Interesting place. It's a fine dining restaurant that's on the second floor of a car dealership. Service was outstanding. Food was what you expect at fine dining in Hawaii. Food was good, taste was spot on. Parking is valet only and parking entrance is not very well marked. We actually missed it and had to do a big loop to get back around since it's difficult to make a left turn through on coming traffic on the busy streets. Limited vegetarian options. Overall not a bad place. read more

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MW never disappoints! We LOVE coming here for the Kanpachi but always leave with trying something new and leaving with a new "must have". The service is always amazing and the ambiance is always on point. Our server was great and walked us through all the new and specialty items for the night. Food was perfectly coursed and delicious as always. We ordered a few starters and two orders of Kanpachi, which came out beautifully plated and cooked to perfection as always. Our pavlova dessert was a must try! So light and airy. Thank you MW for another amazing dinner. read more

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Service is great but the food is really so-so. Maybe I ordered the wrong things? Inari appetizer was too rice heavy and the color of the fish was a bit grey. The tuna nachos were ok. Too much gojujan sauce IMO. I ordered the seafood cioppino and it was okay. I've never had so many potatoes in a seafood soup. Steak came out lukewarm. Tomato salad was unmemorable. For the price of $290 I expected more. read more

The 5 course tasting menu is currently $120 per person. I really enjoyed my experience here and would definitely recommend. Their menu frequently updates to keep things fresh. Started off the dinner with a complimentary chilled cauliflower soup and Georgia O'Keeffe cocktail ($15). The first course was 5 small bites of various seafood. Second was mochi crusted kona kampachi with housemade banchan (radish & kimchi). The soy yuzu vinaigrette that came on the side complemented the fish really well. Third was lobster scallop medallion. The scallop definitely won my heart and was my favorite part of the meal. Fourth was prime grade beef tenderloin. The beef was super tender and the truffle sauce was very rich. Last course was tropical fruit creamsicle brûlée for dessert. This was light and refreshing and the perfect way to end the meal. read more

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8/12/2024 MW Restaurant is hard to find so drive around on Kapiolani Blvd. We found it, though the wait was awhile before being seated! As for the food, delicious with a flair! Ordered #49 Red-Wine Braised Short Ribs...Maybe a little too much red wine in the braised short ribs! For dessert, had Banana pie (with Butterscotch pudding & Ko Hana Rum Icecream) and that was very delicious..Yums! Otherwise, we enjoyed the unique and stylish scenery, food, and much mahalo for the birthday singing for one of our family member! It was an experience to attend a new & Fancy food restaurant. read more

MW Restaurant - Braised Short Ribs with Mashed potatoes & peas/carrots - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Well, it's my birthday and celebrating at MW with my BFF! It's on the second floor of expensive car show room across Neal Blaisdell Center on Ward St. Appetizer: Crab cakes Main Course Seafood Bouillabaisse (1/2 small lobster, scallop, Bristol Bay shrimp, crab, clams, Saffron tomato broth), wonderful flavors hitting my palate, warm, different textures of vegetables. Monchong Dessert: Two candy bars, Triple chocolate heart shape cake, Two strawberries dipped in white chocolate, Red Velvet Strawberry Short Cake Dome. God, so Devine! Shave ice (Ling hi strawberries), lychee sorbet, vanilla panna cotta, watermelon, azuki beans. Can you run me over with all these different flavors, tart, sweet, and cold!!! Giant double sided heart cookie!...great time! Server was very attentive and gave me the cookie. How sweet?!! read more

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Amazing food, service, and ambiance! Well worth the money! The appetizers, main entree, and desserts are so creative and pleasing to the palate. read more

Located in the Symphony building above the Velocity Auto dealership. Valet parking was convenient located at the entrance of building. Friendly hostess sat us at a nice table by the window overlooking the arena. Server greeted us and explained the specials and took our cocktail order. Upon returning, he answered any questions we had and took both our appetizers and entree orders. Our appetizers arrived and were delightful. Crabcakes were nicely breaded and sprinkled with wasabi kofi sauce, corn and hearts of palm. Fried chicken were square pieces, topped with ginger sauce and served with romaine lettuce. Miso butter fish was cooked perfectly, flaky and tasty. Pork belly was tender, savory, glazed with a sweet, salty and sour sauce. Guest enjoyed the Kampachi. Dessert was yummy. Strawberry meringue was lightly sweetened and the shave ice was refreshing. The only thing needed improvement were the restrooms. Certainly did not reflect the quality of the restaurant nor the exclusivity of a high end dealership! read more

