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It's always a blur when I'm at Blind Ox. I don't think I came here sober once lol. This had to change that so I came here for dinner sober. Blind Ox is on Kapahulu Ave across Sushi Ginza Onodera and Running Room. They offer valet parking or you can search for street parking in the residential area. Safeway does occasionally tow so if you plan to park there, do it at your own risk. They offer seating inside and outside. Both are good options but it's slightly cooler inside. This past experience I dined inside and stayed sober so I could finally review them. We arrived and the hostess greeted us immediately. Our table was ready as we had reservations. It was honestly odd to come and not drink but I sucked it up and focused on the food. We ordered a bunch of items to share. The items we ordered were Bone Marrow, King Crab Tempura, 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken, U-10 Scallops, Bourbon Crème Brûlée, Tokyo Nights (I had to and it came with a gold crane on top of the ice) & a custom mock tail from the bartender. The kitchen didn't take long to get our orders out and the bartender was quick as a whistle. The food was good and I particularly liked the King Crab Tempura because the sauce reminds me of the Chinese soy based sauce with sizzling oil drizzled on steamed fish. U-10 Scallops we're my next favorite as the scallops were seared perfectly. The Bone Marrow was good but it was quite rich since I was tasked to eat most of it. Their 24 K Gold Popcorn Chicken was better than expected and they were tender. Keep in mind it's quite dim inside so it's not the easier to get amazing photos of the food or of people. Overall, it was a good meal with a memorable ending at the valet stand. Poor guy must have ran to Kahuku to get my car because we were there a long time. During the long wait, a homeless guy who was clearly not in his right mind approached us and cussed at me out of the blue. He also asked offered us weed lol. At least we weren't attacked and he didn't throw anything at my car when it finally arrived. The valet did leave my car unlocked the entire time it was parked wherever it was parked though (my app notified me). I'm so glad nothing was stolen. Valet needs to fix this issue going forward for other customers. But...I finally have a night I recall at the Blind Ox ;p
A bartender in Waikiki tipped me off that Blind Ox was worth the hike, and I absolutely loved everything I had! The Love Potion #829 and Tokyo Nights were both interesting, complex, and beautiful to boot! My only note would be that the floral rim on the former is a little much; maybe mix the flower petals with sugar to make it a bit less aggressive. The drinks were great, but the food may have been even better. The octopus and French onion soup were both perfectly executed, but my favorite had to be the blue cheese mac and cheese balls. So so so delicious! I could have eaten about 20 more.
Everything about Blind Ox met our expectations. We had the private room, that also came with our own bathroom. Lighting was great, not too bright & not too dim. It was adjustable which was nice for when we took our pics. Our waiter was really awesome! He conversed with us, and even laughed at our jokes. He did videos with us, & even took our photos. The food was all delicious. Not all the dishes we had is pictured, but we definitely was full. It was all shareable for us girls. We even had oyster shooters which was delicious. The presentation of all the dishes was beautiful, and I like how our waiter explained all the dishes. He was very knowledgeable about each dish. He also made great drink recommendations for us ladies. Everything about Blind Ox was perfect for my sister's birthday. We definitely plan on coming here again!
Came here for a surprise dinner for myself and a few friends. There are two dining areas. One where the check in is and on the right side after some stairs is a fancier dining area which will make you say wow! Parking may be a little tough especially during peak hours but they do offer valet service if you prefer not to find street parking. Staff are friendly and actually very engaging which is nice when you're out drinking with friends. Food here is actually really good. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered. We got the blind ox blue balls ($16) which is crispy mac cheese balls, bone marrow ($28) which comes with bread that you can put the bone marrow on. Defiently recommend! The blind ox french fries ($16) which is great to share. The truffle oil and garlic taste made the fries so tasty! Their special dipping sauce was also a plus!. The blind ox steak ($38) is an 8oz NY strip, very tender, juicy and flavorful steak which I also recommend! Lastly, we got the the A-5 Wagyu Katsu Sando ($52). Probably my favorite of all the foods. The wagyu is so rich and literally just melts in your mouth. A must try! Overall, a very good experience. Little on the pricey side but for the quality of the food, i'd say it's worth it. We did order a few drinks/shots but the food is the main event here at Blind Ox.
I had been looking forward to coming to the Blind Ox. It's advertised as a speakeasy type restaurant with a hidden entrance and a focus on unique cocktails and intentional bites. Overall, I'd say it was a fine experience. Not quite what I was expecting and I don't feel a need to go back, but it was still good. Food: The food was overall good. No jaw dropping stand outs. It was all relatively tasty. We enjoyed the salad, fries, uni pasta, bone marrow, fries and steak. Drinks: I did enjoy my matcha cocktail. It was unique and the whipped foam at the top was thick and interesting. Ambiance: We were seated inside. The interior area is small with small booths and a bar area. The seats were small and tight so prepare to get cozy with your party. There is also outdoor seating but it seems if you're going to spring for this experience, you should request inside.
