitely the cornish hen, pumpkin walnut salad and lasagna. Parpadelle didnt have much flavor from the foie gras and the oyster mushrooms just lacked overall flavor. We were looking forward to this place but unfortunately it didnt meet our expectations. It was good nonetheless but not as highly rated as other joints in oahu. read more

Owners, husband & wife team Kevin and Justine have created an upscale elegant dining space in the belly of the Harbor Court in Chinatown. The space reminded me of many LA chic restaurant spots so you can imagine how much I love PAI. The menu and portions are built for sharing and sampling. I think we sampled about half the menu. We started with a half dozen of oysters harvested from the Canadian region which were amazing. Next up was a fully cured & smoked in-house grilled double cut bacon garnished with tamarind, orange & cilantro relish....so deliciously dangerous but so what. Equally yummy was the Crab Risotto. And even after having 3 dishes, we were left wanting more. So we had more. We ordered 2 bite samplers where you're served one bite from 4 different dishes: Citrus cured salmon, 75 day aged beef tartare, Mushroom gougére, Devil egg (not yo momma's devil egg but delightfully different). I remember at the end of the meal I turned, looked at my partner and said "I've never felt more happy than I do in this moment". Super friendly and very hands on personal attention from the entire staff. Pastry chef is Aaron and Kira will mix libation to fit any pallet. Truly an amazing team with great synergy couples perfectly with an exceptional dining experience. I could PAI everyday with no regrets. Frequent updates to the menu so you always have something new to look forward too and lunch is being added to the menu. read more

We had an unforgettable meal with my parents at PAI. This restaurant hits the bullseye of a fine dining experience, while maintaining a welcoming vibe. I especially appreciated how graciously they accommodated my dairy allergy. Our server was also very kind about offering us a table inside (my dad and I got a couple mosquito bites while at the outdoor table that we originally requested). The PAI team really thought of everything. They even personalized our menus for my birthday! Our party of four had the Prix Fixe, drinks and one had the wine pairing. The favorite of the table was the Chilled Lobster and the Lamb. I had the Steamed Ginger Snapper too. Wow! And the desserts were mind blowing. We had one of each and two French Toasts. Parking was super easy in the Harbor Court garage (restaurant is on the ground floor of Harbor Court). Can't wait to go back!!! read more

Food at Pai Honolulu was incredible! Highly recommend for the quality of food. The ambiance of the outdoor seating, however, could be better. It is in the rotunda of the Harbor Tower building, and you can hear a lot of traffic noise while eating. read more

After being in COVID-19 lockdown for the last 3 months, this was the first place my husband and I wanted to go to for our first dining-out (dine-in) experience. It was so worth the wait!! We felt very safe, with everyone wearing masks, taking temperatures, and social distancing. We have been here 4 times since their opening, 3 times at the chef's counter, and once for a special Indian-themed course menu. Pai is one of our favorite restaurants for its creativity, taste, and great service. I'm tired of the same "fine dining" menus that serve the same food - the kind with the seared X, with a foam of Y, and a freeze-dried snow of Z. I think that style is overdone, and you can get that kind of food anywhere. Pai is unique for its creative fusion of Asian and Western flavors and ingredients. Everything has a twist, and it's all so delicious. Chef Kevin and his wife Justine are so genuinely kind and we feel taken care of by them and their entire staff. They do a great job making the guests feel special from start to finish. Thank you, Pai! We can't wait to be back. read more

One of the best new restaurants on island. Their staff was super helpful in building a menu for my girlfriend who is vegan/gluten free so that she could enjoy it. Justine, the GM, was excellent at communicating with us and enduring it all went smoothly. All you need to do is shoot her an email and they can cater to what you need. Our waiter Nelson was also great and super friendly. If you go, try the "Hey Bartender!" custom cocktail. You fill out a card describing what you like and they make a unique drink on the spot. The oysters and Cornish hen were standout food items. We were already talking about coming back before we left. read more

