Go on a Saturday night to experience the live music! The dude is awesome, and plays a wide variety. The food is also good.
Gina
Decent food. But too loud. Service was ok. I wish they would turn down the sound level of the live music. You can not have a conversation.
Robert
Great service with food and wine pairing suggestions! The staff made sure we were well taken care of and enjoying our meal.
Shelley
Short on help, I try to be patient with that. Food plentiful, marina sauce not delicious expectation from Italian restaurant. Chicken cooked well, moist. Had to order garlic bread doesn't come with meal. Bread was good. No offer of parmesan on my meal.
Maurice
Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of most of their food including chicken, salmon, and Kobe burgers which accounted for 5 out of their 10 entrees. Our first and second choices were shot down immediately. Their remaining offers were steak-house priced steaks, Ahi Tuna, pork pasta, and a vegan offering. They were also extremely short staffed in the kitchen taking well over an hour to deliver the first meal (Ahi Tuna), with the second one being delivered a few minutes later (Pono Pork Pasta). The appetizers at this restaurant were pricey, but I'm glad I ordered the Caesar Salad since the wait for the entrees was so long. I was also surprised that there was no bread basket for starters, but when asked they offered this bread (a tiny baguette) for a fee ($6.95). They offered free desserts (ice cream and gelato) to thank us for our patience. We tried to be very understanding since it was Christmas Day and the restaurant seemed to be overwhelmed with the staffing issues, but we left the establishment bewildered with the experience.
Marivic Walker
This place would have been a good place to grab food and drinks but the management was very rude and unprofessional. I would not go back. Management does not represent the Hawaii I know.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ronan Yee
Food is spectacular! The chef’s work is art work. Friend of mine recommended that I try the bruschetta. She also told me to go during their Happy Hour, as their menu is 50% off from 2pm to 6pm. It is definitely a twist from the regular bruschetta you typically imagine. This is like bruschetta on steroids! It was delicious and eye candy. The restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting, artwork (that you can purchase) adorns the walls and showcases island life and scenes. The iconic Mokulua Islands are featured in a couple of them. Our waitresses (also bartenders) Macy and Malia were quite gracious and knowledgeable about wines. The kitchen is open and you can watch the chefs as the prepare your meal. I’m definitely going back to try more of their dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Ahi, Formaggio House Salad
kay bee
This restaurant/bar and grill is one of the best we have in Kailua. The menu is quite eclectic. I had the Happy Hour Bruschetta (a work of art by Chef Cody). The serving was more than enough for a meal. I plan on returning to try more of the menu. Service there is prompt and friendly. I recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner out.
Parking: Parking right in front of restaurant but when they’re busy, there’s also a parking lot in the back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pono Pork Pasta, Escargot, Formaggio House Salad, Caesar Salad
Lois Iwashita
This restaurant is such a gem in the heart of Kailua! I’ve been here over a dozen times and they have never ceased to amaze me with their variety and quality of the dishes. I posted a few pictures of recent fare I had there. I often judge a restaurant depending on how good a certain common dish is, and one of them happens to be calamari. I have to say this is the best calamari I have ever had. Even better than a restaurant whose name rhymes with Sneako’s. The pono pork pasta is absolutely delicious, and the portion will feed me for lunch and a leftover dinner. The Caesar Salad is filling and always crisp and fresh. Ambience is casual, yet you could go to dinner a little dressed up, and you wouldn’t look out of place. Service. It’s serious business nowadays. It will definitely make or break you. I put this above the food and ambience categories. It’s very important to me, I’ve worked in a food service position before and would always treat people like how I prefer to be treated (well, duh! ). I have always been treated very warmly by the staff; they’re very friendly and welcoming. Even the chefs in the kitchen nod “wassup” to you. Orders are taken promptly and the food arrives in a timely manner. They come and check up on you, and not in a cursory manner either. All in all, I highly recommend Formaggio’s Grill to everyone that wants great food and great service in a relaxed atmosphere!
Parking: there’s parking in the front and also a lot in the back of the restaurant if the front is filled.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos, Pono Pork Pasta, Garlic Ahi, Escargot, Formaggio House Salad, Charred Brussels Sprouts, Salad, New York Strip & Scampi, Tiramisu, Salmon Picatta
Alex Grzesiak
The guy playing on 11oct was awesome and I'd come back to have some drinks and listen to him. But holy smokes for the price, the food was only decent. A choice steak for 60 bucks. A food court salad for 15. Common. Don't even get me started on the wine prices.
First time on the island with the Mrs. Needed a good spot for dinner after a long day cruising the East Shore.
Garlic Ribeye if you’re a steak person is a must!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
SashaGirl
Excellent atmosphere, love the food and the dining space! Mahalo for the Excellent experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MarcusA
Outstanding Italian Grill with a live band and great bar atmosphere. The food and service were excellent. Met the owner and there were many locals enjoying their evening. Short but reasonably priced wine list, with a little more than a dozen selections. The rigatoni with local pork in a crème tomato sauce was excellent. I will definitely come back again!
Ren Huschle
They are open on Tuesdays. The schedule is incorrect, and there’s a great bartender working Tuesdays.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
poi pupy
Cesar salad was changed to a grilled lettuce ridiculous salad!
