4. Restaurants

Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill

1451 S King St, Honolulu, HI, 96814
  • (808) 941-2439
  • Store is closed

Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Coreen L.

    My friend and fellow Yelppie suggested this place for pau hana with the girls. This is a gem, tucked away along King Street - great vibe, yummy pupus & dishes that were Japanese influenced, and of course, excellent cocktails. I also quickly noticed that at Chez Kenzo, the boys run the show - meaning, it seemed to be an all male crew. No worries ladies, they were very nice. Great friendly service for sure!! During the after-work hours, it gets busy - so make a reservation. There's also a private room for larger parties.

    (4)

  • Janet F.

    One of my favorite places to eat at. This place kind of has a romantic feel to it. Customer service is great, everyone is friendly & always making sure everything is going well. And the food.... Amazing. From their pastas to their cheese Gyoza and hamburger steak that has cheese on the inside. 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Tammy S.

    I've gone here like 4 times in the last month... I worry the waitstaff thinks I'm stalking them. But it's really convenient to stub by here after work on my way home...I've enjoyed everything I've tried there. It's a really cool vibe with cool people.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    Okay food but really bad service from owners. Wouldn't recommend supporting their business.

    (1)

  • Allan C.

    I've been patronizing this establishment for a long time and have not posted any reviews. Selfish on my part, but a disservice to Chez Kenzo and the wonderful staff and delicious food. They experimented with lunch service, but recently discontinued it. A new happy hour menu was introduced this week. Let the adventure begin. Stop by and partake in their cold drafts and sakes. The staff is knowledgeable of the offerings and will make your dining and drinking experience enjoyable and memorable.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    This was our 1st time here. The food was excellent!!!! If you like eating Japanese pastas; you must try the "Uni" and the "Ikura". Those two pasta dishes are the best ones we tried. We are defiantly coming back soon!!!!

    (5)

  • Leslie A.

    Chez Kenzo is one of my favorite local places. Each time I go, I try at least one new dish and have always been pleased with my meal. The pasta dishes are cooked al dente. The kabocha with bacon is delicious. My favorite dishes are the shabu shabu salad and uni pasta.

    (5)

  • Sam O.

    y friends took me there last night. food was delicious! We had natto omlette, mentaiko pasta, maui onion sald, and cutlet. Everything was great. I will definitely go back again!

    (5)

  • Sean D.

    Can't believe it's my first time here. Great happy hour 5-7pm. Mentaiko Pasta, Hane Cheese Gyoza, Nagoya chicken wings, uni pasta, all winner!

    (5)

  • Amy Y.

    Happy hour Friday, we made it 20 minutes before last call. We got the last table inside a cubicle room. The place is neatly decorated but really tight seating. I believe it's Japanese local owned bar restaurant? It was a full house of course. Come early or I don't know if you'll get a table during happy hour. After getting seated, we got our menus. We looked straight at the Happy Hour menu because we need to order quickly before last call. We got the rock shrimp deep fried, four cheese pizza, and pasta with pesto. The shrimp dish came out first, I actually don't know how it taste because I can't eat shrimp. My friend seem to like it. I tasted the sauce and it's not bad. The four cheese pizza came out later. I'm not a fan of pizza, been avoiding it for years. Finally tried it and it's quite delicious. Not the kind where you get at pizza hut or dominoes. The crust was soft and chewy. Lots of cheese! We actually waited for a very long time for our pasta because apparently they didn't take down the order. So we had to ask the waitress about it but she did apologize. She said it'll take 10 minutes or so to make it. So we decided to wait..it took quite a while. But it came out hot. I like the pesto pizza. It's not any ordinary kind of pesto with the sauce on top. It's literally pesto pasta. It was simple but decent amount. This busy during happy hour, a bit crazy. Service can be lacking. Sitting in the corner doesn't really help either. However, they did give us the pasta for free. Which was really nice. So our bill came out to around $15~ The ambience was.loud and noisy. Not a place to chill and talk after a tired day at work unless you're the wild, young, and free kine. I practically had to scream at my friend to talk. I think my voice was a little scratchy after. What an experience...!

    (4)

  • Mikey H.

    My buddy Kyle said we were going to start here. I had never been and would probably never have seen or found it since it's in a very unassuming place. Dark windows but once inside, it's a good size. Nice chill vibe...we were able to score a couple of stools, but the bar area was packed. Good mix of locals. Very friendly staff! Couple of beers and we were ready to go. When I hang out with K, I tend to drink beer. He ordered a couple of apps for us, the signature Ja-Ja Nasu, fried eggplant with ground pork and black bean sauce. I thought it was alright, nothing to write home about. Thought the dish would taste good over rice. But it was the pumpkin and bacon saute with garlic that was amazing!!! Well, I guess anything is great with bacon, but the bits were nice a crispy. Since we were only starting the evening here, couldn't say much about the menu, but what a great place to come back to next time!

    (4)

  • Joyce L.

    Chez Kenzo is a nice place to get a drink with your friends and hangout. It's a nice and clean bar. The few times I've been here I see people bringing their young children. Okay. As for food, I've tried pesto pasta, fried chicken, pork chop salad, pizza. They were all good. They also have happy hours 5-7pm. The service is excellent. Staff are friendly and efficient. You never have to flag them down. They're always available to fill up your water and take more order. I love places like this. Parking is free during evening. It's the same lot as Bank of Hawaii. Make sure you park in the right place. Stalls are numbered. You can check the stall number on the entrance door.

    (5)

  • Jonathan C.

    The food was good. I always appreciate when a place has things I've never tried and this place definitely had that. So I went with some friends and ordered the following: Shabu shabu salad, Kabocha with bacon, cheese gyoza and the 4 cheese pizza. Ok I lied... I've had 4 cheese pizza or something similar to it, but I've never had anything like the other 3. Of the 4, I did like the cheese gyoza the best. I mean... how can you go wrong with cheese and gyoza? The Kabocha with bacon was pretty good and the salad and pizza were ok. The thing I liked most though was the service and the atmosphere. Definitely a place I can see myself hangin with friends, sharing some food and drinkin as they have a full bar from what I remember. The people who worked there were really nice and it definitely left an impression.

    (4)

  • Magnum P.

    OK, passed by this place a million times in my Ferrari. This time I stopped to meet a friend who suggested it. A nice surprise. Yes it was dark, I thought it was closed except for all the neon beer signs. The music was loud and maybe on the youthful side. OK, so I am old. But the food, yes, the food was surprisingly good. Interesting menu, so much variety, kind of on the asian fusion side, I was worried that they were trying to do too much. But, the salad was fresh, the pumpkin sauteed in bacon was awesome. Tried some pasta, not bad. The Kenzo steak was excellent, enjoyed the dipping sauces. Service was attentive, not over the top. Maybe I found my new discreet place for a secret rendezvous....

    (4)

  • Nadia K.

    Chez Kenzo is a favorite as they have great food and drinks, lots of parking, and a private section for large parties. It's such a fun place to hang out with friends, but you can have a nice dinner here as well. They have a happy hour menu from 5-7pm and also an extensive selection on their regular menu. My favorites are the bacon and kabocha, taegu tofu watercress salad, menchi katsu and the uni pasta. All of their pastas are super yummy and the pasta is cooked perfectly al dente. For dessert, I look forward to getting their parfait with green tea and vanilla ice cream, azuki bean, cereal (like rice krispies), and mochi! Super yummy!!! I don't see many children in the restaurant, but they are welcome there. At night, free parking in stalls 32-76 fronting the restaurant. Great service and they take reservations!

    (4)

  • Kate Y.

    Delicious food, awesome service and great happy hour specials. What more could you ask for? The music playlist also set the tone for a fun evening! I will definitely be coming back again!

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    Must get the hamburger wafu steak! Probably my fav thing there. Oh and the cheese gyoza, Mentaiko pasta and steak fries are a must!! Gets pretty busy here but manage to always get a table. Service is great!

    (5)

  • Riana S.

    Ever since Dash closed my boyfriend and I have been wondering where our next neighborhood bar would be. We've always wanted to try Chez Kenzo but never got the opportunity. Last night was perfect because our homie was having his birthday party there. We were pretty excited it was our first Chez Kenzo experience together *aw cute We came around 8PM and it wasn't super crowded. All the table tops were taken so we decided to sit at the bar until our friend's party arrived. Looking over the Yelp reviews I averaged out three items I should order: Hane Cheese Gyoza, Wafu Hamburger Steak, and the Pumpkin Bacon with Garlic. I ordered myself a cold mug of Kirin and I was ready to eat. + Hane Cheese Gyoza - So spinach/pork dumplings with the cheese melted over the top so it looks like a pancake. I advise you to eat this first otherwise the cheese will get all hard and super chewy (unless you like that). Comes with I think gyoza wasabi (just a hint) dipping sauce. Flavorful and yummy! + Japanese Pumpkin with bacon and garlic - I imagine when I become old and I don't have teeth, this dish will be my jam. The pumpkin was super soft, bacon was the perfect combo of crispy and chewy, garlic accented the dish, not overpowered it. Loved the textures and contrast between the flavors and it just meshed so well together. + Wafu Hamburger Steak - when I read Cathy's review I was like, "no way it can't be that good that she fell in love with it." But oh, was I in over my head. When the skillet came, it was love at first sight. A very beautiful fat juicy patty, a little cheese in the middle, moist, flavorful, omg....and that FAT scoop of delicious mash potato with GRAVY ALL OVA!?!?! I die. I was so full but I made sure I ate that whole plate (jk my boyfriend shared with me). Next time I'm gonna ask for them to crack an egg on top. Our bartender was asking us if we've been here before and we said no. He said he just assumed because we knew what to order lololz. Thank goodness for Yelp. I imagine over here though that all the dishes will taste great. The service was awesome, we didn't have just one waiter, all the workers were checking up on us making sure we were happy. Seriously can't wait to come back more often.

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    I have three words for you: HANE CHEESE GYOZA. We ended up here after finding out Yakitori Glad was closed for New Year's Eve. After the meal we got, I couldn't have been happier with our decision. It was a great way to start the evening! We pulled up and I felt immediately overdressed. It looks like a dive bar from the outside, but don't let that fool you! The inside is chic and modern and would be the perfect place for a romantic date or a fun night out with the girls. There's bar seating in front at tall tables with stools and more tables on the other side of a divider for lunch and dinner seating. There's even an extra room for larger parties in back. ORDER THE HANE CHEESE GYOZA ($12). That's the biggest tip I can give you because it is delicious and unlike any gyoza I've ever seen. It comes out looking like a pancake, but that's because of all the cheese caked on! It's not on the happy hour menu, but it's worth a try. I'd order it again for sure. As you look through the menu, you'll notice they're all about Japanese-Italian fusion. Pasta lovers, rejoice! The food on the happy hour menu runs around $7 - $8 per plate. Jake and I ordered the Fried Rock Shrimp and Cheese Fries (both $7). The shrimp, to our surprise, came unbreaded! But it was still good. However I wouldn't recommend the Cheese Fries -- nothing special. (Save your powder for the cheese gyoza!!) There's also a Four Cheese Pizza for $7. It's personal pan sized, so if you're having it as your meal you probably won't want to share. ;) HAPPY HOUR: 5 - 7 p.m. daily. They've got great drinks specials -- $3.50 Kirin and Bud Light drafts, $4 wine, plus $5 sangria and specialty drinks. I was disappointed that the sangria wasn't available, as they were still in the process of waiting for the batch to sweeten. Hopefully I can try it during my next visit! PARKING: Free in the lot in front of the restaurant. You can turn right into the lot from S. King St. or look for street parking nearby along the same road.

    (4)

  • Takashi H.

    Updated review for holiday and graduation party season. Chez Kenzo is at the top of my list for party venues for larger groups (8-20). The versatile menu features a variety of foods and flavors which appeal to any crowd. My best buds from high school introduced me to Chez for my birthday two years ago and it was my go to place since. Throwing a theme party? No problem. You can reserve the private back room in advance where you can enjoy the peace and quiet, or be as loud as you want. The full bar features Japanese import beers, sake, wine, hard liquors, and more. Everyone at Chez knows how to mix a good cocktail. Best part? Everyone at Chez makes you feel welcome. Here's a place where you can experience that Aloha Spirit which is alive and well.

    (5)

  • Jake C.

    Yelp 365 Challenge 2015 #3/365 I would always see this place on Yelp and wondered how it was. It was just a stroke of luck that we ended up here on New Year's Eve, as a friend recommended it after we were turned down by Yakitori Glad since they were closed. Main reason for coming here: Happy hour from 5-7pm. When you pull up, don't be fooled by how it looks from the outside, as the inside is nice and clean. When you walk in, there's a bar area with tables and stools and televisions, and there is also a dinner seating area on the other side of the divider. We were seated and were surprised to be the only ones inside, being that it WAS happy hour. No complaints here, though. They had Kirin drafts for $3.50, which is cool as hell, and some other drink specials, along with select appetizers for $7. Rachel ordered the Hane Cheese Gyoza ($12) which was not on happy hour, and I ordered the Deep Fried Rock Shrimp and Cheese Fries, which were on happy hour ($7). The gyoza was amazing. Never have I eaten gyoza like this. When it got to our table it looked like a pancake, but it was really the huge amount of cheese that was cooked to a crisp, and held together the gyoza underneath. Best gyoza ever. The shrimp, to my surprise, was not breaded (I mean it said deep fried), but it still tasted good. It came on a bed of greens and some dipping sauce. The cheese fries were nothing special, could have had more cheese. The waitresses were very friendly and served us well. Maybe it was just because we were the only table inside for a while, until one other party came in, but we were checked on by all three of the waitresses that I had seen, and my water glass was rarely empty. From what I experienced on this visit, Chez Kenzo's cannot go wrong when it comes to their service, food, and happy hour. Looking forward to my next visit.

    (4)

  • Nelson Q.

    YELP 365 CHALLENGE 2014-(242/365) "Hawaiian Style Happy Hour" Came out to Chez Kenzo for a recent 808/702 UYE organized by fellow Honolulu Yeeps Brian M., Terry K., and Dave F. and we pretty much took over the majority of the dining space during Happy Hour. It's an interesting format where the bill is one per table and so it was me, Wifey, Brian, and Vince. We shared everything family style and ordered an assortment of items - Garlic Bread, Antipasto, Rock Shrimp, Pesto Pasta, Four Cheese Pizza, Cheese Gyoza and Kabocha Bacon. Ice cold Kirin for $3 was the perfect beverage to wash it all down! Great variety of items and cool people to be dining with, Steve also took great care of everything and everyone, and in the end, it was about $20/person with tip. Great spot in the downtown area, and I can't wait to come back here and try other items. ALOHA!!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 4

    (4)

  • Cindy L.

    Came here for a friend's birthday. Happy hours from 5pm to 7pm. We tried the following items for happy hour: Antipasto ($6), Four Cheese pizza ($6), Firecracker shrimps ($6) - Portion size was good. The shrimps were on the tiny-side. We also ordered some items from the regular menu: Salmon croquette, Cheese gyoza , Taegu tofu watercress salad , Puttanesca pasta , Loco moco hamburger patty with a side of mash potato. They offer a wide variety of food, good for happy hour in a romantic setting.

    (2)

  • Rod U.

    "I'm not going to happy hour at Chez Yelpy" announces my foodie friend. "Chez Yelpy?" I stupidly question, holding back laughter. "Yes Chez Yelpy. The kind of place you Yelp fanatics think is the s*** just because your 'yeeps' or 'yeepies' or whatever you call yourselves, say is good" his response. Fast forward to a recent visit and his words rang true. Mediocre food, below average quality ingredients, questionable freshness and inconsistent service. The originality of the dishes is probably the only memorable thing. Props to the Pirikara Konnyaku. Deep flavor, well seasoned, chilled and comforting. Good sweetened soy and bonito flavor with the right amount of spicy chili heat. From the lunch menu, an under seasoned albeit huge portion of correctly cooked tonkatsu atop a mountain of everyday white rice, a side of box curry standing at the ready. Great if you want a large lunch and even larger serving of MSG. A cheese gyoza; a strange concoction of gyoza stuck together by melted, processed, cheddar cheese and served with a cloyingly sweet soy sauce works great with beer but alone; oily, fatty, mushy (overcooked gyoza skins). Pass. Pass on pizzas. Made on prepackaged flat bread, topped by what taste like a preservative packed premade tomato sauce and processed cheese. The much raved about uni pasta, another dish great with beer but alone bordering on disgusting. Over cooked pasta mixed in a cream sauce of uni, butter, and the unmistakable earthiness and salty soy sauce. Add salted tobiko and the dish looses all focus. The addition of shiso is unable to brighten it. The piece de resistance, spoiled, deep fried fish. Inexcusable. Any chef knows when something goes bad. Serving smelly, slimy fish is disrespectful. Not removing it from the check when it was returned, a slap in the face. Service? "Where's the booze? Flowin' like mud around here". Slow, inattentive. Then again, maybe I'm Mr. Cellophane? To their credit, the bar has one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskey in Hawaii however what's the sense when you need to wait an eternity to get it. Chez Yelpy huh. Nice.

    (2)

  • Kimberly X.

    I absolutely love this place! Great location, great service and great food! The staff is all very friendly, place is so elegant even though it's a bar. You can see it's more of a restaurant. They accommodate your party size if the tables/seats are available and they take reservation! I love everything I have tried so far and I love that they have my favorite wine! A must go! I guarantee you'll have a great time! They have a to die for appetizer! (I can't remember the exact name cuz I am bad with names all around) but I believe it's a mushroom sauce with garlic bread and TRUST ME, you need extra garlic bread! It's like eating crack! Lol once you have it, you'll want more! And I looooove their katsu with house sauce/ gravy (I take the gravy home if I don't finish it and believe me, it goes great on everything!) and the dessert menu!? YUM! I took 2 different groups of friends with me and they all absolutely loved the place and food, they're already raving about going back. So again, no bad reviews from me.

    (5)

  • Yvette G.

    Chez Kenzo's staff is great! Due to my short lunch break they are always willing to work with you on hosting a quick lunch by letting me call in my order and have it waiting to dine in or take out. They will even help accommodate a gathering for cocktails and or dinner. Everything on the menu is great! Portions are big enough to share and the price is right. I'm never disappointed when I come here.