I came for the Mother's Day brunch this year. I had pre-purchased 3 tickets that charged the cost of the meal, tax, tip - $68 / person. Now If I'm spending $200 on a brunch for 3 people it better be damn amazing. Overall, food was okay but nothing special (with exception to the dessert) and did not feel like it justified the cost. I think the restaurant has a lot to work on in my opinion. Service - 2 The restaurant was not overly crowded for the 10am seating and there appeared to be plenty of staff. However, it took 15 minutes for us to get water and our first drink order. It tragically took 40 minutes for our table to receive the first dishes. This was a bit upsetting considering the table next to us was well into their food. It's a bit confusing given that this was a pre-fixe menu where the chefs knew literally the exact amount of dishes/food that should be prepared and when. Food - 3 Menu was a 4 course meal: - Sausage/Potatoes/Bacon - Standard food, nothing special. - French Toast - 3 pieces of french toast. Standard french toast, nothing to complain about. - Salmon / Eggs Benedict - Personally, this was the most disappointing dish and I couldn't eat more than 2 bites. The dish was smoked salmon, salmon eggs, poached egg, english muffin, hollandaise sauce. The dish was served cold which is just a weird choice for a poached egg-dish. The salmon eggs just added to the already saltiness of the smoked salmon. - Lilikoi Panna Cotta - I actually really loved this dessert. It was creamy and tart. The roasted strawberries and cookie crumbs added a great texture. Atmosphere - 2 The restaurant is unfortunately a narrow curve in a lifeless rotunda. We were also seated in the very back by the refrigerator, which is fine, but it was not an ideal place to sit. My concern was more on the table setting choices. First of all, the table was very, very tiny for three people. This was made abundantly clear as there were so many dishes placed on the table and not enough space. Second, the table cloth was a god awful pink that reminded me of the color of Pepto Bismol or nurse scrubs. I don't know if any upscale restaurant around the world deviates from the classic white. Overall it cheapened the look of the table. Third, and kind of re-iterating the first point, the table was just cluttered the moment we sat down. There were several different paper fliers for promotions, including an entire menu that was not actually the menu for the meal (it was advertising another upcoming meal). read more

parking: it's downtown so not great. I'm sure there's somewhere you can get validating parking but found some free street parking the cost: $185 for tasting menu the food: 9 courses listed but actually ended up being around 11-12 reservations: yes, convenient through OpenTable. They will call 24 hours in advance to confirm and take a credit card number if you choose the tasting menu restrooms: outside the restaurant, which I found strange. You are literally escorted out of the restaurant and enter into an apartment or office building. I felt like a child being taken to the bathroom. attire: dressy but no one will fault you for dressing casually What can I say about PAI? Not the most memorable dinner but nice and pleasant. We went on a Wednesday and it was not crowded at all and the bar seating area was nearly empty. The space is modern, sterile, spacious, and a tad too well lit. The food was good and the chef was gracious. This place is worth a try. PROS: 1) Chilled lobster dish was the star of the show. Absolutely luxurious and I'm rarely a fan of cold dishes but this has converted me. Menu changes quite frequently so unclear how long this will remain on there. 2) Their drinks are absolutely amazing. Well crafted and well thought out. read more

Loved Pai the 1st time, for the Chefs Tasting Menu. This time we did the prix fix meal. Portions were plentiful and presentation delightful. Entrees we're just a bit off this time. The fish seared a little too long so more cooked than pink inside. Slightly fishy tasting. The beef just slightly over cooked and a little salty. Service great as usual. We still enjoyed our meal. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Fun to watch the kitchen activity. read more

It can be hard to find this spot, and even when you do, it's hard to believe a restaurant would be in this area. And then you find PAI, and you realize what an amazing find it is! Super cute interior: contemporary, modern, great lighting and color. It's all in the details, and you can tell that PAI takes every little detail very seriously. The bartender makes some amazing drinks - really knows her history on drinks, so I feel like the selection on the menu (or off!) are very well crafted and thought through. As for the food - it's tapas so it's meant for sharing. Get ready to take pictures and have your tastebuds amazed. There is a sampler which I highly suggest: Citrus cured salmon, 75 day aged beef tartare, Mushroom gougére, and deviled egg. That gives you a good idea of what to expect from the rest of the menu. The other drool-worthy thing from our meal was the fully cured & smoked in-house grilled double cut bacon garnished with tamarind, orange & cilantro relish. Great & friendly service (nice meeting you, Justine!), amazing food, chic vibe. This place was... dare I say it? cooler experience than MW. (Gasp) Will have to be back soon! read more

