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Delightful from beginning to end! Jon wanted the Prix Fixe set and this was the perfect way to try a little of everything. To start, a thin crisp appetizer of chicken skin, topped with a nice amount of ikura. Next was a warm bowl of fish bisque and the perfect toast. For the palate cleanser, a refreshing Pina colada granita. By far, my favorite of the evening, was the seared scallops with a generous dollop of caviar. This incredible dish was prepared to perfection. Just the right amount of sear, not over cooking the scallops. Plenty enough caviar to enjoy with all the delicious scallops and a delicate sauce, not drowning out anything. This was served up nicely with dainty polenta and fine chopped onion. Trust me, you WILL moan with excitement in every single enjoyable bite of this! As if dinner couldn't be more perfect, the double rack of lamb was served just the way we like it, medium rare. Excellent flavor and paired well with the smokey cabbage wedge. I believe Chef Anthony said the luscious gravy had tasty duck fat. So good that my guest chewed his lamb bones :) Chef Anthony knocked it out of the park with his summer dessert special! Perfect brulee crisp over a smooth yet delicate lemon creme. This balanced incredibly well with a mixed berry filling that isn't too sweet. And the bottom crust, the perfect thickness, not to heavy, just right and all together is the perfect size to satisfy the polished last bite. This establishment is bright and airy with a golden decor, sure to bring you cheer. Seating is clean and spacious. Service is top notch - sincerely appreciate the personalized communication about each delicious serving! We both enjoyed this dining experience, worthy of repeat visits!
Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the heart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back!
My friend told me to pick a place for my birthday, so I started scrolling through Yelp and came across this spot. From the photos, it looked like it had a luxurious and elevated vibe -- and the one dish that really caught my eye was the Duck Wellington. I'm a huge duck lover, so I figured, why not give it a shot? My friend arrived a bit early for our reservation, and I came in shortly after. When I first walked in, there wasn't a greeting right away, but I was just excited to see my friend! After a few minutes of chatting, we were greeted by Anthony, who let us know he'd be taking our order shortly. We ended up going with the prix fixe menu along with a few supplements. The food was absolutely delicious. My favorites were the scallop dish and the lamb at the end -- the lamb was incredibly soft and tender; I couldn't get enough of it. Anthony also came by to chat with us, and you could really feel his passion for cooking through his food and the way he shared his story. I usually don't love fine dining spots, but this is one I'd definitely come back to!
Booked this place bc I wanted to try some place new and fancy. I'm not a pre fixed menu kind of person but this menu did not disappoint. Book your reservations for flavorful and next level food art experience. The attention to detail in every dish truly made this experience worth while and the burst of flavors in each dish offered a surprise to your sense. The pani puri was a combination of crunch, slight tomato acidity and the aromatics of the pesto. All the flavors combined together in a one bite bunch. French onion soup: my husbands favorite! The chunky onions gave flavor in every bite. Personally love the cheesy crunchy topping was my favorite. Watermelon Granita: who knew that there's such thing as a pallet cleaner other than ginger! I enjoyed this cold, icy and slight pickled dish. Seemed like slightly frozen watermelon rind served with a slightly salty, delicately rolled crunchy thing: maybe like a daikon? Kinda wish I had more of it even if it was intended to be a pallet cleanser. Pan seared scallops: divine!!! Such a flavorful scallop topped with lava salt, a nice char, and tomato based sauce artistically plated with micro greens and shrimp toast. Would order more scallops if I could, selfishly wanted to eat more than 3. But the portions were for the best in hindsight :) Smoked pork belly: not a huge pork fan but this was definitely flavorful and I enjoyed the salad and Brussels. Nice way to be "healthy" while enjoying the fatty slices of glazed pork. Didn't get to try the Australian Picanha bc it's required to have two chefs in the kitchen and one chef was on paternity. Wasn't a big deal for us especially since they did call me a week before letting me know that they would be one chef down. So I truly appreciated the customer service. Lastly the molten Ube: not too sweet and not overly dominating in the Ube crème flavors. Crunch, not oily, and the haupia glaze added another layer to this dessert. As this is a pre fixed menu, please note that sizes may seem small at first but at the end of it all, my husband and I were full. Perfectly content with my choice and risk to try a pre fixed I'm impressed and satisfied with Carte Blanche. Having experience in the Architect and Engineering world, The decor was emasculate. Details worked into the atmosphere to keep up with the white and gold theme truly makes this place intimate and bougie.
This spot is truly a hidden gem. My husband and I had a wonderful experience dining here and thoroughly enjoyed the company of the Chef. All dishes were delicious and meticulously plated. The French onion soup was our favorite followed by the succulent cha sew pork. We will definitely be returning on our next trip to Hawaii!
We had a wonderful experience with great food and staff. The A5 Wagyu Tartar was so tasty and a perfect appetizer. I thoroughly enjoyed the pre-fixe menu where you sample everything. A new seasonal menu will come out in November.