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I love this restaurant! My family went for the first time about a week ago and it is now one of my top five favorites! I really don't even know if my words can actually do this place justice. The restaurant is not too hard to find. You walk in through Artizen and then take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Once you find it, you will be glad you came. The vibe of the restaurant is very inviting. The staff is great. The servers are well versed on the menu. The food, from the bright red ahi nachos to the juicy pork hash dumplings to all crab meat crab cakes to the tender ribeye (tip: add the foie gras), is so amazingly delicious! My mouth is watering just thinking about the dinner I had here. After dinner, we got dessert. It's a must! Do not skip on dessert here. We got the candy bar, crème brulee, and the Mont Blanc. I loved the crème brulee! It is sweet, tart, chewy, creamy all at the same time. If you haven't been yet, what are you waiting for? This is your sign! read more

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We went there on a Saturday night and we just waited for 5 mins. The manager and stuff were very nice! Food was delicious and their dessert was bomb! This is actually my 2nd time eating there and would go back again! read more

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I recently ate here for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint! It's in the same building as a car dealership, valet only- $6. For a starter we got the sliders- our waiter warned us they were small, the tiniest cutest burger I ever ate. For my main I got the miso glazed butter fish- it was amazing, melts in your mouth. Comes with a kimchee potato salad on the side that was to die for, legit best potatoes I've ever had. Will go back just for that! read more

MW Restaurant - Miso Miso - Honey Glazed Butterfish - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My better half took me here for my birthday. I'm generally opposed to places that make you put a deposit down to hold a reservation, but after seeing the limited tables in here, I do get it. Its fairly small. To access the restaurant on the 2nd floor you need to go into the actual dealership to get to the elevator. We walked through Artizen to get there. Signage is poor. We had to ask. Our server was a young girl, 20s, but she was excellent. She didn't have the years of experience many higher-end servers have, and it showed. But her style was good and she offered specific recommendations, which I liked. Before she took our order, we kind of already knew what we wanted, and she went on to independently recommend all our main dishes without us saying anything. This reinforced our decision. We started with a special, the Ebi Fry (fried Kauai shrimp and chips). Beautiful presentation. A bit steep at $18 for 3 pieces of shrimp, but it was good. We shared two entrees, the first being Kona Lobster Pasta ($48). This was pretty good but not terrific. Pasta was ok, but not phenomenal. Not sure if it was handmade. I don't think so. Sauce was a winner with a succulent lobster taste/aroma. The lobster itself was pretty good, but just slightly overcooked/rubbery which was disappointing. The second item was the Mochi Crusted Hawaiian Kanpachi, one of their signature dishes also at $48. This dish is phenomenal. Fish was tender, mochi crust was crispy, and the somen noodles were the perfect accompaniment. I would HIGHLY recommend getting this dish. It's unique. I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else. We realized we didn't get much veggies, and ordered the Vegetable Stir Fry side at $12. It was good, tasty, and worth $12. The desert, unfortunately, was a disappointment. The "Candy Bar" at $16 is small and just not very good. I'm sorry. I really really wanted to like it. Just a few months ago we had something similar at a Michael Mina Restaurant in Sonoma called Wit & Wisdom. They had something on the menu for only $14 called "The Wit & Wisdom Chocolate Bar". Similar concept, but executed much better. Much larger in size, better texture, better flavor, and highly addicting. I actually felt ripped off eating the MW Candy Bar. Definitely opt for a different dessert. What I do like about this restaurant is its basically a high-end mom & pop establishment. The owners were there working hard. Their family was there working hard. Their young son was also there. This is rare. This couple are pretty much local celebrity chefs. The table next to us also ordered duck, which is not even on the menu. The willingness to serve customers like this is extraordinary. Therefore although the experience was not perfect, I definitely would go back. read more

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Always enjoy MW! Food is fantastic and the service is impeccable! Been there many's times and have never been disappointed. They make the best Miso Butterfish in Honolulu. Also enjoy their Mochi Crusted Kampachi. I always start with the Crab Cakes and the Ahi Nachos. Save room for their fabulous deserts. Service is very friendly and attentive. The feel is comfortable and unpretentious. read more

If you're in Honolulu or heading to Honolulu, and you don't stop by, reserve a spot right now!!! This was a recommendation from multiple friends so I decided to have a celebratory dinner here. Service was attentive (enough but not too much), drinks were memorable and food was impeccable. We didn't opt for the tasting menu because it felt like too much food. Our order: Lychee hoo: the honey is such a delightful surprise Double take: too strong for me but my partner loved Butterfish arancini: reminded me of takoyaki 3.75/5 Beet salad: I love beets 5/5 Mochi crusted kona kampachi: you must order 6/5 Asparagus: great combinations 4/5 Side of potatoes: truffle was the best addition 5/5 Brûlée: the layers, the textures, it was perfect: 5/5 Surprise chocolate cake: I don't usually like chocolate but it was so good: 5/5 I can't wait to be back to try other dishes!! read more