First of all, our first adventure at PAI Honolulu was a special occasion so some of what I might say may not pertain to them in an everyday way, but a leopard's spots are still their spots and those might be pretty tough to change their personality in that regard. The restaurant is a bit on the small size so it feels a bit more intimate and personalized than some of your bigger brands, which means for Valentine's Day, it was perfect. I had the Chef's tasting menu (10 courses) while my wife had the Pre Fixe Valentine's Day menu (5 courses). We wanted to get as wide a range of different flavours from this menu as we could at the hesitation of the chef. That being said, we found that the food itself was very inventive, bold where it counted and subtle to add complexity. We enjoyed every dish more with every course that was brought out. You can imagine, all of our etiquettes went out the window by the time dessert was served as we devoured every morsel and would have licked the plates if we weren't so visible to the public. Saying the food was excellent is one thing, but where this restaurant shines is in the service. Our service team whose frontman was Gabriel (I think his name was Gabriel, nice young lad in any case), was exactly there when you thought you might need something and melted into the backdrop when you were admiring a dish or deep in conversation. I think it was the best service I've had in a year. read more

Great eats. We came for dinner with a party of 5. Had dinner family style. 7 items plus 5 desserts. It was nice that the dishes came out slowly so we could enjoy them. I would recommend dining with at least 4 people to share different menu items family style. read more

PAI Honolulu - Smoked brisket! - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I've been wanting to write this review for a while and am finally getting to it ! I've been going to PAI often since they opened and am always so pleased with the food , customer service, and the cocktails !! ( my fave ;) Not many places in Hawaii with mixologist like PAI ( Akea ;) , and food that compares to mainland Michelin restaurants ! Kuddos to you all at PAI! Grateful to have you in Honolulu ! read more

Tried a new place tonight. Small plates is the way to go. We got to sample a lot of different things and everything was so delicious. The bar and kitchen work together to create updated menus. The staff was so knowledgeable about the food and their drinks. Great place to bring a group or just by yourself or a date. Everything we tried was delicious Your eyes will be pleased with the presentation. Your taste buds will not be disappointed. The double cut bacon was wonderful. Poached lobster was delicious. The short ribs were so soft. The bolognese was fresh with fresh made noodles and fried Thai leaves. The Naw Mau Gai (Cornish hen) was delicious and stuffed with this wonderful rice. read more

Chef Kevin was wonderful and his creativity in the tasting menu was above and beyond my expectations. Such a breath of fresh air in all the Honolulu craziness. I can't seem to pick just one dish I loved, they were all wonderful in their own unique way. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great date night. read more

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Excellent flavor blend that were complimentary. We all enjoyed and was fresh. Very unique and yet nice variety. read more

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Food is amazing seafood pasta the best I really love it and the happy hrs passion fruit margarita delicious

What you mean you are out of the burger! We came with high expectations to try their burger for lunch and to our disappointment the server told us they didn't have any more burgers with an hour left in their lunch time. So we tried the smoked brisket burger and with a Hail Mary they get 4 stars because it was good! The vibe is lounge , leave the kids at home. Hopefully they gave the burger next time I am around the area an we come to lunch :/ Update*** The manager was amazing! She is the co owner of the restaurant and contact us and reserve a burger for us. We had an amazing time and the burger are worth the wait ! They are juicy and tender. The Taste of them are intense with flavor! Excited to go back read more

We ordered four appetizers, all of which were super delicious and had very complex flavors. However the two pasta dishes were very salty and disappointing. Otherwise it would have been a great meal. read more