In the grand scheme of Honolulu spots, this gets a solid "mediocre" from me (which is my definition of a middle of the road venue...50% of things I enjoyed and 50% need some work). It definitely attracts a crowd in search of a cool, hipster, unique setting. I do like the secretive, darkened ambiance that this place has. It is a bit hidden, the windows are curtained off and the faux front door has a phone box to look like you need to speak to an operator for entry. The entry is actually on the side street with a valet parking stand which brings me to the first subpar issue: On the night I had a reservation, the valet told me he was full so there was no customer dedicated parking left. I circled the neighborhood x 5 and could not find any street parking. I told the hostess that we were just going to cancel and go somewhere else due to lack of parking and they told me to park in the Safeway lot across Kapahulu. The signage there warns of towing for non-customers so I was not really cool with parking there but the restaurant staff assured me that their own employees do it all the time. For a somewhat haughty spot, I was unimpressed with this recommendation but had no choice. If this is their solution, The Blind Ox should really negotiate something with the lot managers so that customers know they will really turn a Blind Eye to using their lot in this manner. I did not like spending my evening in a hidden, sequestered speak-easy without windows not knowing if my car was going to be there when I got done. The ambiance works by having a cool bar, lots of premium booze available, and a life-sized bull in the middle of the room with fully unadorned gonads on display. There are some nice custom house-made cocktails available with great menu descriptions of expensive ingredients and pricing to match (most of the cocktails on the menu are at least $20!). The service was about what you would expect from a bar setting (friendly if a little understated, but perfectly adequate. The 2nd issue that did not impress was the food. The menu descriptors sounded great but the deliverables were pretty average. The most notable items for my party were the Scotch Eggs which were tasty and on par with many I've had in Europe. But, the Oyster Shots and Gold Popcorn Chicken, were both less tasty than anything I've had anywhere (ingredients seemed of good quality but both screaming for salt). Overall, I'm glad I got to check this place out despite leaving with testicle envy. But after this visit, my recommendation would be: Take an Uber and leave your car at home, come for a cocktail or 2 and then go elsewhere for dinner.
A night at Blind Ox is like transporting to a NY/LA style bar. I came here with friends from the mainland and for a moment, I forgot that I was in Hawaii. For locals, this can be a fun experience that mimics a night out at a bougie bar on the mainland. Here's the 4-1-1: Valet parking is available for $5 or there is limited neighborhood street parking. You enter through the outdoor space. We made the mistake of walking past that area and trying to get in using the main doors that face the street. Since it's a "speakeasy" we thought we needed to use the phone that's on the wall to get in... but no, you just walk up to the host stand in the outdoor area. Drinks are $17-$27. Definitely on the pricier side but delicious nevertheless! Here's what we ordered: Viva La Matcha ($22) with Jasmine Infused Tequila, matcha, honey, elderflower, lemon, coconut foam and a green tea pocky on top! Mr. Crack Seed ($17) with Li Hing Mui Infused Bourbon, honey, lemon. These two drinks were my favorite!! I've had a few matcha and li hing mui drinks before but these two were my favorite of these pairings. The Jasmine infused tequila was one for the books. I've had a few infused tequilas in my day, but this one was floral and perfectly paired with the matcha. The plum flavor of the Li Hing Mui brought out the best flavors in the bourbon- simply a great pairing. The Madrid ($19) with Vanilla Infused Rye Whiskey, pickled chili pepper, elderflower, honey, lime, tamarind rim. I had just a sip of this from my friend, but he really enjoyed it- especially the tamarind rim. Tokyo Nights ($19) with Japanese Whisky, orange cognac liqueur, italian bitter, rhubarb bitter, yuzu, black lava salt. I've always been a fan of Japanese whiskey but I would say that this drink caters to someone with a different palette to mine. For food we ordered the: Blue balls (mac & cheese balls) Nori Shrimp Truffle fries. The Nori shrimp and truffle fries were the most notable. If I was to come again, I would probably just order the fries! Overall, it was a really great experience but the price point of $17-$22 for a cocktail is too high.
So far so good. LOVE the ambiance!! There's several entrances. The outside seating was closed due to the weather. Love love love it. Let's see how the food is...! Service was great! Very attentive and knowledge on the menu! Definitely coming back! Loved what we ate but I want to try EVERYTHING!!!
