Fried ulu, chicken long rice croquette, roasted carrots, he'e luau, hand cut ragu pasta, lemongrass clams & sausage, meatballs, sourdough cornbread. Everything was delectable. Standouts were the clam & sausage, he'e luau and hand cut ragu pasta. Service was friendly without being intrusive. Only wish the lighting was a little brighter as my old eyes struggled a bit. There is a back area with brighter lighting, next time we may request that. Wished we had bigger stomachs or more people so we could have ordered more bc so many dishes on the menu looked tasty! I really enjoyed seeing the John Young artwork on the walls - a mix of his well known horse and children works and some abstract pieces too - such a fantastic local artist. Highly recommend! Parking can be tough but is possible, just may have to walk a little. The parking lot in back is small with only a handful of spaces. read more

Favorite place visited this trip! Interesting food, well balanced drinks, and plenty of gluten free options. Service was great. Cozy neighborhood feel. 5/5 fried ulu (fan favorite for a reason) 5/5 okra dish (fresh veggies) 5/5 fried chicken (reminded me of peking duck) 5/5 octopus (coconut greens were a nice touch) 5/5 brownie with sesame ice cream (gluten free yum, warm and cold) Drinks - 5/5 shrub a dub dub (refreshing) 5/5 tumeric drink (interesting) read more

Mud Hen Water - Brownie - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Outdoor dining for Sunday Brunch... After doing some volunteer work in the Kaimuki area, my friends and I were looking for a restaurant with outdoor dining because of the pandemic. We called several places and took a chance on Mud Hen Water. I've seen this bar/restaurant at the corner of Waialae Avenue and 9th Avenue... and had passed by too many times. I was looking forward to finally try it! Bailey, the manager, was very friendly and welcoming. She was so gregarious that I wanted to return and finish this review... several years later... Sadly, Bailey moved back to Texas, where she's originally from... Anyway, having dinner here with an old friend was still a wonderful experience. We parked for free in the small lot right next to the building. About six cars can be accommodated. There's also street parking. We made reservations online with the Open Table app. A slot for 7:15pm was available and we took it! I received a text at 7pm, stating that our table was ready. I checked in and waited for my friend at the entrance to the parking lot. Our server was satisfactory. She said that the two best sellers were the Hand Cut Pasta with venison (my favorite) and the Chicken Long Rice Croquettes with Japanese curry and scallions. Both dishes were so good that we ordered the Peanut Tofu and Roasted 'n Raw Carrots. My friend liked the Peanut Tofu more than the carrot dish, so I finished the carrots. The entire menu was creative and unique! We had a nice experience! read more

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Mud Hen Water has been consistently great. They have various foods, and I enjoy almost all of them. I highly recommend the Beet Poke when available, and the Sausage and Clams. Both are packed with flavor. The fried Ulu (breadfruit) is basically french fries and highlights the possibilities of the local staple. The newcomer, he'e luau replaced the he'e roll, which had more octopus, but the luau is still good. Place is clean and service is good. Hand washing area has some nice historical menus from all over. read more

Mud Hen Water is a wonderful Asian-Island inspired fusion cuisine in a Tapas style bistro on Waialae Ave. it's a gastronomical playland of inspired combinations of spices & ingredients which the zest up traditional Asian & Island flavors. We celebrated a birthday with Handcut Pasta, Sausage & Clams, Mapo Rice Cakes, & Kahala with toasted bread as mains, Roasted 'n Raw Carrots, Local I'a Fresh Catch Crudo, Chicken Long Rice Croquettes, & complementary seasoned eggplant slices for appetizers, & Sweet Land Goat Cheesecake & Miso-Butterscotch Rice Pudding for dessert. All accompanied by a nice Barbera. Everything was amazing & are must try's! The Croquettes, which are balls of Island favorite chicken long rice deep fried into Asian style croquettes & served on a bed of curry were mind blowing delicious. The Mapo was a savory fusion of Chinese style mapo tofu & Korean theokbokki, with a unique blend of chilis & spices that brought umami accents to the palate. The combination of the clams with mild sausages in a rich buttery soup base was a stroke of culinary genius that teased your taste buds relentlessly. The Kampachi was well seasoned & perfectly seared. The Handcut Pasta was one of the best pasta dishes I've had in a while. It was so fresh, perfectly cooked, with the most moist & tender venison ever that wasn't gamey & tasted more like brisket. Mud Water Hen is a casual but upscale bistro with staff who are very friendly & attentive. It was a reasonably priced gastronomical experience for incredible food, ambiance, & great service. read more