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Husband and I came here during our trip to Oahu for our mini honeymoon. I booked the reservation online ahead of time and didn't run into any issues. I believe that it's through Open Table. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of what seems like an auto mall. You can either park valet - the entrance is located through the parking structure entrance near the Mercedes dealership - or if your reservation is late enough, you can also find street parking in front of the car dealerships for free (on Kapi'olani Blvd). We went for the 2nd option. Now that you've parked, how do you get in? You actually go through their sister restaurant, Artizen, located on Ward Ave and take their elevator to the 2nd floor. The decor is very minimalist but still felt homey. It's a much smaller restaurant than what I'm used to in California, but that's a plus! It just means more space between tables and you don't have to worry about other people listening to your conversation. We opted to order a couple of things instead of the tasting menu. - Truffle Fries: the fries are cut more thinly than what you'd get normally with shave black truffle sprinkled all over it. It was very balanced - with enough of the truffle taste without it being overwhelming. The fries were also perfectly cooked with just the right amount of crisp. -Miso Honey Glazed Butterfish: this has got to be my favorite. The fish tasted fresh and was so buttery soft. The glaze was the right amount of sweet. It also came with the kimchi potato salad, which I've never had before. It was great (but I love kimchi so keep that in mind). -Truffle Braised Shortrib - Let me tell you...the short rib was cooked so well that you didn't need a knife to cut it. Like everything else we tried, it was also very delicious and the sauce went so well with the rice that came with another order. -Brûlée (Lilikoi Sorbet, Custard, "Gummies" Tropical Fruit, Haupia Tapioca): This is definitely a fusion take on a brûlée. The top, like any brûlée is sugary and sweet, but as you break into it and get into the fruits, it gets a bit tart. It was delicious and worth trying! Overall, everything we tried was delicious and worth trying! The price was average for this type of restaurant. My only gripe is that the service is so slow. I don't blame our server at all! It just feels like they're assigned a big amount of tables and that the food came out of the kitchen slowly. I think we spent about 2+ hours here so keep that in mind. read more

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Been at least a year since our last MW visit, and thoroughly enjoyed this dinner experience. From beginning to end, service was great and the food was tops. Appetizers including ahi nachos, seafood gumbo and teishoku entrees and desserts like banana cream pie and pavlova were all excellent! What topped off the food was the service from the team, especially from Emilee, a true professional! Keep up the good work, MW and Emilee, too! Hope to be back soon. read more

I love MW! Michelle and Wade (and Kathy) are the best team. The meal and the service are always great. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. For main courses, my favorite is the mochi crusted Kampachi, which is what they're known for. It's so good that I eat it so often that I have to try to change it up once in a while. I also really like the steak and the short rib too. The short rib is melt in your mouth and super moist. In terms of appetizers, I'd order the ahi poke nachos and the Kampachi tartare lumpia at a minimum. One appetizer per person will be plenty so unless you're super hungry or want leftovers, I would recommend ordering a couple and sharing around the table. Make sure you don't fill up on appetizers and your meal too early. You absolutely need to save room for dessert. I've tried all the desserts from the lilikoi one to the candy bar dessert. Michelle does change up the menu from time to time depending on what kind of local ingredients are available. Lately, I have to say that my favorite dessert is the persimmon shaved ice. I also recently tried the banana cream pie and that was good too. Parking can be a bit expensive with the cost of valet plus tip, but it's fine. We used to meet the valet downstairs, but on my most recent visit, we had to drive up the ramp. read more

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The service here is amazing! Delicious food. We can't wait to come back for the tasting menu read more

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There's a saying that you get what you pay for, and this restaurant truly proves it right! Every penny spent is worth it because you can taste the dedication and effort the chefs put into creating each delicious dish. We visited to celebrate my brother and my son's birthdays, and it was the perfect choice! We indulged in a lovely bottle of red wine, and even my toddler couldn't get enough of the food--it was that good! To top it all off, the staff surprised us with two complimentary desserts for the birthday celebrants, which was such a thoughtful touch! As it was our last dinner in Hawaii before heading to the airport, we wanted it to be special, and it absolutely was. I can't wait to return someday! A quick note on parking: it can be a bit tricky since you have to head up to the second floor, and the restaurant is located next to a car dealership. We had to ask someone for directions, but honestly, it was no big deal. The experience inside was so delightful that it made the effort worthwhile! Highly recommend this gem! read more

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Since MW was celebrating their 11th Anniversary last month, they offered specials of some of their menu favorites (you can still order them thru Nov 8th). The Oxtail Roulade combined the flavors of a great oxtail soup and Golden Eagle's stuffed duck while their Spam Musubi used an Arabiki meatloaf as the Spam, crusted them topped with a sunnyside egg! The Hawaiian Plate featured a porchetta "lau-lau" and the Mountain View porkchop was succulent and savory. And of course, Chef Karr-Ueoka's desserts never disappoint! So yes, we'll be back! read more

