The food at Forc is both high quality, a true culinary experience, and you will leave feeling full! Every time I go it is truly a special occasion and dining experience. The staff are friendly and work to make sure you're taken care of even on hectic nights for them. Chef Hess is amazing and super welcoming. They have elevated the standard of fine dining on Hawaii Island. If you show up on a busy night and have to wait for people to leave so they can clear tables, don't get upset, it is always so worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cora
My favorite meal on the big island! The Korean Braised Beef Rib was delicious. And everyone in our party loved what they got, so you can't go wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Bieri
Our server was fantastic! She did a mic drop on our friend Tim regarding ABC. Lol! The food and drinks were excellent! We'll be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eys Koreman
In an area teeming with over-priced resort restaurants that provide soulless food exploiting ignorant tourists, this restaurant provides rare and much- appreciated value. As we entered the restaurant, we got warmly welcomed by the staff amidst the buzz and hum of activity on a Saturday night. I recommend reserving a spot ahead of time, as this place appeals to both locals and visitors. The levels of the music volume remained at the perfect volume that stimulated and encourages people to converse, which resulted in an organic and authentic vibe. People seems to generally enjoy gathering here. Me and my spouse noticed that many patrons seems to know each other and many a handshake and hug got exchanged...as a visitor, it warmed my heart to know that we happened upon a place that the community clearly valued enough to continue supporting.
The menu described the items in a very straightforward manner, dispensing with overly florid descriptions for accuracy and honesty in the ingredients and the fashion that Chef Hess chose to prepare them. We started with a beet salad that balanced all elements beautifully to start the meal. I saw a table near me eating the lettuce wraps (a menu item I normally avoid) that looked strangely tantalizing. I flagged down the server and placed an order as I felt compelled to try it. The lettuce wraps provided ample short rib meat offset by the crispness of the lettuce. We ordered the butterfish and the lau lau. Chef Hess diligently made rounds and took effort to welcome us and strike up a conversation amid a full house of patrons on a Saturday evening. He genuinely made us feel welcome, despite us being tourists who might never return to this area. As the food came out (promptly), we immediately could tell the quality of the meal we soon got to savor. As I must keep this review under 2000 characters, I shall simply remark that this type of restaurant exists as our kind of place. Thank you, Chef Hess, for providing us a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Holman
What a gem for New Year’s Eve! The food was excellent and they were beyond accommodating for our whole family and kids. 10/10 would recommend to anyone! Can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
denise forbes
We had a great time for Happy Hour with some friends we met. Our server Hannah was very nice, answered all my questions about drinks and food. She was busy behind the bar making up drinks for the evenings popular drinks. In the bar area is a television where you can catch a ballgame and enjoy Happy Hour that begins at 3:00pm. Dinner hour begins at 4:30 and can be served in their dining rooms which are very charming. From the Happy Hour menu I got soup of the day - portugués bean soup pretty interesting and good, a tomato base soup, parmesan fries and the sandwich. All were delicious. We would love to make it back for dinner!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Irena Baker
We just had a Thanksgiving dinner . We have been to Forc 3 times before. It was hit and miss but this dinner was terrible. Level of cafeteria food. Canned green beans??? Who eats that? If I was a cook there I would be embarrassed. We are done, will not come back again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Holden Nakamura
FORC delivers an unforgettable culinary experience with its creative twists on local cuisine! The "loco moco" was a standout dish, featuring a smoky NY strip paired perfectly with flavorful garlic fried rice—it was a delicious and elevated take on a classic.
The grilled kabocha was an unexpected delight, with its rich, slightly sweet flavor, and the mussels were equally impressive—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared.
Every dish we tried showcased attention to detail and a unique approach to familiar flavors. FORC is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore local cuisine with a creative and delicious twist!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don Cornwell
Staying in the Hapuna Beach resort area, where the restaurants are pricey and the food options just aren't great. We drove to Waimei on recommendation from a guide we worked with and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere at FORC was welcoming, and the food was outstanding, with options we loved. The service was exceptional, and the value was excellent. Best meal we've had in 4 days in a resort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marlene Goldberg Smolen
If I could give it 6 stars I would. Amazing food. Every dish prepared to perfection and beautiful presentation. Hess worked at neighboring Merriman's and takes the same direction but with his own spin. So sorry did not take pics. Vibe is very comfortable and casual rustic with two dining areas. First room has bar and booths....second is tables. Not as expensive as the resort hotels.