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Interesting menu that has some highs and also some lows. The highs: * Peanut tofu has surprisingly nice texture and pairs well with its sauce * Chicken long rice croquette has excellent crisp and is served on a delicious Japanese curry. Wish they served that curry over some rice. * black sesame ice cream (or was it gelato?) captured the flavor of black sesame paste in such a refreshing way. Lows: * pork belly was a nice cut but the main flavor was pork belly. Wish there was a more interesting sauce or rub. The cabbage served in the side was better than the pork. * venison ragu was fine but tasted like a well stewed beef with pasta. A little too rich. * kahala was well cooked but a little bland. The sunchokes might have been the highlight of the dish. The service was kind but timing and attention to detail can be improved. They brought serving utensils for the food but sometimes not the right utensils for what we were eating. And when we were still eating our meal, we were asked if we were ready to order dessert. read more

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What a wonderful restaurant! It had a dim and homey feeling, plus the staff were so kind. They treated us well and provided great recommendations. Our food was delicious, and it was brought out in courses which was nice! Highly recommend. read more

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The vibe here is very interesting, I think it's kind of supposed to give a traditional island eatery vibe while still being a bit upscale. The food was amazing!! I had the kamuki cruiser which was excellent -- could really taste the grapefruit or citron in it. I ordered the ono melt and it was great. I loved the pickled spear they provided (pickled papaya?) which gave an awesome tart flavor to the food. The ono melt was pretty greasy and heavy but it comes as a closed face sandwich so it's pretty easy to eat. The bread is crusty and delicious. I loved the black sesame gelato!! And last but not least-- fried ulu!!!! Loved it and would go back just for fried ulu. read more

Mud Hen Water - Black sesame gelato - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This place is so nice I visited twice within two days and then came back again the following month. Have I eaten enough fried ulu to feed a small family? NO. It's a trick question, because you can never get enough of Mud Hen's fried ulu. Not to mention the Chili Pepper Water Aioli will inspire you to lick the dish clean. I mean, obviously, don't do that, cause people will look at you weird, but that's how good it is. At this point, I've had brunch, lunch, and dinner here and every meal is a hit on a hit. Brunch: Sisig, better than my Lola's; Lunch: A'u Crudo, better than my dad's; Dinner: Sautéed Lotus Roots, no family dish to compare it to, but spectacular. And duh, fried ulu at every meal. Seriously. I'm back home on the mainland and dreaming about this fried ulu. It's like a pull-apart fried potato, but with a heartier texture and bonus nutritional value. If I wasn't already married I would marry this fried ulu. Ed and his staff are the consummate hosts. His food has so much love and culture in it and you can see that in where he sources everything from to how it's been prepared. The servers are lovely and earnest and eager to share their favorite dishes with you. The vibe is neighborhood and local and warm. I can hardly wait to go back. read more

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Super good place that has a bit more upscale Asian/hawaiian food! The place is mostly shareable tapas style and they have seafood, meat, and veggie dishes. Service was great and cocktails were delicikus! Definitely grab a reservation as this place gets pretty busy and hard for walk ins. read more

Food is super fresh, ambience is everything and the service was superb. The crudo was killer!!! The Crocquettes were so good, we had to order another order! Mapo Rice cakes were amazing! The hand cut pasta was our favorite Also had order two orders. The porchetta wasn't our favorite. Lacked flavor and it was tough to eat. Not terrible, but not the fav. We fed five people. $250 with tip. A little expensive for the portion sizes as in "family style" but not terrible. We will be back, but wanting to come back for date night! read more

