This place was amazing, a true hidden gem! the food was absolutely amazing. we did the eight course tasting menu and for what we paid it was a steal. the chef was great at explaining all the dishes and service was top notch. i didn't expect much when i walked into the restaurant but after the first course, my opinion changed quickly! loved it, thank you! read more

i thought XO restaurant was interesting lol one of the servers was lit the other mumbled and couldn't quite hear what they were saying, me n wifey treated this like a michelin rated spot and chatted about every dish. our favorite was the beets. I think that for the price and everything its a solid deal, some good wine too... just on some real picky constructive critique shit i think they can keep evolving as chefs, the presentation is pretty much there, flavors r good, but something about it felt like certain dishes were a bit overcooked or elements could have been more perfected, it was close to super impressive , it kinda felt like you went to your big back friends house and they tried making fancy snacks for everyone in the kitchen, which isn't a bad thing, it was homey, haha but yea ,,, yall will figure it out , and we would come back again for sure, keep perfecting the craft , it was a good time !!! read more

Not to be missed, this is an outstanding place for dinner -- especially the 7-course set menu. Gourmet all the way, without the pretension. Thoughtfully planned and presented with warm and excellent service. 'Ono-delectable. Mahalo! read more

Located in Kaimuki, free parking stalls available in front of the restaurant. Took my mom here to celebrate her birthday. Wanted something a little nicer but not over the top fancy. This restaurant was very modern, aesthetic, and professional but also felt like somewhere you could eat without being in a dress or suit and tie. I can't remember the names of all the food, but it was all so good. No complaints. We sprung for the seven course prefixed meal (menu changes frequently). There were so many different flavors to indulge in. It's hard to pick a favorite dish because everything was so unique and tasty. By the end of the night we were full and satisfied. Our server was very knowledgeable about each dish and its preparation. He was able to tell us what ingredients were in the dish, the process to cook it, and the inspiration behind it. We were very impressed. For getting 6 courses, I believe the set price was ~$65 pp. I did opt to add an extra dish of salmon. They brought out my mom's dessert with a candle and were very attentive to making our visit a great one! Thank you XO! read more

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The food was really good across the board, and the service was top notch--our server was attentive, which made for a really comfortable experience. The ambiance was great too, with solid seating and parking that was surprisingly easy to find. It's a place we'd consider coming back to, though we'd want to explore the menu a bit more before committing to a regular spot. read more

XO was our best meal in Honolulu. The food was delicious, fresh, creative, and fun! It was also plenteous, my friends and I were stuffed at the end. Great price, friendly staff. What more can you ask for?! I would definitely come back and recommend XO to anyone looking for a quality meal which is both delicious and fun. read more

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4/19/26 The 6 of us chose the 7 course Pre Fixe meal and it was, overall, a tasty offering It allowed us to sample the many appetizers and entrees Standouts were the Fresh Hamachi, Radish w Beets dish and Buttah Mochi Rabbit (liked Chef's sense of humor) Service was professional yet friendly as well But for me the real treat was a Caramel Candy infused w A5 Wagyu Beef Fat! Imagine rich melty fat n sugary goodness all I one bite LOL read more

XO Restaurant - 4/19/26 Pre Fixe 7 courses + 1 extra treat - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I came here for a girls' dinner and we ordered the course menu. We all opted to add the lamb for an extra $10, which was definitely worth it and a great addition to the meal. One thing that caught us off guard was that the dishes were served family-style. We had assumed each course would be individually portioned, so having to divide everything ourselves every time was a bit inconvenient and took away from the experience. The standout dish for me was the hamachi and brown butter bunnies. The fish was very fresh, and the citrus elements made it light and refreshing. The mochi bunnies were perfect texture and sweetness. Presentation here is amazing. Service, unfortunately, was not great. The restaurant wasn't busy, yet our server rarely checked in on us and we were left without water and drinks multiple times. It felt a bit inattentive given how quiet it was. Overall, the ambiance leans more casual than expected. There were some highlights food-wise, but the service and family-style setup made the experience less seamless than we had hoped. read more