If you want a very intimate spot for some drinks I recommend coming here! They have a really nice outdoor seating area and a very interesting setup inside their establishment. ***What I ordered **Viva La Matcha (7.5/10) I wasn't too impressed by the drink, but it was definitely different. I liked the floral notes in the drink, but I thought it would be a little more earthy. Although, I did love matcha stick garnish! That was a cute touch to the drink. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back, although it is a little pricey. The staff was really professional and nice! The parking situation isn't too bad too. You can park on the street or do valet!
We stopped by for a drink and I tried the El Chapo, which they set on fire before serving! It was interesting, and they had a lot of other cocktails that I wanted to try. However, for $20 per cocktail, we would rather eat. I would have given 4 stars but the service was pretty bad. A server introduced herself to us then disappeared to go chat behind the bar for the rest of the night. Someone else finally took our order after like 30 minutes. I guess the $20 paid for the cool, imprinted ice cube.
Blind ox was on my bookmarks for a long time as i've never gone to a speakeasy before. Reservations are easy on Open Table - You can reserve up to 10 guests online, but you'd have to sit outside. Smaller parties can be indoors. 20% gratuity is also added to your bill for parties 6 or more. I was excited to go but upon arrival - the entrance with the phone was broken. You had to go around the building and towards the back to enter. Kind of a bummer cause we had to sit outside too so we didnt get the full experience. It was also a hot summer night so if you do dine outside then you should also dress accordingly. There are fans but there isnt enough to keep you cool through the night. Blind ox is really great for larger parties only because everyone can order something and you can try different things on the menu. I enjoyed the food, but most importantly the company made the difference as well. We had two different occasions that night. We had 2 birthdays and 1 celebration of life. They do provide a cake for your celebration too. Service was super friendly and attentive. There was apparently a sign that no phones are allowed inside the bar area. I would definitely go back again to try other things.
We arrived and were sat in a tiny cramped table. I'm 5'9" and about 165lbs, I was struggling to sit comfortably and was sitting upright the whole time. Not sure how plus sized guests are supposed to sit at these tables unless they get a booth? Waitress was nice! The two drinks we got were the tequila machata one (ok) and the miso shitake drink (ok). Overpriced craft place what do you expect. I am not much of a drinker so I can't elaborate on cocktails. The lobster roll. Don't get it. Smells super old and fishy. The buns were your store bought Hawaiian rolls not toasted or buttered or anything. They take this limp frozen lobster and place it on top and give you with a side of this special clear sauce which tasted like tap water. How about butter and garlic ?! Pretty gross, you're in Hawaii go to a local poke place instead or how about they fish for local lobster? Hm.. there's an idea! The tacos with the raw fish. It was so bland. Needs a sauce or marinade, maybe a citrus marinade? The avocado smash was that of Albertsons guac. Unseasoned and no flavor throughout these overpriced tacos. Bland at best. At least the shell was crispy. The chicken nuggets with gold flakes. Go to Carl's Jr and get their chicken stars. Seriously, tough chicken and unseasoned. A complex looking dish only to be disappointed. I dipped them in my Mac and cheese ball sauce dip (very good). They give you honey and corn flakes on the size. Maybe the chef and owner were stoned when they came up with it? The bull balls (Mac n cheese)... best part. I mean you get Mac n cheese and you deep fry them and put a good sauce on them. Of course it'll taste good. But not $20 good for 5 balls. The real hero tonight....! Overall this was a recommendation from a guide so shame on us haha. Save yourself the $150+ meal and go get a poke bowl, shrimp plate, or anything else. Don't try and impress your date with this place. Looks cool, but the chef needs to step it up with the basics.
Such a cute speakeasy concept here! The menu is definitely intriguing and takes a few minutes to read through and decide what you'd like to drink and the pupu selection is amazing. It was super busy when we went but reservations are highly recommended since it's a smaller, intimate bar.