Leaves much to be desired for the price. Chef is incapable of cooking steak as ordered. Photo is “very very well done”. Ambience was absolutely appalling! They had a comedian providing crude adult jokes and discussing vomit, asking if “everyone is drunk yet?” The entire room was horrified. This is what I expected at a comedy club where I’m eating a $10 hotdog, not a $55 undercooked steak and wine. An absolute fail. Will never ever visit this place again! They need to decide if this is a fine dining restaurant or not. $200 for terrible food and appalling atmosphere. Wait staff are amazing though, I do not fault them in the slightest. PS Out of kindness I emailed them 2 weeks ago about my experience and they didn’t bother to respond. It’s clear they don’t care, and have zero desire to make anything right. So here goes the public review.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Tim DiDonato
Ok I literally just left FORC and had maybe one of the top 5 steaks I’ve ever eaten-for real! And I typically get ribeye anytime I go out for dinner! Also , the kale salad w bacon special salad was insane- fresh avo and asparagus added to the mix I just can’t get over how good the ribeye (coffee rubbed) and mashed w bacon/goat cheese Sat at the bar and had a great drink mixed w fresh squeezed grapefruit Get on your horse and get to FORC insane good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New York Strip
Sara Kobayashi
If I could give zero stars, I would. Service- really bad. No one acknowledged us for at least 15 minutes after we were seated. House salad- good Portuguese soup- good Portuguese bread- it’s just a dinner roll, don’t waste your money House Sauv Blanc- great Prime rib that we ordered as part of a fundraiser that we paid $45/each for ($90 total)- RAW. Not rare, RAW. See the photo for proof. Sent it back to be grilled or something…it was brought back watery and disgusting.
I felt like they didn’t care about servicing us because we were there to redeem a fundraiser ticket. That being said, I have eaten at restaurants all over the US and this was probably the worst. We are the type to keep going back again and again (and sending others). Save your money and go to the Fish and the Hog.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
S R (Sylster)
We tried FORC before and hated it but figured we’d give it another chance. This time it was more mixed. We loved the poke, it was poisson cru so the flavor was unique and refreshing. My miso butterfish was cooked perfectly but it was pretty bland. The sides were a plain boiled potato and some rock hard squash. The menu says this dish is gluten free but you have to specifically ask for it to be prepared that way. This is frustrating because if I hadn’t asked about the tempura flakes I wouldn’t have known and would have gotten sick. Maybe the regular version is more flavorful and they just omitted the sauces/spices. It’s a shame because the butterfish was so tender so the dish could have been amazing. My husband liked his beef rib lau lau but half of it was fat and it was giving more of an irish beef stew vibe than lau lau. Service was definitely lacking because they were understaffed so everything took forever. Not the server’s fault but annoying nonetheless. Idk if I’d give it another go, maybe for drinks and apps but the pricing is similar to Merriman’s and their food quality is more reliable.
Dietary restrictions: The menu marks some dishes as gluten free but you have to specifically ask them to change it to gluten free.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Ceviche
Stephen Munkelt
Tasty recipes and varied menu including fish, beef and hawaiian dishes with locally sourced ingredients
The food at Forc is both high quality, a true culinary experience, and you will leave feeling full! Every time I go it is truly a special occasion and dining experience. The staff are friendly and work to make sure you're taken care of even on hectic nights for them. Chef Hess is amazing and super welcoming. They have elevated the standard of fine dining on Hawaii Island. If you show up on a busy night and have to wait for people to leave so they can clear tables, don't get upset, it is always so worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite meal on the big island! The Korean Braised Beef Rib was delicious. And everyone in our party loved what they got, so you can't go wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our server was fantastic! She did a mic drop on our friend Tim regarding ABC. Lol! The food and drinks were excellent! We'll be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
In an area teeming with over-priced resort restaurants that provide soulless food exploiting ignorant tourists, this restaurant provides rare and much- appreciated value. As we entered the restaurant, we got warmly welcomed by the staff amidst the buzz and hum of activity on a Saturday night. I recommend reserving a spot ahead of time, as this place appeals to both locals and visitors. The levels of the music volume remained at the perfect volume that stimulated and encourages people to converse, which resulted in an organic and authentic vibe. People seems to generally enjoy gathering here. Me and my spouse noticed that many patrons seems to know each other and many a handshake and hug got exchanged...as a visitor, it warmed my heart to know that we happened upon a place that the community clearly valued enough to continue supporting.
The menu described the items in a very straightforward manner, dispensing with overly florid descriptions for accuracy and honesty in the ingredients and the fashion that Chef Hess chose to prepare them. We started with a beet salad that balanced all elements beautifully to start the meal. I saw a table near me eating the lettuce wraps (a menu item I normally avoid) that looked strangely tantalizing. I flagged down the server and placed an order as I felt compelled to try it. The lettuce wraps provided ample short rib meat offset by the crispness of the lettuce. We ordered the butterfish and the lau lau. Chef Hess diligently made rounds and took effort to welcome us and strike up a conversation amid a full house of patrons on a Saturday evening. He genuinely made us feel welcome, despite us being tourists who might never return to this area. As the food came out (promptly), we immediately could tell the quality of the meal we soon got to savor. As I must keep this review under 2000 characters, I shall simply remark that this type of restaurant exists as our kind of place. Thank you, Chef Hess, for providing us a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a gem for New Year’s Eve! The food was excellent and they were beyond accommodating for our whole family and kids. 10/10 would recommend to anyone! Can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a great time for Happy Hour with some friends we met. Our server Hannah was very nice, answered all my questions about drinks and food. She was busy behind the bar making up drinks for the evenings popular drinks. In the bar area is a television where you can catch a ballgame and enjoy Happy Hour that begins at 3:00pm. Dinner hour begins at 4:30 and can be served in their dining rooms which are very charming. From the Happy Hour menu I got soup of the day - portugués bean soup pretty interesting and good, a tomato base soup, parmesan fries and the sandwich. All were delicious. We would love to make it back for dinner!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We just had a Thanksgiving dinner . We have been to Forc 3 times before. It was hit and miss but this dinner was terrible. Level of cafeteria food. Canned green beans??? Who eats that? If I was a cook there I would be embarrassed. We are done, will not come back again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
FORC delivers an unforgettable culinary experience with its creative twists on local cuisine! The "loco moco" was a standout dish, featuring a smoky NY strip paired perfectly with flavorful garlic fried rice—it was a delicious and elevated take on a classic.