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The service was fantastic! Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and professional throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the 7-course set menu fell short of expectations. While the portions were generous for the price, many of the dishes were overly salted, and the progression of the courses felt unbalanced. Some courses were quite heavy and filling, making it difficult to enjoy the menu from start to finish. The meal started strong with the crudo, which was fresh and exciting, and we also enjoyed the scallops and brown butter mochi. However, the beet lotus was the weakest course for me and felt out of place within the menu. Overall, most dishes were simply OK but suffered from excessive salt. I also questioned the decision to serve every course as shared plates for a party of two rather than plating them individually. For example, the hamachi crudo arrived as a single shared plate with an uneven number of fish slices, resulting in an unequal portion between two guests. At this price point and in a tasting menu format, individual plating would have felt more thoughtful and intentional. The service was great, but I believe the tasting menu could be improved by creating a better balance of flavors, textures, and temperatures. A more thoughtful flow between courses and a stronger selection of dishes from their à la carte offerings would make for a much more cohesive dining experience. Most of the dishes felt random, too salty, or just OK. read more

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Hamachi Sashimi Crudo 4 Miso Sesame Vin, Aioli, Orange, Shishito, fresh, refreshing, flavorful Beet Lotus 4 Shiso Gel, Emulsified Chimichurri, Crispy Quinoa, crunchy, refreshing Loaded Potato Au Gratin 5 Cheese Crown, hearty, cheesy, flavorful Grilled Kalbi Pork Belly Ssam 5 Gochujang, Pickles, melt in your mouth, juicy, tender, super flavorful Buttermilk Fried Chicken 3 Adobo Butter Sauce, super crunchy, too dry Pan Seared Scallops 4 Bubu Arare Crusted Shrimp, Shellfish Beurre Monte; juicy, flavorful scallops; shrimp crunchy but slightly dry; creamy flavorful sauce Brown Butter-Bunny-Butter Mochi 4 soft, fluffy, not too sweet A-5 Wagyu Fat Caramels 3 piece of candy, too sweet for me Service 5 Ambiance 4 read more

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What a great little place in the heart of Kaimuki. Food was very good. The dishes were very well presented and there was a lot of attention to detail. The dishes were very flavorful and top notch. My favorite was the Hamachi Crudo. We tried at least 6 different items from the Ala Carte menu and none of them disappointed. The menu is quite small, but with that they can refine the dishes that they do have. They also offer a 7 course set menu. The service was excellent. The waiter was very personable and always checked on us. The food came out promptly. The interior is very nice. It's very modern yet, has a nice flare to it. The set up of the tables and bar is very inviting. The parking is a little small as it's located in Kaimuki. If you come early enough when they open or schedule your dinner early, you should be able to get parking. Overall, if you're in the neighborhood for a quaint little place for some good grinds, give this place a try! read more

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I have had this place on my radar for a while and it did not disappoint. We got the set menu and each course was unique, yummy, and beautiful. I was satisfied by the end but not stuffed. The drinks were good and not over priced, atmosphere was great. Our server took time to explain each course. I will be back for sure! Bang for your buck amazing! read more

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Small classy/casual restaurant in kaimuki with amazing flavors! Went for dinner during restaurant week and my boyfriend and I both really enjoyed it! For restaurant week they had a 7 course menu for $59, usual is $65. It was such a deal! Service was good despite the sever being the host and bartender too- he was still attentive and made sure we had everything/enjoying it. Food wise I think my favorite were the fried chicken and scallop/shrimp dish. Everything we had was good though. The fried chicken was super crispy and the sauce went well with it. Dessert wise the mochi bunny was so good! The A5 caramels were interesting and different but yummy. Parking wise there is a small lot that seems to be able to accommodate the size of the restaurant if not theres street parking on Waianae or in the residential area. Overall really enjoyed the dinner and can't wait to go back! read more

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While we were visiting Oahu, a friend suggested we go to XO Restaurant after Gaku and Bozu were not taking any reservations. XO is what you expect from a mid-level Asian fusion restaurant, high prices for what should be izakaya food. Bar food should not costs this much--something Hawaii tourists find themselves saying more than I'd like to admit. The lamb we ordered was severely underdone so our table collectively agreed to send it back for another. Adobo chicken was definitely better as was the accompanying pork belly dish my friend ordered that came out late but delightful. One of our brown butter bunnies was dryer and overdone than the rest. It was a very cute design though. read more

