Arancino at The Kahala

Review summary

1. G

   Goto

   Hawaii

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   It's a person-in-charge system, but there's a limit to each person, and overall it's slow.
   

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2. J

   Johnny

   Hawaii

   40 reviews

   5.0

   40 reviews

   Dined on November 15, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Went on a Thursday night and it was somewhat empty since we had a late reservation. Diego took care of us and throughly went over the whole menu with us giving us his personal recommendations and best sellers. Opted for the arancini, 2 pasta dishes, and their pizza of the month. Everything was delicious and and service was impeccable with our waters constantly being filled and dishes being cleared. Awesome service and great tasting food, will definitely be back.
   

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3. D

   Donna R.

   Hawaii

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on November 14, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything on the Restaurant Week menu at Arancino was delicious. We particularly loved the lobster bisque and both the Tagliatelle con Astice and Tagliatelle alla Carbonara. This is the reason these Restaurant Week events work. We get a chance to try several of the restaurant's best options which doesn't happen on a regular visit. The service provided by Ken was also exceptional. It truly enhanced our dining experience.
   

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4. B

   Brian

   Seattle

   6 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on November 14, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The staff is super friendly and the right level of attentive. Really appreciated the complimentary birthday dessert.
   

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5. j

   june

   Hawaii

   42 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   42 reviews

   Dined on November 13, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our second time to the restaurant since October. We all ordered the Branzino (sea bass) because it was so delicious last time. This time all our fish were too salty! You could crunch on the salt that was used which spoiled it for us but the fish was really moist. Service was good and we had a great table. Still would come back but maybe not order the fish.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on November 13, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My husband I, fortunately, saw on the news that it was Honolulu Restaurant Week where they showed the carbonara. We booked right away to celebrate our 15th anniversary. The prix fixe menu was definitely one of the best we’ve had. Started with the caviar, that was so amazing. Each course that came after just got better and better. Lobster bisque was exquisite, caprese salad was so fresh and delicious. The lobster pasta would be my favorite, if I had to choose…but everything was just so good. My husband got the carbonara and he loved the richness of it. then comes the short rib that was so flavorful and tender. We had 2 desserts, the frangipane and the special anniversary dessert that was a beautiful cake encased in sugar dome. The flavors are just so wonderful in the palate. We also had the wine pairing that enhanced the whole dining experience. Most definitely though, Ken took care of us, and made it a very memorable night. The entire staff was very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be back next time we visit Honolulu and will recommend this place to everyone we know.
   

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7. K

   Karen

   San Francisco

   15 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on November 7, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Very small portions. Especially disappointing that my husbands birthday was not acknowledged by our server. They knew about it because the concierge called to confirm and the hostess said happy birthday when we arrived. Won’t be back.
   

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8. D

   Dan

   New York City

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on November 6, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Ken was a wonderful server. Very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs making the celebration of our time there that much more special.
   

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9. G

   Gerard

   Hawaii

   209 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   209 reviews

   Dined on November 5, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   I chose the Degustazione, a six-course tasting menu and the wine pairing. Acqua Panna still water and Arancino’s focaccia and olive oil started the evening. C1: Tartare di Gamberetti con Caviale; caviar over pieces of ama ebi with a light yuzu vinaigrette. It was served with Devaux “Grand Reserve Brut” Champagne. I was somewhat puzzled because it was presented like caviar, but without any blini or toast points. I used the pearloid spoon to eat it. C2: Zuppa di Aragosta, AKA lobster bisque. The soup was rich and there was a small piece of toasted brioche with claw meat floating on top. The wine was a Pinot Grigio Rose from Scarbolo “Ramato”, Friuli Venezia Giulia. C3: Insalata Caprese (Cherry tomato halves with fresh Mozzarella and basil) followed; paired with an Il Borro “Lamelle” Chardonnary from Toscana. IMO, superfluous. C4: I opted for my favorite dish at Arancino, the Tagliatelle ai Ricci di Mare. IMO this version is misnamed because a Ricci di Mare is made with garlic, parsley, salt, lemon and olive oil. Arancino “improves” it by making it with white wine, tomatoes and cream. I prefer Anancino’s version, and this is a “must have”. It was paired with a Sauvignon Blanc from Cullen Margaret River Valley in Australia. The slight sweetness of the wine complemented the sweetness of the uni. C5: Filetto alla Rossini, the highlight of the evening. A 5oz sous vide beef tenderloin, topped with seared foie gras, sitting on a bed of mashed potatoes, surrounded by a Truffle Rossini reduction, like a Périgueux sauce. Everything about this dish was sheer perfection … I wanted another serving! The wine was a Chianti Classico Riserva, Tenuta di Arceno from Toscana. The wine was fine, but the star was the beef! C6: Arancino’s deconstructed Tiramisu capped the meal. It was made special because the pastry chef wrote Happy Birthday on the plate. Alas, a day early, but the thought was there. This was arguably the finest meal I’ve had at Arancino … I can’t wait to return!
   

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10. R

    Ron

    Indiana

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4

    The food was excellent but wine service could have been better. I ordered a glass of wine from their coravin program ($50+/glass premium wine). The server brought a fully filled glass to the table. Regardless of the price of the wine and whether it’s a bottle or glass order, I think a restaurant of this kind should bring the bottle to the table and pour it in front of the guest, showing and confirming the wine is indeed what the guest ordered. Otherwise, the guest wouldn’t know if the wine is a new zealand sauvignon blanc poured from a screw cap or a napa valley cult wine poured from coravin. The only other place I had the same experience was a sports bar.
    

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