Go on a Saturday night to experience the live music! The dude is awesome, and plays a wide variety. The food is also good.
Decent food. But too loud. Service was ok. I wish they would turn down the sound level of the live music. You can not have a conversation.
Great service with food and wine pairing suggestions! The staff made sure we were well taken care of and enjoying our meal.
Short on help, I try to be patient with that. Food plentiful, marina sauce not delicious expectation from Italian restaurant. Chicken cooked well, moist. Had to order garlic bread doesn't come with meal. Bread was good. No offer of parmesan on my meal.
Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of most of their food including chicken, salmon, and Kobe burgers which accounted for 5 out of their 10 entrees. Our first and second choices were shot down immediately. Their remaining offers were steak-house priced steaks, Ahi Tuna, pork pasta, and a vegan offering. They were also extremely short staffed in the kitchen taking well over an hour to deliver the first meal (Ahi Tuna), with the second one being delivered a few minutes later (Pono Pork Pasta). The appetizers at this restaurant were pricey, but I'm glad I ordered the Caesar Salad since the wait for the entrees was so long. I was also surprised that there was no bread basket for starters, but when asked they offered this bread (a tiny baguette) for a fee ($6.95). They offered free desserts (ice cream and gelato) to thank us for our patience. We tried to be very understanding since it was Christmas Day and the restaurant seemed to be overwhelmed with the staffing issues, but we left the establishment bewildered with the experience.
This place would have been a good place to grab food and drinks but the management was very rude and unprofessional. I would not go back. Management does not represent the Hawaii I know.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Food is spectacular! The chef’s work is art work. Friend of mine recommended that I try the bruschetta. She also told me to go during their Happy Hour, as their menu is 50% off from 2pm to 6pm. It is definitely a twist from the regular bruschetta you typically imagine. This is like bruschetta on steroids! It was delicious and eye candy.
The restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting, artwork (that you can purchase) adorns the walls and showcases island life and scenes. The iconic Mokulua Islands are featured in a couple of them.
Our waitresses (also bartenders) Macy and Malia were quite gracious and knowledgeable about wines. The kitchen is open and you can watch the chefs as the prepare your meal. I’m definitely going back to try more of their dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Ahi, Formaggio House Salad
This restaurant/bar and grill is one of the best we have in Kailua. The menu is quite eclectic. I had the Happy Hour Bruschetta (a work of art by Chef Cody). The serving was more than enough for a meal. I plan on returning to try more of the menu. Service there is prompt and friendly. I recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner out.
Parking: Parking right in front of restaurant but when they’re busy, there’s also a parking lot in the back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pono Pork Pasta, Escargot, Formaggio House Salad, Caesar Salad
This restaurant is such a gem in the heart of Kailua! I’ve been here over a dozen times and they have never ceased to amaze me with their variety and quality of the dishes. I posted a few pictures of recent fare I had there. I often judge a restaurant depending on how good a certain common dish is, and one of them happens to be calamari. I have to say this is the best calamari I have ever had. Even better than a restaurant whose name rhymes with Sneako’s. The pono pork pasta is absolutely delicious, and the portion will feed me for lunch and a leftover dinner. The Caesar Salad is filling and always crisp and fresh.
Ambience is casual, yet you could go to dinner a little dressed up, and you wouldn’t look out of place.
Service. It’s serious business nowadays. It will definitely make or break you. I put this above the food and ambience categories. It’s very important to me, I’ve worked in a food service position before and would always treat people like how I prefer to be treated (well, duh! ). I have always been treated very warmly by the staff; they’re very friendly and welcoming. Even the chefs in the kitchen nod “wassup” to you. Orders are taken promptly and the food arrives in a timely manner. They come and check up on you, and not in a cursory manner either.
All in all, I highly recommend Formaggio’s Grill to everyone that wants great food and great service in a relaxed atmosphere!
Parking: there’s parking in the front and also a lot in the back of the restaurant if the front is filled.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish Tacos, Pono Pork Pasta, Garlic Ahi, Escargot, Formaggio House Salad, Charred Brussels Sprouts, Salad, New York Strip & Scampi, Tiramisu, Salmon Picatta
The guy playing on 11oct was awesome and I'd come back to have some drinks and listen to him. But holy smokes for the price, the food was only decent. A choice steak for 60 bucks. A food court salad for 15. Common. Don't even get me started on the wine prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
First time on the island with the Mrs. Needed a good spot for dinner after a long day cruising the East Shore.
Garlic Ribeye if you’re a steak person is a must!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Excellent atmosphere, love the food and the dining space! Mahalo for the Excellent experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding Italian Grill with a live band and great bar atmosphere. The food and service were excellent. Met the owner and there were many locals enjoying their evening. Short but reasonably priced wine list, with a little more than a dozen selections. The rigatoni with local pork in a crème tomato sauce was excellent. I will definitely come back again!
They are open on Tuesdays. The schedule is incorrect, and there’s a great bartender working Tuesdays.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cesar salad was changed to a grilled lettuce ridiculous salad!
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