Decided to try this place since it was restaurant week, their 7 course meal was a deal and well worth it Time between food was perfect, didn't have to wait too long and every dish was delicious. This is a perfect place to eat and chill for dinner. Only thing I wish they had beer on draft, their bar only had bottles but they have other cocktails to try. read more

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We were in Hawaii for my husband's birthday and came here with friends. The owner took great care of us and we enjoyed all of the courses, including the special that night, an add on salmon dish. We thought this was a great deal for the quality and quantity of food. Give it a try, take a 10min Uber ride out of the tourist zone - you won't regret it! read more

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I really wanted to like Restaurant XO since it's been on my radar for a while now. But unfortunately, while the $59/pp (Restaurant Week deal) for a 7-course set menu was definitely enticing, it didn't live up to my expectations. Mainly, I felt a disconnect with Restaurant XO's apparent "fine dining" concept. Atmosphere-wise, XO had both upscale decor and homey furniture, making my experience a bit confusing. Hamachi Sashimi Crudo: One of my favorites. Thick pieces of buttery hamachi with a delicious miso vinagrette. Beet Lotus: The salad was slightly too sweet for me, personally. If less sweet, the dish could have been a refreshing palate cleanser. Loaded Potato Au Gratin: Because the cheese crust was floppy--kind of like a thin fruit leather--it felt unnecessary. The potato was great, though. Grilled Kalbi Pork Belly Ssam: Not much flavor at all nor spice on the pork belly. I wish there was a fresh or tangy element, like kimchi or cole slaw. And, just half a lettuce leaf for those large pork belly slices? I want the other half please. Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Adobo Butter Sauce: My least favorite, I couldn't finish it. Fast food fried chicken would have been better; mine was dry, though my partner said his was moist. The chicken itself was not really seasoned. Adobo Butter Sauce was very vinegary, which was fine, but it was missing other key elements of adobo, like pepper and garlic. The sauce ultimately didn't work with the chicken. The dish, in particular, was out of place for this prix fixe menu. Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Stew Wellington (+$10): The cook and seasoning on the lamb was perfect. Stew wellington was slightly soggy, but otherwise, tasted fine. I didn't care for the red wine gastrique--it was too sweet for me and lacked an acidic component. Pan Seared Scallops and Shrimp, Shellfish Beurre Monte: My other favorite of the night, the scallop and shrimp were cooked very well and the shellfish beurre monte was creamy. Absolutely delicious. Brown Butter-Bunny-Butter Mochi: Aesthetically very cute and the toasted marshmallow was a nice touch. But, nothing special beyond that. Pumpkin Crunch: I liked the flavor a lot, but it was way too sweet. It could have gone without the sugar granules underneath the shortbread crust. A-5 Wagyu Fat Caramels: I liked the caramel, it was smoky and slightly salty from the wagyu renderings. Ultimately, I don't think I'll be coming back to Restaurant XO, even though $59/pp for a 7-course set menu is a really good price. Most of the dishes had room for improvement, and I left pretty disappointed with the overall experience. read more

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Amazing food! We came for the 7 course set menu and left super full. We started with some drinks (lychee gimlet and the pink cactus). Both were okay but the real star was the food!! Our favorites were the hamachi crudo, the fried chicken, and the scallops. Also wanted to mention 59$ for a tasting menu is super affordable. The staff was friendly and kind, the place was very clean. It was such a good experience! Loved the food and definitely would recommend. read more

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Landed at XO Kaimuki tonight and went all-in on the $56/person 7-course set menu (all adults)--a rotating fusion stunner that nailed every savory, textural beat. It flowed beautifully: Hamachi sashimi crudo with miso vinaigrette, olive, and shiso (pristine freshness); Loaded Baked Potato with Emulsified Chives, Quinoa, and Au Gratin Cheese (comfort elevated); Slow Braised Pork Belly with Mango Butter Sauce (melt-away tender); Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Adobo Butter Sauce (crispy-juicy legend); Pan Seared Scallops with Brown Butter Bunny Scallops? (buttery heaven); Chef's Wagyu Favorite (succulent, flavorful peak). Optional Blackened Salmon add-on tempted, paired with Chenin Blanc or Burgundy--bold Hawaiian-modern twists in ideal portions. Service synced the pacing flawlessly in the chic space--knowledgeable crew, lot parking breeze. Kaimuki's top set menu experience; pure bliss. read more