We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. The restaurant was quite small but the interior has a modern classy vibe. We went on a weekday and the place was empty. We were the only ones occupying a table until another party came in after we were about to leave. Even when we're the only ones there, it wasn't uncomfortable since both chefs were focusing on preparing the dishes. We had some cases where some servers at other places would stare at us eating or conversing which made us very uncomfortable. Anyways, when we were seated one of the chefs introduced the prix fixe menu that consist of 5 courses. There is also a kids menu and additional supplement menu. Caprese pani puri: I've tried pani puri once at a wedding and I was not a fan. However, this pani puri was delicious. The pesto and burrata were fresh. The tomato water poured in was a burst of flavor. The outer crisp was so light and thin. French onion soup: The soup presentation was absolutely beautiful. The top pasty grid was flaky and buttery. There were some lumps on top with a savory filling, I assume creamy onions that were delicious. The soup itself however was very salty. Even with the pastry broken in and mixed with the soup, it was still quite salty. Cucumber and melon granita: Very nice palette cleanser. It's helps cleanse the saltiness of the soup. Cold smoked ora king salmon: My favorite dish of the night. I rarely eat salmon at restaurants since it's tend to be overcooked or dry. The king salmon was the best I've had that I wished I can ordered an additional one to go. The dish was like an elevated version of a Hawaiian salmon lomi lomi. The salmon was very moist and soft. It was very buttery with a good amount of oil and fat. It was cooked perfectly. The tiny chops of tomatoes and onions were fresh and the charred cabbage was so savory. 72 hours not just braised short rib "steak": The braised short ribs were so soft and tender. The fried ulu and the foam sauce was delicious and goes well with the short ribs. The only thing we couldn't finish was the fried shiso. It was stuffed with other ingredients that made it taste quite peculiar and odd. Molten and frozen fried ube potato pie: This definitely reminds me of McDonald taro pie. The one fries under the pie was a cute addition. It was good. A good dessert to end an amazing meal. Overall, an amazing dinner. The prix fixe menu included 5 delicious dishes that were quite filling. For $74 each person, this was a great dinner with a good deal. It was disappointing that we couldn't try their duck Wellington since it wasn't available the night we visited. I did hear recently that you can request for it beforehand when making your reservation so they can prepare. This place definitely needs more recognition.
Located on 11th Ave in Kaimuki, next to where their AV storefront is. Parking upfront seems to be reserved for their staff, so we parked in the main gated parking area in the back. We couldn't quite figure out if there was a pathway to cut straight into the restaurant from the parking lot, so we walked around, if that makes sense. Look to enter through the brown wooden door, not the white covered glass doors with a lock on it. All this for just $74, such a steal! The portion sizes were huge and we were already full, by the time we finished the salmon course. Very interesting concept, though I wish the menu was a little bit more cohesive throughout the evening. There were blips of wins and areas of opportunity, but definitely worth a try. The inside of the restaurant is very clean and a total vibe where it feels like you're in a different location entirely (you can't hear any of the outside street noise from inside). As for the service, it was a 3-man show when we went there. Looked to be one main guy cooking, another one helping/running the food, along with a sommelier. The sommelier was under the weather for the evening, so he was helping to cook the food (TMI, though I appreciate the honesty). Every dish was explained and they were able to accommodate my nut allergy, thank you for that! My opinions on the following, take it with a grain of salt: Pani Puri - I personally didn't care for the burrata cheese inside, as I'm accustomed to the Indian street food version, but I appreciate the creativity on that. French Onion Soup - on point! The croquette on top yummy, when you mix it with the soup base yummy. Not too salty, just the right temperature. Cucumber and Melon Granita - Not my favorite, tasted like watermelon rind. And the pickles threw me way off. Maybe like a brighter zestier note if it's supposed to be like a palate cleanser, perhaps something yuzu? Cold Smoked Ora King Salmon - I personally love squid luau or luau in general and this was the fanciest I've ever seen a Hawaiian-inspired dish. Portion size is huge, all the flavors meshed very well together. 72 Hour Not Just Braised Short Rib "Steak" - presentation and plating may help gel the flavors better. I enjoyed the components separately because it felt like too much of the aioli or mentaiko foam that was on the plate. Less of that, off to the side, next to the salad, and the meat off to the side is what I'm envisioning. The crispy stuffed shiso leaf topping was not my favorite. I think the cassava filling threw me off. Molten & Frozen Fried Ube Potato Pie - my only wish was to have more of this! Everything on point here! Great date night or girls night out spot! I'm interested to see how often they change up their menus and to see what else they come up with next!
Chef Anthony and his cook have chosen a different route, one that is marked by purpose, integrity, and undeniable talent, in an era when many kitchens follow trends. Their restaurant serves more than just food; it tells a story through expertly and passionately prepared food. The entire meal feels like a conversation between the chef and the diner, from the first course to the last drink. Not only are you eating, but you're also listening, learning, and enjoying. From the very first bite, it's evident that this kitchen has soul. Chef Anthony is a visionary leader, but he is not by himself. Every garnish has a purpose, and every dish is expertly prepared. A restaurant founded on excellence rather than ego is something that Chef Anthony and his cook are creating in a unique way. Come hungry, leave inspired.
This is our second time here. Last time we neglected to post a review. This is becoming one of our favorite restaurant. Two words to describe this restaurant; Hidden gem! We had the prix fix winter menu and added the Duck Wellington. Call in a week in advance so the can have it prepared as it is not on the regular menu. You won't be disappointed. Everything was superb...Winter Forest Floor, French Onion.soup, Ravioli, Seared Scallops, Duck Wellington and followed up with the Pop Coen Ice Cream...yes it does taste like buttered popcorn! It was the absolute bomb. Chef Anthony and Aiden were very attentive and provided stellar service. Ten star experience!
Came here for a bday/ Xmas celebration. They have a set menu for the holidays so we didn't get to try the infamous duck wellington. We could just imagine how good it is as everything on their pre fix menu were great!! Their foie gras with bread - that bread was so buttery and soft! The onion soup was sooo delicious and you must try their fried chicken! They ran out of caviar so we only got to try the regular order, it was super juicy! I highly recommended if you are looking for a place for any kind of celebration!
One of the most creative restaurants I've eaten at. It is a little off the beaten path from Waikiki, but it is well worth the Uber ride out! We came here for my girlfriend's birthday dinner and were not disappointed. We were the only guests there for 8:30 dinner on a Thursday. The place is small and only opened four months ago, and it felt like an exclusive dining experience. The waiter gave us a great recommendation for wine that paired well with both of our dinners. Everything was amazing! What stood out to me us the way they pair Hawaiian flavors with fine dining -- it is arguably more of a Hawaiian culinary experience than anywhere else. The waiter was knowledgeable and explained the source of ingredients and all the meticulous work that goes into preparing the food. If you want a luxurious meal in Honolulu/Waikiki, this is the place to be!