3 years ago
Cool spot! Definitely felt away from the tourists locations. However got busy around 8:30pm food was pretty solid. Drinks where great. However they where out of some of the allocated bourbons that where on the list. Great server also! read more
Was excited to try this new place, and it did not disappoint! The outside set up is cool as it is, but then they take you inside where the speakeasy vibe really hits you. Yes it's expensive, but nearly worth it. We tried a bit of dishes. All were delicious. The Wagyu tartar was okay, not worth the price. The nori shrimp was unlike anything I've ever had before. It was the highlight of the night. Although the cocktails are pricey, they have some true masters behind that bar that make it worth it. The presentation is a bonus to their creations. read more
PARKING super limited $5 valet parking available if its full they tell you to park at safeway and walk over COVID PROCEDURES temperature scan when you come in, and they take down your information for contact tracing & all the staff was wearing masks FOOD & DRINKS started the night off with a cocktail while i waited for my friends to arrive. got the kapahulu sunrise because i like mojitos. loved the burning cinnamon stick that came with it. definitely a nice touch, and smelled so good. large selection of whiskey and red wines. hardly any whites, even the dessert wines were limited. considering the food options (a lot of seafood and non-chocolate desserts) i would have expected (and preferred) more white wine options. but since the selection was small we opted for reds, which were good. we got the Turnbull, which had a bit more body as it was a cab, and then finished the night with Papillon, an excellent recommendation from our non-drinker server, so kudos to him. entire menu is tapa style, so definitely small and plated to share. I liked that when we ordered the wagyu tartare the server told us it only came with 2 pieces, and asked if we wanted to add the 3rd one on (since there were 3 of us). the wagyu of course was nice and soft, but the king crab nori chip it came on was super super hard to bite through, and had the texture of like a stale chip. i suggest you put the whole thing in your mouth at one time if you can fit it, so that the flavors meld together better, otherwise you'll end up with some very karai/salty bites. petite lobster rolls were my fave dish. brioche was on the lighter side which i liked. a nice bit of toasted exterior but still soft, reminiscent of japanese shokupan instead of brioche. flavor was amazing. U-10 scallops were my 2nd fave dish of the night. perfectly cooked, so so good. Bone Marrow: crumbly, which made a bit hard to get it to stay on the crisp, strong mushroom flavor, and a nice bit of salt to cut through the fat. dont touch the bone when they first bring it out because it is hot! lol blind ox blue balls: super crunchy mac & cheese balls with a spicy aioli, highly recommend this dish as well spanish octupus: a lot smaller than i thought it was going to be. tiny little silver dollar sized ceviche were refreshing & citrusy. octopus was also cooked well, just like the scallops. nori shrimp: another super crunchy dish, but the shrimp was a bit overcooked in my opinion, as it was a little tough on the inside when i asked the server which dessert he preferred he immediately said the creme brulee, no hesitation. loved that the sugar was torched enough to form the hard crunchy topping and wasnt melty. very different from most creme brulee that i've had as the custard part was very thin, so its pretty much a 1 to 1 ratio of custard to sugar. the grapes that were on the side were also super sweet and big! if you're willing to spend the money this place is worth the try. 1 cocktail each, 2 bottles of wine, and all that food, came out to just over $500 AMBIANCE its a speak-easy so the inside was very dark. so not ideal for pictures for the gram lol also makes it hard to read the menu there are a lot of little details though that make this place stand out. all the 24k in the food as well as on the walls. even the napkins were foiled. menu was bound in a hard wooden cover, and even the receipt came in a little box. bathrooms however are small, i'm pretty sure its not ADA, so keep that in mind if you need that room. music in there was also SUPER loud. read more
4 years ago
Came in last night for dinner, party of 6 reservations at 9:30. We were seated and served quickly however the service was sub par. She was kind of rude and we were disappointed. Going to a fancy place like this you expect excellent service.. My boyfriend got to King Crab Tempura, it was soaked in a salty sauce and extremely under whelming. The 24K Chicken was okay. Just popcorn chicken with honey. The drinks were good which is why I'm giving two stars. Our server didn't tell us it was last call for drinks so we couldn't get another round. Anyways I will not be returning to this speakeasy and i unfortunately do not recommend this place at all. read more
4 years ago
This was the first time visiting this place to celebrate my birthday & I was quite impress! The host was absolutely amazing in accommodating us since my BFF did not confirm the reservation she had made was for June 1st versus for 5/4 We were a bit loud but in a fun & friendly way since we hardly see each other. The tapas were absolutely amazing & yes the drinks were expensive but so worth it. The bffs were so impressed that they beg to have reservations for Mother's Day, in which I was highly surprised that they still had opening. One of the best birthday celebration ever! Thank you for letting us celebrate it in a loud way! I would highly recommend this place but would probably love the private dining room or the seating area right next to it since we were next to the ladies room...but still okay! read more