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    Chez Kenzo has seemed to be a fan favorite recently, as I have been here a couple times for many different reasons...birthdays, going-away parties, new job celebration parties, etc...and probably for good reason as this is a fun place to celebrate such occasions. Their menu is heavily Japanese-inspired, boasting items like natto cheese omelette, wafu hamburger steak, hiyayakko (cold tofu topped with ginger)...but then throwing in some twists such as cheese gyoza and japanese pumpkin and bacon saute. It's a pretty big menu and if you're not feeling so adventurous, they have simple items such as steak fries (I love their steak fries), and chicken karaage. Yeah, it's bar food, but it's done really well and it's the type of place where you don't feel as timid about trying new items. They also have a great beer list...not long, but they proudly showcase a variety of different Japanese beers, including Echigo, Kirin, Hitachino, as well as other local/imported craft beers. I guess my only issue with this place is that it is LOUD...no fault of the restaurant of course, but I found myself having to nearly yell to speak to someone sitting right across or next to me. The staff is on point, however. Super attentive and just overall friendly. Despite how crazy it can get, they're always smiling and asking if you need a refill...always at the right point too...as if they were reading my mind. Chez Kenzo has been placed on the shortlist of places to go to when considering a good ol' drinking party. After a couple visits, it's definitely earned that spot on the list.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Chez Kenzo is an odd spot that feels uncomfortably disjointed and lacking a clear direction. The name is a play on French and Japanese, but I find little French influence on the menu other than they serve foie gras. The interior decor is two thirds black, all black, with very dim lighting, but the back room brightly painted and well lit. You'd think the main dining area is supposed to be romantic being dark and candle lit tables, but the TV showing sports cancels that idea. I hate the silver glittered tablecloths covered with a thick clear plastic that is so sticky you can't even slide your glass. The oddest thing is that the servers are wearing jeans and t-shirts, not matching nor sporting a Chez Kenzo logo, just random wear; it makes completely no sense for the servers to look so casual in this environment seemingly without making any effort to look presentable. Maybe the decor threw me for a loop, but the food was just okay. We ate the Wafu Hamburger Steak, Smoked Salmon with Maui Onion salad, Chicken Wing Nagoya style, and a couple other forgettable dishes that I won't rack my mind to remember. All meh. Two in our party liked the food, but the other three found it lacking. Based on the ratings they obviously have fans, but I'm clearly not one of them.

    (3)

  • Tiffinie K.

    I really like this bar. There's free parking in a private lot and they take reservations. AND there's happy hour!! I had a good time with friends there, and the food is great. I really liked the shabu shabu salad (surprised how delicious it was - we ordered it on a whim) and pumpkin/bacon sauteed garlic (the server recommended it). We tired the mentaiko pasta, but it wasn't as good as I thought it was going to because it didn't have much of a sauce. The service was great. Several people came to ask us if we needed any drinks, foods, etc. Would definitely go there again.

    (4)

  • Angela Y.

    The first time I came here was in celebration for my sister, Carrie's birthday which was conveniently a day before Independence Day. Drinking time!! I had trouble finding parking and had to "legally" drive through the one-way parking lot entrance of the complex on the corner of Keeaumoku and King St, suggested and encouraged by the parking valet there (Thank you, sir). :P One word about Chez Kenzo: noisy! Regardless, I received good customer service. They would come by to check on us once in a while, ensuring we ordered enough food and drink. I had a kimchi fried rice (very little kimchi :c ), pasta, and a hello kitty. I guess they ran out of Kirin, so one of our friends received a drink of his choice, on the house! That's what I call awesome customer service, rather than a "Sorry, we're out, have a water instead. Or maybe buy an entire bottle of Grey Goose". They even gave the birthday girl a drink on the house! Their bathroom is clean and spacious, perfect for groups of girls to take their mandatory selfies, but torturing if you've had one too many beers and your bladder is about to explode. Not a good place to hold a deep conversation about conspiracy theories, but perfect for a good night out with friends. Would come again :)

    (3)

  • Sean C.

    Parking: private lot, located in the same space as the Bank of Hawaii on King st. The cost: $30/person The food: hamburger steak, kabocha with bacon, moscow mule, gyoza with cheese, uni pasta Restrooms: yes Park in the same space as the Bank of Hawaii. This place wasn't too crowded on the weekend evening that we went. It's dimly lit, a little trendy, but definitely a bar. I thought their moscow mule was quite watered down. The kabocha with bacon is great. I mean you really cannot go wrong with those two ingredients. The gyoza with cheese wasn't too heavy. The hamburger steak was made of high quality meat and definitely a step up from your usual hamburger steak. But I must say the best thing here is the uni pasta. Their pastas are made al dente with a creamy, rich, flavorful, rustic sauce. They have a bunch of pastas to choose from so you can keep coming back! Overall, a very nice place to eat and socialize. Go for the pastas!

    (4)

  • Shawny S.

    This place is kinda loud but it's neat, clean & the interior design is appealing. Perfect place to eat & have drinks with a group of friends. Great customer service, staff is really friendly & attentive. I've been here a couple of times now & I've always left satisfied. Hane Cheese Gyoza: Big cheesy gyoza, delicious! You gotta try it. Cheesy goodness! Mentaiko pasta: A bit spicy for me but it was yummy. Uni pasta: Creamy, flavorful & compared to other high end Italian restaurants it was not bad at all. Although I believe the pasta portions were small they were really good. I really liked everything I ordered here & I'll definitely be back soon.

    (4)

  • K-bis M.

    I tried Chez Kenzo for one drink during happy hour. I got the house sake for $6. It was nice n smooth. The food menu is EXTENSIVE! It would take me a month to get through all the food here. I spoke to an employee and they said the weekend pau hana crew is intense. (Fri, Sat, Sun) so,for a chill time go during the week. Especially if you live close by. So far ,so good.

    (4)

  • Bert S.

    Very contemporary "Yoshoku" Japanese. Went for pau hana drinks and pupus with a buddy. Broiled cod roe (tarako) - This was pleasant but the squeeze of fresh lemon didn't elevate this. Smoked salmon croquette - Croquette fried perfectly. The smoked salmon and capers, was... smoked salmon and capers. Hard to mess up. Garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce - Buddy loved this but didn't do much for me. Chicken wing Nagoya style - The only thing I'd order again. Wings were crispy and sweet soy sauce was just right, The atmosphere wasn't for me. It was dark and very noise. The noise didn't make it a fun atmosphere, just a loud one. Our servers kept changing and it took us a while to get our check. The younger male wait staff seemed more interested in hovering over the young women patrons. My own rating is hard for me to reconcile. The food was all done well, presentation was excellent, but with the exception of the wings, nothing had me wanting to come back again. I might try some of the wafu pastas if I come back. Don't know what kind of place this is. Wouldn't take the family there for dinner, too noisy for a date, and wasn't a place to unwind on a Friday. In the area, I would have preferred Menchankotei or even Chikos.

    (3)

  • Lisa S.

    On the night my girls and I dined here it was super noisy...we could barely hear our conversations. The kabocha dish was the only thing that stood out to me, but it wasn't worth not being able to hear much due to the loud noises of others and to top that off they even decided to blast some music too. The service could be better. First we were practically being nagged every 5 min for our orders then when it came time to pay it felt like a good 20 minutes before our server returned to give us our bill. One of the staff who wanted to take our orders wasn't even familiar with the menu items. I doubt me and my girls will be returning here

    (2)

  • Greg D.

    I came here for happy hour with my friends and gotta say it didn't disappoint, having a good selection of drinks on the menu and a variety of different foods with it till 7pm. We ordered the ja ja men and was was more of a Japanese style meat pasta and not black bean sauce with noodles.... Hence 4 stars...

    (4)

  • Nora K.

    My girlfriend and I went for lunch. First ones in and had excellent service from Shandelle. I hope I got her name correct. Food was terrific. Had the Clam pasta and cheese Gyoza with an awesome ponzu sauce. They don't normally have Gyoza for lunch, but they accommodated us. How great is that! The Pinot Grigio was perfectly chilled. I would definitely recommend you try it out. I had also been introduced this restaurant months earlier and went in for happy hour. Service and food was great then, too. I would even consider having a wedding shower or retirement party there, as I notice a nice side room to have a large party.

    (5)

  • Lucia K.

    I typically do not enjoy eating bar foods or greasy foods but I'd make an exception just for Chez Kenzo's food. I love the ambiance of this place, and the interior design and artwork is aesthetically appealing! Now let's get to the important stuff of course, the food! One word, delicious! Everything that we ordered was tasty, nicely presented, and well prepared. We ordered the hamburger steak which literally melts in your mouth, the Hane Cheese Gyoza which were heaven sent, and the Uni Pasta which in comparison to other high-end italian restaurants, was not bad at all. Service was excellent although a little slow because they were very busy (which does not surprise me since the food is so good), and we were checked up on every couple of minutes which was nice because often times busy restaurants will forget to do this. I will definitely be back soon!

    (5)

  • Brandon Y.

    I think this is great bar to come to if you just want to chill with some friends. The atmosphere is very mellow for the most part and parking isn't too bad. The food at Homebar is better but it just seems a lot more stressful to go there cause it's always so crowded. This is also one of my go to places for Sunday night. A lot of the good places are closed on Sunday but this place is open and they do happy hour! My favorites: Cheese Gyoza - Sounds weird but tastes good! Wafu Hamburger Steak - Almost like a meatloaf but really good Kabocha and Bacon - Nice simple appetizer and who doesn't like bacon?

    (4)

  • Kris M.

    I crave this place! Shabu Salad - A MUST. Yummy pieces of Shabu Beef over Mixed Greens with a delicious dressing. We ALWAYS get this. Ume Pasta - This is MY FAVE!! I love ume, I love pasta...stick them together? I love you! Even if you just like ume, you must give this a try! Ume is incorporated into the pasta noodles, so it's not as sour as you'd expect but still has all that yumminess you crave. I love it, I just love it! Cheesy Gyoza - Big Chunky Gyozas topped this fried cheesy goodness. I mean chunky in the beat way possible, like big honkin gyozas! Haha. Momo - Orange juice with some sort of alcohol. Don't care what's in it. Delicious creeper kind of drink. You drink it down like juice and then realize, heeeeyyyy.... I think I'm getting drunk! Winning! ;) Nice, Clean, A/C, Casual Business Atmosphere, Great Happy Hour, always a good time! Shout outs to *Steve and *Chandelle. I'll be in soon :)

    (5)

  • Jamie H.

    Absolutely love it here! My favorites here are the uni pasta and their taegu tofu watercress salad! They are both so addicting that I keep going back to have the same thing! With that we also had the fried shrimp and delicious garlic bread! For dessert you have to try their parfait - totally original with cereal in it! Yummy!!!

    (4)

  • Ryan Mae S.

    We went here for lunch one day for the first time as walk ins and were seated right away since it was very empty. For lunch what they lack in ambience and "the sparkly" they make up for with their food and service! We ordered family style and just shared. Everything was excellent and the portions are very generous. Many of the dishes were local favorites with a twist that were fun and innovative. My fav was the chicken buns...like duck buns but with savory, boneless, fried chicken. Our server was both sweet and attentive. It seemed perhaps she was new because she couldn't answer some of the questions I had but she always went and checked and came back armed with answers. I will definitely be going back to this little gem again!

    (4)

  • Little D.

    CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL @1451 S KING ST: Located at where Verbano used to be, behind Bank of Hawaii. One time dinner experience: I absolutely loved their food and service. Thanks to Yelp and the great server, everything we ordered was tasty! Sake Tini -5 star. Shabu Shabu salad - 5 star. Kabocha bacon - 5 star. Seafood Pasta - 4 star. Pesto Pasta - 4.5 star. Rock Shrimp - 4.5 star. Garlic bread -5 star Parking: #32 to #76 are assigned for Chez Kenzo, or street parking like we did.

    (5)

  • Loryn G.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Sorry for yelling, but I really, truly, adore this spot. One of my most favorite pau hana spots. It's got a hip vibe and the staff are super awesome-- very friendly and accommodating. They do sometimes get busy, so if you're planning on going for dinner, I would say make reservations, just in case. The menu is a nice combo of Italian and Japanese fare- there's a great variety of pupus and a tons of different pasta dishes. The owners and lots of the staff are from the old "Genius Lounge" in Waikiki, which now has a new owner and totally different menu. Genius Lounge used to be my jam, now Chez Kenzo is. It may sound crazy, but get the cream cheese poke. It's delicious! Topped with green onion, some kind of shoyu drizzle, and tobiko, it's delicious and great paired with a cocktail or beer (they have a great sake selection as well). Another dish I always get is the fried octopus - nice big chunks of purple octopus, lightly battered and deep fried to perfection. Super juicy. Another great pupu is the deep friend cheese! Nom! Wrapped in shiso leaf and served with lemon, salt and pepper on the side.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    Awesome food. Best service. My bitches were obviously named Matt & Richie. ;D It was happy hour so we OBVIOUSLY ordered practically everything on the menu, Ikura spaghetti was DEATH, pizza was like amazinglying AWESOME, and garlic bread (when I requested additional marinara--GENUIS). Everything else was OK...

    (5)

  • Miki L.

    Went here on a Monday night whim. The reviews don't lie, this place was AWESOME. Here's the breakdown of the food we ate: Steak fries: Great thick cut fries but I don't think I'll waste stomach space on these next time. This isn't because they were junk, everything else was just that much better. If you know me that's definitely saying something, I LOVE french fries. Natto cheese omelette: This was super yummy and unexpected. Bf who hates natto actually ate some. The egg was nice and fluffy and the cheese and the natto shared the flavor spotlight well. Uni pasta with ikura: This was so yummy! Perfect uni creaminess paired with pasta was a match made in Japanese fusion food heaven! I think the shiso definitely elevated this dish for me. This was my bf's favorite of the night. Mentaiko pasta: FAVORITE DISH EVER. Spicy, salty, and so so so yummy! I could eat this forever! I seriously considered making a take out order to have for lunch the next day... I'm drooling as I'm typing this, thinking about it. Drinks and service were excellent but even if they weren't I'd still come back just for the mentaiko pasta. Next time we need to try the wafu hamburger and bacon and kabocha and maybe the cheese gyoza...

    (5)

  • Tiffany O.

    I love Chez Kenzooooo! This used to be our spot when we want to grab a late night bite and some drinks. I'm surprised I haven't written a review for Chez yet. Their menu is delicious. Lots of choices... my favorite has to be their mentaiko pasta, cheese gyoza, and the hamburger steak? They also have this yummy fattening drink called Cloud 9 that we like to get. The service is awesome! The servers are really nice and always checking up on you. The restaurant does get busy, so call ahead of time to make a reservation! The parking lot is big, so you won't have to worry about parking. Hmm, also the interior is a little too dark for me, I can barely see my food (especially since I always want to take pictures, but I have to use flash *sad*). Other than that everything is good!

    (5)

  • Courtney Y.

    Chez Kenzo. I went there (technically twice, but once only for a mixed drink) last night armed with my Yelp app in hand, and a couple of must-order things in mind. I already had decided when I made my reservation that I was to order the wafu hamburger steak which came with delish mashed potatoes atop a sizzling hot plate (YUMMAY). What I hadn't decided or even imagined was that I would go on to then order (looking like a complete piggy): Ume pasta, cheese gyoza, ALONG with dessert later on. I will say, that the wafu hamburger steak was definitely a highlight for Chez Kenzo for a reason. Other yelpers did not lie when they said this thing was bombdotcom. It was hot and sizzling, and everything I could imagine when thinking of this savory dish. When cut into fourths (I played nicely and shared with my friends), the cheese oozed out of it. The hamburger was moist, and the gravy not too salty with sauteed onions included in the mix. Total yums. Most definitely recommended. Now, I am an ume lover as well, and grew up with loving it, so I had to give the Ume pasta a go. Sure it sounded interesting (have never tried anything quite like it), and I was feeling adventurous. The ume had little ume slices of jelly (think of a more solid version of the cranberry jelly that comes in the can, but an ume version of it), and fish flakes garnishes. It had a light ume taste that was definitely different; not overly filling, and more light in nature. It was cool to try, and something new. Okay, and that cheese gyoza was pure win. When it got to us, it looked like more of a pizza with cheese covering it. GYOZA IN CHEESE? Yes please. It was pretty darn good, and a must order the next time I head on over here. For dessert, my friend got the special: creme brulee while I got the other special: fried ice cream. And by golly, how I love desserts. The creme brulee did not disappoint and was not too sweet, while the fried ice cream was not overly-cinnamony. I may go back just for the desserts, too! This place is definitely deserving of 5 stars (legasp, this is one of the first 5 stars I've given in a while-ish). Their happy hour from 5-7 was winning; I snagged their house sangria for $3, and their menu is quite extensive... Which is my only gripe; too much good things to choose from!

    (5)

  • Yuko A.

    Chez Kenzo is a great place to take anyone, even the picky eaters. They have such an extensive menu that you are bound to find at least 1 thing you like. I've been twice and both times I've had been stuffed to the brim but with a huge smile on my face. Both times I got to sample a couple items on the HH menu but I knew I wanted to try items on their main menu so we didn't order much. I'm usually pretty picky about pesto because I grew up with homemade sauce straight from our garden (sans the cheese, pinenuts, and garlic) but I liked their pesto pasta. A little on the creamier side but definitely something I'd get again. 4 cheese pizza - crispy, cheesy, not oily. what more can you really ask for. Perfect for sharing. Now onto the regular menu. Uni Pasta - Okay, leans more on the creamier (less uni) side but not a terrible dish. I just like a lot of uni. :) Crab pasta - topped with sweet crab in a medley of tomato and cream, a good dish to share. watercress salad - I'm not a huge salad person but this was fresh, healthy, and a refreshing way to start off our big dinner. Salmon Croquette - I love smoked salmon and I love croquette so I was in heaven. I've never had them in the same dish before but I will definitely be having them again. Soon! Wafu hamburger - my bf loved this dish - Idk if it was the mashed potatoes or the burger but on the 2nd visit, he was flipping the menu pages to find it. It's the ultimate meat/potato dish of perfection. The meat is tender, the potatoes fluffy. I think I might order a side of rice with it next time to dip in that lovely demi-glace sauce they serve it with. Kabocha & bacon - Sweet & Salty, crispy bacon - not overly soft kabocha. You can't go wrong - a must order. I'm sure we ordered other items but these were a few that I really enjoyed. Can't wait to try other items on my next visit!