The world food tour resumed its journey with a stop at Carte Blanche, one of the three restaurants operated by the XO AV & CB Group. We tried XO a while ago and found it interesting and very reasonably priced. We learned that they changed their menu after our visit and we had intended to return but we heard about Carte Blanche and decided to try this place first. It's located on 11th avenue, across the street from Kaimuki Community Park. There are a limited number of parking spaces in front of the Carte Blanche and AV but we parked in the Kaimuki Municipal lot. It's a very brightly lit space with white / gold wallpaper, white / black floor tiles and whitish marble tables with white chairs with large pillows as backrests. There's an open kitchen to your left as you enter, manned by three people. I thought of Peik Lin's family home in Crazy Rich Asians. The only discordant note was the rock music being played. They offer an extensive wine list with two prices; you can opt for corkage at $30pp and pay a lower price for a bottle or go with the "regular" price. This would work well if you're going to consume more than one bottle as the price difference is substantial. As it was just the two of us, we went with a 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from DuMol Vineyards. Purplish and raisiny, with lots of fruit. We chose two appetizers from the Carte Blanche Eats for Two menu, A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Tartare and the Seared Foie Gras. Our server Anthony recommended we order the foie gras off the kid's menu as it eliminated the hash browns and garnishes but you got three pieces instead of two. The more foie gras, the better for us. The tartare was roughly chopped and came surrounded by chopped cornichons, herbs and crème fraiche and two pieces of gold leaf. It was left to us to determine how much of each to mix with the meat. I mixed all of it, including torn gold leaf. I found the hash brown to be somewhat at odds with the tartare and would have felt the same way with the foie gras. I would have preferred toasted bread or small blinis. However, each dish was superb. As an intermezzo, we were served some granita with an interesting flavor profile ... I don't recall what it was but it was refreshing. We had the Dry Aged Duck Breast Pretzel Brioche Wellington and the 72 Hour Not Just Braised Short Rib "Steak". The duck presentation was interesting ... It was shaped like a large carrot with latticed brioche surrounding the duck breast. It was surrounded by an ume port wine sauce. The duck was very tender and the brioche mimicked the puff pastry used in a Wellington. Inventive. The short rib came sliced and served with a large bone acting as the vehicle for the dollops of guava / BBQ / Smoked Water that added flavor accents to the beef. Under the bone was an arugula salad. I used the foie gras drippings to add extra richness to the meat. One can never have enough foie gras. We shared a Foie Gras Butterscotch Pudding for dessert and I had a French Press of Kona coffee. The dessert was probably the least successful dish for us; my fellow foodie doesn't care for butterscotch and I don't like tapioca. Carte Blanche needs a dessert with dark chocolate. What did we think? I thought the food was inventive and prepared well. We would have preferred more subdued lighting and music more conducive to fine dining. Having said that, we enjoyed our meal at Carte Blanche. Recommended!
2 months ago
Wow!! I really loved this restaurant. We had a big group in our reservation. My boyfriend and I have many dietary restrictions and the chef accommodated even though we told the chef about our dietary restrictions only when we got to the restaurant. Service is amazing and everyone was very nice. The restaurant is so cute and I really liked the decor. The food was INCREDIBLE! I would come back to Hawaii just to eat here again. Thank you so much! read more
An evening to remember. Tonight's Prix Fixe Menu at Carte Blanche was nothing short of excellence. Each course was crafted with such creativity and balance: * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin with Smoked Trout Roe & Herbs: Each little section had its own unique flavors. * Soupe de Poisson with grilled City Bread from The Breadshop & Rouille: Sean said this was his favorite. He literally was wiping up the soup with his fingers. Haha! * Pina Colada Granita - the perfect palate cleanser! * Pan-Seared Scallops with Corn Béchamel, Polenta & Fresh Relish: Amazing texture and flavors. Scallops were super fresh and cooked to perfection. * Double Cut Rack of Lamb with Charred Savoy Cabbage & Miso Red Wine Sauce: I was thiiiis close to licking my plate. Super YUM! * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart with Summer Berry Jam: There's nothing like pairing lemon and berries... but to brûlée the top, oh man!! And as a special treat, we even got to pre-sample the dessert for the upcoming November menu - such a sweet sneak peek of what's to come! + Hint: Favorite Local Snack. Grateful for this beautiful dining experience where every bite told a story in this beautiful atmosphere. 10/10 Highly recommended. 5 Stars! read more
If you're looking for Kaimuki's most romantic date night spot, look no further than Carte Blanche. We recently experienced their summer prix fixe menu (which changes twice a year), and it was one of those meals you remember long after the plates are cleared. The progression of dishes felt thoughtful and creative-- * Crispy Salt & Vinegar Chicken Skin (the perfect starter crunch) * Soupe de Poisson (deep, comforting flavors) * Pina Colada Granita (a refreshing palate cleanser) * Pan Seared Scallops (my personal favorite--perfectly caramelized and tender) * Double Cut Rack of Lamb (succulent and cooked to perfection) * Lemon Crème Brûlée Tart (a sweet, bright finish) Every plate was elegant, well-executed, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated and welcoming. Dim lighting, intimate tables, and quiet elegance make you feel like you've stepped into a hidden gem in the middle of Kaimuki. Honestly, I felt like a celebrity dining here. Service was polished but never pretentious--our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the courses, and kept the pacing of the meal just right. For the level of creativity and execution, Carte Blanche feels like an affordable luxury in Honolulu's dining scene. Perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or anytime you want an elevated experience without flying to the mainland. Highly recommend booking a reservation--you'll want to savor every moment here. read more