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Wanted to try a new place for a birthday dinner and found PAI. Located in the downtown area at Harbor Court. We had the option of doing the chef's tasting menu, but for $185/person, we opted for the ala carte menu. The beauty of the internet is that we can preview the menu before going to the actual restaurant. It wasnt the case for PAI. Their menu on their website is very different than the menu that was presented to us. This may be something small, but the inconsistency didnt match their "high end" dining persona. The thing that stuck out most (in a positive way) was the service. Our reservation was for 7:30 pm, but didnt get seated for dinner until 8:30; a party before us caused this delay. The manager was very apologetic and grateful for our understanding. Our first round of drinks (2 total) and an appetizer was on the house because of this. This was a very nice gesture, but not sure how I would have felt if we had plans after dinner (luckily we didnt). DRINKS (~$15) The drinks were pretty good here. They take a spin on classics such as the Manhattan and the Mai Tai. They are definitely crafted better than your average restaurant, but at $15 a pop, I would be reluctant on ordering a second or third drink. KONA KAMPACHI CRUDO ($19) This is on the "Chilled" part of the menu and serves as a great appetizer. It was my favorite dish of the night! There were about 5-6 slices of raw Kampachi fish with a coconut curry sauce next to them. I have never had raw fish served with this type of sauce. It was amazing! You would think the strong smell of the coconut and distinct taste of coconut would overpower the Kampachi, but it surprisingly complimented it! Would definitely order this again. FOIE GRAS and BEEF PAPPARDELLE ($29 + $18 truffle add on) This was my choice of dish, mainly because I thought the truffle would compliment this dish the most. The pasta noodles were perfectly cooked and it was easily recognizable that the noodles were house made; the texture was perfect! The foie gras flavor was not there at all. I am not sure if the rest of the dish's flavors overpowered it, but foie gras is pretty heavy and distinct. I would never think foie gras was added to this dish. The dish was also very "soupy". I am not sure if this is how it is supposed to be served, but I found it interesting how soupy the dish was, and how more and more liquid was forming as dinner went on. Then there is the very disappointing truffles. First, I thought the 3 grams of truffles would be shaved, like Arancino at the Kahala and Taormina Sicilian Cuisine, but it was instead grated. Once the dish was placed on the table, I went directly to smell the aromatic truffles, but was confused when I didnt smell anything. Nothing. I scooped all the truffle and put it to my nose and still nothing. I tasted it. Nothing. I spent an extra $18, and was very excited to, for nothing. The dish was basically missing everything I was expecting. No foie gras flavor. No truffle aroma. The dish was good, but nothing special. Definitely would not spend $30 or $48 for it. 16 oz. NY STRIPLOIN ($69) This was easily the more expensive dish on the ala carte menu, but also one of the heartiest. Although the dish is pricey, it comes with several big slices of steak. The steak is pre-cut for you, showing how perfectly cooked it is. There is a good amount of flavor on the steak itself, but the "truffle butter" that is stated on the menu wasnt recognizable. Again, no truffle aroma at all. I understand that "real" truffle is more subtle than the fake chemically ones, but this was nothing! There wasnt much more to this dish. Perfectly cooked, but nothing special to remember. SERVICE The service was great at PAI. The hostess was sweet, the bartender was cool, the server was attentive, and the manager was accommodating with the situation we were in. AMBIANCE The restaurant was nice and contemporary. The place is not very large so it feels a little cozy, but you dont feel that the neighboring tables are right next to you. The open kitchen is right in front of the chef's tasting table. PARKING $3 at Harbor Court. Guest parking starts on the 5th floor. Take the elevator to floor 1 and its right there. Very easy, affordable, and convenient! OVERALL I really wanted to love this place, but with this experience, I am not sure I do. Again, the manager was great and service all around was good, but in the end, I dont go to a restaurant just for the service. The food was not memorable and overpriced from what I tasted. I want to give PAI another chance, but would be hesitant. Maybe for Happy Hour? read more