    (5)

  • Pam H.

    I could not stop talking about this place.... We walked in with no reservation and this place was LOUD ! Large party going on in the side room they have and a large party going on smack in the middle of the restraint. We waited less than 10 minutes and was able to get a table.... I did notice that the staff all covered for each other and that really helped to clear tables for others that were waiting as well. (This was a good sign that this place must be either cheap or the food is worth the wait) I ordered the Sake sampler and was happy that I didn't have to wait till next year to get it since the place was so busy. Busy sometimes equal long waits till you see your waiter(s). Appetizer we ordered the cheesy gyoza! OMG!!!! Cheese covered the gyoza and crisped to perfection. Inside of the cheese you'll find the gyoza is tender and perfectly done and seasoned. What a combination that exploded with joy in my mouth. For dinner I had the crab pasta and when I asked the waiter what he recommended this was one that he actually didn't care for. But I love crab so I ordered it anyway. I was so glad that I did. Crab is tomato based and the pasta is cooked to perfection! Be careful because it's rich so I ate half of my past and took the rest home for lunch the next day. Yays = Service is prompt, food is amazing! Eeeehhhh = Noise, but if you are one of the drinkers I'm sure the noise will disappear :-) I'M COMING BACK AGAIN!!! I'm in love with this place.

    (5)

  • Cathy T.

    I have fallen in love. With the Wafu steak at Chez Kenzo. It's so delicious and amazing that I think I want to be monogamous with it and never order anything else from here! Typically the dishes here on the smaller side portion wise. Even some of the entree portions have left some friends hungry so I was pretty surprised when this sizzling platter came out and had a hunk of meat on it bigger than both of my fists! The Wafu steak is stuffed with cheese and served with mashed potatoes smothered with demi glaze. (I think I would drink demi glaze by the glass if no one was watching!) It's so moist you can cut it with your fork and so hearty that you can pound a few sake shots or glasses of sangria and not worry about it! Other awesome highlights include: Bacon & pumpkin, ikura pasta, pi-tan tofu, and Portuguese bean soup. Their happy hour food items are also yummy but their drink specials are really where it's at! I will most definitely be back to eat the Wafu hamburger steak that stole my heart!

    (5)

  • Jay P.

    Goodbye old and crappy Verbano's, hello new and innovative Chez Kenzo! I was so happy to hear that Verbano's was closing down and that a new restaurant was opening up in its place. Came with a group of four and had no trouble finding parking during dinner hours. The lot was pretty empty when we came and the stalls designated for free parking were ample. We walked in without reservations and were immediately seated in the dining area. Our menus were brought over and some specials were highlighted before we jumped into the menu and ordered. I ended up ordering the Cold China Noodles (冷やし中華) while my friend ordered the Mentaiko Pasta. My order was alright for what it was -- cold noodles with assorted vegetables in a soy vinaigrette sauce. I might order this dish to beat the summer heat if/when an extremely hot day comes around. The mentaiko pasta was...AMAZING! So many flavors packed into one dish...and there was even a spicy element involved! My favorite mentaiko pasta thus far. We also ordered a side of the cheese gyoza and that was a nice appetizer to split between the group as well. It definitely doesn't look like your standard gyoza and the cheese wasn't too overwhelming! The only *slight* problem I have about Kenzo's is the noise pollution. It's so hard to have a conversation when the entire restaurant is filled with loud music and even louder crowds! If you plan on dining here, be prepared to sometimes shout over the table!

    (4)

  • Lorraine K.

    I'm Ate at Chez Kenzo a couple times and every time I've gone the customer service was amazing. The waiters check up on you frequently for water refills, orders and to make sure that everything is okay. The staff there are super outgoing and friendly. Great atmosphere for a large party; when I go with a group of friends we usually order a bunch of appetizers and a few entrees and share everything. The cost of food is very reasonable and the portions are generous. The atmosphere is like any other bar and Grill, there are a few small tables near the bar area and more of a formal sit down area towards the back of the store. There's also room that is separated from everything that is great for large parties. The food has always been very tasteful and comes out pretty quick. Presentation is also nice. If you're looking for a place to chill, eat and have some drinks with friends this is the perfect place! As busy as they are, they accommodate without having you want forever and a day to get your food and drinks.

    (5)

  • Jerrene T.

    The first time I encountered Chez Kenzo was at Joy of Sake. Their mentaiko pasta struck a cord in me that made me want to try their restaurant. We did end up going there shortly after JOS but I didn't remember it as being spectacular enough to go back. Fast forward to my husband's aunt and uncle coming to visit. My husband was debating on where to take them on their last night here. It was a toss up between Chef Chai, Alan Wong's, and here. My husband's coworker wanted us to come here to support the fact that they buy sake from my husband's company that he works for. So on that note, we came here. Oh it also helped that they don't have a ton of raw fish... my husband's uncle doesn't like raw fish... WHAT?! We made reservations but I don't think it was necessary on a Tuesday night. We ordered family style - cheese gyoza, roasted garlic, kabocha & bacon, tonkatsu curry, cheeseburger & fries (for my 4 year old and no, they don't come together), shabu shabu salad, mentaiko pasta, and I'm sure there's other dishes I'm missing. I didn't like the pasta as much this time... I think it has to be piping hot, it was just warm. My favorite by far was the shabu shabu salad... the dressing is amazing! The gyoza is interesting... it reminds me of the cheese mochi thing at Shokudo. The garlic has always been one of my go to items. The tonkatsu curry was just okay, nothing spectacular. My husband really enjoyed the kabocha and bacon. My husband's aunt and uncle liked it all. I felt like it was a great last meal. We even had some sake flights which had a lot more sake than any of us were expecting. However, it was hard to flag down servers at times though because it was so loud! It was already loud with all the people in there but then they started playing music and it was even louder. I felt it was unnecessary to play loud music. Overall, I would come here again. Luckily we only come during dinner so there's plenty of parking in the BOH lot. I think only certain stalls are marked for Chez Kenzo but it's usually not a problem to find one of those. I never tried desserts here... I prefer to go elsewhere. Overall, I think this is the perfect place to take out of town guests for an ecclectic variety of food and tastes of Hawaii. I'm not sure how busy it gets on other nights but it definitely was nice on a Tuesday night. I will probably come back again for Happy Hour to enjoy more foods and sake at a cheaper price! Win!

    (4)

  • Al C.

    OMG! Mentaiko mayo pasta or even the regular mentaiko pasta...doesn't look like much, but can't get any better with every bite. Screw carbs - give me two orders please! Also, their bacon and kabocha hits the spot with the pasta. I could go on and on about their food...nothing bad to say about any of it. Parking is validated during the day and free at night. Service is friendly and always helpful. Can get a little loud, but it's a sports bar, so not a biggie. Definitely a must go.

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    Gotta say Kenzo delivers when it comes to tasty food and HH. The same guys that used to own Genius created this super popular restaurant a couple of years ago. HH is from 5-7p with lots to choose from especially the $5- Sake. Service is always with a smile.

    (4)

  • Jon H.

    There are not many better places to have a drink and nom on delicious food than Chez Kenzo. Whenever my friends and I are trying to think of a place to chill, Chez Kenzo is easily one of the first places that comes to mind. Having been a big Genius Lounge fan for a long time, it was inevitable that i'd grow an affinity for Chez Kenzo since it was opened by one of their owners. But as much of a fan as I am of Genius Lounge, Chez Kenzo takes what was already good and allows it to transcend into amazing. I could go on and on about the great things on the menu. You're just as soon to find a table with an order of fries as you are one with a bowl of udon. But my absolute favorite things to order are the natto cheese omelette, uni pasta, and mentaiko pasta. Now I know natto might not be everyone's food of choice. And honestly, I wasn't a fan myself for a long time. But I promise if you just give it enough chances you'll soon learn to love the flavor. And when you combine it with yummy in my tummy cheese, the ooey gooey-ness just becomes magical. And what makes Chez Kenzo's omelette so much better than anywhere else is just how light and fluffy they're able to make it. And I'll let you in on a tip: order two! I speak from experience because I've literally taken my eyes off the plate for a couple moments only to find remnants of my omelette remaining. And when I wanna be extra fat, I need not look further than their delicious pastas. If you've read some of my other reviews, you'd know that I'm an uni pasta fiend. I crave that stuff like an addict. And there's no place that finds that perfect middle ground between price and quality than Chez Kenzo. Although you might be able to find more decadent and fancy interpretations of uni pasta at super high class restaurants, Chez Kenzo is no slouch and their uni pasta has great flavor and still only a fraction of the cost as those other places. The uni and cream sauce is silky smooth and extra decadent. And when I'm in the mood for something with a little more kick, I order than mentaiko pasta. In my opinion, mentaiko pasta is the quintessential Japanese pasta dish. So simple, but so good. The service is always excellent, and they go the extra mile to ensure you're having a great time. Water glasses are never empty and servers make sure to check on you constantly without being overbearing. If there's anything that I might be able to say in negative would be because the crowd and music can be quite loud, it can get a little difficult to hold conversations. But Chez Kenzo is such a great, fun place that the noise is a non-issue. Go to Chez Kenzo and get that natto cheese omelette...NOW!

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    One of my new favorite "pre-game" place. I love the fact that their menu consists of appetizers and that's about it lol, all 10 pages of it! The drink selection is alright, mainly the sake selection is where you want to stay at. Their mix drinks aren't the best. It is really crowded so make reservations. Excellent waiters and staff here!!

    (5)

  • Mi Y.

    Servers are just too busy and no where to be seen somehow on Saturday night. Do you like roaches? Then please visit here. Big roaches will welcome you, but please do not bother to try letting your server know. Your server will be very busy to take care of you. Food is just descent. Good place to drink. It reminds me of a ghetto a*s local bar. People are very loud. Not a good place to take your date. Do not take your date here unless you are trying to get her drunk than getting to know her. If your date does not get drunk then just take the roach home so you do not have to sleep alone. I recommend this place for my enemy. I just don't understand why people in Hawaii still visit a restaurant with roaches.

    (1)

  • Meg M.

    Italian plus Japanese?! Ummm I was skeptical at first but I am so glad I decided to try this place out! The happy hour here is awesome.... $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine and pupu dishes to share. The appetizers are mostly small pasta plates... pesto pasta is good as is the small cheese pizza. They are totally affordable for finger food while you are having some drinks. The tapas they have on their main menu though are even better! My absolute favorite is the salmon steak.... it is a decent size piece of salmon smothered in an amazingly rich sauce. The Uni pasta is also a delicious choice. I am not always a fan of uni but the cream sauce that it was in and the pasta it was served with was a delicious combination. We went again for mother's day and we all had awesome dishes! A favorite of the table was the flounder in a curry sauce. I wasn't a huge fan of it but I was the only one! We also loved the tofu watercress salad. It was a big portion and had an interesting topping and sauce that made it more interesting than a "normal" salad! Service is pretty good and consistent. We made a reservation for Mother's day but we could have just walked in. Definitely call ahead or expect to wait on the weekend nights though! This place also has a private-ish room in the back that seems perfect for birthdays and events!

    (4)

  • Sheryl K.

    I'm totally a regular at Chez Kenzo for many reasons. Food is declious, service and staff are awesome and friendly, and the environment is great if you are looking to hang out at a bar that allows you to just chill, unwind and hang out with friends. There's plenty of seating and they're always very accommodating when there are larger parties wanting to sit together. They have a large food selection like their citrus chicken, fried ice cream, Mentaiko mayo pasta, pumpkin and bacon salad and so many other really tasty choices. Thai is definitely a place I would recommend if you want good food, drinks and a comfortable environment to hang out with friends.

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    Chez Kenzo is a great place hang out w/friends good drinks & good customer service...

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    Made a reservation a day before for 10 people to celebrate my co-worker's birthday. Usually it's difficult to get a reservation for a big party the day before so I was surprised they were able to accommodate us. My co-workers and I arrived an hour late due to getting off work late and our reservation was not cancelled by the restaurant. Instead he took us to our table in the back room without giving us attitude about being late. Such a pleasant host. The back room was very cozy and private, which we enjoyed. Once we were seated, our waiter Steven arrived with menus and soon after glasses of water. He also added a pitcher of water in the center of our table. Next, he took our drink orders down and also gave us some recommendations. It was an hour before the happy hour menu closes and so we felt we had to rush and give him our happy hour orders. Steven assured us not to rush because we still had a lot of time to order. Once we were ready we ordered a whole bunch of food: 2-pasta with pesto sauce, 2-four cheese pizzas, 3-rock shrimp deep fried, 2-uni pastas, 2-kobocha and bacon, 2-wafu hamburger steak, 3-cheese gyoza, and 2-jaja nasu. Surprisingly with all that food, 8 cocktails, and a cheesecake dessert... the bill came out to about $26/person. VERY NICE! Once we were done with our meals, we washed our hands with their washcloth like wet naps...WHAT?! So cool. Yup I see myself coming back to this place. Loved everything about this place. One of We had the greatest service because of our waiter Steven, great atmosphere, and most important THE GREATEST FOOD. I wish I could give this place more than 5-stars. With a place as busy as this, they have a private lot with a lot of parking. There are free parking stalls and the rest of the stalls were $3 for 5hrs. If you're in the area, it's a must to stop by this place.

    (5)

  • Liane H.

    The food was excellent. We came for happy hour. We had the pesto pasta, which was delicious and perfectly al dente. The whole pine nuts on top were a very nice touch. The menchi-katsu was also tasty and came with a side of mashed potatoes. The four cheese pizza also had their pesto sauce on it, and the crust tasted like buttery crackers. Yum! I had a glass of sangria ($4 during happy hour) and he had a draft Bud Lite, which came super chilled (I want to say it was $3, but I don't remember exactly). Total bill was about $32 including tax - not bad for 3 dishes (2 were happy hour specials) and 2 drinks. And we had some leftovers. Very attentive but not annoying service. Everyone who passed by would check briefly on us and clear plates, bring water, etc. I would give five stars just for the staff, but the food was also worth five stars! We will definitely be back. Loved it!

    (5)

  • Doug M.

    Kinda packed at 2 am but good music and fun times. There is still too much drama for my taste the closer u get to closing. But the serves is good and security was on point most of the night

    (3)

  • Jonathon L.

    Always have a good experience here. Its almost like stepping into an restaurant in Japan. Friendly staff and perfect food. I have yet to have a bad dish here. One thing to note is that during happy they get really busy. Due to their meticulous nature of only wanting to serve hot fresh food, this could mean a lengthy wait on some dishes. I suggest coming ready to share so that all your hungry friends don't sit there staring at you like hungry zombies while you stuff your face. I love that the prices are reasonable (pretty much everything is ~15 dollars). Which makes it a great place to try everything!!! This visit was cheese gyoza, crab meat pasta, and tempura udon (has a fancier name that I dont remember). All of these are winners!

    (5)

  • Robyn S.

    I've been here a few times and I've always had an enjoyable experience. There are a few things I'd swear by when coming here: Uni pasta: So creamy and savory, what it lacks in portion size, it deals in taste! Natto omelette: Most of you are probably cringing at this point but definitely worth a try. The egg is light and fluffy with enough subtle flavor of cheese and the unique texture of natto. Me and my other friend convinced our non-loving natto friend to try it and she agrees it's a winner! Parfait: I was a little skeptical at first but I had a hard time putting down my spoon at the end. Think green tea and azuki flavors meets rice krispy. Really yummy and simple. The ambiance is a little darker than most but definitely comfortable if you're a vampire like me. Overall, it's a great place to stop by when catching up with a few friends over drinks and sharing a little something unique from the usual bar food. The service is quick and attentive and I definitely recommend stopping by during happy hour!

    (4)

  • Eric Robert R.

    The first time here was maybe a year ago! The second time with a bunch of Yelp friends! A place called... CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL! I'm still not sure on the origin of the name, but I think a review is long overdue or I might have to wait another year! Really, it's a place I don't mind being on a regular basis, but lately my schedule is preventing me on having a night life and such. Good in a way, but bad if you love good eats and dranks! When one of my long-time Yelp buddies (Terry K.) messaged me about a future UYE at Chez Kenzo I knew I would have to be there- no matter what! A few other good friends organized the UYE and all I had to do was show up?! That I can do! Like I mentioned earlier it's been a year since being here, so I sort of forgot the layout of the place- just look for the loud crowd, I guess! Shoots! I ordered the following: *SANGRIA X2- Very flavorful and made just right. It was HH so it was well under $5! I got this in honor of my RL friend, Courtney Y., because she's been busier than I, but loves the Sangria here! Fruity like her! *4-CHEESE PIZZA- Very delicious and I shared with my "6-pack abs" friend, Renee S., she has no shame sharing, so all good! Haha! Very cheesy, like the way you want it, on a freshly baked thin crust! Yum! *KIRIN DRAFT BEER- Can't go wrong with Draft Biru! Especially during HH! It was fresh and not flat and no complaints! Perfect with the cheesy pizza! *WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK- I had this about a year ago, but it was delicious! Japanese style hamburger with cheese melted everywhere, topped w/ a demi-glacé sauce, and over mashed potatoes! All in all a very pleasant experience. It can get somewhat hectic with the staff during rush hour, but overall they all respond well. Took a while for my pizza to arrive, but the server advised me that they hadn't forgotten and that's what it's all about- communication! And most importantly it was worth the wait since it was delicious! Yup, I definitely recommend... CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL! A fab place to hang-out with good friends if you don't mind talking loud if it's a room full of even more friends! Heck, I can't complain... Good food + Good drinks + Good friends = A win in my book! Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill, operated by Ken Kawasaki and Kenzo Tokeshi, ahhh ok, that explains the name! I'll be back hopefully sooner rather than later... BIG KAHUNA TIPS: Location: 1451 S. King Street, near BOH. Parking: On premises (assigned) or street. Hours: Daily 5pm to 1am (HH 5pm-7pm). OVERALL GRADE: 4.0-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #357

    (4)

  • Max G.