Delightful from beginning to end! Jon wanted the Prix Fixe set and this was the perfect way to try a little of everything. To start, a thin crisp appetizer of chicken skin, topped with a nice amount of ikura. Next was a warm bowl of fish bisque and the perfect toast. For the palate cleanser, a refreshing Pina colada granita. By far, my favorite of the evening, was the seared scallops with a generous dollop of caviar. This incredible dish was prepared to perfection. Just the right amount of sear, not over cooking the scallops. Plenty enough caviar to enjoy with all the delicious scallops and a delicate sauce, not drowning out anything. This was served up nicely with dainty polenta and fine chopped onion. Trust me, you WILL moan with excitement in every single enjoyable bite of this! As if dinner couldn't be more perfect, the double rack of lamb was served just the way we like it, medium rare. Excellent flavor and paired well with the smokey cabbage wedge. I believe Chef Anthony said the luscious gravy had tasty duck fat. So good that my guest chewed his lamb bones :) Chef Anthony knocked it out of the park with his summer dessert special! Perfect brulee crisp over a smooth yet delicate lemon creme. This balanced incredibly well with a mixed berry filling that isn't too sweet. And the bottom crust, the perfect thickness, not to heavy, just right and all together is the perfect size to satisfy the polished last bite. This establishment is bright and airy with a golden decor, sure to bring you cheer. Seating is clean and spacious. Service is top notch - sincerely appreciate the personalized communication about each delicious serving! We both enjoyed this dining experience, worthy of repeat visits! read more
7 months ago
Took our friend here for her birthday and what a hidden gem this place was. Tucked away in the heart of Kaimuki, Carte Blanche was definitely a delightful surprise! When our party first walked in, we were a tiny bit skeptical because of the empty room (which was beautifully decorated). However as each course came out, we were blown away and didn't know how the restaurant was not way busier for a Saturday night! Each dish/course was well thought out and prepared to perfection. We were all taken by surprise in a great way. The head chef Anthony was very passionate and excited about his work and that was very refreshing! Overall a wonderful experience and we will be back! read more
1 year ago
My friend told me to pick a place for my birthday, so I started scrolling through Yelp and came across this spot. From the photos, it looked like it had a luxurious and elevated vibe -- and the one dish that really caught my eye was the Duck Wellington. I'm a huge duck lover, so I figured, why not give it a shot? My friend arrived a bit early for our reservation, and I came in shortly after. When I first walked in, there wasn't a greeting right away, but I was just excited to see my friend! After a few minutes of chatting, we were greeted by Anthony, who let us know he'd be taking our order shortly. We ended up going with the prix fixe menu along with a few supplements. The food was absolutely delicious. My favorites were the scallop dish and the lamb at the end -- the lamb was incredibly soft and tender; I couldn't get enough of it. Anthony also came by to chat with us, and you could really feel his passion for cooking through his food and the way he shared his story. I usually don't love fine dining spots, but this is one I'd definitely come back to! read more
Booked this place bc I wanted to try some place new and fancy. I'm not a pre fixed menu kind of person but this menu did not disappoint. Book your reservations for flavorful and next level food art experience. The attention to detail in every dish truly made this experience worth while and the burst of flavors in each dish offered a surprise to your sense. The pani puri was a combination of crunch, slight tomato acidity and the aromatics of the pesto. All the flavors combined together in a one bite bunch. French onion soup: my husbands favorite! The chunky onions gave flavor in every bite. Personally love the cheesy crunchy topping was my favorite. Watermelon Granita: who knew that there's such thing as a pallet cleaner other than ginger! I enjoyed this cold, icy and slight pickled dish. Seemed like slightly frozen watermelon rind served with a slightly salty, delicately rolled crunchy thing: maybe like a daikon? Kinda wish I had more of it even if it was intended to be a pallet cleanser. Pan seared scallops: divine!!! Such a flavorful scallop topped with lava salt, a nice char, and tomato based sauce artistically plated with micro greens and shrimp toast. Would order more scallops if I could, selfishly wanted to eat more than 3. But the portions were for the best in hindsight :) Smoked pork belly: not a huge pork fan but this was definitely flavorful and I enjoyed the salad and Brussels. Nice way to be "healthy" while enjoying the fatty slices of glazed pork. Didn't get to try the Australian Picanha bc it's required to have two chefs in the kitchen and one chef was on paternity. Wasn't a big deal for us especially since they did call me a week before letting me know that they would be one chef down. So I truly appreciated the customer service. Lastly the molten Ube: not too sweet and not overly dominating in the Ube crème flavors. Crunch, not oily, and the haupia glaze added another layer to this dessert. As this is a pre fixed menu, please note that sizes may seem small at first but at the end of it all, my husband and I were full. Perfectly content with my choice and risk to try a pre fixed I'm impressed and satisfied with Carte Blanche. Having experience in the Architect and Engineering world, The decor was emasculate. Details worked into the atmosphere to keep up with the white and gold theme truly makes this place intimate and bougie. read more
This spot is truly a hidden gem. My husband and I had a wonderful experience dining here and thoroughly enjoyed the company of the Chef. All dishes were delicious and meticulously plated. The French onion soup was our favorite followed by the succulent cha sew pork. We will definitely be returning on our next trip to Hawaii! read more
1 year ago
We had a wonderful experience with great food and staff. The A5 Wagyu Tartar was so tasty and a perfect appetizer. I thoroughly enjoyed the pre-fixe menu where you sample everything. A new seasonal menu will come out in November. read more