5 years ago
One of the coolest speakeasies on the island! We were seated at the bar after as our seating outside was being rained on. They were super helpful in accommodating everyone! My boyfriend and I thought the food was so delicious that I never even had a chance to take photos and honestly you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Creme brûlée had the sugar hard enough to get the satisfying crack with the delicious fresh berries in every bite. We could not have been more satisfied and are looking forward to coming back soon! read more
5 years ago
My first visit rating was 5 stars, while our second visit was a solid 4 star. Your experience will vary depending on your seating and what you choose to order. The drinks this time around didn't impress, though they were also high quality. And the food was unremarkable despite the high end recipes. We had better octopus and duck prosciutto was mostly not duck. I'd say, skip these two food options, and go for more drinks. They certainly know how to mix and have what to mix it all with. Also stick to the bar. Much better experience there than at the table. YMMV. read more
*I added points for being open late on a Sunday night. My review is solely based on experience. It was not a 'special evening', I am not a tourist - therefore I have no sentiment clouding my judgement. I also did not go pre-covid, so I have to judge based on my experience at this time. I'm sure our guest of honor had a good time, but the night in whole didn't impress, save for the decor and atmosphere. I did not come with a 'limit' on the night, but as we ordered not looking at prices, and I was realizing I was unimpressed, I looked back at the cost and it just didn't match up. Drinks: creative cocktails, no one got drunk (although we had several) but no one complained. Nothing we remember or need to go back for. (just FYI: the $1500 japanese whisky flight: we had the same line up in Japan for about $40USD, so save $1,500 and go to Japan!) DDs: The glassbottle mexican coke for $5 is the best deal. the fruit punch is the same one at chuck e. cheese (but other restaurants charge $5 for fountain drinks so it's not a knock on them), and although it has refills, the mexican coke for the same price is much more worth it. Food: - Caesar Salad $14: I was like, omg is this a safeway salad at first. By taste I can tell the sauce with anchovies was well made, but the lettuce or the presentation seemed like a waste of such a good sauce. - French fries $16: was good to share, but not anything I haven't had before, again the sauces stole the show. Ordered this twice and the 2nd time it was just 'shells' with no potato meat inside, too oily, and too burnt. 1st time it was good. - Fried Pickles $14: also good, but with better sauce. - Spanish Octopus $24: The little chip one was great flavor wise but it's just a taste, very little food, good flavor though. - Escargot $16: probably the most impressive dish. Asked for more bread and got lovely toasted bread chips. Filling for the price - probably our best choice of the night if you're into it. There is some saucier back there that should open a restaurant. But not knowing the price, I was never totally happy with anything. After learning the price, I was even less impressed. The atmosphere - Dark moody, speakeasy, I swear I've been to this bar in LA. Great decor, very cool. Waitress was great at explaining, kept our water full, very attentive, no issues with service. I would note there was one party seated in the outdoor seating that was very close to the restrooms, and I felt bad/awkward going in there with them so close. Parking: there's like 4 spots to the right of the mural (side street) and an attendant that will take your $5 for it. If not, park at Safeway and cross the busy street (Be careful esp. at night, there's no stop sign or light and people speed). I'm not 'upset' with anything, I just think my expectations were different based on the other reviews and the look of the place. Good to come once, after dinner, for a drink and a chat. Won't return. BTW: there is no kama'aina discount or specials, which i didn't expect, but was made clear there was none. read more
4 years ago
We had the best time! The atmosphere was great, the service incredible, and the food and drinks top tier. We came here to celebrate my birthday and will definitely be back!! read more
3 years ago
Been here several times and the food is consistently good, the drinks are always tasty, the service is great, and the ambiance is pleasant! The drinks are quite pricy, though, especially for what they offer from a flavor and liquor standpoint. read more
Most of the food and regular drinks were good, but holiday drink was quite disappointing. It was watery and blah for milk punch type cocktail. Additionally, service was lacking and it's overpriced for what you get. Our waiter walked by several times and didn't address our empty drinks. read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
6 years ago
I rarely say this, but this place is super overpriced. They sell a shot for $1500 from a $4500 bottle!However the ambiance, drinks and service are all great. The food was below average for me, the A5 wagyu sando was overcooked, and tasted good but worse than expected for A5 wagyu. The scallop dish tasted really bad to me, I couldn't even eat one even though I typically love scallop Would recommend going for drinks and fries but not for food read more
3 years ago
Cody was an exceptional waiter with vast knowledge of the menu! He was spot on with recommendations & made us feel welcomed & at home! He also had a very humorous side. We will definitely be back again when visiting Oahu! read more