    I went to Chez Kenzo 2 times. The first time I loved it, I would have give 4 or 5 starts for sure. Last time I went there, it was OK. One dish was very good (filet mignon), the rest was average. It is a little pricy so I guess I expect better than average. Cool place to eat but not the best for the price I feel like. Also, the music was stupid. It was basically youtube videos on a TV and regular dubstep music between youtube videos. Not awesome.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Maybe it's because I saw this restaurant being tauted on KFVE' s "Cheap Eats" that I thought it'd be cheaper, but it ain't! I think you have to come during lunch time for the "cheap eats" but dinner time, it's not cheap. Also, this is not really a family friendly place. We unknowingly took my 5 year old with us and though they were very welcoming, friendly and didn't seem to mind the kid, the atmosphere (very, very dark in there!) and plating is adult. His milk came out in a cocktail glass, lol. Lucky for us, our kid is well traveled and been taking him out to eat for a while so he knows how to be seen and not heard. lol. The menu is huge and they seem to specialize in pastas. It's a really interesting menu as it's a mix of Italian, Japanese, Asian and local. It's like the menu is whatever the chef likes and not a region, which is pretty cool. My husband got the pasta con vongolle (clams in white wine sauce) and he thought it was very tasty but more on the Asian flavor side than Italian. It had lots of garlic in it ($18). I shared with my son the fried flounder and rice. The fish was fresh and panko crusted but had no flavor, the flavor came from their tartar sauce, and I had the fried eggplant with pork over it. It tasted like the chinese kind eggplant dish, so was good but nothing "wow" and I could get it for about $5 cheaper elsewhere. Overall, the food is tasty and thoughtfully prepared but it wasn't necessarily blow your mind. I can see this being more of a place to drink and just get pupus than having dinner. In that sense then definitely this is a lot more high brow than hitting up Side Street or Home Bar etc. Here's my recap: Pros: -Very friendly service and attentive. I appreciated how the server was honest and informative about their menu -Happy Hour drink prices. It's very good actually. $3.50 for draft Kirin, $2 sake shots, $4 wine. Happy Hour food was $7/plate. Not too bad. We had the antipasto (was good not great, but very fresh), shrimp cocktail (sauce was really good the shrimp a bit dry) and french bread (really good and hot!) -This is more of date night/adult place. Cons: -Really dark in there. They're going for the grown and sexy lounge vibe which isn't really a bad thing but I personally don't like squinting down at my food. They could turn the lights up just a tad.

    (3)

  • Teresa L.

    Tip: Make reservations! This place gets crowded FAST! And especially on weekends. Great for parties 10 - 15 because they have a semi private area in the back. I LOVEEEEEE their cheese gyoza - it's a must have. I have trouble sharing this dish because I love cheese and I love gyoza. If you put them together, you get something worth having all to yourself! But hey, if you want to be nice, it's probably better to share ;) Parking: There's a sign on their door saying that stalls 32-56 (i think) are designated to restaurant customers.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    2 words and 1 event to unite them all: UYE Happy Hour!! I was very thankful to be asked by fellow Yelper, Jacob N., to co-host (not just attend) a UYE during happy hour at Chez Kenzo. The response to our event was more than we could have imagined, and we were thankful to spend a very HAPPY hour (in this case 2) with members of the Yelp community. Please visit chezkenzo.net for complete details regarding location, hours of operation, and full menu. NOTE: Their full menu includes salads, tapas, pasta, noodles, and dessert. Full menu is very extensive as the variety of dishes can't compare to the meager offerings of the HH menu. SETTING: Chez Kenzo is comprised of a bar area, dining area, and a semi-private room/area. Jacob had the thought to make a reservation for happy hour (who knew reservations for HH were even possible?!), and when we arrived the host was kind enough to offer the use of the private area based on the number of people attending. The private area seats about 30 people and consists of tables seating 4. HAPPY HOUR: 500-700pm. DRINKS: I ordered a glass of wine, $4; some chose the $3 Kirin beer. And of course, there were all those sake shots =) Thanks Brian M.! I was able to try.......Three dishes from the HAPPY HOUR Menu: 1) Rock Shrimp: Not bad. The sauce makes this dish complete. 2) Four Cheese Pizza: Delicious. So simple yet so good. Ordering this again for sure. 3) Pasta with Pesto Sauce: Another favorite from the happy hour menu. The serving is enough for one individual, or of course you could choose to share it with your friends. All in all a well-prepared dish. Two Dishes from the REGULAR MENU: 4) Kabocha with bacon: One would argue the addition of bacon makes everything taste good. And they would be right. Recommended. 5) Hane Cheese Gyoza: After reading so many reviews about this dish I simply had to try it for myself. It's good. Really it is. I would absolutely order this again on a future visit. SERVICE: Excellent! I don't know how our server manged it, but he alone did most of the leg work during the evening. He greeted people, took orders, dropped off orders, refilled waters, made sure everyone's drink/water wasn't empty, and made people felt welcome. And all the while, he was very friendly, polite, and helpful. He did an outstanding job, and I was so thankful for such wonderful, wonderful customer service. Lastly, I appreciated the offer of providing 1 check for each individual table, rather than 1 check for the entire group (20-25 people). PARKING: Although it is a pay lot, stalls 32-76 are designated for Chez Kenzo customers. Don't need to pay if parking in one of these stalls. Bottom Line: Terrific Service. Ample Parking. Great happy hour food and drink specials. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    I think I'm in love.... ...with Chez Kenzo's pastas and happy hour drink specials!! Drink specials: $2 sake shots $3 ice cold draft beers and sangrias $4 sake cocktails and wines $5 house sake and sake-tinis Happy hour runs from 5-7pm daily. 'Nuff said. Every pasta I've tried here is exceedingly delicious and always gives me cravings for more! I've tried the mentaiko, crab, and pesto -- all with perfect texture and ingredients, and all very tasty! These pastas are some of my FAVORITE on the island, and that's unusual coming from a Japanese restaurant! Mentaiko - $12 - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Crab - $13 - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Pesto - $6 on HH - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… I think the secret to their pastas is the noodles. Somehow, they manage to make their noodles perfectly al dante, every single time. It is because of these noodles that I am now inspired to purchase a pasta maker! Aside from their pastas, all of the other dishes I've tried have been unique and tasty. If you're going for happy hour, I also recommend the pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… )! Simple sounding, but topped with pesto and delicious! On the non-happy hour menu, people also seem to like the kabocha and bacon ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… ) and the cheese gyoza. Very clean and cool ambiance. I'm totally lovin' this new chic bar spot! Call ahead if you want a table; it can get pretty packed!

    (5)

  • Tyler Y.

    Always a really good place for a big group. The service is friendly and fast, but not pretentious. The menu is very diverse and creative. The cheese gyoza is amazing, but so is the salmon with lomi rice and ochazuke. I could go on and on with dishes I've tried and loved. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Akiko D.

    Food is amazing, great quality! You wouldn't feel bad to bring your girlfriends here!

    (5)

  • Curt C.

    Chez Kenzo Atmosphere/Service/Parking Located on King St in the same spot where Verbano used to be. It is a really nice restaurant and I am impressed how different the restaurant looks like compared to how Verbano used to look. It can get a little loud as some of the tables are a bit close together, but it's not loud enough where you'll be screaming at each other to talk. There is plenty of parking and if you park in the correct numbered stalls you don't have to feed the meter (there is a sign on the door that states what stalls to park in). Happy Hour Happy hour is from 5-7pm and I believe it's every day. The drink specials here are really good, 16oz mugs of Kirin for $3 is a steal (plus the mug is frosty!) There is also wine, sake, and sake cocktails on special. I personally don't think the happy hour food menu is that appealing as the two times I've been here I ordered beer off the happy hour menu and ordered food from the regular menu, but the price and variety of food off the regular menu is so good. Food Even though the happy hour food didn't seem that great to me the food off the regular menu all sounded delicious and it took me a while to figure out what to order. I ended up sharing the kabocha with bacon, cheese gyoza, and the homemade menchi katsu. The kabocha and cheese gyoza is something I would normally not order, but we were told they were two of their most popular items. Can't go wrong with bacon and the kabocha had a nice smokey flavor from the bacon. I didn't like the cheese gyoza, perhaps because I'm not the biggest fan of cheese, but I thought it was an interesting dish. The katsu was really good and thick. The gravy was an interesting choice and was so good with the mashed potatoes. Overall I really liked Chez Kenzo and excited to go back. Great happy hour, great food, and it's a no hassle place to find and park. My type of restaurant!

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    Awesome bar with great atmosphere... food is excellent.. took the advice of another yelper and ordered the cheese gyoza... So bomb.. best dish I ordered... also had the hamburger steak and the potatoes it comes with is excellent... highly recommended spot..

    (5)

  • Li Y.

    Happy hour until 7pm?!? Fantastic!! ... and, what a great alternative to driving into Waikiki or into downtown Honolulu. Located conveniently on S. King Street where the old Verbano's used to be, there is ample parking in the lot. Tonight was my first to Chez Kenzo's and I am sure I will be back. Casual, comfortable, delicious. There were only two of us tonight so, only got to sample a few items. The happy hour food menu is rather small. Still, we did manage to find the most delicious pesto pasta on the HH menu. The noodles were nice and barely cooked slightly chewy, yummy. The pesto was delicious. The portion for only $6, well worth the price. Also off of the regular menu we had the shabu shabu salad; so very delicious. A large portion of fresh fresh greens which was topped off with a generous portion of boiled shabu shabu pork and a delicate vinegarette. A deal at $11. The star of the evening though was the kabocha pumpkin sauteed with garlic and a generous portion of bacon. What isn't spectacular with bacon?!? Though the portion a bit small at $11, the dish was absolutely memorable. Drinks on the happy hour, what can I say, they were happy! Kudos to the staff at Chez Kenzo at making a great hangout place..!

    (4)

  • Amelinda L.

    Based on Yelp activity, I knew this was a spot I HAD to hit up while I was in Hawaii and not only did it exceed my expectations, I can't stop thinking about it! I would fly to Hawaii just to eat here..yeah, that good. (04/29/2013) With four of us, we had the opportunity to try a good selection of dishes, mostly the ones I knew were really popular. Shrimp Cocktail, Pirikara Konnyaku, Kabocha and Bacon Sauteed in Garlic, Rock Shrimp Deep Fried, Hane Cheese Gyoza, Ume Pasta, Sauteed Pork with Teri Sauce, Taegu Watercress Salad, Wafu Hamburger Steak, and Uni Pasta. The dishes that really stood out were the Pumpkin and Bacon (cubes of crispy, but soft kabocha with pieces of bacon sauteed in garlic, soo good), Deep Fried Rock Shrimp (I'm a fan of rock shrimp and this preparation served with aioli for dipping was really great), Hane Cheese Gyoza (I knew this was a really popular item, but I didn't even want to try it - didn't sound enticing - but oh my, it was mysteriously delicious!), and the Ume Pasta (oh my gosh, pasta perfection - the spaghetti noodles were perfectly al dente and fresh and ume flavor with the katsuobushi - amazinggg!). For dessert, I got the Original Parfait that they prepare with Big Island Natural Green Tea Ice Cream and mochi balls, fruit cocktail, and cereal! Sounded odd, but it worked! The ice cream was magical. We were able to take advantage of Happy Hour with a couple Saketinis and beers. All really great. Toward the end of our meal, it appeared that some friends of our server had come in to dine, so we completely lost her attention (she was even sitting with them). Besides that, service was good. Either way, the food is really all I can think about when I think of Chez Kenzo. I truly can't wait until I can dine here again!

    (4)

  • Megan T.

    Love this place! Food is excellent, great drink selection as well. We ordered the cheese gyoza - spinach wrapped gyoza topped with a mozzarella cheese crust, so delish! And got the Kenzo steak, which came with 3 different sauces. Meat was juicy and tender. Also tried the cold pasta with tomato and basil, and it was a light and refreshing. Service was a little slow, they didn't check on us but if we called them over they were always really nice and attentive. Overall, a great ambiance and fun place to go with friends for a hangout.

    (5)

  • Max K.

    Last night I visited Chez Kenzo for the first time. We walked in right at 5pm and were lucky enough to be seated right away without making reservations. We ordered a few dishes with a few cocktails and I have to admit the food was very good. I guess I must be getting old because I didn't feel like having a drink. I just ate and had water but was surprised how good the food was. We ordered off the Happy Hour Menu at first and then we ordered a few more items from the regular menu. We got the Deep Fried Rock Shrimp, Pesto Pasta, Hiyayakko (cold tofu with ginger, green onions and bonito flakes), Ja-Ja Nasu (eggplant covered with a black bean sauce with ground pork), Kabocha Pumpkin and Bacon Sauteed w/ Garlic and the Kinzanji Moro-Q (cucumbers with a miso sauce imported from Japan). I enjoyed it and know I'll be back. Lots of free parking! Noticed they have a nice sized private room. They're doing great here. The service was awesome and very attentive...

    (4)

  • Malynne S.

    Don't think too hard and just let your heart and your stomach guide you to where you need to go. I was led to Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill. Let's make this short so you can just reference this as you sit and decide what to order: 1) Tapas is my favorite word!! Steak fries, ja-ja nasu, fried octopus, garlic shrimp, squid tempura, pesto pasta, hiyayakko, hummus, rock shrimp, antipasto, pumpkin and bacon...but go ahead and try everything on the menu 2) Happy Hour is my favorite phrase!! This place is great for happy hour. Get there early and score a table. 3) Hassel Free!! Birthday Parties, Anniversaries, Bon Voyage or Welcome parties. Hold it here. They'll be able to accommodate small and bigger groups. They have a separate room for bigger parties. They were really easy to work with. 4) Top Notch Customer Service!! This place has pleasant staff, quick service and a friendly atmosphere. I hope you enjoy your experience at Chez Kenzo as much as I did. After all this said, bookmark this place now if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • Yamamoto C.

    Love this place! First time I ever went was on a Saturday and they were so packed. This next time I went was on a Thursday night, and it was much emptier. We had a table of around 10 people. The waiters that assisted us were all very nice. I tried the cheese gyoza, pasta mushroom with bacon, steak fries, shrimp salad, menchi-katsu, and poke. All the food was delicious, my fav. would have had to be the cheese gyoza. Would definitely recommend this place! and definitely would return.

    (4)

  • Tyler C.

    Good food, nice atmosphere and ono desserts. Green tea ice cream from big island and chocolate coconut macadamia nut icecream..... Good service and pleasant too.

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    One of my favorite restaurants for Happy Hour! Servers are awesome, food is consistently delicious and I love my Kirin draft beers for $3! :) Some of my favorite dishes are the pesto pasta, cheese gyoza, pumpkin with bacon, shabu shabu salad, natto omelette, the list can go on and on! Never had a bad experience here!

    (5)

  • Benhur B.

    This establishment is quickly becoming one of my favorite "go to" places. Convenient location, a lot of options for good parking, cool/ relaxing interior, good service, good food, drinks and prices. That's a lot of good all around already! Happy hour prices on food are extremely affordable. Possibly a tad bit less then regular portions but nothing to complain about. Good for hanging out with friends, a casual date or a pau hana drink. Would recommend to everybody!

    (4)

  • Chad I.

    Awesome food! We had the pumpkin bacon, cheese gyoza, and ume pasta! We enjoyed all of it! Great place to chill with friends and have a few beers. The atmosphere of the place is nice and relaxing. Definitely recommend

    (4)

  • Evan Y.

    Food here is awesome! Must try the Steak w/ Chopped Wasabi & Shabu Shabu Salad! Service here is always super friendly and helpful. Drinks are reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Dave F.

    Chez Kenzo... Hmmm... Now what would you think or expect from this place by hearing a name like that... I would soon find out. Chez Kenzo had been on my radar scope ever since their recent opening. Last time I was here, it was still the old Verbano's Italian restaurant. An amazing transformation has taken place and this place has quickly turned into a hip, place to be place! Several good friends of mine had been there before and liked it, so a visit there was in order. One recent Saturday night, the posse and I decided to meet for drinks and dinner and to unwind together... We were not disappointed. Of course, drinks were in order, so when that was out of the way, the journey began. There were six of us and we all ordered whatever each individual wanted to try. Here are some of the items on the menu that captured our taste buds. For starters, ordered some good 'ol steak fries and hiyayakko, cubes of tofu garnished with tuna flakes and green onions. Cream Cheese Poke. Yep. For me, you have to be a hardcore cheese fanatic to appreciate this dish. I was trying to picture in my mind a bunch of chefs brainstorming on what would become the next rage in poke, in other words, what would be the next spicy ahi poke sensation!! I passed on this one. Kabocha and Bacon. Who would think that this combination would taste so good! I can now imagine kabocha being prepared with different meats, fish, pork, etc. Really good. Fried Rock Shrimp. Good stuff, I just wish there was more sauce that came with this dish. Crab Meat Pasta. This was delicious! The pasta was cooked perfect, al dente and the sauce was rich and flavorful... Wafu Hamburger Steak. A winner! Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, I was actually craving a side of rice with gravy all over! Salmon Steak. This delectable dish is served with a creamy sauce and I would definitely order it again. I'm not really a salmon person, but this dish was moist, flaky and the sauce was rich. Ochazuke. The ultimate Japanese comfort food. Served with green tea and a great way to settle the 'ol stomach after a night of drinking and eating oily food! Order it as the last dish. I passed on dessert, but a couple members of the posse indulged in the cheesecake and were delightfully satisfied! Me, I was happy having a few drinks with a great bunch of friends and good food. I had a great time trying innovative dishes, well thought out with the intention of boggling the tastebuds of amateur foodies like myself! Bravo, Chez Kenzo, I am looking forward to my next journey in taste sensations with you.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Located at the old Verbanos! Food is just awesome. Shabu shabu salad: The amount of pork, salad, and dressing is perf. It is so tasty and can definitely be shared amongst your friends, or eaten as an entree salad. Wagyu hamburger steak: Gravy was really thick and tasty. The amount of beef was also good. The mashed potatoes are small but hey, at least the patty is nice and thick. Cheese gyoza/ wonton: A LOT OF CHEESE! Pasta Vongole: I've been hunting for a place with a nice pasta with a white wine clam sauce for a while... And I think I've found it! Drinks are really good and reasonably priced. My friend loves the raspberry beer that they have there. Weekend parking is hard to find as the lot isn't all that big. However, it wasn't a problem at all on the week days. If you haven't gone, try it!