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Had a fabulous delicious meal here!!! My colleague suggested this place and I loved it, had the vibe of a slightly upscale but chill island inspired restaurant. We came for brunch and I was impressed by the fusion menu. We chose to split the fresh fish and luau, and the mapo tofu and gravy. Both were huge hits and delicious! Our waiter was nice and helpful and service was great. I can't wait to come back!! A new favorite in Honolulu. read more

Mud Hen Water - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Came here for a friend's birthday and we all got the multi-course option. Food was delicious and I was genuinely surprised by how much food they gave us. My favorites were the clams with dipping bread, blue marlin, and the brownie :) The staff were super friendly as well and there's a tiny lot in the back that we parked in. Overall would recommend doing the multi-course option if you want to try a bunch of different dishes! read more

Mud Hen Water - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

What an awesome brunch space! Everything we ordered was delicious (roasted carrots, banana pancakes, ahi melt (usually ono is used but today it was ahi), and my iced Chai latte! Super extra brownie points for being dog friendly since we like to take Panda with us when we go out. He also made a few dog friends while there (Winnie and Rosie). Service was prompt and friendly. There are indoor and outdoor seating options. We will absolutely be back..but until then, I know I'll be dreaming about those scrumptious ulu fries! read more

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I would go and keep going just for their fried ulu! It's family style so I like that you can share with others and you can taste everything! Their dessert is what got me so don't forget to order dessert when you're there. read more

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Second time coming to mud hen water and it was delicious as always!!! Service is impeccable and quick, the cocktails are delicious and strong, the ambiance is really cute and warm, and the food is uniquely Hawaiian/asian inspired and packed with flavor. Perfect for a date night or nicer dinner with friends. Best to share dishes family style here, waiters can help inform on the number of dishes to order by party size. The price for the quality is really reasonable! Decent amount of vegan/vegetarian options too. The fried ulu appetizer is seriously amazing--lightly airy and crunchy with amazing texture. The mapo tofu rice cake was full with flavor too. read more

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5/5, hands down. Great ambiance. Cozy decor. Friendly wait staff. Free neighborhood parking and metered parking are free after 6pm). Fried ulu (bread fruit): comes with kewpie dipping sauce. Tastes like fried yucca/potato and I absolutely enjoy yucca. Would highly recommend this. Okra salad: this one was very tasty and had enough crunch to make the slime. Black sesame seeds added a nice subtle touch. Peanut tofu. This "tofu" is made of 100% peanuts. There is no soy in it. Sauce is sweet. Texture is on the soft side, similar to a panna cotta. read more

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When I'm home, I love to make a visit to Mud Hen Water (owned by high school classmate Ed Kenney, always happy to support him by eating delicious food!) We had an outstanding experience, service was amazing, ambiance lovely with sitting inside but near the open space to the outside so we could benefit from the trade winds. - peanut tofu - 4/5, it was delicious and a little hard to eat without a spoon as the tofu was so soft LOL - mapo rice cakes - 4/5, this is basically tteokbokki and had I read the menu more carefully I might not have ordered this because I'm not a huge fan of tteokbokki but the flavors were amazing - chicken long rice croquettes - 5*/5, this was a dish named by the NY Times in 2023 as one of the best 23 dishes in the U.S. and oh my goodness, this was AMAZING! If I could have licked the plate I would have - sausage & clams - 5*/5, I love ong choy and can't get it on the continent so easily, and I am so glad I got this dish! The lemongrass sausage was super tasty, clams plentiful, and the coconut milk We were so full after all of this that we didn't think we could fit in a full dessert but I remembered that I really liked their sesame gelato so we asked if we could have just the gelato and they said yes! YUM! So happy to eat at Mud Hen Water, and while this bonus review isn't reflective of their restaurant menu, I also had the privilege of eating more of Ed Kenney's delicious food at an event at Shangri-La and his variation on kalua pig and cabbage (pork belly chunks) and the lu'au were excellent! as were the vegan donuts for dessert - standout items! read more