We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. The restaurant was quite small but the interior has a modern classy vibe. We went on a weekday and the place was empty. We were the only ones occupying a table until another party came in after we were about to leave. Even when we're the only ones there, it wasn't uncomfortable since both chefs were focusing on preparing the dishes. We had some cases where some servers at other places would stare at us eating or conversing which made us very uncomfortable. Anyways, when we were seated one of the chefs introduced the prix fixe menu that consist of 5 courses. There is also a kids menu and additional supplement menu. Caprese pani puri: I've tried pani puri once at a wedding and I was not a fan. However, this pani puri was delicious. The pesto and burrata were fresh. The tomato water poured in was a burst of flavor. The outer crisp was so light and thin. French onion soup: The soup presentation was absolutely beautiful. The top pasty grid was flaky and buttery. There were some lumps on top with a savory filling, I assume creamy onions that were delicious. The soup itself however was very salty. Even with the pastry broken in and mixed with the soup, it was still quite salty. Cucumber and melon granita: Very nice palette cleanser. It's helps cleanse the saltiness of the soup. Cold smoked ora king salmon: My favorite dish of the night. I rarely eat salmon at restaurants since it's tend to be overcooked or dry. The king salmon was the best I've had that I wished I can ordered an additional one to go. The dish was like an elevated version of a Hawaiian salmon lomi lomi. The salmon was very moist and soft. It was very buttery with a good amount of oil and fat. It was cooked perfectly. The tiny chops of tomatoes and onions were fresh and the charred cabbage was so savory. 72 hours not just braised short rib "steak": The braised short ribs were so soft and tender. The fried ulu and the foam sauce was delicious and goes well with the short ribs. The only thing we couldn't finish was the fried shiso. It was stuffed with other ingredients that made it taste quite peculiar and odd. Molten and frozen fried ube potato pie: This definitely reminds me of McDonald taro pie. The one fries under the pie was a cute addition. It was good. A good dessert to end an amazing meal. Overall, an amazing dinner. The prix fixe menu included 5 delicious dishes that were quite filling. For $74 each person, this was a great dinner with a good deal. It was disappointing that we couldn't try their duck Wellington since it wasn't available the night we visited. I did hear recently that you can request for it beforehand when making your reservation so they can prepare. This place definitely needs more recognition. read more
2 years ago
Located on 11th Ave in Kaimuki, next to where their AV storefront is. Parking upfront seems to be reserved for their staff, so we parked in the main gated parking area in the back. We couldn't quite figure out if there was a pathway to cut straight into the restaurant from the parking lot, so we walked around, if that makes sense. Look to enter through the brown wooden door, not the white covered glass doors with a lock on it. All this for just $74, such a steal! The portion sizes were huge and we were already full, by the time we finished the salmon course. Very interesting concept, though I wish the menu was a little bit more cohesive throughout the evening. There were blips of wins and areas of opportunity, but definitely worth a try. The inside of the restaurant is very clean and a total vibe where it feels like you're in a different location entirely (you can't hear any of the outside street noise from inside). As for the service, it was a 3-man show when we went there. Looked to be one main guy cooking, another one helping/running the food, along with a sommelier. The sommelier was under the weather for the evening, so he was helping to cook the food (TMI, though I appreciate the honesty). Every dish was explained and they were able to accommodate my nut allergy, thank you for that! My opinions on the following, take it with a grain of salt: Pani Puri - I personally didn't care for the burrata cheese inside, as I'm accustomed to the Indian street food version, but I appreciate the creativity on that. French Onion Soup - on point! The croquette on top yummy, when you mix it with the soup base yummy. Not too salty, just the right temperature. Cucumber and Melon Granita - Not my favorite, tasted like watermelon rind. And the pickles threw me way off. Maybe like a brighter zestier note if it's supposed to be like a palate cleanser, perhaps something yuzu? Cold Smoked Ora King Salmon - I personally love squid luau or luau in general and this was the fanciest I've ever seen a Hawaiian-inspired dish. Portion size is huge, all the flavors meshed very well together. 72 Hour Not Just Braised Short Rib "Steak" - presentation and plating may help gel the flavors better. I enjoyed the components separately because it felt like too much of the aioli or mentaiko foam that was on the plate. Less of that, off to the side, next to the salad, and the meat off to the side is what I'm envisioning. The crispy stuffed shiso leaf topping was not my favorite. I think the cassava filling threw me off. Molten & Frozen Fried Ube Potato Pie - my only wish was to have more of this! Everything on point here! Great date night or girls night out spot! I'm interested to see how often they change up their menus and to see what else they come up with next! read more
1 year ago
Chef Anthony and his cook have chosen a different route, one that is marked by purpose, integrity, and undeniable talent, in an era when many kitchens follow trends. Their restaurant serves more than just food; it tells a story through expertly and passionately prepared food. The entire meal feels like a conversation between the chef and the diner, from the first course to the last drink. Not only are you eating, but you're also listening, learning, and enjoying. From the very first bite, it's evident that this kitchen has soul. Chef Anthony is a visionary leader, but he is not by himself. Every garnish has a purpose, and every dish is expertly prepared. A restaurant founded on excellence rather than ego is something that Chef Anthony and his cook are creating in a unique way. Come hungry, leave inspired. read more
10 months ago
This is our second time here. Last time we neglected to post a review. This is becoming one of our favorite restaurant. Two words to describe this restaurant; Hidden gem! We had the prix fix winter menu and added the Duck Wellington. Call in a week in advance so the can have it prepared as it is not on the regular menu. You won't be disappointed. Everything was superb...Winter Forest Floor, French Onion.soup, Ravioli, Seared Scallops, Duck Wellington and followed up with the Pop Coen Ice Cream...yes it does taste like buttered popcorn! It was the absolute bomb. Chef Anthony and Aiden were very attentive and provided stellar service. Ten star experience! read more
Came here for a bday/ Xmas celebration. They have a set menu for the holidays so we didn't get to try the infamous duck wellington. We could just imagine how good it is as everything on their pre fix menu were great!! Their foie gras with bread - that bread was so buttery and soft! The onion soup was sooo delicious and you must try their fried chicken! They ran out of caviar so we only got to try the regular order, it was super juicy! I highly recommended if you are looking for a place for any kind of celebration! read more