    (5)

  • Malia H.

    Can I tell you a secret? So I've been being a hermit at night and haven't really gone to a bar/lounge in the last couple years. So from all the reviews, this is the perfect place for my return debut to bars and nightlife and a really nice place to just hang out. First off, you don't need to pay the yellow box for parking if you park in the correct stalls (there's a sign on the door...but doesn't it make more sense if there's a sign as you pull into the parking lot before you park? I'm just saying). yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… The lot is a pretty good size, however it does get packed fast. We went on. Friday night at 7:30pm and there were a couple stalls. When we left at around 10pm, it was pretty packed. I strongly recommend reservations for weekend nights. We didn't have any so, we had to wait to sit at the bar. The staff was very friendly and apologetic. So luckily, we sat and had a drink on a reserved table til something opened up. The place is setup with 3 different areas: a bar, a small dining area and some kind of private room. They had a hello kitty drink! She was sweet and packed a hidden kick I must say (gotta be the 151). They have a good amount of drinks and beers bottles to choose from, however not a lot on draft. The menu is quite extensive and you just want to try everything! However, I had no idea what a lot of things were. I do recommend descriptions or photos to help customers figure out what they want. Thank goodness for yelp! We looked at some photos on yelp which helped us decide what to order. Ok onto the food.... Hane Cheese Gyoza $8 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -This dish looked yummy when we got it. However, it's only good when its hot and it's extremely rich. Pumpkin and Bacon sautéed with garlic $10 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -This was my favorite dish (great pick by my dinner date). All the flavors complemented each other well. Mentaiko Pasta $11 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… - This dish was a bit disappointing. I wish had more flavor than just the spicy mentaiko. Taegu Watercress Salad $10 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -The waiter recommended this salad which was pretty good. again, a fusion of labors that meshed well (watercress, tofu, taegu and two small tomatoes). The watercress wasn't too bitter and balanced well with the taegu. My dinner date did order a beer and we thought the waiter forgot, but actually was waiting to change out the keg so they comped the beer. Overall, if we planned better and made reservations, it would have went better so Its not fair to write a bad review based on our waiting. I'm willing to come back again and try other dishes. But free parking, alcohol, yummy food and a hot date? Successful night!

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    I had high expectations prior to stepping foot in this restaurant. The Yelpers have been raving about it, as has my good friend Brandon S. I'm happy to say that this place actually exceeded my high expectations! The service is pretty good, considering they don't have a lot of employees working the floor (seemed like there was one waitress, and two guys helping her bring out the food). The food came out quick and was served hot. The highlights of our meal were: Kabocha with bacon: the kabocha was really tender and paired well with the bacon. I would definitely recommend this! yelp.com/user_local_phot… Gyoza with cheese: sounds really weird, but was surprisingly good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Crab pasta: they put a decent amount of real crab meat - would order this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Fried rock shrimp: this was only $6 on the happy hour menu - great deal. Good portion of shrimp, lightly breaded and deep fried. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Fried chicken: the hubby loves fried chicken and will always order it if it's on the menu. We weren't that impressed with the fried chicken. Small portion for the price, and there was nothing special about. Next time we'll skip the fried chicken and try something else on the menu. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… For dessert, consider the homemade cheesecake. It's a little lighter than traditional cheesecake. Nice flavor and goes well with the whipped cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Our tab for 2 including 2 glasses of wine came out to $66. We will definitely be back!!

    (5)

  • Kyle H.

    I love it when two great worlds collide: Great FOOD happy hour + Great DRINKING happy hour! It's so typical to find one but not the other - at Kenzo, you can have both! The last couple of times I've visited, I was able to catch the last 10 minutes or so of the happy hour and got really great pours of the house wine, carafes of sake and enjoyed almost all of the dishes on the happy hour menu! The food is simple but satisfying and delicious - the pesto pasta and pizza are always great carb-laden go-to's. You also can't go wrong with the fried rock shrimp, small morsels of tender, lightly-breaded shrimp that are a perfect appetizer to munch on while getting your drink on! Of course I couldn't go without ordering the kabocha bacon dish off of the regular menu, it's exactly as described - lots of bacon and kabocha to soak up all the salt and flavor. There is no shortage of interesting dishes on the menu, one of which was a bit too much for us - the ketchup noodles with bacon. Again, exactly as described - noodles doused in ketchup and bacon. Strange, but true. Other than that dish, I think highly of all the other food I've tried here. The atmosphere is great for a date or a fun gathering with friends to enjoy great Japanese/Italian comfort food with a twist and generous pours!

    (4)

  • Dawn O.

    Bookmarked! Will visit again hopefully for happy hour. I loved the cheese gyoza and bacon pumpkin. Good sake selection which is always a plus in my book. The only thing i didn't care for was the noise level. Was really really loud. Like hurt my ear balls loud.

    (4)

  • Chad Y.

    There are few places where a group a friends can get together and kickback with some bites and libations...in town, with parking, at a reasonable price and not in Waikiki. Chez Kenzo is simply that...however what sets it apart is its eclectic menu that fuses Asian and modern flavors in a different manner. The eclectic menu showcases a tapas style menu that features an array of pastas, salads, and proteins. The sauteed foie gras was memorable. Its balance of salty duck with the fresh flavors of the orange and strawberries with a hint of balsamic vinegar was a harmony of sweet and salty that would keep me coming back for more. The beef kakuni was respectable and well executed if the mood for beef strikes. The kabocha pumpkin with bacon lacked the garlic flavors I was expecting, but it was decent. I could have used just a bit more salt to balance the sweetness of the kabocha and just a bit more crunch to balance the texture. The natto cheese omelete wasn't my favorite dish of the night, however you would be hard pressed to find me enjoying natto. It was decent, but nothing spectacular. The garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce was a tad under-seasoned, but welcomed if you are having a lot of beers or sake to sop up the alcohol. The cheese gyoza was different and the briny-ness of the cheese balances the pork flavors and the crispy cheese brought a nice texture to what would otherwise be a fairly gummy dish. Pastas are easily done and easily ruined. Their pastas were well cooked and the uni and ume flavors easily were showcased on their own merit but were missing a final element that could take the items over the top. Service was a little lacking, but I credit that to their opening. They are still getting to their groove, but they make up for it by clearly knowing their menu well and being accommodating and helpful. Once they are fully up and running I would expect them to hit that high note. Its ambiance isn't anything special but the tables are well spaced out so that you aren't hearing the next table over and its laidback environment isn't intimidating nor rushed. Its simply that neighborhood spot that you can relax at. Parking is available in the lot fronting the restaurant right off King street. All in all, the food was quite nice and the drinks well done. Prices reasonable and service decent. That keeps me coming back, but their eclectic items are what sets it apart for me and makes me want more.

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    Meh, I chose this place to celebrate with my best friends this past Thursday evening for my birthday. The service was awful, no one came around to take our order and at most stopped by our table once every hour. I had to hunt someone down 45 minutes after we sat down just to order something. No one ever came to fill our waters until we had to flag someone down. I also thought the prices were too expensive, I feel bad to have had my friends go here for my birthday, the total was $120 during happy hour for the 3 of us and that is with sharing everything including one $10 dessert and only 3 alcoholic $4 drinks. The $20 for the filet mignon was a rip off, each of us could have 2 pieces of meat as there were only 6 slices of meat with a scoop of mashed potato. The $7 rock shrimp special was a rip off too, 10 tiny pieces of shrimp on a plate, they used to give larger and more shrimp before. As a whole, I'm glad I enjoyed the company but it was a disappointment to have a birthday dinner celebration here, it was like we were invisible to the employees.

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    I'll have to do an updated review because I came here for a birthday and all I really tasted was the cheese gyoza. I LOVE cheese and I'm pretty much obsessed with it but I didn't find the gyoza to be that appealing. A lot of other reviews said it was amazing but I felt that it was too cheesy without much depth. The food is expensive and the portions are kind of small so come prepared. The specialty shots are expensive but the birthday boy thoroughly enjoyed three of them. I don't know if their service is bad, if they were having an off day, or they were just unhappy with our larger party of 7. We finished eating and no one came to ask us if we wanted dessert or our checks. We waited and waited and eventually had to flag someone down so that we could leave. No one came by to ask if we needed anything periodically throughout our meal and we kept having to flag servers down to order more food/drinks. Good thing it was for a birthday gathering and everyone was having a good time, otherwise more of us would have noticed. My friends said the food was alright but nothing spectacular. It was pricey and we probably wouldn't come again unless it is happy hour. Next time I'll have to bring my boyfriend so he can see for himself what the hype is all about. I'll update my review once we try more food.

    (3)

  • Kim M.

    This newly opened restaurant / bar has been attracting the attention of foodies and bar flies - both young and old - from all over the island. The lengthy and intriguing menu features mostly Japanese-influenced dishes with nostalgic hints of local (Asian) flare. Its refreshingly swanky-casual vibe makes this place a great modern hangout. AND, in addition to the appetizing food and great atmosphere, Chez Kenzo has a full bar. And happy hour from 5-7PM. (Yay.) (If you loved Genius, you're sure to love this place bc it's the same peeps.) KABOCHA & BACON I love the simplicity of this dish. If you have a savory-tooth, you'll love this dish. NATTO CHEESE OMELETTE I felt that this was a very cohesive dish -- the right kind and portion of cheese + perfectly fermented natto + a light and fluffy omelette. It's absolutely delish! UME PASTA yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… A seemingly simple dish made with butter, ume, and shredded nori garnish. This was one of my favorites. HANE CHEESE GYOZA Calling all cheese lovers!! This is a great dish to accompany an ice cold beer. Delish! ROCK SHRIMP DEEP FRIED This dish is only $6 during HH. I order it every time. Can't get enough of these sinfully treats! It's like popcorn shrimp, but lighter. And the sauce is great! EBI MAYO This is like Chez Kenzo's homage to honey walnut shrimp, IMO, but without the walnuts. (It's garnished with pine nuts instead.) The shrimps were cooked well, with the tails crunchy enough to eat. TAEGU WATERCRESS SALAD yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… A refreshing salad with tender bits of taegu. I loved this! My only gripe = the mammoth watercress chops. I had a fun time trying to get them in my mouth without looking like a heifer in more ways than one. (Serving this with a knife would work...or serving smaller chopped pieces would work.) PARFAIT I don't even know everything that's in it -- green tea ice cream, whipped cream, cereal, azuki beans, and a bunch of other stuff. Every bite was a delicious surprise. ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is comfortable, intimate and relaxing. I like the décor and romantic mood lighting... It's suitable for couples and groups alike. HAPPY HOUR HH runs nightly from 5-7PM, so go early to take advantage of the specials. My pick off the HH menu is the $2 Sake Shot. For the price, it's really good and much smoother than expected. VERDICT Chez Kenzo has made its way up to one of my top choices when it comes to the perfect spot for GNO (girls' night out), date night with my special someone(s), or dinner with the fam. I am in love with their fresh menu, bistro-esque style and HH. I see this place doing well, especially with the ample free parking. :)

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    Read most of the reviews and looked at the pics of food. Was excited to go this afternoon for happy hour and try the stuff like Ume and Uni pasta, pumpkin and bacon. They were all good but really not outstanding. Ume pasta tasted like Ume paste and mayo covered noodles and the Uni did not at all have that sea urchin ocean taste but rather a sweet creamy taste that was very nice. I was disappointed in the shrimp cocktail, although there were six pieces, they were crazy tiny and obviously previously frozen. The ambiance was fine but realize this is a bar more than a restaurant. Unfortunately and not under their control, construction noise from the adjacent unit drove us out of the place prematurely. I did appreciate their apology. The draft Kirin was the best deal at $3.50 and please don't take the 3 star rating the wrong way as I will gladly go back, Guess I was expecting more.

    (3)

  • Ariana M.

    MY NEW FAVORITE SPOT IN TOWN! :D This place has a lot of resemblance to Genius Sake Lounge, but this is because the owner used to be partners with Genius. The parking here is much better then it was in Waikiki. I also like this better because the location is closer to home and the crowd is a lot better because it's not as touristy. Their happy hour is from 5 PM to 7 PM! I mostly like the drink specials compared to the food happy hour menu. The service here was fantastic. Everyone was very helpful when we had questions about the menu. THE GRUB. TUNA CARPACCIO ($13) I simply LOVE this dish. The flavors/sauce they use is different from other carpaccio's that I have tried. I really think they did a great job with this dish! yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… SMOKED SALMON WITH MAUI ONION SALAD ($8) This dish was alright. I feel that the salmon and onion ratio was really off. I would have liked this more if there was more pieces of salmon inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… SAUSAGE ($?) Just as good as other places. I really like how it comes with 6 pieces! A lot of places I been to and order sausage only comes with 3-4 pieces. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… PUMPKIN & BACON ($10) Delish! I think this is a great thing to order for a snack/pupu. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… BEEF KAKUNI ($13) Very tender and yummy. Not my favorite out of all the dishes but still good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK ($9) This hamburger steak had CHEESE in the middle! AMAZING! I really thought it was tasty. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… NABEYAKI UDON ($12) Definitely my favorite dish! The broth for the Udon was super good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… BANANA CAKE WITH ICE CREAM ($6) The cake was more like a banana bread. Still good and the ice cream it came with was chocolate and coconut. I liked it a lot! yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… OVERALL: I will definitely come back here more often! The prices are good and the service is great.

    (5)

  • Brandon S.

    If you ever went to the Verbano on King Street you'll notice that it's no longer there anymore but you'll recognize that something is in it's place. That my friends would be Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill. Opened on Monday January 28, one of the original owners of Genius Lounge in Waikiki Ken Kawasaki and his business partner Kenzo opened this new eatery to cater towards the local market. Before I get into the food, let's start with parking. Unlike Genius, this place has a ton of parking options. You've got the street parking after 6:30 on either King Street or Liona Street in the back. You can also park in the big front lot but there is a pay box. Here's a little something that I'm only telling you....as long as I've been going to Verbano and now Kenzo, I've never paid the box. At first it was just by accident..... I didn't know you had to pay and then after I noticed that I didn't get tagged, I figured it was okay to just keep doing what I do :) Upon entering you'll noticed a full bar on the right and some cocktail tables to your left. The further into the restaurant you go on the left there will be some seating options for you to park your tush. This place is great for larger parties, in fact you may want to consider coming with more people and I'll get back to this in a second. Try to come here during happy hour (5-7pm) when you can get a great deal on food and drinks. Form the Happy Hour food menu we ordered: Pesto Pasta $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Hummus with Flat Bread $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Antipasto $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Shrimp Cocktail $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Unlike Genius Lounge the portions aren't what I refer to as "Japanese" size which is about as tiny as a 4-year old's stomach. The portions here are much larger and cater towards the locals. The best part is the price is very reasonable. Once happy hour was over we also ordered some Wafu Hamburger Steak, The cheese gyoza, Bacon and Kabocha and mentaiko pasta. All of which was very tasty. The best part is for all the food we ordered (there were 8 of us) each person's share including tax and tip was $15 (food only). Not bad for eating our fill and getting a variety of different dishes. Which is what I was referring to as far as coming here with a larger group. You'll get the most bang for you buck. The one thing I did wish they would address is that it's really dark in the restaurant, it was difficult to see the food and one thing I like seeing is what the food looks like and all the different colors they give off. I'm wondering if there's a way they could install a little more lighting. I realize they want to set the mood but still, you want to see the things being served to you with some clarity. Overall for the large menu selection, taste of the food, varieties of different drinks, service, parking and atmosphere..... I give Kenzo 2 thumbs up. I put this place up on my chill hang out places with the likes of Home Bar, Genius Lounge, Dash, Tsunami, etc. I will definitely be back with more friends.

    (5)

  • Rob M.

    Bacon and Japanese pumpkin, uni pasta, original poke, great happy hour and wonderful service. I've been here 5 times for work and now with my family. Amazing. Don't forget the fried ice cream

    (5)

  • Lynvi S.

    Finally, a place that hits the four of the Five Cs - Clean, Convenient, Comfortable, and Chill. Chez Kenzo is a new and definitely clean spot on King Street that features an eclectic Japanese menu in a dark, relaxed setting with soft jazz music. This is an awesome place to come and chill with friends or for a date. The only C that Chez Kenzo didn't hit was Cheap, but it's pretty reasonable. Overall, the food my friend and I tried was pretty good. The menu is extensive and a bit overwhelming, and there are no descriptions of menu items. It would be nice to know the preparation, sauce, garnishes, etc. Fortunately, the servers were able to answer our questions about the food and they made some nice recommendations. The pumpkin and bacon was pretty simple and straightforward, but yummy. The crab meat pasta came with generous chunks of crab in a creamy tomato sauce that was satisfying without being too rich or fishy. The only disappointment was the pork with teri sauce. The sauce was great, but the pork was really tough and chewy, so I don't think I'd order that again. The drink menu is pretty standard - cocktails, house wines, sakes, beers, shochu, and the usual things one would expect from a bar. We tried the sake sampler ($13) and that was pretty nifty- it comes with a card with the names and descriptions of the sake for drunk people who like to read. Iichigo bottles are $45. Service was excellent. There's a decent amount of parking in the lot and the gate thing was up at night so I think the parking is free, but don't quote me on that.

    (4)

  • Jenny S.

    Heard good things about this place so when my co-workers wanted to try the happy hour here I was excited to say the least! The happy hour menu for food is about 6 items and i think about the same for drinks. I tried 2 of their house wines and it was quite tasty! If you're a wine drinker I do recommend the house wines. For beer drinkers, Kirin and bud light was $3. The mixed drinks were $4 each. Not bad for a HH menu. We ordered the cheese pizza, cheesed gyoza, and the shrimp dish. The cheese pizza was like any other pizza, nothing truly amazing but not bad either. Now the cheese gyoza, that was so yummy! The crunchy cheese over the pork gyoza, it just melts in your mouth! It's bit salty but i don't mind a little seasoning so it was a delightful dish for me! The shrimp dish was okay. The cheese gyoza stole the night for me! I think I will be heading down soon for HH just so i can get the cheese gyoza again! haha! The parking here is a bit tricky. Be sure to park between the restaurant stalls so you don't have to pay parking fees. There's not much parking so I recommend to come early to get free parking!

    (4)

  • Sunja K.