The grilled kabocha was an unexpected delight, with its rich, slightly sweet flavor, and the mussels were equally impressive—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared.
Every dish we tried showcased attention to detail and a unique approach to familiar flavors. FORC is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore local cuisine with a creative and delicious twist!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staying in the Hapuna Beach resort area, where the restaurants are pricey and the food options just aren't great. We drove to Waimei on recommendation from a guide we worked with and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere at FORC was welcoming, and the food was outstanding, with options we loved. The service was exceptional, and the value was excellent. Best meal we've had in 4 days in a resort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give it 6 stars I would. Amazing food. Every dish prepared to perfection and beautiful presentation. Hess worked at neighboring Merriman's and takes the same direction but with his own spin. So sorry did not take pics. Vibe is very comfortable and casual rustic with two dining areas. First room has bar and booths....second is tables. Not as expensive as the resort hotels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New York Strip
Restaurantji Recommends
Leaves much to be desired for the price. Chef is incapable of cooking steak as ordered. Photo is “very very well done”. Ambience was absolutely appalling! They had a comedian providing crude adult jokes and discussing vomit, asking if “everyone is drunk yet?” The entire room was horrified. This is what I expected at a comedy club where I’m eating a $10 hotdog, not a $55 undercooked steak and wine. An absolute fail. Will never ever visit this place again! They need to decide if this is a fine dining restaurant or not. $200 for terrible food and appalling atmosphere. Wait staff are amazing though, I do not fault them in the slightest. PS Out of kindness I emailed them 2 weeks ago about my experience and they didn’t bother to respond. It’s clear they don’t care, and have zero desire to make anything right. So here goes the public review.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Ok I literally just left FORC and had maybe one of the top 5 steaks I’ve ever eaten-for real! And I typically get ribeye anytime I go out for dinner!
Also , the kale salad w bacon special salad was insane- fresh avo and asparagus added to the mix
I just can’t get over how good the ribeye (coffee rubbed) and mashed w bacon/goat cheese Sat at the bar and had a great drink mixed w fresh squeezed grapefruit Get on your horse and get to FORC insane good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: New York Strip
If I could give zero stars, I would.
Service- really bad. No one acknowledged us for at least 15 minutes after we were seated.
House salad- good
Portuguese soup- good
Portuguese bread- it’s just a dinner roll, don’t waste your money
House Sauv Blanc- great
Prime rib that we ordered as part of a fundraiser that we paid $45/each for ($90 total)- RAW. Not rare, RAW. See the photo for proof. Sent it back to be grilled or something…it was brought back watery and disgusting.
I felt like they didn’t care about servicing us because we were there to redeem a fundraiser ticket. That being said, I have eaten at restaurants all over the US and this was probably the worst. We are the type to keep going back again and again (and sending others). Save your money and go to the Fish and the Hog.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We tried FORC before and hated it but figured we’d give it another chance. This time it was more mixed.
We loved the poke, it was poisson cru so the flavor was unique and refreshing.
My miso butterfish was cooked perfectly but it was pretty bland. The sides were a plain boiled potato and some rock hard squash. The menu says this dish is gluten free but you have to specifically ask for it to be prepared that way. This is frustrating because if I hadn’t asked about the tempura flakes I wouldn’t have known and would have gotten sick. Maybe the regular version is more flavorful and they just omitted the sauces/spices. It’s a shame because the butterfish was so tender so the dish could have been amazing.
My husband liked his beef rib lau lau but half of it was fat and it was giving more of an irish beef stew vibe than lau lau.
Service was definitely lacking because they were understaffed so everything took forever. Not the server’s fault but annoying nonetheless.
Idk if I’d give it another go, maybe for drinks and apps but the pricing is similar to Merriman’s and their food quality is more reliable.
Dietary restrictions: The menu marks some dishes as gluten free but you have to specifically ask them to change it to gluten free.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Ceviche
Tasty recipes and varied menu including fish, beef and hawaiian dishes with locally sourced ingredients
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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