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Absolutely loved my experience at their happy hour! I work at Harbor Court and will definitely be back. The service was wonderful from start to finish. We had to wait a bit because they weren't expecting such a large crowd for their opening happy hour. Now they have tables and chairs set up outside which is nice. A colleague and I sat at the bar and indulged in beautiful (and reasonably priced) cocktails and beers. We tried a variety of the small dishes and were in love with all of them! The bao buns and baked oysters are a must! The crab risotto was delicious, although I probably could have done with a half portion for a pupu. Great selection of liquor and beer. Justine and the entire bar staff we talked to were so friendly and attentive. Will definitely be back! read more

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It kills me to write a meh review, because I always want to support local. I had heard good and bad about this place and it took me this long to give it a try. We arrived for a 5:30 pm reso and the place was empty. Okay, so I get it, no one eats that early. I always get leery of empty places who runs a decent happy hour. Not that I was ready to leave or anything, I was still excited to give Pai a shot. Our server was pleasant, approached our table for beverages, we ordered and it took a while to get drinks - over 10 min. Mind you, we are the only ones in the restaurant besides the host, cooks and 3 servers. I immediately knew she was new - she made 2 trips to the table - she approached the table with the wine bottle with no wine glass on the table. She went back to the bar and got a glass, this time with no wine bottle. Huh? Why would you not bring the wine glass and the wine at the same time to the table. Second clue - she was one of those servers that responds that everything is good and allows you to order more food than you should. I said twice - is this a lot of food we are ordering? and she responded by saying, "oh you can take it home". I personally do not like taking home food. Food is meant to enjoy in the restaurant. No to doggie bags. We ordered the sampler platter of bites, the oysters and the clam dip both on the HH menu, the Pai Pumpkin salad, Chilled Lobster, and the Naw Mai Gai - stuffed Cornish Hen. I was going to order the shrimp chips snacks and thank goodness my better judgement told me not to, because guess what?! The shrimp chips was served with the clam dip. Now why would the server not tell you this? I asked her about this shrimp chips and all she said was, "its a good dish" and you can take it home if you have extras left over". Ugh! She also forgot to order the clam dip. If my bf did not say anything, we would not have gotten this dish. This was one of the better dishes due to the bread bowl. It took a while to get it. Overall, the food was mediocre. The lobster was good. Tiny for $34 as compared for $5 more at $39 you get a whole HEN! The brown gravy served with the hen was ultra thick - very unappetizing. The clam dip HH was filling and is perfect for HH at $18. The Pai Pumkin salad was strange - a mousse-like consistency of pumpkin ricotta & hazelnuts under arugula. Weird. Pai seemed to lack a sense of concept - are you trying to be fine dining with your small portions and refinement like the lobster dish or are you trying to appeal to the local clientele with larger portions at lower price points? The menu was a hodge podge. The restaurant is situated in a stark concrete, fluorescent lighted lobby of the Harbor Court. Restaurants have a hard time surviving in there - parking is shady and tight. When we left at 8pm, there was 14 covers in the restaurant. There's a reason for that. Million dollar question? Would I dine again? No, I would not. I hate comparing, but for the price - $220 for 2 persons, I would go to Senia. On another note, my bf found gravy from the cornish hen on the back of his shirt when he got home. read more

3 stars for the service and the willingness to accommodate a vegan. The service was impeccable, and the restaurant is beautiful. The staff takes pride in the entire experience, and we even had customized menus waiting at our seats for us. It was also cool to sit at the chef's tasting counter and to watch the team prepare our dishes. The food, however, was a miss. We eat at a lot of restaurants like this and have been to quite a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants at this price-range and, for the price, the food was just not that great. We were a bit disappointed for with what we got for what we paid. It was good food, but it just wasn't great food. We couldn't even finish our dessert because it was so, so sweet. Bottom line: Fine-dining in Honolulu is limited, but this isn't worth $300. read more

Interesting place - nice atmosphere - Japanese themed - small portions - trying too hard to be ultra fancy - $185 / per person. Been there done that - won't go back. Probably only ate half the stuff cause it was raw or off-tasting / very different / blobs of fat called beef / etc. nice folks. read more