I mean... it wasn't bad. I just wish the food matched the level of the drinks. With Blind Ox being such a new restaurant/Speak Easy they are doing quite well. A few minor adjustments, and they might easily be running for top restaurants in Hawaii. Overall, a fun night with great drinks, great environment, and decent food. My suggestion: don't come if you're hungry.. come for the enormous amount of variety of Whiskey's Oh yeah.. good luck with parking, valet is not a recommendation it's required! read more
Super cool spot. It's a bit pricey but the ambience is fantastic and the drinks are delicious. Our waiter was super friendly and cool, he made great recommendations! We came for after dinner drinks and a small snack but I'd love to come back and try out some more of their food, it looks really good! The whole place is super cool with dark lighting and red accents. obviously Bull/matador themed, everything down to the smallest detail tied back into the theme. A very beautiful and cool place to take a date! read more
6 years ago
My new go-to spot. I love speakeasys. The ambiance was great and I appreciate having a choice of outside or inside seating. I used valet parking with no issues. Because this was my first time, we tried a variety of dishes. My favorite was the bone marrow. Also great choice are kanpachi tacos, king crab tempura, caviar, and wagyu. I am a whiskey drinker and enjoyed both bar tenders choice and new fashion. read more
I went to Blind Ox for a birthday dinner and this place is so cutee!!! It gives off speakeasy vibes and I feel like theres barely anywhere in Hawaii that's like it. It is pretty fancy so make sure you're not underdressed. The cocktails taste great and look so pretty as well. I got the Kapahulu Sunrise and it came with a lit cinnamon stick that smells so good. Everything we ordered was AMAZING!! We got the crab tempura, spanish octopus, oyster uni shooters, fries, escargot, and the bone marrow. My favorite would have to be the oyster shooters, escargot, and the bone marrow. Service was amazing and very attentive. There is also a cute thrown with crowns you can take pictures on. I honestly love this place so much that I booked another reservation to take my friend for our Christmas dinner. You should check this place out even if you're in the area just for drinks. read more
5 years ago
If you want somewhere to just have a small dish and nice glass of drink, this is a place for you. On kapahulu and they have valet in front of the restaurant. They have outdoor seating and indoor. Pictures from Indoor seating and not too dark and not too loud that day. Try at least once! read more
6 years ago
Great new speakeasy spot on Kapahulu! They serve food here too so it's great place to come for some lupus and handcrafted drinks. There's an outdoor portion where it's a bit more casual and no ac and there's an indoor area where it has more of that speakeasy feel. The cocktails are creative and tasty. This place focuses on premier whiskies. I ordered a fancy gin concoction. All their signature cocktail drinks are pretty to look at! Loved the vibe inside this speakeasy! The food is also pretty good! We ordered their escargot and truffle garlic fries. Great service here. Parking is valet only $5. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
A whiskey focused bar with high end small plates. I was most looking forward to the craft cocktails but the food was really delicious too. I had anticipated some very small portions with this being considered tapas and I prepped myself to leave feeling hungry. I was pleasantly surprised that the portions were indeed shareable for two. Three people could share and then get another menu item to try. The chicken was my favorite, I liked the double dredge and pickle brine. Cocktail menu is interesting albeit very expensive. The $17 boco del toro/old fashioned was great but hardly worth that price tag. There were other cocktails in the $19-22 range that looked super unique but I was worried About chancing the uniqueness and not liking it. Had a large and praise worthy whisky and wine menu so die hard purists may like to order straight from the bar menu. Overall this place is expensive but definitely worth a visit for a special night out to try fun and new flavor combinations. read more
5 years ago
Blind Ox was a wonderful experience! We went here for a bachelorette party and had reservations which made things seamless. The ambiance is a great "speakeasy" vibe with modern/bougie touches. I ordered the Kapahulu Sunrise to drink and it lived up to its name of being the "Mojito's Cooler Older Brother"- very tasty As far as food goes, it's "tapas style" so it's best to order a few options as a group and share plates. My favorites were the Tacos, the Salmon Mousse, and the Scallops! I wasn't a fan of all dishes but there are definitely stand out items. I appreciated the plating as well- it helped add to the ambiance of the restaurant. I would definitely come again! read more
Overall I am not sure if the food and drinks were worth the expensive price tag. When we walked into the speakeasy area it was definitely cool but we were sat in a dark corner and really couldn't see anything (for the first time in my life I had to use my phone flashlight to see the menu and I have good eyes) For drinks we ordered the Viva La Matcha, Thyme Out, Bull & The Whip and Tokyo Nights. The drinks were stunning and had good presentation but not worth the 20+ dollars a drink. Compared to drinks from other restaurants in the area, priced at around $15, Blind Ox's cocktails weren't stunningly better. For food we enjoyed the King Crab Tempura and the Petite Lobster Rolls. The Spanish Octopus was not good at all. The octopus was lukewarm and overcooked making it chewy. We weren't really satisfied with the meal. Overall, cool place but not worth it. read more
5 years ago