    I came here for a birthday party this past weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome this place is! From the outside, this place looks like a hella rundown bar, but the inside decor was pretty nice. The service was great! I love it when my server is real...like he gave his real opinion on what foods were good (and what foods to avoid). It's like a breath of fresh air, and it really helps with the selection process. And it made my dining experience that much better! The food was pretty good as well. I got there in time for the happy hour menu, but I only ordered the four cheese pizza. The pizza was good, but it's pretty small. It was only $7, so I didn't expect a huge pizza anyways. From the normal menu, I tried the cheese hane gyoga ($12) and the crab meat pasta ($16). They both tasted delicious! The cheese hane gyoga is great for cheese lovers (like me). Imagine gyoga...with a pound of cheese melted on top. YUM! The crab meat pasta was great as well, but they shred the crab meat too thinly so it doesn't even seem like it's there. I prefer larger chunks of crab meat so I can actually discern it from the rest of the dish, but again, this is my individual preference. I would definitely come back here to eat them again, but I'm not sure if they are worth the cost. Honestly, they probably cost a few bucks to make, so I'm just confused why they jack up the prices to a ridiculously higher price. My original rating would have been 4-stars, but the service was one of the best I have experienced in a while. So yay!

    (5)

  • Taylor W.

    The first thing I'll say is MAKE A RESERVATION. Especially if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night, they're really busy and luckily my friend and I got two seats at the bar. But let me also say their service is pretty great, everyone checks up on you, makes sure everything's okay, and they're pretty attentive. I've been here once before with my gfs but I didn't get to write a review till now. I came here today with my friend because he wanted uni pasta. I don't care for uni too much so I didn't try his dish but it seemed good since he ate it all! I guess the portion is a little small for a guy. I got the ahi carpaccio for a starter and it was pretty good, the quality of the fish was good. Then for my entree I got the crab meat pasta and it was good! There was also lots of crab meat in the pasta too so that shows they're not too stingy on how much they use. I want to try the drinks, like the "sensy" looked so good! Till next time!

    (4)

  • Lenny B.

    Went with couple friends last night. Happy hour prices were reasonable. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, deep fried shrimp, four cheese pizza, steak fries and the wafu hamburger steak. Shrimp cocktail sauce was tasty but couldn't dip the shrimp in it, you had use the chopstick and put it on top of the shrimp :-(. Wafu hamburger steak was very flavorful and dipped my fries in the sauce. Dessert was good, we shared the green tea ice cream and the banana bread with chocolate coconut Mac Nut ice cream. Ice cream was great but the banana bread was a little dry. Great service and atmosphere . Will be back to try the other items on menu.

    (4)

  • Alysha K.

    One of my new favorite hangouts! I love the food from Genius Lounge, and Kenzo has the same cooks. They added more stuff to their menu compared to the old Genius. The ume pasta, I know sounds weird, is so delicious. It has a creamy texture and even though you're not a big fan of ume (like me), it's something different. Like a sweet/savory taste. Other items that are new & yummy are: cheese gyoza, shabu shabu salad, and taegu watercress salad. Right now they are renovating the bathrooms so it kinda sucks cuz you have to go outside and upstairs. Junky if you're drinking a lot. Location is where Verbano's use to be. And parking is free in the lot! Please stay open til 2am instead of 1am ;)

    (4)

  • Cherie P.

    Chef Kenzo is so hard to find! Fortunately, the food is as delicious as it is hard to find. ;) In case you're as lost as I am, when you're on King St, look for the building with the Bank of Hawaii and make a right into that parking lot. Chef Kenzo is all the way to the right with all the beer signs lit up if it's night. I was feeling a little under the weather, so I ordered kamaage udon along with some sex on the beach as my drink. Our party was big at seven people, but the waiters were quick when it came to our food. They also left a water pitcher on our table so we didn't have to wait for them to refill our water glasses which is always a plus for me. My kamaage udon was delicious and exactly what I wanted. I also tried some of the appetizers our party ordered and I enjoyed those, too. If I had felt a little better, I would have definitely ordered the wafu hamburger steak because it looked amazing.

    (4)

  • Marci C.

    Been wanting to try this place for the longest time and finally had the chance yesterday. We had a party of 4 and had to wait a pretty long time before we were seated at a round table.. We ended up chilling and eating on a side table, which wasn't the best, but better than waiting outside. Parking: Great. Free lot parking on South King. Can't get much better than this! Service: Slow. Took a long time for our orders to be taken, as well as for our food to come. Food: Amazing! From the happy hour menu, tried the dynamite shrimp (yummy with a great mayonnaise-based dipping sauce), two cheese pizza (SUPER cheesy and delicious, even though the toppings were only cheese and fresh tomato slices), and pesto pasta (yummy!! Not a fan of pesto but this dish was soo good). From the regular menu, we chose the cheese gyoza (slightly unusual but really awesome... the flavors went well together), and a carbonara (good but a little bit too rich and creamy). Can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu, especially the drinks!

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    I've been dying to come here since they opened and and it's really one of the better new businesses I've been to in a long time. I've been to Genius Lounge a few times and I was a fan and with this location, I hope to be a regular. Located on King Street right after Keeaumoku on the right hand side, Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill took the spot formerly occupied by Verbano. It's located where the Bank of Hawaii is. Slow down to get into the driveway - I missed it the first time around. Although it looks like you have to pay for parking, it's actually free, so don't worry about it. The lots huge too and if for some reason parking gets full, you can park on King after 6:30pm or park in the neighborhood behind. They have happy hour daily from 5 - 7pm and the prices are very reasonable. In fact, their non-happy hour prices are reasonable as well - take a look at the menu pics fellow Yelpers uploaded. My party ordered a bunch of food. We started with the rock shrimp and four cheese pizza which were on happy hour. The shrimp were deep fried and the dipping sauce was to die for. The pizza had a pesto base with a delectable crust. We also ordered the kabocha & bacon - seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten - simple, savory and why didn't I think of that? Also ordered the mentaiko pasta - the pasta was "spiced up" perfectly by the mentaiko. Also ordered the mentaiko tako, where the mentaiko was a bit more pronounced and still yummy, and also the steak. The steak was cooked perfectly and was accompanied by mashed potatoes and homemade gravy - so good! The decor here is really nice - different from the old Verbano. There's a private room that seats about 20 people as well. Hopefully my office will come here for our Christmas party!

    (5)

  • Clarissa M.

    Perfect spot for birthday celebration. Our servers were friendly and efficient! I had no idea this location was the former Italian restaurant. Chez made great use of the space and the look is modern and hip. The food is excellent here - we tried the shabu shabu salad (we enjoyed it so much we ordered it twice), cheese gyoza, and mostly everything on their happy hour menu. We did try some of their pasta dishes (which were infused with an asian twist). Food portions were definitely made for sharing. The drinks were just as tasty. It is recommended to rsvp. There is a more intimate room separated from the general seating. Great place for celebrations!

    (5)

  • Mahina C.

    How did i NOT review this place yet? I'm still slapping myself in the face currently. This place is GREAT! Lots of parking when you go early and you really can't beat their happy hour specials. First off, I highly recommend getting the momo which is this orange drink of deliciousness that will satisfy any thirsty person. Off the happy hour menu, you might as well get everything and anything since it's all around the price of 5 dollars. You seriously can't go wrong. From the garlic filled bread, that's right....i said garlic FILLED bread, to the pesto pasta, anything off the happy hour menu is worth a try. Off the regular menu, you MUST have the shabu shabu salad. Thin slices of pork over salad with cucumbers and tomato's. The dressing is like a light yuzu so don't expect something heavy or strong. It's good enough to compliment the salad. Also try the cheese gyoza, DELICIOUS! Great happy hour, great venue, lots of parking, reasonable prices, and great food!

    (4)

  • Reid S.

    I was very impressed with the menu selections at Chez Kenzo! A few weeks ago my friend (Julia S.) recommended that we should go for happy hour, never hearing this name before, I was a little apprehensive. (As I am with most newer restaurants) I did not know that Chez snuck on into where Verbano on King St. used to be, I always drive by that building, so I was now be given the chance to try it out. We parked in the Chez Kenzo assigned parking stalls in the parking lot. (Otherwise you have to pay parking fees) I think it is like stalls 60-something to 90, not sure, but it is clearly stated when you are parking. We walked in, and wow, it was a whole different world! It was lively, and of course, it was happy hour. It was loud inside, which doesn't bother me at all because I love a restaurant with a lively crowd. However, because they were so busy, it took a few minutes to get seated and to get our waters. My friends and I looked over the menu, I basically knew what I wanted instantly, which doesn't really happen when I venture to a new place for the first time. We waited about 10 minutes to order, again, it was crazy busy! I ended up getting their chicken karaage, and mentaiko pasta. Chez Kenzo is like a trendier (and more Japanese) version of Angelo Pietro, where you have Italian + Japanese-fusion cuisine, which I love! My friends ordered various dishes including their Pesto Pizza, and Hamburger Steak. My friend asked me how the chicken was, and I told her that besides my mom's (#MomsCookingPlug), this was the best chicken karaage I've had in Hawaii. It was crispy, had a white color to it, rather than the normal golden brown. It was simply exquisite. And it's not a very complex dish either, but someone's got the recipe from the Lord himself. My pasta came second. Again, another home-run dish. I was expecting it to be on the mild side, warm temperature and light on the mentaiko, but no, it was everything I wanted. It was spicy (Japanese spicy, so basically, a kick) and it was very hot to the touch, which I appreciated. There's nothing worse than lukewarm pasta. It was tasty, creamy, and perfect. I tested the Pesto Pizza....Ono! ...and I rarely use that word with food! Not that I've never had a pesto pizza before, but this one was scrumptious. It was full-flavored and did not hold back! The dough was soft and chewy and it was accompanied with a thick layer of cheese and pesto. Amazing, hands down. So a few bites in, I find myself doing the, "Mmmm...Mmmmmm!...MMMMM!" to the point where the table next to us, (a group of sassy wives) asked how our food was. We quickly became friends. One lady in particular was convinced that my friend Nimai was her son's twin. Oh yeah, it got personal at Chez Kenzo. It was fun, we exchanged laughs and jokes. In fact, when we left, we even said goodbye as if we knew these ladies from church or something. But I've realized from my dining experiences in Hawaii, that is normal. Aloha spirit you might say. So when thinking about my grade for Kenzo, I factored in all of these things, point being it was truly a place to enjoy food and company. Learning to kick back with friends, and even strangers can be a fun time. A valuable lesson I learned that night! My only suggestion is that there be a bit more efficiency during happy hour. When you're extremely busy, you have to make sure you have the resources to accommodate everyone. Maybe hire one more person? Other than that, near perfection. 4.5/5

    (5)

  • Monica A.

    What can I say? This place is actually registered in my phone contacts. There hasn't been a dish from the menu here that has discouraged me. The food is really affordable for what it is. The mentaiko pasta and cheese gyoza is a must! I never skip out on those two.

    (5)

  • Janet K.

    I never went to Genius Lounge because I loathe Waikiki so I was beyond ecstatic when I heard that Chez Kenzo took the spot of the old Verbano located on King St. next to Bank of Hawaii. I finally get to try the food yay! We got there around 11pm and the place was comfortably full. There were some open tables so we quickly grabbed one. We sat for about 10 minutes and my excitement quickly became ample disappointment as no one came to greet us or take our drink order. I started a mental countdown of which I was going to walk out and leave when the waitress finally saw the look on my face and came to the rescue. I later realized she was pretty much the only one running the floor. I wanted to get up and help the poor girl! Everything we ordered was delicious and the food came out briskly. We ordered... Hane Cheese Gyoza - I love cheese so for me, bacon doesn't make everything better, cheese does! This is a dish I would order on every visit. Beef Kakuni - I couldn't decide on the pork or beef but decided on the beef since I never had beef Kakuni style before. The beef looked a little dry but it was surprisingly tender and moist. The flavors were spot on too. Kabocha w/Bacon - I liked this dish but I wished the bacon was a bit more crispy to balance out the texture of the Kabocha. It's a good simple dish that can be tweaked to perfection. Uni Pasta - If you know me, you'll also know that uni pasta would be my last meal on earth! It was once so difficult to find and now I feel like its everywhere! That's good news for me as long as its executed well and Chez Kenzo knocked it right out of the park. BF hates uni so I got to eat it all by myself and let me tell you I almost licked the bowl. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce was divine. My palate was in a state of euphoria afterward. Wafu Hamburger Steak - This was BF's dish. It was good but it came with mashed potatoes. Nothing against that but hamburger steak taste so good with RICE! Just saying. The patty was a good size and there was cheese in the middle of the patty. What did I say earlier? Cheese makes everything better! No room for dessert but damn sure I'll be back to try some later. Five minutes from my house, ample free parking, delicious food, sake, wine, and separate semi-private dining area for parties make this my new favorite spot period. BTW the bathrooms were not in service when I went. We had to use the upstairs bathroom which was kind of out of the way and confusing. Hope they get that fixed soon!

    (5)

  • Nikki S.

    The Japanese fusion of the restaurant plus the delicious drink selection was pretty awesome.

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Food..... - Curry Udon: ...meeeeh. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. if you prefer thicker udon noodles, this dish isn't for you. The noodles are thinner than your average udon noodles and the curry was average. - House Salad: Their dressing is DELICIOUS. Must get more. My friend asked for extra sauce for her steak because she didn't like the sauce that it came with. - Pesto Pasta: yummy! can never go wrong with pesto! - Rock Shrimp: Simple and good. Fried shrimp with zesty sauce. Atmosphere..... - Really nice restaurant/bar scene. It gets really loud. not because of the music. Sound just bounces off the walls really well so you kinda have to shout to be heard. My voice was a little shot when i left. Staff..... Super friendly. :)

    (3)

  • Nicole K.

    Chez Kenzo is a great - and convenient - location for good drinks, great food, and a fun, yet somewhat refined gathering. Similar to other great bars in the area, it has an extensive menu of both drinks and food. (My favorites: Cheese Gyoza and Kabocha Bacon) Chez Kenzo stands apart, however, by offering a slightly more refined setting. It still gets rowdy, but not crazy. At least in my experience. (It can get SUPER LOUD though!) The Happy Hour menu has a great drink selection, but a somewhat paltry food selection. Their famous and favorites aren't featured on the HH menu, but it is a good opportunity to try other things. We tried the pizza, pesto pasta, and shrimp. I still prefer the main menu items, but the HH food was not bad. Parking is not an issue - there are tons of stalls. But only a few stalls are free for Chez Kenzo guests. The rest are $3. Chez Kenzo shares the same lot as Bank of Hawaii and the restaurant is located towards the back of the building. You may not be able to see if from King Street, but don't pass the parking lot trying to find it. It's there!

    (4)

  • Jeannette E.

    Everything was delicious. The uni pasta was a treat with its rich flavors and pasta cooked just right. The shabu shabu was fresh and worth the money. This was my first visit, but definitely not my last.

    (5)

  • Wayne T.

    Good food and service! Prices add up so gotta watch out! Food is so good it will rack up! Uni pasta is a must! And kabocha bacon too! French breD bites with cream mushroom sauce is the bomb too. Great place but surrounded by senior crowds because it's a bar/grill. And lighting is pretty dark. Over all a must try place. Hip and different.

    (4)

  • Jamila J.

    I love Chez Kenzo. I feel like although everyone seems to know about it, it still feels like a little secret spot. Run by the same people as Genius Lounge, another great spot, it has a magnificent Happy Hour, the food deals are right on the money. It's also a good vibe, good fun, not pretentious. Just people enjoy good food and drink. I've never had trouble with parking, there's the lot and then street parking. I'd suggest making a reservation cause its not a big place and people will be there. Try it out if you haven't. You'll be glad.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Food was very good. Staff was great! Had the usual Yelp favorites: - Fried rock shrimp - a solid offering, a real value at the happy hour price - Wafu steak - big a beefy. Good as part of a shared sampler, but too much and too plain for a full meal. - Bacon and pumpkin - plenty of bacon - Sangria - a little stiff, but could be a little sweeter The host was apologetic that he couldn't seat us at a table (we walked in during prime dinner hour with no reservation). He took extra time to make sure we were comfortable in the bar, made recommendations, stopped by several time to check on us. This is in addition to the attention from the regular wait staff. We felt very cared for.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    I love surprises! Last night my wife couldn't sleep, so she was Yelping this place. "OOO look at the mentaiko pasta!" "OOO look they have kurobuta sausage and pumpkin with bacon!" "OOO look at that Salmon salad!" She Yelped herself to sleep. Today I was supposed to sub a yoga class, but at the last minute, another teacher came and said she was supposed to sub. We flipped a coin and I lost. She wound up teaching. Little does the other sub know that I actually won because I surprised my wife at work and took her Chez Kenzo. This place is in the old Verbano's on King street. Chez' did a much better job at the decor. Modern pictures have supplanted that eerie painting of the lady with the big eyes they had at Verbano. We were greeted with such warmth by the hostess, server, bartender and wait staff. This place has happy hour til 7 with great drink prices. Beers and sangria are $3 and speciality drinks are $4. They may as well have happy hour all night! My wife got the momo saketini. That thing is peach goodness! MOMOMOMO sock-it-to-me! We ordered the aforementioned "dream" food: the salmon salad, sausage, pumpkin, and mentaiko pasta. I am of two minds with this mentaiko pasta stuff. The Italian food purist in me says "That's heresy! Burn them at the stake, the draw and quarter the charred remains!" The evolved foodie in me says "that's pretty damn good!" Japanese flavor with pasta al dente mouth feel. My highlight was actually the salmon salad. Very simple, smoked salmon, raw maui onions and a little bit of mayo. I can't even stand mayo, but I loved this. More two minded madness on my part. There wasn't a bad dish that was served to us. The food was so good, I made it a point to yell "thank you" to the cooks in the back. With excellent service, dinner for two with drinks came out to around $50. This may be my new favorite town restaurant!

    (5)

  • B O.

    Pasta here is awesome. I enjoyed the Ikura pasta. The green tea comes in a cute container.

    (5)

  • Jonathan P.