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My husband and I were planning to go to dinner in the area but ended up being turned away as they were too close to closing - so we ended up across the street at XO. We are very happy that happened! This place was a master class in the tasting menu. We absolutely loved the experience. The service was amazing, our waiter was very kind and attentive. Every single course was unique and so expertly done. There was no dish that wasn't delicious. This was by far my favorite meal in Hawaii! read more

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Excellent! Especially liked the mochi bunny desert. The entrees are large ish and the servers are great read more

XO Restaurant - Mochi bunnies - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We called on very short notice (less than 24 hours) requesting a vegetarian set menu and the chef immediately built a menu to cater to us. He gave very detailed explanations and asked if the modifications sounded ok. Once we arrived we were seated and the chef went over the menu (he had made a hand written vegetarian menu). The dining room ambiance was very welcoming and well lit. I was so impressed with the attention to detail and the combo of all the flavors. It's very clear how passionate the chef is about food and the dining experience and it shows when he speaks to you. The set menu had 8 courses and I liked each one of them (see picture for detailed description). Every taste was covered over the course of the meal and each one was unique and well thought out. It's evident how much care is put into to the menu. My favorite though was the end with the brown butter bunny mochi, not only was it delicious but the "little surprise" behind the mochi was hilarious. Parking is right outside the building and easily accessible. I also found the price per person for the set menu very reasonable. Although I found the menu very creative for such short notice the chef said with more time he can have even more innovative dishes so I look forward to trying it again next time and giving him some more prep time to work his magic. read more

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This place is on to something. Like it has the potential to become something special. Their menu is interesting and their presentation is nice. Friendly service and helpful with menu selection. Tastes were good and some a little unexpected. Keep on going. Love where you're going with the Asian fusion theme read more

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Reservation was easily made on . Greeted promptly. We got the beets, scallops, Hamachi, salmon and bunny mochi/ice cream pie for dessert. Everything was beautifully presented. Execution of the food was impeccable. Taste was amazing. Every single bite was so flavorful. We enjoyed our meal thoroughly and had such a wonderful time. The service was amazing. Our chef was able to present each with an elaborate description so that we were well aware of the ingredients and the effort it took to preparing each and every dish the level of service, ambience and delicious food in a great local neighborhood. read more

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My friend wanted to dine here and we were both pleasantly surprised with the portions, flavors, and customer service. The restaurant was filled with family and friends for a graduation party, yet it wasn't too loud and I could still hear my friend speaking in our own conversation, thankfully. He wanted the set menu and my goodness it was a nice variety! Everything from appetizer and salad to all kinds of delicious protein, this truly was a lot of food. The mochi bunny was okay but we were both so full from the incredible set. To start, the Hamachi credo was quite fresh. Perhaps a tad more dressing than necessary but Jason liked it. My preference was the beet salad with shiso jelly, perfect in texture and tang, loved it! The other starter was similar to a deconstructed baked potato, quite flavorful with the bacon and he liked that too. Lots of protein in the set menu! The pork belly with lettuce wraps, were very tender and tasty. The fried chicken was okay, we were so full we packed that one to take home. The scallops were a little bit more golden than what I prefer but it was still very delicious. Jason wanted to add the steamed Hamachi kama. We were both surprised how meaty our portion was. And the flavors, my goodness, so many layers to enjoy....this wasn't your standard ginger and green onions. Thank you for the wonderful customer service. Our waiters took the time to describe each item they served. Even with a large gathering, our servers were still very attentive to us and our dishes were presented in a timely manner. Lovely dining experience :) read more