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Great time. Sat at the bar for dinner. Great seafood chowder and salad. My wife had scallops but were a little overdone but still tasted great. Desert was the Pavlova~creamsicle and the MW signature desert, both were great. I tried their version of an old fashioned and it was a great take on the classic. read more

It's been a long while since dining @ MW. In fact, this was our first visit after their move into the newer, chic Velocity Building, now located on the corner of Ward and Kapiolani. The address is Kapiolani Blvd but don't let that fool you. The entrance is actually on Ward, right across from the Blaisdell Arena. Enter through Artizen, their sister restaurant and go around the corner to elevator or stairs that will take you to the second floor where MW is located. And, it's been a while since enjoying the masterpieces of Chefs Wade and Michelle. During the peak of the Covid pandemic, MW served delicious to go dishes as well as vegetable/fruit market. Super convenient. Joining again yesterday for their high tea service with an Asian influence reminds me how much I enjoy their offerings. Highlights of this tea included the savory smoked salmon arancini and the pork belly rueben-ish bite. Everything memorably delicious. Looking forward to returning to MW and to their adjoining sister restaurant Artizen for some of MW's signature dishes in a more casual atmosphere...before or after the shows at the Blaisdell or just because! read more

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The restaurant is always nice and calm. Service is impeccable. The food is sometimes good sometimes not so great. It depends on the flavors. I believe the the star of this restaurant is actually the dessert. If you like dessert come here and theirs. read more

Came here for my moms birthday and it was super nice! The interior is nicely decorated and our waiter was great! A reservation is definitely required though, so plan ahead! We got a few appetizers, but the fried chicken really stood out because it was cubed! It was better than I expected. I got the mochi crusted fish for dinner and that was good as well. The main star of the show were the 3 desserts. The desserts were so good and the orange pavlova was my favorite! read more

MW Restaurant - Fried Chicken - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Wonderful evening at MW's last night. After getting lost and walking up a couple of ramps , we finally found this treasure. We were warmly greeted with sympathy for our journey getting there. In fact when we were leaving our amazing wonderful waitress, Emilee, walked us out all the way to the curb. We had the tasting menu and it was delicious. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

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We made a reservation in advance for a weekday lunch and absolutely loved it! The service and ambience were so nice. We loved the lunch prix-fixe menu. Everything was delicious! I believe their menu changes but they can share the popular/recommended entrees in the moment. They are known for their mochi crusted kona kampachi. We valet parked and the valet was also very nice and professional as well. read more

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Now talk about a delicious dinner! We came here solely on the recommendation of my friend who suggested it as an excellent place to take my wife to dinner for Valentine's day. I trusted him and did not look-up for their menu or anything else. They are located in the Symphony building. For parking - it was a breeze. They do have valet, however, they have choke street parking just around the corner on Kapiolani Blvd. The restaurant is across the front desk area of the dealership (which was a little weird, but whatever lol). The interior was a little lacking too. It was definitely too bright and they could probably create a divider separating the seating area and kitchen. For volume - it was fairly loud, especially when you consider it wasn't a bar-type of venue. Most likely just bad acoustics and just need some volume dampeners to absorb sound. For Dinner- we started off with some cocktails. My wife chose one of their specials with added Vodka. She loved it. I had their Beat of Our Drum which tasted great (very sweet). We ordered an pupu (appetizer) - Chinese Roast Duck & Pork Hash Quesadilla. It tasted phenomenal and the portions were HUGE! They also gave us a complimentary starter - but I couldn't hear the waiter when he described it. As an entree - I had ordered their Shortrib, but they ended up running out. I, then, chose their Miso Honey Glazed Butterfish. OMG! It was absolutely delicious. The fish tasted amazing and it was extremely tender - perfectly cooked. I, honestly, never had fish that tasted that amazing before. My wife and I ended up wiping out plates CLEAN! We were definitely very satisfied and even took home some of the quesadilla leftover home - talk about value to portions! I look forward to coming here again. read more

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Such a wonderfully creative menu. We tried the manila clams, butterfish arancini (think fried risotto balls), Uni/lobster/scallop orzo pasta, kanpachi, short rib foie gras, gnocchi side dish, and two of their recommended dessert. It felt like we created our tasting menu. Everything was a hit. I thought the short rib dish and Uni butter pasta was a bit salty/ heavy and ended up ordering a side dish of their fried gnocchi to accompany it. They were great together. Easy to make reservations through open table or calling in. Every table was full and the restaurant was not too big. Great place for larger groups or date night. As others mentioned, it's the second floor of a high end car dealership and right across from Blaisdell center. Enter through the Artizen cafe entrance on first floor and take elevator or stairs to second floor. read more