One of the most creative restaurants I've eaten at. It is a little off the beaten path from Waikiki, but it is well worth the Uber ride out! We came here for my girlfriend's birthday dinner and were not disappointed. We were the only guests there for 8:30 dinner on a Thursday. The place is small and only opened four months ago, and it felt like an exclusive dining experience. The waiter gave us a great recommendation for wine that paired well with both of our dinners. Everything was amazing! What stood out to me us the way they pair Hawaiian flavors with fine dining -- it is arguably more of a Hawaiian culinary experience than anywhere else. The waiter was knowledgeable and explained the source of ingredients and all the meticulous work that goes into preparing the food. If you want a luxurious meal in Honolulu/Waikiki, this is the place to be! read more
The world food tour resumed its journey with a stop at Carte Blanche, one of the three restaurants operated by the XO AV & CB Group. We tried XO a while ago and found it interesting and very reasonably priced. We learned that they changed their menu after our visit and we had intended to return but we heard about Carte Blanche and decided to try this place first. It's located on 11th avenue, across the street from Kaimuki Community Park. There are a limited number of parking spaces in front of the Carte Blanche and AV but we parked in the Kaimuki Municipal lot. It's a very brightly lit space with white / gold wallpaper, white / black floor tiles and whitish marble tables with white chairs with large pillows as backrests. There's an open kitchen to your left as you enter, manned by three people. I thought of Peik Lin's family home in Crazy Rich Asians. The only discordant note was the rock music being played. They offer an extensive wine list with two prices; you can opt for corkage at $30pp and pay a lower price for a bottle or go with the "regular" price. This would work well if you're going to consume more than one bottle as the price difference is substantial. As it was just the two of us, we went with a 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from DuMol Vineyards. Purplish and raisiny, with lots of fruit. We chose two appetizers from the Carte Blanche Eats for Two menu, A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Tartare and the Seared Foie Gras. Our server Anthony recommended we order the foie gras off the kid's menu as it eliminated the hash browns and garnishes but you got three pieces instead of two. The more foie gras, the better for us. The tartare was roughly chopped and came surrounded by chopped cornichons, herbs and crème fraiche and two pieces of gold leaf. It was left to us to determine how much of each to mix with the meat. I mixed all of it, including torn gold leaf. I found the hash brown to be somewhat at odds with the tartare and would have felt the same way with the foie gras. I would have preferred toasted bread or small blinis. However, each dish was superb. As an intermezzo, we were served some granita with an interesting flavor profile ... I don't recall what it was but it was refreshing. We had the Dry Aged Duck Breast Pretzel Brioche Wellington and the 72 Hour Not Just Braised Short Rib "Steak". The duck presentation was interesting ... It was shaped like a large carrot with latticed brioche surrounding the duck breast. It was surrounded by an ume port wine sauce. The duck was very tender and the brioche mimicked the puff pastry used in a Wellington. Inventive. The short rib came sliced and served with a large bone acting as the vehicle for the dollops of guava / BBQ / Smoked Water that added flavor accents to the beef. Under the bone was an arugula salad. I used the foie gras drippings to add extra richness to the meat. One can never have enough foie gras. We shared a Foie Gras Butterscotch Pudding for dessert and I had a French Press of Kona coffee. The dessert was probably the least successful dish for us; my fellow foodie doesn't care for butterscotch and I don't like tapioca. Carte Blanche needs a dessert with dark chocolate. What did we think? I thought the food was inventive and prepared well. We would have preferred more subdued lighting and music more conducive to fine dining. Having said that, we enjoyed our meal at Carte Blanche. Recommended! read more
1 year ago
We had a great dinner at Carte Blanche. It's a prie fixe menu. Started with Chicken skin with daps of salmon roe and I think it was sour cream. Seafood soup with edible flowers. Soup was a bit salty, but they took it back and watered it down for us. The scallops were one of the best we've ever had. It's seared on the outside and cook perfectly on the inside. The lamb chop was cooked medium to medium-rare, which was perfect. Last came the dessert, lemon tart with a berry filling. Flavoring is good however, the crust was a bit too hard. The price was quite inexpensive.$77/pp. definitely enough food for us because we're not really big eaters. However, I can see someone with a healthier appetite will not be full. I think they should also offer an à la carte menu for additional selection. We will return to try again in a couple of months. read more
SUPER LATE POST! Was lucky enough to get invited to a soft opening f&f weekend. kinda hidden speakeasy vibe kinda place. there is a sign out front, and while it appears as though their front doors are closed and locked, thats not their real front door. we had to call to find out how the hell to get in lol but once youre inside its like you stepped into another world. where it was dark and dingy outside, youre welcomed by bright white and gold everywhere. small dining space with a small open kitchen, makes everything super intimate. and on top of the ornate decorations you'll also sit in super plump white chairs with giant pillows that have their way of falling to the ground but the ambiance is not the only thing to die for. the food is exceptional as well. we ordered a ton of stuff even though there were only 2 of us. what made us laugh the most and what we knew we had to instantly order, were the dino nuggets, which we even got with the gold foil and edible flower decoration kit. you probably cant go wrong with anything you order the wellington was good if you like duck. slightly different as it has a pretzel exterior, which was done really well, and accompanies the denser texture of the duck perfectly. the pasta dish was also really good and cooked to perfection. and the salmon was also done well. read more
7 months ago
Hands-down one of the best romantic date spots on the island. The food is well prepared and the taste is out of this world. I would definitely recommend checking out Carte Blanche if you've never been there. read more
2 years ago
probably the best food I've had in Honolulu? Yes I have eaten it all the best restaurants here and this is now my favorite. And probably could be double the price in a larger city. Beautiful, small room atmosphere, and every one of the eight dishes we had were amazing. highly recommend you bring your date here for the entire place like we did for our company holiday party. read more
11 months ago