We've been wanting to dine here for quite some time! So happy we finally did to celebrate our Anniversary! The fresh farm to table ingredients burst with flavor with every bite, my favorite had to be the Molokai venison with hand cut pasta! Meat was sooo tender and melted in my mouth. The only dish that was too salty for me was the coconut milk sauce on the clams. Our server greeted us with a smile, and helped us decide on what we should order. Ambiance-wise, we were placed in the back area, what looked like an unfinished "addition" with plywood walls.. I wish the seating was the other way around so that my back wasn't facing the entrance and my front view wasn't the wall. They definitely need to make this space more inviting. IMO. But food over all was fantastic! read more

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One of our favorite spots in Waialae and definitely our top spot when gathering friends together or celebrating. The ambience is very spacious and inviting, perfect for groups and yet upbeat enough for dates. It's hard to go wrong here, especially if you love or want to be introduced to local cuisine. The fusion style dishes are perfect for people who are new to the islands but also includes so many local favorites for those who have been living here for years. That's why we invite our friends here all the time because we know we can find something they'll love. And they always do. Additionally,the bar is just as creative as the kitchen when it comes to creating fresh new cocktails. Of course, there's beer, too. read more

Mud Hen Water in Kaimuki was a trendy brunch spot that we enjoyed. We ordered the Luau with over-hard eggs, not my favorite but the hubby liked, we ordered a side of 4 scrambled eggs, two biscuits, and two hot lattes. The biscuits were heavenly soft and yummy, the lattes were also delicious. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the food was pretty good. Our bill was about $80 and we also got to take some nice pics on their cute mirror by entrance . read more

Mud Hen Water - Luau fish, scrambled eggs, biscuits and lattes - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I came here for a double date on a Saturday. It was to my surprise that this place was not packed because the food was good and the service and ambiance were great as well! It's the four of us so we ordered a bunch of dishes. Our favorite was the long rice croquette in curry sauce! I wish we ordered double of that! We also enjoyed the venison hand cut pasta. It's made al dente with a rich gravy type of sauce and the venison didn't taste gamey at all. We tried the sausage and clams too, but I think the sausage flavor was a bit overpowering for the clams. I would rather have just the clams. As for the Luau stuffed porchetta, I like the Luau part but not so much the pork. I guess I wasn't a big pork fan lol. Overall, the food was great and we had a great night. I would recommend it if you're looking for a place with interesting dishes and a nice atmosphere to dine in. read more

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My friends and I came here for an early brunch on a Sunday this month. We were looking for food with an interesting twist. We rsvp'd in advance online. Customer service was friendly. The ambiance was relaxing and not crowded during the time we were there. The restaurant was clean and airy. Food: We ordered a Bali banana pancakes ($13.00), veggie congee ($15.00), and a tofu dish (it was either the Peanut tofu ($13.00) or the Biscuit & Mayo Gravy ($16.00). Overall, we thought everything was good. Perhaps the food can be a little more flavorful. The Bali banana pancakes were the most delicious. I'd give Mud Hen another try of their other items on the menu. read more

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This restaurant came highly recommended by a colleague who lived on O'ahu for many years. Therefore, I jumped at the chance to dine where the locals eat away from the bright lights of Waikiki. This neighborhood spot located in a charming thoroughfare off of Waialae is my favorite type of place to dine: It is equal parts charming, down-to-earth, and honors those who farmed/raised/caught the food. Dinner started with an amuse bouche of incredibly fresh local ingredients atop cucumber. For my starter, I had the crudo. The fish was caught that morning by the fish monger who also happens to work in the kitchen per waitstaff. It was a Hawaiian fish I've never had before, and it was incredibly fresh and paired well with the cilantro and crispy cucumber. The chili sauce was akin to chili oil from dim sum restaurants - sweet, salty, and spicy all harmoniously together. Next I had the grilled octopus. It sat in stewed lu'au with coconut milk. It reminded me of my favorite curries, and the octopus was perfectly cooked. And for my main, I had the J. Ludovico friend chicken. It came with this salsa verde resembling a chimichurri with amazing house pickles that cut through the fried goodness. I rounded the evening off with their delectable umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum) sorbetto. The waitstaff knew where everything was sourced and were incredibly friendly. I cannot praise Mud Hen Water enough because it serves incredibly refined comfort food that's thoughtfully and ethically sourced. I look forward to returning and trying out more from their ever-changing seasonal menu on my next Hawaiian holiday. Mahalo! read more