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MW Restaurant in Honolulu is a culinary paradise that exceeds expectations in every aspect. The ambiance is warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. The service is impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who go above and beyond to ensure a delightful meal. Now, let's talk about the food. Each dish at MW Restaurant is a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with incredible flavors. The Surf and Turf, featuring Brandt Brand Beef Tenderloin and Kona Lobster Uni Orzo, is a harmonious blend of land and sea. The tender beef, paired with the flavorful lobster orzo, creates a symphony of flavors that is simply divine. The Ahi Nachos are a unique and delicious appetizer, with fresh ahi tuna and avocado salsa served on crispy won ton chips. The combination of textures and flavors is delightful, making it a perfect start to the meal. The Samish Pearl Oysters on the Half Shell Yukari are a treat for seafood lovers. The oysters are fresh and briny, enhanced by the tangy yukari mignonette. It's a simple yet elegant dish that showcases the quality of the ingredients. The Crab Cakes are a standout, with a crispy exterior and a moist and flavorful interior. The wasabi koji sauce and corn relish add a zesty and sweet touch, elevating the dish to new heights. The Fried Chicken is a must-try, with perfectly cooked Jidori Chicken and a garlic soy sauce that adds a savory kick. The baby romaine provides a refreshing contrast, making it a comforting and satisfying dish. The Mochi Crusted Kona Kampachi is a unique creation that combines delicate and buttery fish with a crunchy mochi crust. The somen noodles and housemade banchan soy yuzu kosho vinaigrette add a burst of flavors, creating a harmonious and delightful dish. For the meat lovers, the 16 oz Brandt Brand Beef Prime Grade Ribeye is a showstopper. Cooked to perfection and served with garlic butter potato gratin and a mushroom medley, this dish is a carnivore's dream. The quality of the beef shines through in every bite, making it a truly indulgent experience. Save room for dessert because the MW Candy Bar is a heavenly treat. The combination of peanut butter crunch, Hawaiian sea salt macadamia nut caramel, and Valrhona chocolate ganache is a symphony of flavors. The black sesame ice cream adds a unique touch, making it a dessert to remember. Another delightful dessert option is the Strawberry Shortcake Shave Ice, a refreshing twist on a classic dessert. The combination of Laie Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta, tapioca souffle cheesecake, shaved "strawberries," and aerated strawberry creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. To top it all off, the Mud Pie with Hibiki Japanese Whiskey Ice Cream and Will and Grace Coffee Ice Cream is a decadent and rich dessert that will satisfy any sweet tooth. In conclusion, MW Restaurant in Honolulu is a culinary gem that excels in every aspect. From the inviting ambiance to the impeccable service and the extraordinary food, every element of the dining experience is top-notch. Whether you're indulging in the Surf and Turf, savoring the Fried Chicken, or enjoying the MW Candy Bar, each dish is a masterpiece. MW Restaurant is a must-visit for a truly unforgettable dining experience in Honolulu. Ambiance - 5 Stars Service - 5 Stars Food - 5 Stars read more

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Enjoyable time with friends. The MW experience lives on. Suggested MW to my friends I m happy that they enjoyed the food. Especially the dessert. The desserts ordered included Mud Pie. The pie was more of an igloo shape. Cookie crust with a scoop of two types whiskey ice cream covered with a hard dark chocolate crust. That was my dessert. Was given a knife to break open.the hard chocolate crust. Other desserts ordered were the Banana Cream Pie, MW Chocolate Bar and the Brulée. Each of the desserts had a unique MW touch. As for entrees we ordered the Seafood Boullibaisse, Kona Abalone and Lobster, Braised Short Ribs and Miso Gazed Butterfish. Everyone enjoyed their entree. Stay safe. read more

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It's sometimes a blessing when walking the streets of Honolulu we started talking to the locals (all it takes is a cute dog). We ran into some ladies with an adorable puppy and they convinced us to switch from a more touristy place to this hidden gem. Lots of tasty things outside my normal wheelhouse of food (like ahi Tuna)... This will definitely be on our return list. Pictured below... MOCHI CRUSTED KONA KAMPACHI Somen Noodles, Housemade Banchan Soy Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette MW CANDY BAR Peanut Butter Crunch, Hawaiian Sea Salt Macadamia Nut Caramel, Valrhona Chocolate Ganache, Black Sesame Ice Cream Not pictures is the AHI NACHOS Ahi Nachos Avocado Salsa, Won Ton Chips read more

MW Restaurant - Dessert Mw Candy Bar - New American Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The food tonight was less than mediocre. I had the Ciopppino, which cost $67.00. The seafood in the dish consisted of two shrimp, two scallops, one clam and a half of a very small lobster. The sauce was very underwhelming and was closer to a bouillabaisse than a cioppino. Dessert was a cheesecake which was beautifully presented, but again lacking in flavor. Overall, the prices were extremely high for less than average food. This seems to be a common theme in Honolulu. read more