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We decided to try XO for the first time, mainly out of curiosity since it's located right next to our longtime favorite, Miro. We had an early reservation to celebrate my boyfriend's new job, and overall, it ended up being a really enjoyable experience. The restaurant has a sleek, modern vibe--nicely decorated without feeling too formal. Menus are accessed via QR codes on the table, which is convenient but might not be everyone's favorite. What stood out immediately was the service. There was only one person working the front--he acted as host, bartender, and our server--and honestly, he did an incredible job juggling everything. Friendly, attentive, and made the experience feel personalized despite being a one-man show. We opted for the pre-fixe 7-course menu and added the supplement, making it 8 courses total for $75--a great value for the quality and presentation of the food. Our favorite dishes were definitely the herb-roasted lamb paired with beef Wellington (the supplement was worth it), the hamachi sashimi crudo, and the pan-seared scallops with the bubu arare-crusted shrimp. Each course was thoughtfully plated and packed with flavor. Drink-wise, we tried three cocktails, and the ube lemonade was the clear winner--refreshing and unique. That said, we did wish there were more cocktail options on the menu. XO definitely leans more casual compared to other tasting menu spots, but that's part of its charm. It's approachable, well-priced, and delivers on both taste and service. read more

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Amazing food had the aka carte , quinoa salad, looked like a work of art . Shrimp and scallops , pad Thai !!! Was sooo yummy .. our service was also great !! read more

XO Restaurant - Shrimp and scallop - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The butter mochi bunnies are a MUST HAVE! Came in for a friends birthday and had the 7 course tasting menu. Everything was VERY unique and flavored well. read more

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Worth the hype! The food was absolutely delicious, each dish had its own flair and was so unique and thoughtful. The two gentlemen serving us, one of which was the chef, were hustling and get everything out in a timely manner even though it was a pretty busy night. The chef also took time to always explain each course to us which we really appreciated. Restaurant decor was pretty charming. We ordered the 7 course meal (plus lamb so 8) and it was incredibly well priced. We can't wait to be back again! read more

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First of all, bad mood building up when I asked the busboy for my waiter to return the awful glass of wine, that stupid busboy refused to switch out my awful wine! He said once i drank it, I can't change it, I asked him how would I know whether I like it or not if I didn't take a sip! Idiot! Luckily the bar tender came out to apologize and recommended a better wine for me which I highly appreciated. My server was polite and friendly also. Now let talk about ambient. The restaurant only seated like 3 tables, it's just sad, how did they get over 4 stars?! There's literally no customers with so many empty tables, but OpenTable showed fully booked! Let's talk about the food which we order the full tasting courses, bland, unimpressive, all cheap low cost ingredients. Way too many root vegetable courses! First course was the hamachi which was the only good dish, quite fresh and tasty, then went downhill all the way afterward. Second course was the potatoes with crunchy Parmesan cheese and bacon on top, which tasted just like the baked scallop potatoes, meh! Third was the locust root with radishes, it's too sweet and too starchy and cheap, I hated it. Fourth course was little better but very ordinary, fried shrimp with grilled scallops, both tiny. After that was the pork belly bao, not good, pork was dry and not much taste, no sauce, bao was super dry also, I couldn't finish it. Last was the fried chicken. Not marinated, not salt, tasteless, took a bite, and couldn't bring myself to eat another tasteless garbage. Dessert was the mochi rabbit, I had better, but it tasted okay. Yes their tasting menu is cheap but their food cost was bare minimum also. I don't recommend this restaurant at all, maybe their 4+ stars are from previous chef, really unbelievable! read more

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Went here last year and hopefully they open back soon because I want to take my boyfriend here Loved the food, ambiance, and service Everything that was recommended from drinks to the set prix menu was fantastic! Loved the little bunny at the end Perfect girl's night to celebrate my friends' birthdays read more

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Amazing find on our trip in Oahu! Perfect ambiance for a low key date night or a relaxing family dinner. The service was great, we came on a Monday, so we got a lot of attention. Kids menu was crispy fried chicken with rice, it was delicious. Would recommend this spot to my friends and family looking to switch up from the usual ramen and truck food tour in Oahu. read more

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Excellent Food! Sometimes I am hesitant for the "fancy food" cause usually their portions stay manini. We did the tasting menu for 3, and it was more than just a bite for each course!!! Thoroughly full and fed but also the food was bussin!!! A fried chicken and a shrimp and scallop course from heaven. Must go again soon. read more