Decided to check this restaurant out based on the previous yelp reviews but was disappointed. First, the address is wrong on the yelp site. It should be 1133 11th Ave. ( vs 1138 listed). Private parking is very limited in front of the building that is also shared with Subway. The dining room is an airy nouveau faux opulent space with an open kitchen but not very charming or inviting. Although the menu looked interesting, the dishes were only ok and disappointing. The first two courses of the Pani Puri and French Onion soup were the best in presentation, taste and uniqueness. The watermelon granita was a good palette cleanser. The scallops were underwhelming...the scallops themselves were fishy, dry and just off. The shrimp toasts were good but over salted and the sauce was just too heavy for the dish. And why plate this on less than half the plate? The pork belly dish was beautifully plated and the salad, squash and Brussel sprouts were delicious. The pork belly taste for me was a bit underwhelming reminding me of the Smoked Chinese pork belly you find in the grocery store...just a fresher, better presented version. Thankfully the dessert left us with a good taste for the evening. The fried ube potato pie was a winner. read more
How. FUN is Carte Blanche! Decided to stop by for NYE dinner because the best way to ring in the new year is with some champagne & caviar, amirite??? The restaurant is located on 11th Ave - next to their sister restaurant AV. It looks like there are a few free parking stalls right outside of the restaurant, & there is parking inside of that complex for a reasonable price too. Our reservation was an early 6pm - we got inside & noticed it was still quite empty when we came in. Everything was so glitzy~ The restaurant is quite small, but the high ceilings, mirrors, white marble & shiny interior made the space feel bigger. We were greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbles as we made our way to our table! Our server Anthony went over the menu & ordering style. They ONLY server bottles of wine. They have 2 prices on the wine list. The left side is the regular price of the bottle, and the right is a "member's" price - you pay $30 a person and you get access to almost-wholesale prices for the same exact bottle. Seriously! We ended up having a bottle of barolo at the restaurant for $60, and taking a whole $40 bottle of bubbles home. Onto the food.. - Wagyu tartare for 2: comes with fresh cut wagyu, 2 hashbrown, fixins, & gold flake. tartare was great, gold flake was just for the gram haha - Caviar: didn't need another hashbrown setup so just got the a la carte tin, just wanted to spoil ourselves & eat caviar "ice cream" lulz - Pan fried saimin soup dumpling: super juicy! This was my favorite small bite lol. - Ulu two ways: seriously so good. huge fan of the shiso tempura & MENTAIKO FLUFF! - Duck breast wellington: Anthony says they make one of these per reservation they get because it's that good. The duck was super tender, the pretzel bun to soak up the port wine sauce was awesome. Lastly, service was awesome! Anthony was super knowledgable & friendly, and even though he was the only server that night, we managed to take care of the entire restaurant which had definitely filled up more towards the end of the night. Can't wait to go back for the next celebration! read more
2 years ago
Parking is right in front of the restaurant and you're able to make reservations through Yelp. When you walk in the place is very clean with nice ambiance. The plating is on point and the food tastes so delicious. Everything is so unique. The portions are bigger than expected too. Service was the best. Water was refilled in a timely manner and the dishes came out pretty fast. Overall would come back again. read more
2 years ago
Came here for dinner on Saturday, March 23rd. It's small but has a very glamorous feel to it. Lots of white and gold. My personal opinion is it's a bit bright in the restaurant. Not cafeteria bright but it's right below that. Our server was Anthony. Idk what this guy gets paid but I hope it's a lot. He's great. Friendly, attentive, and very informative about the menu. We got a bit of everything. Everything was good. Came out decently fast as well. Our favorites were the Ulu Two Ways and the 72 hour Shortrib. Looking back, we spent the money on wagyu but i would rather buy 2 or 3 short ribs in the future. The short rib is one of the best things i have ever eaten in a restaurant. I just wish i had more. This restaurant and restaurant XO are sister restaurants. I would say I enjoy XO a bit more. But this place was great to try as well. Still a 5 star Yelp establishment in my opinion. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Anthony, you're amazing. And your 1/3 of the playlist is everything! The white and gold decor is so chic and elegant - great for a Girls' Night with all the lighting and background opportunity for Selfie queens to shine. I had the shortrib - I would order it again and again and again. I asked if I could take the bone for my pup and Anthony wrapped a warm fresh one for me to bring home. She loved it as much as I did We're batting 2/2, sister XO knocked out of the park for us twice before, CB is keeping us hooked! read more
Aloha, ok there's a newbie in Kaimuki called Carte Blanche aka CB by Kenny Lee (known for AV and XO). This is a French inspired restaurant with Asian touches from a modified - Pinot Bitt in a pumpkin squash and fish Wellington, so yummy. Every dish ( caviar too) was amazing. Make your way to this new restaurant you be so happy you did. Enjoy! read more
We had an amazing dinner here on 10/26/23, the decor is pristine and as you step inside it's like being transported out of Honolulu and into a magical dining experience. For starters we had the Cauliflower, Ulu Two Ways and the Saimin Soup Dumplings. The cauliflower was simple but delicious, just a nice dish to taste fresh ingredients without overpowering any element. The Ulu included squash blossoms which were yummy, perfectly lightly fried. The ulu was very rich, this dish should be shared as it's savory but heavy. The soup dumplings had a quick pan fried note on them, quite tasty but the dumpling was "thicker" than I expected. Still delicious though! For entrees we had the Pinakbet and the Duck Wellington...and just wow! I was blown away by both dishes, the time and preparation for each dish is incredibly painstaking and time consuming and you can see how much love goes into these dishes. The entrees are the rockstars here and I must come back to experience them all. Desserts were savory, rich but wonderfully executed and the ingredients were so fresh and outstanding. These dishes really come together without elements overpowering others so there is balance and harmony. Rare to find that these days. Final note, the CB wine price offerings are an amazing deal and at $30 per person to "unlock" this special price on their wines is absolutely worthwhile if you're going to enjoy more than one bottle (we enjoyed 3 amazing bottles this evening). Service was spot on, warm and friendly throughout the entire evening and paced exceptionally well for our table. We never felt rushed and it made us want to plan our next visit. Which I plan to do right after I finish this review! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