We enjoyed this experience very much. The food and drinks were exquisite. The drink menu is quite impressive. (Especially for whiskey lovers). The food was prepared perfectly. The outdoor seating was lovely, and felt very safe. We had outstanding service from our server. We will definitely be returning! read more
This place is really 4.5+ stars for originality of their cocktails and tapas, and when factoring in the taste/texture of the food. It's worth going at least once, maybe twice to sample all the dishes. Parking - valet $5. Or you'll need to find your own street parking. The valleys were quick and courteous. Ambiance - cool and casual outside seating under tents, and pretty classy old style elegant traditional (Like old England), or a fancy traditional restaurant. Outside has decent lighting. Inside is too dark to see the menu, at least for old people/or in our booth, with the high backed seating and privacy divider. Menus were beautiful, adding to the overall ambiance and dining experience. Blind Ox is known for their craft cocktails, extensive whisky menu, and original tapas, perour server and he was right. This is a place to come at least once for the experience! We each got a different cocktail: The Matcha - with matcha and coconut cream +, Kapahulu Sunrise - upscale mojito with a lit, smoky, cinnamon stick (great presentation and aroma), My Crackseed - bourbon with lemon peel and li hing mui, and rimmed with Li hing powder, and Tokyo Nights - with Japanese whisky, orange cognac, bitters. All were very good and creative. and each was almost outstanding. We are glad we tried them all. Tapas were fun and unique, too. Blind Ox Blue Balls - breaded mac and cheese with blue cheese and sriracha, escargot* - parm cheese, garlic butter, and sour dough bread (this was close to a traditional French escargot appetizer), nori shrimp - crunchy, breaded and nori wrapped with a flavorful ginger daikon broth, French fries - with white truffle oil, fried garlic, parm cheese, accompanied by a Serrano salsa (TOO HOT! They do warn you. Not meant for you to dunk the fries in.) and garlic aioli (good), Spanish Octopus* l (tender and smoked) and diced ceviche tako in a puff pastry shell, king crab tempura, 24K gold popcorn shrimp, petite lobster rolls (3, made with Tristan lobster). Favs: nori shrimp (for the others), Spanish octopus, king crab tempura, escargot, popcorn chicken. But everything was good. We plan to return one more time to try the other tapas. We came for my birthday and I received a complimentary key lime tart. We also got a bourbon crème brûlée and shared both. Overall - creativity 5+ stars, presentation 5 stars, ambiance 4.5 only because it's too dark to see the menus (candle didn't help at all - had to use flashlight on the camera). Also needed extra light due the food pics. Instead if using my flash and blinding everyone, daughter used her flashlight to back light the food Great thinking, daughter! Decor was fun overall. They even have a "throne " chair with crowns for photos just before you enter the dining room! Service 4.8 stars. Very good. Liked how the server helped explain about the menu and eating style. We did have to wait a few minutes in occasion to order more dishes. taste 4.5 stars because some of the textures didn't hit the mark ; but again all were very good overall. One thing I noticed was the breading on a couple of items. Very crunchy but also very "bready". A little on the heavy side, true bread crumb type of coating, thick so extra crunchy, not light but still crunchy like panko breading. This missed the mark for me. The thickness made it crunchy but also was too much breading, and I usually love breading. Not crisp - the top pieces of king crab tempura were not crisp even though there's was no sauce on them. Expectation was for a true quality, well fried tempura for the price. Fries were not crisp. I happen to like soggy fries so I was happy and ate a lot, but everyone else was not. Taste was good. Garlic was not crunchy or crisp as described on menu. Dessert - as mentioned we had a complimentary key lime pie, which here two tarts with whipped cream. Good, light, not tart, nota strong taste of lime. Crème brûlée was delicious. Instead of only sugar on top there was salt, too! Really liked this sweet and salty touch. The custard was very smooth and yummy. We liked this one better. All the dishes were good even if some didn't produce an ooh or ahh response upon presentation or after the first bite. Just a tad pricey for the food, only because some dishes didn't wow. If all had wowed us, they would have been with every penny. However, we will be back at least one more time, hubby is considering choosing this place for his birthday, but he's hesitating just a bit for the reasons above. So glad to have tried this place! read more
4 years ago
I loved the atmosphere and the food/drinks here. It's a unique concept for Hawaii, with drinks focusing on whisky. They serve a variety of signature cocktails as well as other alcoholic beverages. I really liked their lobster rolls. The bone marrow is served with sourdough bread and it pairs nicely with the whiskey. The portions are on the small side, so kept that in mind when visiting! Service is great, we made reservations and were seated within 5 minutes of arriving. I'll definitely be coming back! read more
6 years ago
5 years ago
So the blind ox steak was actually really good. It was cut into thin pieces and ready to eat. I would rate it a 8.9/10. The place is super cute. The only real issue I have is the price of the dishes. Tapas should not be $38. That's highway robbery and therefore they lose a star. read more
6 years ago