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Original idea was to have an app and cocktail somewhere near our Waikiki hotel and then come here for dinner. But we ended up flipping our plan due to the torrential downpour of rain in Waikiki. So, we came here for an app and cocktail. The cocktail was delicious! I equally loved the hamachi appetizer. Very fresh fish and perfect combo of flavors. I could have eaten three of them . My friend got the birra tacos despite her usually avoiding pork. OMG they were good! She said the best she's ever had! Easy parking. Chef interesting to talk to. Very unique restaurant. Wish I had more time to return. Highly recommend. read more

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The most disappointing meal experience. We arrived 25 minutes early, and though there were empty tables, we were asked to wait outside, in the rain, because, "the kitchen was backed up." They offer a 7 course set menu, or each course à la carte. The Butter Milk Fried Chicken with Adobo Butter Sauce was lacked presentation, flavorless, dry, and rubbery, though the Adobo sauce was tasty and light. The Pan Seared Scallops, Bubu Araré Crusted Shrimp was well presented, with lots of flavors ands textures, but was not hot when it got to us. The wine list is limited, not well curated and entirely overpriced. Parking is very difficult. The interior has a plate wall, but is otherwise simple. The noise level is high. read more

XO Restaurant - Pan Seared Scallops, Bubu Araré Crusted Shrimp - Asian Fusion Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A gem! Incredible flavor and value for a fixed menu course. We went for a birthday dinner and enjoyed EVERY course except for the scallops which were very dry. I would highly recommend coming here for a special occasion. The service was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. TIP FOR FAMILIES: They don't advertise it but there is a kids offering as well. Call to see what it is before you dine. Make sure you stop into the "small kine" gift shop next door for the cutest things! read more

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XO Restaurant is a whole new experience. I consider myself a foodie, and this was hands-down one of the best meals I've ever had. We ordered the 7-course tasting menu, and every single plate was to die for. Each course was an explosion of flavor--layers of textures and combinations I've honestly never tasted before. Thoughtfully plated, creative, and exciting from start to finish. We added the Beef Wellington (+$10) and I'm SO glad we did , absolutely worth it. Our drink choice was the ube lemonade, which was delicious . On top of the food, the service was incredible. The waiters were friendly, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain how to eat each unique dish, which made the experience even more special. I'm here for another week and... I might actually go back. That's how good it was. read more

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My friend and I came here for dinner on a Saturday evening. We had a reservation and were seated upon arrival. The parking lot for the restaurant is small, and we were also lucky to get a spot right in front of the restaurant. Food: The food is fancier Asian food I would say. Many of the plates are meant to be shared. I tried pretty much anything they had that was vegetarian friendly. My favorites were the mochi bunny dessert, the peanut butter pie, and the noodles. My friend also had the fried chicken that she enjoyed. Service: Service was a little slow today. However, it was apparent that there were meant to be more servers, but they were short staffed this day. Our server was apologetic for the slower service. We didn't mind too much since we were not in a rush. The dishes came out as they were ready. TL;DR - Decent fancier restaurant with nice servers. read more

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What an incredibly wonderful experience! Food was to die for. This place is off the beaten path, but worth the trip. Service was wonderful. Absolutely lovely meal. Worth every penny. read more

We had a 6:30 reservation, and when we arrived the restaurant was about half full with a comfortable noise level. It looked like there was only one person handling everything -- seating guests, taking orders, delivering food, and making drinks -- yet service was surprisingly efficient, and our dishes came out at a steady, well-paced rhythm. We went with the seven-course set menu plus the $10 supplement and walked away stuffed. The portion sizes were a bit of a mixed bag -- some dishes could've been a touch smaller, while others we definitely wanted more of! Standout favorites: * Hamachi sashimi crudo * Grilled kalbi pork belly ssam * Seafood plate One small note: the menu listed two dessert options, but when we ordered, the waiter didn't ask which we preferred. We assumed we might indicate our choice later in the meal, but when dessert arrived, we were simply served the usual butter mochi bunny. read more

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