First Girls Night in a while so we were looking for something special and a little bougie...Carte Blanche delivered!!! Ambiance: Bougie! Chandeliers and beautiful lighting, fluffy cushions covered with satin, nice menu with hard back covers. Service: we had this cute young man! He apologized as he was normally kitchen staff at the sister restaurant XO and was filling in. But he was polite, engaging, and attentive without overdoing it. Food: pre fixe menu only 1. Caprese pani puri w/tomato water Open wide! This is one big bite of crispy, bright, refreshing, tomato and mozzarella flavor packed deliciousness! 2. A take on French Onion Soup Salty and crispy, pretzel-like lattice complemented by sweet little onion balls atop French onion soup! So pretty and good til the last drop! 3. Palette cleansing granita Not quite sure, what this was, but it tasted like sweet pickled mango and mild takuan and was very refreshing! 4. Shrimp toast with scallops in a creamy bouillabaisse sauce The shrimp toast was a bit salty alone, but paired wonderfully with the perfectly cooked, mild flavored scallops and sauce! 5. Braised pork belly w/roasted vegetable salad The pork belly was nicely cooked, almost like candied charsiu. But the salad was the star for me! Mixed greens tossed with bacon oil and balsamic vinegar and topped with carrots, roasted parsnips and pumpkin, charred Brussels sprouts and crispy bits of bacon throughout! 6. Ube tart with coconut cream Warm and crunchy crust with cold, creamy ube pudding, with chunks of ube and fluffy coconut sauce! The Chef also came by to personally ask how everything was. He encouraged all feed back and was very friendly. It's been a while since I've been impressed enough to write a review, but they did it! Thank you Carte Blanche for a memorable evening!!! read more
3 years ago
AMAZING experience in Kaimuki! The ambiance is like you're in a French Bistro. The food is innovative and delicious. The attention to detail in every dish was excellent. The small wine list had something for everyone. Service by Anthony was spot on. read more
3 years ago
New restaurant in Kaimuki, on 11th Ave, between Av Restaurants & Subway. We were lucky to find parking right in front of the main entrance (on 11th Ave). But they also have a big paid parking lot on the other side of the building. Parking rates are pretty good. Every dish had a surprising element. I've added picture with captions. It brought back so many yummy memories. I couldn't upload my dessert pictures. Yelp limited me to 10 pictures. I ordered one of each dessert. All the desserts were very good. But my favorite right now would be the Frozen Fried Ube Pie. read more
8 months ago
My other half and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Carte Blanche. We loved the ambience, and it was neat to see our server also preparing our food. The food was delicious and you can tell they are very meticulous about every little detail. Each plate was like a piece of art. The amount of food that comes with the pre fix was more than enough to enjoy and even take some home, we left absolutely stuffed and satisfied! read more
3 years ago
3/16/24 - made reservations conveniently through yelp for 7pm. Small parking lot in front of restaurant. Walking into restaurant I was amazed by the beautiful gold decor & crystal chandeliers. Overall dining experience was excellent. Great to try something new & different but also keeping the local essences in the food. Server was excellent; attentive, knowledgeable & great rapport. Food - everything 5/5 lol I always peruse the menu at any restaurant I go to. I was interested in trying their take on Pinakbet but unfortunately it was unavailable because they're in the process of changing their menu. Started off with the Wagyu tartare for two which included 2 hash browns, 2 gold sheets. 5/5 Wagyu so soft & so delicious just by itself. But topping it on the hash browns is just so fun & perfect. Soup dumplings- 5/5 love the take on a "ramen" dumpling tasty broth & a great "one bite" Ulu two ways - 5/5 delicious elevated local ingredients. Ulu like potatoes consistency & "port sausage" is more than just sausage. I was a little hesitant to order but I'm so glad husband insisted on it lol. Duck Wellington - 5/5 the star of the show! Impressive work all around. Came out looking so beautiful & smelling so good. Couldn't wait to dig in. Duck is soft & juicy wrapped in chicken confit (i think) & then beautifully wrapped with brioche. Yum yum yum! Short rib - 5/5 again soft & juicy. Melts in the mouth like butter! Definitely made with love! I'd probably add a starch of some sort like rice. Frozen ube pie dessert - 5/5 just imagine a fried McDonald's pie but with ube ice cream in the middle. So yummy & not too sweet. Perfect end to the night. read more
3 years ago
Beautiful interior design and very clean looking. Our server was Anthony, he was great. Very attentive and friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and makes great conversation every time he comes by the table. Got to try a bit of everything on the menu, and everything was great. Loved the Ulu Two Ways, Saimin Soup Dumplings, and Braised Short Rib (so tender and flavorful, we could've had two more servings!) Sad that we weren't able to try the Pinakbet since I was looking forward to trying something I'm familiar with, but I understand. The Fried Ube Potato Pie was so good and a great way to finish off the meal. They also offer Dino Nuggets for the kids in a cool dinosaur plate so that's great too! Overall had an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more
2 years ago
5 star service 5 star presentation 5 star ambiance 5 start food quality. Well thought out menu, would highly recommend, thank you guys so much. read more
2 years ago
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More info about Carte Blanche
1133 11th Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
Kaimuki
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(808) 425-5726
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http://Xorghawaii.com
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Ask the Community - Carte Blanche
Are there ala carte menu items?
So you pay $30 pp for any bottle of wine on the menu?
Correct works out well if all drink wine
Do they have a vegetarian or pescetarian option?
My wife and I are are pescatarians. The salmon was amazing! Enjoyed it so much went back two weeks later and had it again! Going back in three weeks and will probably do the same.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
5 reviews that are not currently recommended
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