    I love Chez Kenzo!! I got to be honest, for quite some time I have been holding back from reviewing one of my favorite places. It's probably because I don't want flocks of people coming in. I know it may seem a little selfish, but after that UYE I guess the cat is out of the bag! After a long day of work it's nice to relax and unwind, and from 5-7 this is my go to spot for happy hour. This place is amazing, the lights here are perfectly lighted to that perfect ambiance and it gives a nice relaxed feeling. Plus having a nice selection of happy hour drinks definitely helps. The service here is top-notch! The staff is amazing, they are always checking up, very attentive, and very friendly. The food here is superb! Just reminiscing about the food makes my mouth water~~ My absolute favorite is the hane cheeze gyoza yelp.com/user_local_phot… . It may sound strange, but it's just about the most amazing gyoza you will ever eat here! The menu is filled with other tasty morsels but I stand with my hane cheese gyoza as my absolute "must get." Now the important thing is the parking! The parking is not as bad as what other people make it seem. From the other reviews it makes it sound like a parking nightmare. But parking is quite good. You can park in stalls 32-76 and not have to pay anything! So that just means come early for happy hour so you can drink earlier and to make sure you get parking!

    (4)

  • Paul R.

    Great place!! Glad I checked it out. This place is pretty good sized. Has a good feel to it. Nice environment. The food is great, service is good, and parking isn't a headache.. We ordered the salmon steak, wafu hamburger steak, and the pesto pasta. Salmon steak came first. It was good. Salmon tasted fresh. I like the little crunchy things on top. Not sure what they were. The soy cream sauce has a good flavor, but a little too salty. Burger steak was really good. I very much enjoyed the melted cheese in the middle. Mashed potatoes that came with it were ok. Nothing special And then the pesto pasta made my day!!! It was so good. Has great flavor. If for nothing else i will def be back for the pesto :)

    (4)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: neighborhood bar dedicated to local people! something good: love. this. place! i love the look of the place! they have a bar area, restaurant seating area and a private room! i feel like i could see myself hanging in the bar with friends or having dinner here! the service was amazing! we constantly had servers checking on us, and i like the fact that they are all dressed casually! it makes it seem loose and relaxed! the menu here is crazy, they have a ton of choices! which i love, but it makes making a decision tricky!! : ) !! thankfully everything we ordered was good! i especially loved my pasta! i can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu!! i want to try it all!!! something not so good: nothing! great job ; ) something to try: crab meat pasta (14)

    (5)

  • Krysten I.

    I recently went to genius lounge and was quite disappointed with the bacon kabocha and lack of sangria. When I found out that the chef opened his own place called chez kenzo, I decided I had to try it sometime. I turned 23 this weekend!! Wooooo! So fellow yelper Sara S. reminded me that we should try chez kenzo. I called to make a reservation, but there were no openings for a large party during happy hour, so we ended up having to go at 8pm. When we arrived, the place was jam packed!! It was soooo loud, we had to yell at each other even though we were less than 3 FT away from one another. Later on in the night, after a few large parties left, it quieted down a little bit. At first, when we walked in around 8, they didn't have our table ready, but happily brought us some chairs to sit on and asked us to wait as they moved people around the restaurant. I felt a little bad for the people who had to move...but I was glad they honored our reservation time. Because we were such a large party and because it was too hard to talk across the length of the table, we decided to order as if we were two separate tables. Surprisingly, both sides of the table ended up with pretty much the same orders. As the birthday girl sitting in the middle, anticipating getting to try a little of everything, I was a little disappointed. lol.....Obviously, a lot of my friends yelp. I liked the mentaiko pasta :), but I like fishy and I like pasta, so it was obviously gonna be good. The bacon kabocha was as amazing as always (at genius lounge) and the rest was just okay. The peach cocktail was good, the hello kitty one less good, but okay and this mystery drink the waiter made was probably the best I tasted that night. The service was decent considering the fact that we had to yell what we wanted. Thanks, friends, for the awesome bday dinner!! :)

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    I can think of so many alternative lounges besides Chez Kenzo but bc it was an easy location we decide to have my farewell party here. My friend made the arrangements but recieved a phone call the night before the party that they'd have to cancel our rsvps. She called back to confirm and he said that they're just too busy shed have to call back. But bc it was the night before she asked to just check real quick for her. He stepped away from the phone where she distinctively heard "fucken bitch". He went back on the phone and she said "I heard you"... Then he hung up. She called back and then I did again but still, not even an apology, only a "oh we were busy"! He turned out to be one of the owners- Hiroshi Suzuki. When I told them I'll be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, he had the nerve to ask, "what do you want us to do?" I had to tell this owner to friggen apologize to her! Wth?! If you're trying to run a legitimate business, at least know your manners! Needless to say, I refuse to give them our business and they will hear from the BBB.

    (1)

  • Lisa C.

    Excellent food & service!! We will definitely be back!!! :) get the vongole pasta (clam pasta)!!! Amazzzzing!!!

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    As a tourist, we were looking for something cool outside of Waikiki, reviews made us try this. We were really excited for Asian/Japanese fusion...or so we thought. Location was fine, easy parking and such. We get it, fairly early on a Saturday night, but the place was full already. The host offered that we wait at the bar, and quickly there was a table option, but we decided to stay at the bar. It almost feels like this place put the cart before the horse...like they're not ready to be open yet. The menu is having an identity crisis for sure--which lead to us taking 20 minutes to decide what we wanted. Not only too many options (wonder how the chefs like making such a wide variety), but no concrete theme on the menu (or the decor for that matter). Sitting at a bar you notice a lot of details. While the staff all seemed like they were doing their jobs, it was a little chaotic. My impression is that this restaurant was vacant, a couple people thought they'd open up a restaurant (I believe they have past experience based on locals' reviews) but they just slapped a new sign on the exterior and didn't think about strategy and theme or function for that matter. Kind of a drag. We settled on the Happy Hour pizza because we were starving--but mind you this had nothing to do with our vision of sushi and yummy Asian food! Pizza was fine, great deal for a Happy Hour special. But we decided to leave rather than eat a full dinner there. Just too confused/disappointed. I feel bad that I can't comment more fully on the cuisine, but really, you have to make me want to eat your food first.

    (2)

  • Aulelei D.

    Came to Kenzo thinking it was still Verbano's & since we were already there we figured why not. Glad we did, the waiter & waitress both would check on us while we were there. The loco moco with curry sauce was deliciously yummy. The dressing for the side salad was out of this world. Would like to see a more complex dessert menu though.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    We went to Chez Kenzo for Krysten I.'s early bday celebration! While we couldn't be as rowdy as the table behind us (Krysten had to work early the next day, boo, lose money!! jk), I think this is a good place to celebrate birthdays or anything where you want to drink, eat good food, and be LOUD. It is NOT that good for groups having a catch up sesh or an intimate conversation in my opinion because the noise level is SO HIGH! I did see some couples on dates and it's okay for them because there's only 2 people so they can lean in and be as close to each other as they want. Not the case for a party of 11!!! It was like this: "So I think we should get the kabocha and bacon." "WHAT?!? You want the bambucha bacon? Where's that?" Or, "What are you up to these days?" "GOOD!" "...what." Aside from the noise issue, the food and drinks were good. KABOCHA AND BACON- now I know where the genius kabocha and bacon went. So good and not overly salty like the last time I went to genius bar. MENCHI KATSU LOCO MOCO- pretty big portion size. The menchi katsu here is super grindz. The gravy was like a mixture of tonkatsu sauce and standard gravy. TARAKO PASTA- if you like fish roe (like mentaiko pasta) then you will like this. If not, stay very far away because the fishy flavor is quite strong. But I like it. NAGOYA CHICKEN WINGS- good but only 3 pieces. Kinda like a teriyaki + sesame fried chicken wing. HANE CHEESE GYOZA- gyoza that uses spinach in the wrapping and is smothered in cheese. yummy! They have a large cocktail selection and a small but decent beer selection that has all the essentials. Only two beers on draft- bud light (gross) and kirin. Of course in true Hello Kitty form, you must get the Hello Kitty drink. I've ordered it at other places but never knew what was in it. Apparently it has 151 in it but I would have never known because it tastes so good. I basically just read the words hello kitty and decided I needed to order it. OTHER TIPS: Make reservations. I don't think it's possible to walk in with a huge group because this place is really popular. PAY FOR THE PARKING if you don't park in the designated stalls in the parking lot. We totally didn't realize we were in a stall that wasn't designated for Chez Kenzo and got a ticket for $20. -______- Ever since Ichiriki Loft closed, I've been searching for a new go-to spot for my friends and I! This might be a strong contender.

    (4)

  • Yui H.

    I love their food!!! And the ambiance is perfect because it's not too fancy or too casual. People of all ages are welcome . The servers give great service !

    (5)

  • Ha N.

    It's a nice place, for sure, and the service is not something to complain about. The food is alright too, which is disappointing in my book. The best thing is probably the pumpkin and bacon. Everything else was mediocre. I've gone here twice for birthdays and was seated in the private room both times. I really appreciate the attention from the wait staff -- they're good in my book. The food though, you'd think some dishes would stick out, but not very many did. The pumpkin and bacon, check, and the sauteed foie gras -- but really, can you really fck that up? My company was great, but we've all concluded that this is the spot if you love sake.

    (3)

  • Trisha G.

    Mixed emotions. On one hand there was good food and drinks were cheap at the happy hour price. Both the happy hour food and the regular menu were delicious. BUT... the service was just horrible. I have been here before, and I was ready to give a decent review based my first visit. The first time I went on a weekday and the place was pretty busy. We had an attentive waitress. Hmm... now that I think back, there may have been a bug in a pot of hot tea. (How does that happen with hot water and a green tea bag?) The second visit was awful. There was barely anyone in there and one person waited 20 minutes for a drink. Meanwhile, we had someone join us late. After not being checked on, we finally waived someone down. A waitress came by and said "oops ...sorry" and hurried away without taking the new person's order. When she delivered the drink, we asked to order more. She seemed ready to rush away. (To what? I don't know. There was barely anyone in there, and even if so, there it wasn't like there was attentive service at other tables either.) Add to that, the table next to us, who had reservations, were seated without service and eventually left since no one came to take their order. I can't believe it. Finally, on my way back from the bathroom, I had to walk to the bar to ask for the check. The waitress that had served us earlier asked which table I was at. (There were only three tables left with people at them.) When a waiter came to give us our check, he decided to hover while four of us tried to figure out how to split the bill. He even sat at the empty table next to us to wait (A table which was empty because the couple had left.) I don't know what was going on with the service tonight, but it was not even average. I was excited to bring a new group of people there. Unfortunately, I don't expect any of them to return. Sad since there's so much potential here with the menu!

    (2)

  • Claudia G.

    Ordered the pork chop salad. Pork chop wasn't fresh, had no flavor and was very tough. Waste of money.

    (2)

  • Amara E.

    Dropped by for the first time to go to Happy Hour with Tracey M and Jonathan P. First thing I noticed was atmosphere. It's got a really nice classy, modern feel to it. I think A really good place for a first date or maybe a place to meet up for drinks for young professionals. We ordered the pumpkin with bacon, the cheese gyoza, antipasto, four cheese pizza and the parfait. I found the happy hour food to be a little meh. Four cheese pizza was just a really cheesy pizza. The antipasto was sort of like a greek salad. The pumpkin with bacon was nice. Healthier than other bar food I've had and pretty tasty! The surprise winner (for met at least), was the cheese gyoza! The first time I heard that was one of their specialties, I thought ewwww. Cheese seems so heavy to put on gyoza! Actually, I think the cheese is grilled on the gyoza, which helps it blend well with the gyoza and reduce that heavy, cheesy texture. For drinks, we ordered all the sake cocktails. Get the Momo! Love that orange flavor in my cocktails~ You can park in the lot or on the street. Street parking is free after 6pm.

    (4)

  • Ryan M.

    Let me start by saying that the food here is really good. I will explain in further detail later. However, the reason for 3 stars is from the lack in... SERVICE. The wife and I came here for happy hour. They were fairly slow during our time there. In fact, we were only one of two patrons for the first half hour. Upon entrance, we were not officially greeted by any of the three employees. I had to ask if it was okay to just choose any table. They were very friendly but we were rarely checked on during our time there. We had to consistently flag down employees when we needed something. Let me add that the employees were not busy (Watching tv) when I was trying to flag them down. They also forgot about one of our dishes. No apology was given but I appreciated the quick turn around time. I don't feel they were doing anything on purpose but improvement is needed in the customer service department. Now the.. FOOD is 100% gratifying. I was impressed with the extensive food and drink menu. Their happy hour menu is fairly small compared to the regular menu. We tried a few items off both menus, starting with my favorite down to my least favorite. However, all dishes were excellent. Kabocha & Bacon - AKA pumpkin and bacon (on the menu) Wow, talk about sweet and savory. Especially the savory. You will enjoy this if you love salt. Pasta with Pesto - Well cooked noodles with a very rich pesto sauce. Mouth keeps watering even after your done with the dish. 4 Cheese Pizza - Personal pan sized but loads of cheese with a pesto based sauce. Each slice with slice of tomato. Cheese Gyoza - This was definitely good. Their gyoza alone is good so when you add cheese it becomes better. If they added bacon on the cheese it would be great. Rock Shrimp - My least favorite but still good. It was basically deep fried shrimp on lettuce with a dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is what gave this dish life. ENVIRONMENT here is pleasant. A contemporary look. I have never been here when it was Verbanos so I have no comparison on a before or after. PRICE is very good considering the quality of food that they serve. Even more so during happy hour. PARKING is free as long as you park in the designated stalls. I was about to pay parking but my smart wife decided to call and ask if parking was free. Lo and behold, there is a sign on the door that explains the parking situation which can be a problem since most people would have already paid by then. Even though I am giving them 3, I wouldn't mind giving them another chance because the food is good. I will definitely update on a second return in the future, but for now, I have to stick with 3.

    (3)

  • Juliann C.

    Alle-freaking-luia! Love this place, recommended by a friend and I was sold when he said that this is the same chef as Genius Lounge. Hello, love Genius Lounge. And not in Waikiki, sign me up! The GOOD * cheese GYOZA - holy crap. No joke, HAVE TO ORDER. I don't care who you are, who your with... order this. * Ikura Pasta yum yum * service was great, attentive, friendly, and very knowledgable. The BAD * they kept the same set up as Verbano, the restaurant that was there before... I wish it was more like Genius Lounge! The WEIRD * Don't try to slide your drink while it's sitting on the table. It'll tip over. Because of the material they chose to staple to the reused table, your drink will not move if you try and slide it over, and it will tip over. Be careful!

    (5)

  • Denalee C.

    The local bars better watch out, Chez Kenzo knocks it out of the park. It's my go to spot I always suggest first when my friends want to hit the bar. First of all, read the sign and park in stalls: 32-76. That way, you don't have to pay. If you come during happy hour (5-7pm) they have AMAZING deals. We got the antipasto, 4 cheese pizza, rock shrimp and garlic bread. While all were good, it was the garlic bread I fell in love with. I could eat that ALL DAY LONG. At $2.50 during happy hour, that's a lot of bread! Off the regular menu, the kabocha and pumpkin will blow your mind. It's tender and flavorful. The bacon is cut a bit thicker than average and although the pieces are small (not long strips) it's really all you need to make the kabocha the best part of your meal. I can't come here with ordering the ume pasta. I know it sounds weird but it's my absolute favorite. The noodles here are perfectly al dente, but there's something else that makes you want to polish off the bowl. The pasta is lightly coated with the ume flavor and is just delicious. Cheese gyoza. You just have to try it. I love cheese and they place a very generous layer on the gyoza and brown it just like I like it. The gyoza itself isn't the greatest but like bacon, adding cheese to anything makes it great! The service is friendly and efficient, the game is always on and I always see someone I know.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    I think I could easily come back here over and over again. Came here for the first time, and of course, Yelped up what to order. Considering that everyone posted the same EXACT 4 photos, we ordered just what everyone basically was telling us to eat. (our waiter asked if we yelped this place prior to coming.) Kabocha and bacon: good but nothing that WOW'd me. I enjoyed eating the dish as the kabocha was very sweet, soft, and hot when it came out. The bacon was somewhat crisp but really, that's basically what the dish was: kabocha and bacon. the sweetness from the kabocha went very well with the saltiness from the bacon but I think it was just lacking a wow factor Crab meat pasta: this surprisingly was good! I enjoyed this dish but the sauce was a little runny. I wish it was a little thicker because at the end of our dish, it was all liquid and crab meat b/c it just didn't stick to the pasta well. Other than that, I would actually order this again. Hamburger steak: YUM it was a nice thick piece of hamburger and a nice scoop of mashed potato's. although i thought that eating half of this order myself was a little heavy, my friend thought it was just perfect. I think it was the sweetness from the sauce (which is very good) but also was a little much for me. Cheese Gyoza: SO GOOD! as weird as the combination may sound, the crispy burnt cheese is just PERFECT with those gyoza's. My only problem with this dish is the amount of time it took to come out. All 3 of our orders came out before our gyoza's did and I kind of wish it was one of the first. Maybe a lot of love was given to it thats why it took so long. Yes, this was the one dish I wanted to try and didn't have the patience for What I didn't like about Chez: -menu: what in the world is 75% of the menu?!?! Most of the items on the menu had names I've never heard of before and no description to go with it!!! Their extensive menu with no descriptions made it a little hard and overwhelming to order. We wanted to order something that wasn't mentioned on Yelp, but how could we? Yes we could ask the waiter, but who has the time to explain 3/4 of the menu when it's packed?

    (5)

  • Marisa A.

    What didn't I love about this place? This was our early Valentine's day dinner. My bf made reservations and when we got there they seated us right away. The only thing I didn't like was THE NOISE. Because it's a rather small place with maximized seats, and everyone trying to have conversations, it's quite noisy. Now let's talk about the food. We ordered roasted edamame-yum. We also ordered Hane Cheese Gyoza-TO DIE FOR!!! It's spinach wrapped pork dumplings with a mozzerella layer of cheesy goodness. What made that dish even better was the edges of the dish was crispy and crunchy and when you bit into it the cheese it was just all cheesy melted goodness. We also ordered the tonkatsu, which was ok. Then, because my bf knew some of the servers, they brought to our table the Pumpkin and bacon sauteed with garlic. HOLLLLLLLEEEEEEE MOOOOOLEEEEE!!! Crispy bacon sauteed with kabocha and garlic atop mixed greens. Just writing this review makes me wanna go back there, and yes I highly recommend this place. I didn't get to try the tiramisu, due to the baker being out on maternity leave...but I will be going back to try it. Service is amazing...considering that this place fills up fast. You never wait for anything. There is ample parking. This is also a great place for groups, but you must make reservations.

