We had a deeply disappointing fine dining experience on New Year’s Eve. The service was extremely slow—everything from the appetizers to dessert arrived late. What should have been a celebratory evening turned into a nearly 3-hour ordeal for a simple three-course meal. For the premium price, the experience was far from acceptable. While the appetizers were decent, the main course lacked flavor, and the desserts were equally unimpressive. For a restaurant that charges such high prices, the quality of both the food and service should be significantly better.
Kartier
Fine dining can be really, really tough to find in Hawaii, but this spot is a gem. Great service and we loved the food :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gary Turner
Excellent Thai/Hawaiian fusion. Matched by excellent service. Valet parking on-site.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Klara Schroeder
The food was fantastic and the service was great! The staff is super friendly and attentive!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Cake, Black Truffle Risotto Cakes, Soup
Linda Goldstein
We went to Chef Chai's 35th anniversary dinner. The 5-course menu was fixed and absolutely fantastic. There were shrimp, pork, beef & lamb chop dishes. Each course was paired with a wine that matched it perfectly. Just when we thought we couldn't possibly eat another bite, they brought out slices of a 32-layer chocolate mouse cake. We ate it all and look forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Fresh Jumbo Hokkaido Scallop with Lobster Reduction Creamy Truffle Risotto, Chocolate Mousse Cake with Fresh Berries, Mongolian Style Lamb Chops
Laura Gioia Ward
Amazing food, the oxtail soup is to die for and the 30 layer matcha cake is delicious, and outstanding service. Definitely a must go if you’re in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Tartar in Mini Waffle Cones, Signature Combination Appetizer Platter
Jeri Armstrong
Unable to accommodate an onion allergy. I’ve only experienced this issue at one other restaurant in my many years of having an onion allergy and I was so disappointed about it. I spent a lot of money on this meal and was served dry pork because they couldn’t figure out what to serve a person with allergies. At every other restaurant (with the exception of 1) that I’ve been to has been able to offer other menu items or find a way to modify a dish into something equally good. Huge bummer. The wine was good though. Oh the coconut cheesecake is not cheesecake, it’s cake.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jason Harris
At Chef Chai, our recent dinner was a delightful culinary adventure. We started with the signature combination appetizer platter, a generous spread that wowed us with fresh ahi tartar, gravlax salmon roulade, and decadent foie gras mousse. Each bite was a celebration of flavors!
Pairing perfectly with our meal, the Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis was a refreshing choice. For the main course, we savored the miso Chilean sea bass, a masterpiece served with pickled vegetables and rich coconut milk ginger brown rice. The highlight was the pan-seared Hokkaido scallop in lobster reduction atop creamy truffle risotto—pure indulgence.
Service was attentive and warm, making Chef Chai a must-visit. We left with full bellies and happy hearts!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vickie Betancourt
We did the chefs tasting menu. Appetizers were amazing. I had the steak entree, and my fellow diners had the Sea Bass. Steak was great. They couldn't eat the Sea Bass because it was so sweet. So unless you like your fish that way, go with the steak. The dessert favorite was the cake. I had a glass of Port, and it was served in a white wine glass, which ruined the taste. Entertainment was lovely, and the restaurant was beautiful, but I spent over $400, and I was very underwhelmed on a couple of key points.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Tartar in Mini Waffle Cones, Chicken Satay, Filet Mignon with Mashed Potato
If you're looking for amazing food and experience this place is it. What a wonderful experience. Everyone, and I mean 50 people stopped to hug one of the nicest families. They are doing it right and wow...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mari Ann
We were honored and happy to be greeted and led to our table by Chef Chai. He always is so attentive to his guests. As always, food was excellent, delicious and very attractively presented. We started with Alaskan crab cakes and rainbow salad. For entrees, I had the miso sea bass, and my husband had the scallops with lobster bisque and risotto. All were amazing! We ended with lava cake and coffee. We can't wait to come back for more.
Bonnie
Awesome! When does the owner greet you at the door and seat you!! Such a personal touch! They food was fabulous with an awesome presentation and the flavor was so delicious. Thank you Chef Chai, and team.
Waylen
Ordered the sea bass, oxtail soup and lamb chops. They were all excellent. Really elevated food to fine dining without the costs. Cannot say a bad thing about the food and service. Even the appetizer sampler was delicious.