Tldr: The Blind Ox is a very well-decorated restaurant with a unique speakeasy atmosphere and ambience with delicious and beautifully-plated small dishes, perfectly-paired with a wide selection of creative cocktails and drinks! Party of 4 for dinner on New Year's Eve! Parking: The parking availability in the area of the restaurant is scarce, however, the restaurant provides valet services at a low cost that is very much worth the peace of mind. Ambience/Atmosphere: Right away you notice that this is a very beautiful restaurant! The front, where a majority of dining tables are, is nicely decorated and definitely gives you a aesthetic vibe with its decor and levels to the flooring; the back is a more dimly-lit, quiet room with a speakeasy vibe associated with it, which was very unique. The Food: My group ordered the Oyster Shooters, Charcuterie Board, U-10 Scallops, Duck Prosciutto, Petite Lobster Rolls, and Bone Marrow. Each dish was beautifully plated (refer to pictures) and tasted amazing! It is difficult to pick a favorite but I would have to go with the duck prosciutto followed by the U-10 scallops personally. Although the dishes look small and serve a party of 2-3, I left feeling very content and satisfied! The Drinks: My group ordered The Madrid, Boca Del Toro, Tokyo Nights, Kalimotxo, and Mr. Crack Seed. Each drink was very creative and tasted great, however, I love a good old fashion whiskey and thus my favorite drink was the Boca Del Toro, however, the Mr. Crack Seed was a really unique drink that was also delicious and rare to find in other locations! Overall, the Blind Ox was a lovely visit and dine-in experience with the delicious and beautifully-plated dishes, the unqiue and creative cocktails, and the aesthetically pleasing decor in combination with the speakeasy ambience, I would 100% visit again next time I am in the area! read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
Awesome service from Jay! He was very friendly and made great drink and food recommendations. He checked on us often and was easy to talk to. I never had to ask for water or flag down a staff member during our entire time there. The general manager (friendly dude in the suit) stopped by to greet each table which is such a simple but fantastic business practice. We will definitely be back as long as service remains this great. We ordered: Drinks: Tokyo Nights (lighter and citrusy whisky cocktail), the Boca Del Toro (more spirit forward old-fashioned type of cocktail), sazerac (neat rye cocktail), and The Madrid (tamarind and chili but tastes like li hing mui tbh). Food: petite lobster rolls, oyster shooters (fresh and citrusy! My friend hates oysters and she didn't gag), truffle fries (that fried garlic is so good), escargot, octopus, 24k gold honey chicken, king crab tempura, and key lime pie. The tapas are small, but effective. Everything tasted great and looked beautiful. My friend is a pescatarian so we ordered mostly seafood dishes and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and freshness of their seafood. Open table only lets you make a reservation for outside, but you can still request indoor seating. We sat outside and it was nice and breezy. Outside was also quieter and brighter. We passed through their indoor seating on our way out and it was beautiful as well. Parking is valet only for $5 which is reasonable. If you're cheap, park across the street at Safeway. Honestly though if you can't pay $5 + tip for parking, you probably have no business ordering $20 cocktails. This place is a little pricey, but worth it. If you liked Bar Leather Apron or Henry's Hardware Store, you'll like their drinks. If you are bougie or EXTRA, you gotta check this place out! read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
This place has really great decor! The drinks are very good. Their whiskey selection is outstanding. They have hibiki 30 sitting on the top shelf and so many more expensive whiskeys you can taste if your wallet can afford. There is a huge bull in the middle of the restaurant blind folded. Valet is only $5. This is definitely a place for a fun date. We tried the nori shrimp. It was pretty filling as an appetizer. We received five big deep fried shrimp on top of sauce. read more
5 years ago
Food & Cocktails were delicious. The ambiance was nice. Our waiter was great. The reason for the 3 stars was because as soon as we sat down; we were told by the host that we had a 2hr limit to sit & eat/drink. We came on a Wednesday night, it was empty. That threw my vibe off & immediately felt I should've spent my money elsewhere. We could've racked a $1000 tab if we wanted to but definitely not in 2Hrs. Lol! We won't be back. read more
More info about Blind Ox
829 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
Kaimuki
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Ask the Community - Blind Ox
Bar seat Reservations?
I loved the bar seating! If you book a 'bar' reservation, you will literally be seated at the bar. Great opportunity to chat with the bartender about their cocktails.
Im trying to book a resevation but dont understand what "standard" seating means. What is "standard" seating?
It means seated at a table and not the bar or outside patio
Is there some good music playing in the outdoor area?
Yes we have speakers in our outdoor area.
Since the safe access has been lifted, does anyone know if they still required vaccinated cards/covid tests?
Is this place appropriate for kids? I'll be traveling with my 13 and 10 years old. Would love to try this place if it is.
This place is very laid back. When I dined there, I sat inside and no one bothered. Everyone minded their own business and went about their day. The only thing that wouldn't make this place kid-friendly would be the fact that it's a speakeasy…
Is this place only 21+?
No it is not, but they will card for alcoholic beverages.
Do they accept discover credit cards?
Yes. Blind Ox takes Visa,Mastercard,Amex and Discover.
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Blind Ox - tapasmallplates - Updated October 2026
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