WM is Elegant and Modern but not Hawaiian
DESCRIPTION: After three years of "opening in a couple months," WM restaurant has finally opened, in the former location of A Pacific Cafe in the Honokowai Marketplace (the shopping center with the Star Market). It is a beautiful elegant restaurant with very modern decor and large plush black leather booths. The waiters wear dark gray suits and black shirts. We tried WM for the first time on 1-5-06. We found that the prices were not as outrageous as we expected. The fish dinner entrees were $24 (ono) to $34 (stuffed ahi), with the opakapaka that we had costing $32. This is around the same price as the fish entrees at Plantation House (our current favorite), which charges $30 for most fish and $33 for opakapaka. In addition, my wife and I usually have the restaurant split an entree for the two of us, and Plantation House charges $3 for splitting, Cascades (another favorite of ours) charges $7 for splitting, and WM charged NOTHING for splitting. The salads at WM are $8 to $11, while at Plantation House the salads are $9.50. WM does have a few entrees that are much more expensive, such as surf and turf for $55, or lobster for $60, but we were not interested in those so it did not matter. What we liked about WM was the tableside service. They made the caesar salad for us at the table, and they made the pineapple cake dessert for us at the table. We have not seen that kind of tableside preparation at any restaurant in recent years. What we did NOT like about WM was the flavors of the food. We felt that the two different salads we had, and the opakapaka we shared, were just ordinary in appearance, presentation, and taste. We think the food is much better at Plantation House and at Cascades and at Roys and at Vino, among others. So our plan is to give WM one more try, ordering all different things, and then if we still don't think the food is as good as elsewhere, then we probably would not go back any more after that. ADDED COMMENT 1-16-06 We gave WM a second try and the food was much better. So the only remaining problem at WM is that I think it is too formal for Maui and does not have the tropical feel of our other favorite Maui restaurants. This and many other Maui restaurants in all price ranges are reviewed and described on the Maui Restaurants tab of http://www.mauihawaii.org
DATE: 2006-01-07
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Pineapple Flambe dessert

Manhattan in Hilo!
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant Kaikodo offers a fine dining experience in a casual tropical environment. The food was well prepared and well presented. The wine and drink list was extensive. At a family dinner we had Ahi Tataki Nigiri sushi with ponzu green onion and ginger, Kaikodo Sushi with kampachi tartar with caviar, garlic shallot and wasabi vinaigrette & grilled trumpet mushrooms. We had tapioca crusted Ono with Thai eggplant in coconut sweet chili sauce, coconut sticky rice with crispy basil. We had gomashio seared Ahi with yuzu-mustard horseradish sauce, saut ed spinach, and green chili mashed potatoes. We also had grilled loin of pork & five fragrance baby back ribs with garlic shoyu glaze, grilled baby bok choy, and sweet potato hash. With the fish, we had Crossings (N.Z.) Sauvignon Blanc. For dessert we had Strawberry shortcake, white chocolate chili brioche bread pudding, flaming hot lava cake, and lilikoi cheesecake. Everything was extraordinary.
DATE: 2004-09-19
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Seared Ahi, Ono, Pork, Strawberry Shortcake and all desserts

Total Pampering
DESCRIPTION: I just stumbled on this form while surfing but my experience at Orchids last July was so good I must say something about it. The service was impeccable, with not even a slight hint of the snobbery that usually turns me off to "nice" restaurants. My girlfriend and I are young and aren't into being very dressy, but they treated us like royalty anyway. Without bothering us with constant hovering, they seemed to know exactly when we needed more wine, more of their delicious cheese sauce, more water, etc. I plan on eating at this place every time I am on Oahu. Not cheap but worth every penny!
DATE: 2002-02-06
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10

Halekulani Dining is Always Da Bes' Kine! (A Little Pidgin Patois)
DESCRIPTION: I've had breakfasts, lunches and dinners at Orchids, special occasion dinners at La Mer, and even afternoon tea at the Halekulani and they were all first class. Until I discovered long-term rentals on the Gold Coast, the Halekulani was always my first choice for staying at Waikiki. It's still first choice for meals that favorably impress, not only yourself, but family, friends, and associates.
DATE: 2004-01-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8