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Awesome restaurant! Went to The Pig and the Lady the night before and this place we liked a little better. Comfortable dining room, Emma was the perfect server, and the food was excellent! The tequila, calamansi cocktail was perfect. Hard to pick a highlight for the food because we loved it all. The amuse bouche was a nice surprise. We had the Roasted and Live carrots, the chicken and long rice croquettes with Japanese curry, the crudo with cucumber and the perfect chili crisp, the sausage and clams with some delicious bread in the side, and the octopus roll. Would recommend any and all of those dishes. We will definitely return. read more

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Mud Hen Water is what happens when island ingredients meet serious technique -- bold flavors, zero tourist-trap vibes. Creative without being precious, and the kind of place that makes you wonder why Waikiki bothers trying. read more

Tiny parking lot in the back of the resto, otherwise lots of street parking around the cute area of Kaimuki. There is wonderful indoor and outdoor seating. The food here has gotten rave reviews over the last couple of years. You need to find out for yourself! Service was excellent as the staff was very attentive. Will definitely be back for Booze & Bites. In addition to this special menu, you are able to order off the regular menu as well. Bon Appetit! read more

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This is the best restaurant in Honolulu. The menu is interesting and inventive. Everything we had was fantastic. Drinks were delicious and service was attentive and friendly but not invasive. We had the roasted carrots, fried ulu (breadfruit), mapo Tteokbokki, and bread...all flavorful. Really amazing and great value!!! Highly recommend!!! read more

Mud Hen Water - Roasted carrots...deliciousness!!! - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you lived mainland for a bit and came back home, you'll instantly get it And what I mean by get it is exactly that - everything feels so foreign and so familiar at the same time The menu has all kinds of local catch and produce yet arranged in dishes that seem "new" For example the porchetta lu'au, sounds like a strange twist, presented well, then when I bit into it I instantly understood - a deconstructed laulau to give the local favorite much more texture. Meaty pork bites near the center with that fatty almost chicharron crunch on the outside Pair that with the more "fancy" ambiance yet served with chopsticks and mini tongs (only in hawaii do I ever use these to serve food or flip kalbi on the grill) It was an interesting dinner, one I won't forget read more

Mud Hen Water - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This was such an interesting spot! Great atmosphere, you can actually have a conversation as a group, and great service. Food was delicious! We got the bread to start (I wish I could buy it to eat at home!) and the croquettes. The bread was pre-buttered, and the crust was so soft. The croquettes were great to share and tasty. I ordered the peanut tofu because I wasn't too hungry, but it was super flavorful and unlike most tofu in that the texture was like a curd because it was so soft and smooth. My BF and our friend got the fried chicken, which was not like a southern fried chicken but rather reminded me a lot of Hainese chicken in texture, with a very mild pan-fried exterior instead of a deep-fry exterior. The salsa verde even reminded me of the dipping sauce that comes with Hainanese chicken. The handcut pasta also looked delicious. Great date night spot or for coming with a group to do the family style dinner. Parking was a little tough on a Thursday night being street parking only. read more

I love going to mud hen water for brunch, the fish and luau is always so good and I love the mimosa. We went there for dinner for the first time and it was lovely. The service is so nice and friendly and the decor is so sweet and cozy, it's wonderful. While the drinks were delicious, they were a bit weak. I love that they give you a complimentary amuse bouche to start off the meal. For our mains we got the clams and sausage, the broth and the clams were so yummy, would definitely get that again. The broth was like a very mild coconut curry. We also got the lotus root and it was so flavorful, there was a bit of a charred taste and little kick, so yummy. To follow we had the mapo tofu rice cakes, the venison ragu, and the long rice croquettes. The rice cakes were so yummy and had so much flavor as well as the croquette. The real star of the night for me was the venison ragu, it had such a warm and comforting flavor and the venison was probably the best venison I've ever had, I will keep coming back here for this dish. read more