We had a deeply disappointing fine dining experience on New Year’s Eve. The service was extremely slow—everything from the appetizers to dessert arrived late. What should have been a celebratory evening turned into a nearly 3-hour ordeal for a simple three-course meal. For the premium price, the experience was far from acceptable. While the appetizers were decent, the main course lacked flavor, and the desserts were equally unimpressive. For a restaurant that charges such high prices, the quality of both the food and service should be significantly better.
Fine dining can be really, really tough to find in Hawaii, but this spot is a gem. Great service and we loved the food :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent Thai/Hawaiian fusion. Matched by excellent service. Valet parking on-site.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was fantastic and the service was great! The staff is super friendly and attentive!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Cake, Black Truffle Risotto Cakes, Soup
We went to Chef Chai's 35th anniversary dinner. The 5-course menu was fixed and absolutely fantastic. There were shrimp, pork, beef & lamb chop dishes. Each course was paired with a wine that matched it perfectly. Just when we thought we couldn't possibly eat another bite, they brought out slices of a 32-layer chocolate mouse cake. We ate it all and look forward to going back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Fresh Jumbo Hokkaido Scallop with Lobster Reduction Creamy Truffle Risotto, Chocolate Mousse Cake with Fresh Berries, Mongolian Style Lamb Chops
Amazing food, the oxtail soup is to die for and the 30 layer matcha cake is delicious, and outstanding service. Definitely a must go if you’re in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Tartar in Mini Waffle Cones, Signature Combination Appetizer Platter
Unable to accommodate an onion allergy. I’ve only experienced this issue at one other restaurant in my many years of having an onion allergy and I was so disappointed about it. I spent a lot of money on this meal and was served dry pork because they couldn’t figure out what to serve a person with allergies. At every other restaurant (with the exception of 1) that I’ve been to has been able to offer other menu items or find a way to modify a dish into something equally good. Huge bummer. The wine was good though. Oh the coconut cheesecake is not cheesecake, it’s cake.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
At Chef Chai, our recent dinner was a delightful culinary adventure. We started with the signature combination appetizer platter, a generous spread that wowed us with fresh ahi tartar, gravlax salmon roulade, and decadent foie gras mousse. Each bite was a celebration of flavors!
Pairing perfectly with our meal, the Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis was a refreshing choice. For the main course, we savored the miso Chilean sea bass, a masterpiece served with pickled vegetables and rich coconut milk ginger brown rice. The highlight was the pan-seared Hokkaido scallop in lobster reduction atop creamy truffle risotto—pure indulgence.
Service was attentive and warm, making Chef Chai a must-visit. We left with full bellies and happy hearts!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We did the chefs tasting menu. Appetizers were amazing. I had the steak entree, and my fellow diners had the Sea Bass. Steak was great. They couldn't eat the Sea Bass because it was so sweet. So unless you like your fish that way, go with the steak. The dessert favorite was the cake. I had a glass of Port, and it was served in a white wine glass, which ruined the taste. Entertainment was lovely, and the restaurant was beautiful, but I spent over $400, and I was very underwhelmed on a couple of key points.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fresh Ahi Tartar in Mini Waffle Cones, Chicken Satay, Filet Mignon with Mashed Potato
Highly recommended 👌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Terrible service! Great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you're looking for amazing food and experience this place is it. What a wonderful experience. Everyone, and I mean 50 people stopped to hug one of the nicest families. They are doing it right and wow...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were honored and happy to be greeted and led to our table by Chef Chai. He always is so attentive to his guests. As always, food was excellent, delicious and very attractively presented. We started with Alaskan crab cakes and rainbow salad. For entrees, I had the miso sea bass, and my husband had the scallops with lobster bisque and risotto. All were amazing! We ended with lava cake and coffee. We can't wait to come back for more.
Awesome! When does the owner greet you at the door and seat you!! Such a personal touch! They food was fabulous with an awesome presentation and the flavor was so delicious. Thank you Chef Chai, and team.
Ordered the sea bass, oxtail soup and lamb chops. They were all excellent. Really elevated food to fine dining without the costs. Cannot say a bad thing about the food and service. Even the appetizer sampler was delicious.
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