My parents, who visited from the mainland, saw the restaurant across the street and wanted to try it. We went in without knowing what to expect, and we were blown away! The two fish dishes (one was Chinese steamed style) were really amazing! My mother, who grew up in Hong Kong, liked the Monchong fish! For appetizer, we did the roast duck and pork had quesadilla, which was different, but good! It had a kind of spice to it! Lastly, the shave ice dessert was super special. It has several layers to it, and must be experienced in person as my words can't fully describe it. It was sweet, and was a perfect way to end our night at MW with! We will be back again :D read more

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Note: This is a COVID era dine-in review. The restaurant does NOT offer takeaway however some menu items are available for online ordering through its sister restaurant, Artizen. Destined to be one of the perennial favorites, ie 3660 or Roy's, turning out a consistent dining experience with flavors suited to Hawaii's taste, special enough for celebrations and a solid reputation that keeps the tourists interested. First, service is exceptional. Beginning with the friendliest greeter given the task of verifying vax status and collecting tracing to the local, relaxed, front of house staff working so well together insuring flawless flawless service, even friendly valets; impressive. Second, the food. Not cutting edge. Not innovative. Molecular gastronomy? Please. Straight forward classic. For example, the crab cakes (all crab, no filler) with the lightest wasabi koji sauce garnished with sweet raw corn, heart of palm and micro cilantro, solid with a good textural balance. The HRC staple, "ahi nachos" with its giant crisp fried won ton chips and giant serving of avocado salsa topped with fresh ahi dressed with soy and chili oil an easy favorite. Mains are good but not without flaws. The mochi crusted Kona kampachi with house cured pickles, marinated shitake, and sautéed broccoli is just OK. The accompanying soy yuzu kosho vinaigrette is excessively strong and obliterates the flavor of the fish. The unseasoned somen noodles the fish rest on becomes a solid noodle cake. Eat too slow and the mochi becomes rubbery and sticks to your teeth. The seafood paella showcases perfectly cooked seafood unfortunately the rice is more like a risotto, soupy with no crispness. Further, using so much andouille sausage overwhelms the saffron seasoning. Nothing like the real Spanish dish. Finally dessert. Hibiki Harmony ice cream sandwich. 'Nuff said. Short but well chosen wine list. Reasonable markup. Average bottle price $60. Prices in line with a mid tier restaurant. Dinner for two including cocktails, wine, tax and tip; $400. In a word, agreeable. read more

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Still one of my faves after all these years. Been 4-5 times between the old and new location. I rarely give out full 5 stars! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 4 (good prices for high quality food. Starters $15-26, most mains around mid $40s which is the same as many touristy spots but this food is light years better) Opentableable: yes Highlights: - Mochi crusted kanpachi: super fresh semi-firm white fish with the delicious crust. Loved the soy sweetish sauce you can pour over to your liking. Vermicelli-like soft white noodles were delicate and a nice balance. I usually get the butterfish and glad I tried this. 5 stars - Manila clams: never seen clams this plump before. Starter but full plate of them so great to share. The savory broth was the star: dashi truffle with bits of bacon and a velvety texture. Amazing! 5 stars - Short rib: thick tender cuts and so packed with flavor in the sauce. Bonus with slices of seared foie gras up top for extra luxurious richness. 4.5 stars - Chinese duck salad: lots of greens with pieces duck sprinkled in. The added fried tofu and peanuts with a sweet and sour sauce was great. Surprise hit and a steal for $16. - Chocolate peanut butter bar: still a hit. Rich smooth chocolate layer paired with crunchy bottom layer. Loved the black sesame ice cream addition. 4.5 stars - Creme brule: different version in a small glass with passionfruit flavor and tapioca on the bottom. My dad loved it. 4.5 stars - Cocktails: still great. Got my go to mac nut mai tai and double take (their version of their old fashioned). - Wine: variety of wines by the glass. Appreciate the French cremant at a reasonable price. - Service: on top of it from the waiter to the rest of the staff. Loved when we asked for an extra share plate for the salad they also brought tongs to easily transfer and took the initiative to also bring a a small bowl for the chowder. Tyler C our waiter had great suggestions and even his own suggested pairing for the main dish I tried tastes of. - Atmosphere: like the openness and upscale look of the new space. Elegant yet comfortable with tables spread out. Midlights: - Clam chowder: good version but not as knock your socks off fantastic as the rest. 3.5 stars - After hours when the coffee shop below is closed, it's harder to figure out how to get in. We went through the garage and fancy car showrooms Lowlights: - My mom missed out! She's wary of nicer places, so didn't come with us. Our waiter was kind enough to give us an extra chocolate macadamia nut is cookie to take back to her. Loved this meal as usual and thrilled in addition to my husband and son who ate with me here last visit, my picky dad now likes it too. read more