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Casual vibes and quality dishes. We came here to celebrate my sis's bday. We ordered a bunch of dishes. My top 2: Peanut tofu - peanut flavored silken tofu with shoyu and ginger sauce. It's so simple yet flavorful. Mapo rice cakes - such a homey cozy dish. The rice cake was soft yet chewy. The mapo sauce wasn't too salty or spicy. read more

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Mud Hen Water has a very chill vibe. I arrived early, and was greeted promptly to let me know they'd set my table up early. Service was very attentive. All the dishes were great. Every dish was balanced, and has its own unique twist to make it different and interesting. read more

3/16/25 Corned Beef (actual not canned) Kalo (Taro) Fresh Avocado 2 Eggs n Rye Bread... Passed on kimchi Would get again Biscuits n Mapo Tofu (soft) Cremini Mushrooms w 2 Eggs... another tasty dish Per the menu "Classic Mother Hen's Recipe" Bloody Mary actually has blended fresh tomatoes Made it Spicy n Enjoyed! The Crew deserves 5 Stars too read more

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3.5 Decent but some hits and misses. Also I feel the concept was kinda all over the place. It's supposed to be Hawaiian tapas but I didn't really feel that. To be honest it just seemed like pan Asian fusion. Also you def want to come with non picky eaters. Since the concept is a bit all over the place my parents couldn't really get it. Food: Fried chicken- was expecting actual fried chicken. This was like Chinese style fried chicken. Was decent but not something I would get again. Stuffed porchetta- would have been better but feel they made the skin too crispy. It was a bit hard to eat. The rest of the pork was good though. Generally the group didn't move this dish. Chicken long rice croquette- love that there's curry with it as well. Good lil starter dish. Mapo tofu rice cakes- really unique dish. I really came here for this. The rice cakes were pretty good with the mapo tofu. The other dishes were solid but not really mind blowing. Everyone loved the black sesame ice cream as well as the sorbet. The miso butterscotch rice pudding is also very unique but obviously quite heavy so be prepared for that. Overall, they have some pretty unique dishes but I think execution kinda fell flat in some others. It's not bad but I don't think it's so good I need to make another detour to come back. read more

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Mud Hen Water has a really exciting concept for a restaurant and boy does it deliver. It's family style, elevated Hawaiian food with a bit of Europe mixed in. Super friendly staff, super delicious eats - try the fried 'Ulu, but be careful that it doesn't ruin potatoes for you. It's that good. read more

It has been a while since I've been here, but when a friend of mine was at Chamide, I told her to meet me here. They had a great little happy hour that starts early! The sliders were very good! But it was the crackers and fish spread that was delicious!!! I couldn't get enough! The fried uluu was very good too! They have some innovative cocktails and wine on the HH, something for everyone! The young woman how took care of us was really nice! I'll make sure I'll be back again soon! Mahalo Mud...er...Hen...LOL! read more

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3 stars for the tight, one-way-in parking lot with 5-6 stalls (be careful backing out!). Better luck with street parking and walking. 4 stars for the food that had unique profile flavors! I'll admit that I'm basic, which is why the meatballs with polenta didn't appeal to me, but the Polohe was absolutely great! 5 stars for the customer service, especially to our server Sean/Shaun/Shawn (?) for being attentive and to Hayden, a new host who was on his second shift but absolutely welcoming and friendly! Thank you for remembering your customers :) read more

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I don't give out too many 5 star ratings but this Waiʻalae spot deserves it. Been coming here for years--the menu is a pilgrimage to Hawaii's diverse influences and a nod to local farm to table. From the beat poke to the Portuguese Sausage and Clams this place delivers. The staff are the cherry on top. Warm, friendly and welcoming--love this spot. read more

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What a wonderful first time experience at this farm to table restaurant. Decided to try out the family-style dinner for 4 to try out most of their menu and wasn't disappointed. Had a lot of delicious and different types of dishes to try and didn't go hungry. The menu is marked with a (fs) to denote all that is included in the $65/guest price. We added a few more dishes as we were a party of 5. Overall a great experience. read more

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