Did the Chef's tasting tonight and had a great meal. I'm allergic to shellfish so the menu was catered around that. The cadence of courses was good and the portions were good for a fine-dining restaurant. The highlights: 1. Jelly fish salad 2. Shrimp and mushroom app 3. Turkey sausage dim-sum 4. Dry-aged beef ($40 extra) Cocktails: I got the "cyma this cyma That" and it was hands-down one of the best cocktails I've had: not too sweet or tart with just the right balance of alcohol and juice. The service is warm and welcoming, attentive but not overbearing. Looking forward to seeing how Chef Kevin grows his clientele and his menu! read more

After seeing rave reviews, I arrived here with great expectations. Alas, failed to meet those lofty expectations. Tasting menu of 10 course or so, eh? A meal like this, I expect every course to be on point. It was a mixed bag. Enjoyed 6 course but were underwhelmed by four. There is a saying, do one thing and do it well. How about a less ambitious prix fixe menu with 5 courses, then each course can sustain diners' excitement and reach a sure crescendo. Instead, my meal flat-lined. =( On a positive note, service was attentive and classy. Pai is a distant memory. SYOY! read more

First time here with a few coworkers and overall had a well balanced experience. The hostess and servers were very professional, couteous, and attentive. The establishment was very clean and had a very modern yet intimate feel to it. We arrived there at 1130 and it was fairly empty but started to get a crowd around 1215. The lunch menu although small still offered a variety of dishes that made it difficult to choose from because it all sounded so good. I chose the brisket sandwich served with chips and an arrugala salad. It was very good, the brisket was tender and tasty. The bread although good and fresh was a bit too much for me, and I ended just eating the meat from the second half. (The server thought I did not finish and asked if I wanted it wrapped to finish later.) Definitely will return. read more

PAI Honolulu - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My wife and I have been to a number of Michelin star restaurants... and Pai ranks up there with the very best of them. We had the chef's tasting menu and were blown away by the complicated flavors, subtlety, and attention to detail. In addition, the staff were very attentive and truly welcoming. The atmosphere was very relaxed (on par with a Hawaii vibe), but also very chic. I loved each and every dish, but here are a few highlights... the uni panna cotta was exquisite. The chef's signature XO agedashi turnip cake was to die for. The "dim sum" was also a very unique interpretation. I love going for dim sum and dumplings, but this was absolutely phenomenal... I only wish I could get this back in Toronto. The salmon was cooked to perfection with wonderful spices and purees. My wife had the 75-day aged sirloin (which I was fortunate to try). The steak was extraordinarily tender... I definitely have to go back for more. The next time we visit Hawaii, we are without a doubt coming back to this gem. Congratulations! read more

This year my other half and I were looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary and we were in luck with our discovery of PAI Honolulu. The restaurant was conveniently located in downtown Honolulu near my job so it was easy to get to. I called in a last minute reservation with a request to celebrate our anniversary. When we arrived the host graciously sat us at our table. We arrived to a customized menu with "Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mr. Soriano", which was a nice touch on such short notice. After a short minute our server came to introduce himself with a couple of complimentary glasses of champagne. We both ordered the prefix 5-course menu with wine pairings. The entire selection was delicious and the service was impeccable. Our server expertly explained each course and wine with ease. If anyone is looking for a great restaurant, this place is a must try! read more

PAI Honolulu - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Yesterday was Pai Honolulu's one year anniversary. We had great food and wonderful service as always. read more

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Celebrated a birthday last night at Pai. I've walked by the site over the years without being enticed to try the various food providers that have occupied the atrium space. I'm so glad my husband chose Pai with an open mind and heart. I am in awe of Chef Kevin Lee's skills and palate. Everything we ate was satisfying from the first bite to the last. Such deep flavor, satisfying textures, beautiful presentations. Staff are very professional and attentive; reflects high level training and good hiring practices. I hope more people help to keep this chef in our community! read more