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To celebrate my girlfriend's bday I made reservations on OpenTable and got excited to finally go to MW at it's new location. Same location as Velocity dealership corner of Ward and Kapiolani. Valet Parking is $6 (they don't validate) Entrance is on Kapiolani Bl. Other parking option is to park on Ward metered parking is $2 max 2 Hours and it takes credit card or coins. Enter through Artizen (sister cafe to MW) and either walk or take elevator to 2nd floor. Ambiance of being surrounded by Bentleys and Porsches was pretty cool! They checked us in took temperature and verified vaccination cards and we were seated. The front staff was so professional and welcoming. They are social distancing the parties so it didn't feel crowded and the interior decor is very relaxing. Their Lunch Prix Fixe is $32 and varies daily. We ordered the scallop chowder for starter and the signature Mochi Crusted Kona Kampachi with somen noodles and housemate banchan. There was also a salmon dish, kalbi and ribeye to choose from. The mochi Kampachi was perfectly cooked and the flavors were perfectly paired. The scallop soup was flavourful as well and delicious. For dessert we had the Brownie Rocky Road. It was absolutely divine and the perfect way to end such a delicious lunch. MW was so nice and gave my girlfriend a take home bag with 3 oatmeal chocolate cookies which she said were delicious. Overall it was a great experience the staff was very professional, ambiance was nice and the food was delicious. Reservations on open table was really convenient. read more

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This place is great for birthday and/or anniversary dinner. Quite expensive when it comes to the tasting menu. $110/person. Since it is my first time here, the tasting menu was perfect but next time I'll probably stick with ala carte and enjoy bigger portion of these food. I love the fusion type of meal. This was really good and I would definitely go back again! The steak was so tender and really fresh! The server was really great. I like how they refill our water every 30 minutes and let us enjoy our meal in peace without rushing us out. There is valid parking and it's $6 per car. Recommend car pooling if you are going to valid ya car. read more

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My husband's milestone birthday came soon after celebrating Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year feasts. Luckily, we had at least three weeks to recover from eating out at ethnic fancy or neighborhood restaurants by eating simple or home-cooked food before jumping back into memorable occasion dining experiences. After culling through our past dinners, I decided to return to the recent (2021) relocation of MW Restaurant at the Velocity Honolulu Building on Ward Avenue. We had previously dined at MW's original Ala Moana location on several occasions. But, now, MW's current location is even closer to our current Kaka'ako residence. Making a reservation through the OpenTable reservation system was quick and easy. After passing through Artizen Cafe, we took the elevator up to the second floor of the Velocity Honolulu Building. Upon entry, the hostess greeted us, checked us in, and escorted us in with menus. Our server, Tyler, came by within a few minutes of us being seated, wished my husband a Happy Birthday, and asked if we had any food allergies or restrictions. While deciding on cocktails and perusing the dinner menu, Tyler offered several recommendations. -Double Take: Rittenhouse Bonded Rye Whiskey, MW Coconut Chai, Giffard Banane du Brésil, House Orange Bitters. My husband chose this Signature cocktail as he's fond of Old Fashioneds. He enjoyed the balance of sweetness, spicy, and bitterness. $18 -Yuzu Paper Plane: Suntory Toki Whisky, Montenegro Amaro, Aperol Aperitivo, and Fresh Yuzu Syrup. I remembered drinking this delicious modern cocktail since the late 2000s during a trip to NYC. MW's riff on this perfectly balanced and complex smooth, sweet, citrusy, tart, and bold cocktail with yuzu syrup took off on my palate. $17 -Unagi Butterfish Arancini: Nori Tsukudani (seaweed or kelp cooked in mirin, sugar & soy sauce paste), Kabayaki (sweet soy sauce-based glaze), Hon-Katsuo (bonito flake rice seasoning). A bowl of seven crunchy rice balls were served atop a bed of nori tsukudani. The crunchy rice balls were richly flavored with the hon-katsuo seasoning with pieces of butterfish (sablefish) and topped with a drizzle of kabayaki sauce and swaying katsuobushi. Each rice ball was breaded and deep-fried to a crisp golden brown and was a delicious starter with our cocktails. $15 -Foie Gras Shortrib Won Ton: The triangular-shaped deep-fried won tons (dumplings) were stuffed with tender-cooked short rib and foie gras filling. A drizzle of kabayaki sauce and a side of house-made kimchi extended the East Meets West flavors and textures. $18 -Pickled Beet Salad: House pickled beets, butter lettuce, Ho Farms Tomatoes and Cucumbers, Big Island Goat Cheese. We shared the pickled beet salad, which Tyler recommended tossing the vegetables in the beet gastrique. The dots of creamy Big Island goat cheese added a bit of tanginess while complimenting the mild pickled beets. $15 -Seafood Gumbo: Kona lobster, Kaua'i shrimp, Bristol Bay scallops, garlic Andouille sausage rice. Although I've eaten authentic gumbo at NOLA's Arnaud's, Dooky Chase's, Mr. B's, and Galatoire, I was intrigued to try MW's take. Each type of shellfish (lobster, scallops, and shrimp) was tender, milky-white, and silky-cooked textured. The garlic Andouille sausage rice was reminiscent of Filipino sinangag due to its garlicky flavor and lightly crisped rice grains. The overall spice level was just enough to provide a bit of kick. $60 -Miso Honey Glazed Butterfish: A palm-sized fillet of butterfish or black cod was served with kimchi potato salad and taegu. The mild salty-sweet glaze on the butterfish was beautifully caramelized during its grilling process. Cutting into the fillet revealed the large, delicate, white flakes and velvety texture. The kimchi potato salad and taegu enhanced the Asian flavors and a bowl of steamed white rice further complimented the entrée. $46 -Mud Pie: A mini-dome of Hibiki whisky ice cream, Ka'u coffee ice cream atop Chocolate Crunch was enrobed in luscious dark chocolate. The dark chocolate was somewhat bitter and rich yet smooth textured. My husband and I are "Chocoholics," I urged him to order this dessert because he doesn't have a sweet tooth and would enjoy its not-overly-sweet dark chocolate. $18 -MW Candy Bar: Two-layered candy bars made of peanut butter crunch, Hawaiian sea salt macadamia nut caramel, and Valhrona chocolate ganache were plated with rich and refreshing black sesame ice cream. The tasty flavor combinations and textural contrasts are a chocoholic's treat. $15 Our server, Tyler, would stop by frequently yet unobtrusively to check on our beverage and dining progress and satisfaction. Kudos to the busser who cleared our used dishes and utensils, consistently refilled our water glasses, and even extended cheerful birthday wishes to my husband. We never felt rushed, even as the restaurant and bar filled. read more

