Went here after dinner down the road at sansei. We were at orchids the night before, and before dinner didn't see a bar inside, so based on the guidance from the hostess at orchids were not 100% sure we could get in to la aperitif based on the fact that I wasn't wearing a jacket and tie. However, on a whim, we ventured up the staircase the next night to see what the deal with this place was. We were checking out the la mer menu when the hostess from the restaurant asked if she could help us. We asked where L aperitif was, and she told us to follow her.
I was wearing jeans, a button down shirt, and decent closed toe shoes, but certainly not a jacket and tie. I notice her glance at my shoes as she walked us in, I'm sure to check that they were not flip flops, and she seated us right at the bar at L aperitif. We were the only ones there on a Saturday night from the time we sat at 10 to the time we left at 11. It was a cool experience, the cocktails are really special here. They are pricy at $20 a piece, but the ingredients and preparation are top notch. I had an old fashioned, which was very good, and the signature smoked Manhattan. It's really cool to watch them make the Manhattan, as they smoke it and add a few different types of booze from different individual barrels. My wife had a great Cosmo, and then when she said she didn't want another drink, the bar tender gave her a glass of the house vermouth for free. He also gave us a nice plate of warm nuts on the house.
This place was dead quiet though, we only saw 2-3 couples dining in the restaurant, and as I said, we were the only ones at the bar. The bar tender explained that he had been working there for 15 years, and that for 11 of them no one had even come into the bar, as they didn't even know it existed. That's why they gave it it's own distinct name, separate from la mer. He seemed happy just to see and talk to anyone, as he regaled us with many stories ranging from ancient Hawaiian history to the story behind how they concocted the famous Manhattan recipe. He was great to talk to.
Now, why one star off. They need to make it clear that the dress is more relaxed than having to wear a suit. They will get a ton of more customers, we almost didn't go because I thought I couldn't get in the way I was dressed. I guarantee if they relaxed the dress code that they don't even enforce, more people will venture up the stairs for drinks and dinner. I know it's the only five diamond restaurant in Hawaii, but people are on vacation and want to dress accordingly. Other than that, this place is awesome. read more