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I'll be honest, I came because of the Buzzfeed Worth It videos. The location is on the second floor of a car dealership, which makes it hard to find. It feels like a hidden gem. You can feel the love and passion of the husband and wife duo ownership here. We ordered the omakase, which gave us a taste of the greatest hits at MW. To be honest, you are better off ordering a la carte, as there weren't any worthy omakase exclusive dishes at least during our visit. The lobster tail in particular was overcooked and firm, not to standard for spending over $200 on a meal. Stick with the popular entrees, which we really really enjoyed. The butterfish and mochi crusted kampachi really stood out. Would I Recommend to Try? Yes Ambiance- 8/10 Food Taste- 8/10 Service- 10/10 Date Worthy- 8/10 Value- 6/10 read more

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A unique upscale-ish restaurant with classy ambience and fancy vibes. MW offers only Prie Fix Menus for Lunch, which is when we dined here. The menu selections change weekly, keeping the options fresh and exciting. We got to try: SEAFOOD BISQUE: Creamy, thick and extremely fragrant. If you don't like seafood, you won't like this, because the seafood essence is STRONG. I couldn't finish mine because it was too rich, but I enjoyed this a lot! AHI POKE NACHO: This is a $9 supplement to the menu, but definitely worth! Share it with your whole table! The airy freshly fried wontons were excellent, and the ahi cubes were soooo gummy and fresh. And of course, avocado is always an excellent glue to tie the whole dish together. There were little crispy circles on top (i dont know what it was) and it gave each bite awesome texture/crunch! MOCHI CRUSTED KONA KAMPACHI: This is their staple, and will always be part of the menu while other things change! Gives you a good idea of what to order if this is your first time at MW ;) Naturally, this is what I got, and it was a solid dish. The fish was tender, crusted with light fluffy batter. The somen noodles were so fragrant, especially with the soy yuzu kosho vinaigrette! Definitely poured that on very generously lol! I thought the banchan veggies were good, but not sure if it paired well with the dish. They were definitely pretty tho! BANANA CREAM PIE: Oooh adorable little dessert in a glass! The shortbread crumbs were divine, and I love their coffee pudding twist at the bottom! Plus, gold flakes on anything makes things look ten times as fancy haha! Delicious! Since it was my boyfriend's mom's birthday, they brought out a complimentary dessert in addition! How nice of them!! It was like a fancy reese's bar, with of course, gold flakes on top. Service was awesome. Everyone makes you feel so taken care of. It felt like such a friendly environment, which made the experience all the more inviting. Valet Parking for $6. read more

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