    (5)

  • Kayla R.

    I'm def a fan! The food was great, service AMAZING! (very fast with getting drinks and food, probably best service I've had at a bar!) and with friends, you'll be able to have a grand night spent at Chez Kenzo!!!! Service: AMAZING!!!!!! Very friendly! Always checking up on our drinks and food and brought everything to the table very fast! Very pleased :D Food: Very good! I just wished instead of the fried tako pieces, it was Baby Tako. But it was very delish! The uni pasta is a winner, if you're a uni fan! And everything else we order was excellent, I wish def order all of it again! Only things that knocked off 1 star: Parking SUCKS, the lot itself you have to pay the pay box (make sure you have dollar bills) also another thing is it's super crowded! :( I also tried to call early in the night to make reservations but my phone call wasn't answered. But I think they just get very busy! So maybe come early to put your name on the wait list~ I'll be looking forward to my next visit :D

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    First off, although the entire staff here is incredible, one member named Steve really made our visit memorable and ensured we'd always be eager to come back to Kenzo. If you're a fan of Genius Lounge, this is a place you'd love. Because it's the same, amazing thing. Minus the crappy Waikiki parking. Minus the loud drunk tourists wandering around the area. Happy Hour at Kenzo is something you have to come for. Though the HH food menu is somewhat limited, you really can't go wrong with $6 entrees of pesto pasta, bay shrimp salad, shrimp cocktail, hummus, the list goes on. More importantly, there is the option to pick up a hefty, frozen glass full of Kirin or Bud Light for just $3. MOST importantly, there is an eye-glazing option to buy yourself a heavy pour of house sake for just $6. This is a HUGE glass of sake. And it isn't any Ozeki or Sho Chiku Bai crap. This is a decent bottle of stuff that you'll be glad you ordered. I'm not saying it's Kubota Manju or anything like that, but it ain't bad. And for $6, it's a great value. But don't just come for Happy Hour. The rest of the menu is full of amazing items like the Hane Cheese Gyoza (literally gyoza doused with cheese in a hot pan, then served with a thick layer of the gooey stuff stuck to the bottom), and the simplicity of Deep Fried Garlic. There's much, much more to try, but start with those. What really makes Kenzo such a great place is the combination of atmosphere, staff and speed of service. The room is split into three smaller sections. One is a shallow entryway set of tables, good for a quick drink while waiting for a real seat. The main area is a square area with dim, but sufficient lighting and an open feel under a high ceiling. The last area is a half-enclosed private area that maintains a nice level of quiet, beyond all the goings-on of the surrounding gatherings. It's comfortable, unconfined, and airy. The team seems to effortlessly flow between every table in the place, never just sticking to their own "sections." They all seem to assist each other in running food out, and making sure that every single customer is taken care of, and they're damned effective. It's nice to be at a lounge like this where every single employee seems enthusiastic to be at work. We've never met any of these employees before, but by the way they treat us, you'd think that we had. I'm always impressed and excited to eat and drink here. So many restaurant staffs have this, "Ugh, customers taking advantage of Happy Hour" mentality, because their tips are lower due to tickets being lower. It comes through in their service, and many servers actually seem to dilly dally in order to avoid having to serve you more HH options. HOWEVER, Kenzo's team consistently encourages you to take advantage of the Happy Hour menu. They seem to know the real secret: You want a bigger tip? Sell a higher quantity of cheaper drinks and food options. It's uplifting for a server like Steve to come by the table and actually persuade you to buy at least one more drink before Happy Hour comes to a close. The speed of service is phenomenal. Your drinks are on the table in two minutes, your entrees in just a few minutes more. Everyone from the kitchen to the service floor is doing their work quickly, quietly, and efficiently. Super, super amazing stuff. Anyway, Happy Hour ends at 7:00 PM. Have a lot of drinks, then stay late and eat all the other food on the menu.

    (5)

  • Phil R.

    One of my favorite happy hour spots. The servers are amazing and wine pours are HUUUGE! My favorite dishes are pumpkin and bacon, hane cheese gyoza, mench loco moco, and any pasta. I love their pastas...always perfectly al dente.

    (4)

  • Travis D.

    After several years of seeing pictures on Instagram and Facebook from my friends, I finally got to checkout the great Chez Kenzo. When I called to verify happy hour time, I was informed by a friendly voice that happy hour is from 5-7pm. With about to spare, my friend and I rushed over to take advantage of the happy hour. We arrived in front on King St about 10 minutes before free street parking, so I just threw in a dime and headed to the restaurant. Once inside we looked around frantically hoping that there were open seats. It was quite packed and the person behind the bar said we could wait for an open table at the bar. No list was needed because of his superb memory skills. Sounds good to me. We decided to stand at the bar height counter in the middle of the main room. We perused the happy hour menu quickly ordered two pints of Kirin ($3 each) and a house sake ($6 for ~4-6 shots) and decided on pasta with pesto sauce and deep fried rock shrimp ($7 each). I figured the shrimp could be combined with the pasta to create an ultimate dish. The Kirin was served in arctic chilled mugs and really quenched our thirst. The sake didn't have too much bite and went well with the Kirin. The deep green pesto pasta was served piping hot, noodles perfectly cooked, with lots of pesto, and not too oily. The 20 pieces of fried shrimp came with lemon and a layer of spring mix-esque veggies and a dipping sauce. This shrimp dish could almost be considered a shrimp salad. The last few shrimps were enjoyed with the remnant pesto pasta. No surprise, it was also delicious. We were getting pretty filled, so our last dish was the bacon and kabocha as recommended by everyone I've talked to about Chez Kenzo. The kabocha was nice and creamy and was not overpowered by too much salt or other seasonings. Now I know what all the hype is about: 1) Really great service - timely check-ins, frequent water refills, and no extended waits for tables/checks. 2) Great happy hour - good portions and good prices on food along with good prices on alcoholic drinks Can't ask for much more. I will definitely make it a point to come back.

    (5)

  • Kristy Y.

    Service is a bit touch and go. When it gets busy it can be difficult to get someone's attention. Pasta is cooked al dente. I'm in love with their noodles and pasta is a MUST when I come here. I usually try a different one every time I come here. Cheese gyoza and beer... original parfait for dessert. Tried a few other things on their menu but these are my top tried and true.

    (4)

  • Esther K.

    Came here for a lunch on April Fool's Day. It wasn't crowded. There was one waitress working. She was very sweet and accommodating. Lunch prices are reasonable - in the $10 range. What I did not like was that the food took so long to come out. Entrees were not served to our table in a timely manner. Example, the salads came out first. After 10 minutes, the people who ordered loco moco and hamburgers got their order. After another 10 minutes, the people who ordered pasta were served. After another 10 minutes the people who ordered sandwiches were served. By the time the sandwiches were served, the people who ordered salad for lunch were finished eating. This is annoying to me when you're in a group setting. Another thing to note is that parking is not free during the lunch hour, even with validation.

    (2)

  • Mark H.

    This bar is very similar to Genius Sake Lounge but isn't touted as a sake bar. The menu is fairly extensive and is an expansion of Genius' menu--much of the same offerings. There should be something here to please everyone's palate. The portions are what you would expect from Tapas... smaller plates... appetizer portions... How was the food? Ummm, the food tasted good, but my group didn't think it was anything to rave about. Excellent customer service from owner Hiroshi. He was constantly checking up on us and conversed with us with a jolly attitude. Hiroshi was patient and thorough as he went over the menu. He even offered us a free serving of a junmai diaginjo sake. I look forward to returning and trying other things from the wide ranging menu. What was the pasta they offered during Joy of Sake last year? That was sooo good! I am craving that now...

    (4)

  • Tracy K.

    Chez Kenzo is the hottest new thing in town! Rolling with a good friend's recommendation to try something new (thank you Iris K.!), I was thrilled to put my international palate to the test. This restaurant is brand-spankin'-new and had its hard launch just days ago. Our party of four were delighted to try about a dozen dishes of apps, entrees, and "Tiffanie's Sweets"-our high school classmate's fabulous desserts! Although the word "Chez" is French in origin, there are more pasta/risotto dishes that point to Italian inspiration. There are so many fusion restaurants on the island-Angelo Pietro's spicy pork & eggplant pasta and Happy Valley's Pasta & Pizza come to mind. How did Kenzo measure up to these veterans? Well first off, the Kenzo menu is dizzying, with a bit too much selection than need be. If they chopped the options in half, it would probably work better for the customer as well as the kitchen staff. I feel this may be a temporary thing, and hopefully the staff will learn which items go faster. Their libations and concoctions menu is moderate; we ordered a Jameson mix and a bottle of white Beringer that lasted well into the night with the help of our great waiter. For starters, we tried the bacon kabocha, salmon with maui onion salad, Agedashi-style tofu with soy drizzle, and namasu sampler. Our server who just happened to be the assistant manager was very accommodating; answering our questions while giving his direct and honest opinion about the food. The kabocha was tasty and different. I'm not sure I would order it again, but it was satisfying in a unique, sweet-and-salty way that chocolate dipped potato chips seem to work. The salmon, namasu and tofu dishes were refreshing, cold, and nice on the lips. For our entrees, we gave in to the garlic shrimp, uni pasta, and cheese gyoza. And finally for dessert, we ordered the tiramisu, cheesecake, and banana cake with ice cream-all delicious and fancifully made. The portions left the only man on the table feeling undersatisfied so keep that in mind when ordering for the male counterparts. The flavors were well-tempered and satisfying, however I would not order the uni pasta nor the banana cake again. Everything else though was delightful. I'd compare the the overall experience to a Japanese-Italian love child blooming with potential, right at the cusp of culinary maturity. Its pubescent flavors has its mood swings of indecisive seasoning, just prematurely beaming with the anticipation of success. Some dishes were unanimously tasty, others were split decisions. We shall see next month with a return visit!

    (4)

  • Alyssa Y.

    This somewhat hidden bar is located on King Street right next to Bank of Hawaii. My first impression was that it was a little dark and very noisy. It didn't affect me at all after I got my drinks and delicious food! Reading other yelp review, I had to try the food here. It is a Japanese style cuisine with a local touch. The food portions were larger than I expected for the price. It is like a full size plate, but that didn't stop me from ordering more than one dish! (Note: the prices on the food listed below ranges from $8-$15). Original Poke was delicious! It was topped with a lot of onions though. The ahi was fresh and there was a shoyu sauce, I think. Salmon w/ Lomi Tomato Rice was something I only got a bite out of, but it was still very flavorful. The tomatoes and salmon were fresh and not like the lomi salmon you buy from the store. It went so well with the sushi rice! Kimchee omu-rice was super good! Basically, it's kimchee fried rice topped off with a scrabbled egg. I also, only got a bite out of this, but it was one of the best fried rice I've tried because it wasn't so spicy (I dislike very spicy food). Hane Cheese Gyoza was very interesting. It was about six gyozas topped with A LOT of cheese on top baked, I think. It was the first time trying something like this. I thought it would be gyoza filled with cheese, but I was soo wrong! It is a must try! Mench Loco Moco is made japanese style, which to me is a thicker hamburger. The hamburger was very juicy on top of a huge scoop of rice topped with an egg. The gravy isn't that thick, more on the watery side but that's how I like eating it! Wafu Hamburger Steak. Omg... This was probably my favorite dish and was all mine! It came out on a sizzling dish, steam & all! The hamburger was super juicy and I think there was a layer of cheese inside. The gravy was the same as the loco moco. It also came with a scoop of mashed potatoes. This is a MUST HAVE when coming to eat here! Overall, I enjoyed my drinks and food while I was here! Although it is very noisy, you'll get over it after a few drinks. Definitely coming back here soon! There is also happy hour from 5-7pm!

    (5)

  • Rick L.

    Very good Chez Kenzo! The food were all very tasty. As usual, we ordered way too much, my favorite were the Mentaiko Pasta, risotto, pasta mushroom with pasta. Each had its own unique deliciousness to it! I highly recommend these three dishes. Definitely coming back. Make reservations, it gets crowded in here.

    (4)

  • Raiian D.

    Pleasantly surprised. Polite staff. Ice cold draft kirin. Good scotch selection. Super fresh greens. Great Katsu curry. Clean. Good vibe. Waiter told me they are open till at least 1230 most nights.

    (4)

  • Kenson K.

    They have good deals here for drinks during happy hour. Good thing I just made it right at the cutoff for my drink order. The orders were huge. I was quite hungry that day so I ordered a full order of shrimp salad and a wafu hamburger steak. I was so stuffed. The food was OK. Nothing spectacular, but ok considering this is bar food.

    (3)

  • Lauren C.

    I made the mistake of walking in one evening on a weekend. The place was packed and since it has more of a bar vibe than a restaurant one, I couldn't really find someone to help me. Do I seat myself? Is there a host? Who works here...all the workers are wearing plain clothes! I saw reservations cards all over the open tables so I left before I could even flag someone down to help me. I was much smarter the next time around and called ahead to make reservations. I came after work around ten-ish and I told the bartender that I had a reservation and got seated right away. I was eager to check out their menu but found out that the majority of the menu was confusing. They lacked a description for menu items but I went into the restaurant with an idea of what I wanted to try so it wasn't a big deal. Although I do want to try different stuff next time so I think I have to do more research here on yelp! The servers seem really busy so we didn't want to bombard them with questions so we stuck with the hamburger steak, cheesy gyoza, and ume pasta. The hamburger steak was very flavorful and I liked that it came with mashed potatoes so it was more of a meal than just bar pupus. I don't even need to say much about the cheesy gyoza...I think my fellow yelpers have got that covered. So friggen good! And my favorite dish of the night, ume pasta! I wouldn't normally order this for myself because there are so many other yummy sounding pasta options but after hearing positive reviews and being intrigued on the idea of ume pasta, I gave it a go. The ume isn't very strong and it's prepared with very minimal sauce, just tossed in some garlic and butter maybe? The ume flavor comes from these slices of ume scented konbu scattered throughout the pasta. They were my favorite part! I would come back just to eat pasta. The dessert wasn't that great. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? I got the homemade tiramisu but it wasn't your traditional tiramisu with the rum soaked lady fingers on the bottom of a light mascarpone cream topping. Their tiramisu was made in a ring mold with small pieces of lady fingers within the cream. The ratio of mascarpone to lady fingers was off so I didn't really enjoy it. I kind of wish that this was more of a restaurant than a bar because I think I would come more often for dinner. The bar vibe makes me feel as if I should come with all my friends and hang out and drink when all I want to do is eat ume pasta.

    (4)

  • Liane C.

    Looking for a place for happy hour, stop off at Chez Kenzo. $4 wine and $3 draft beer. Could I ask for more...of close I can. They even have a happy hour section for food. A must on that list is there pesto pasta and four cheese pizza. Ono. If you are not too full from the happy hour list, try there hamburger steak, Kim Chee fried rice, shabu shabu salad, and natto omelette. Happy hour is until 7 pm.

    (4)

  • Pili B.

    Good food - kind of like Japanese/American fusion dishes with a little bit of local flair. The loco moco was good, but really big! Not a bad thing, but definitely enough to share. We ordered a bunch of food family style and got to try a little bit of everything. The only reason I say 4 instead of 5 stars is because of the service. The restaurant was not busy at all (about half empty) when we got there during happy hour (5-7 pm), but the waiters were nowhere to be seen. They would come out, take our order, then disappear for long periods of time. Not the best service, but definitely not the worst either! Good experience overall.

    (4)

  • Joanna Y.

    Ok, first off I am a bit biased because I used to frequent Genius Lounge in Waikiki at least once a week when I used to work in Waikiki. So I was already a fan of the food, and already friends with the fantastic staff. I haven't gone to Genius as regularly ever since I stopped working in April 2012.. But when I heard they just opened a restaurant/bar outside of Waikiki, I knew I had to check it out! I want to give 5 stars but its the seating area that kinda bothers me. I think there should be more chairs for more dining area. Upon entering, you see a bar to the right, then the entire restaurant is split in half. Half with tables for dining (with a separate area that's more lighted and private for dining), and the other half is open with some tables for people to stand at. I get it - an area for people who want to just drink. Maybe it's because I went on a Saturday night that's why it was so busy? Are there less busier times? I just think the space can be used a little better. The food gets 5 stars! I also appreciated how the food came out quickly, but one after the other so it wasn't very overwhelming. Kenzo told me the food is about 20-30% larger than at Genius... fine with me! We had some of my fave Genius food and some of the new new: Pumpkin and bacon - yummy in my tummy! Cream cheese poke - my bf was a little confused when I wanted to order this; he thought it was regular ahi poke with cheese on top lol. But it's little pieces of cream cheese in place of ahi. Cheese lovers like me just have to get this!! Cheese gyoza (new) - it's pretty much gyoza with cheese on top. Idk what it is, it's so simple but it was soooo good! Who woulda thought cheese on gyoza haha Wafu steak (new) - oh man. Cheese filled hamburger steak with the most delicious brown gravy on top. Comes with a scoop of mashed potatoes. Parfait (can't use the same name but it was called Genius Parfait) - vanilla ice cream, green tea ice cream, mochi balls, mandarin oranges, a layer of azuki beans and a layer of corn flake cereal. This was one of my faves at Genius but only a few people could make it, I had to order it far in advanced (takes time to make) and most of the time I wasn't able to order it. I love that I can be a fatty and order it any time now!!! Lol! The best part about all of this is the food came out to $35, which I think is reasonable for 2 people at that high of quality. We also had some drinks we ordered at the bar before we sat. Next time I will be more adventurous and order more off of their new menus - I will be back soon!

    (4)

  • Marissa W.

    Loved it! Love me some bar action! HH is even better! Enjoying a nice ice cold draft. Bar food and carbs are my all time faves and chez kenzo has lots of Both! This dimly lit bar scene makes me feel like I'm having a bit more of a posh experience. It's nice and busy so this place would be perfect for drinking fun. Nobodies gonna tell your party to quiet down. I will definitely be coming back and maybe even having a birthday party here. They have a side room perfect for a private party:)

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    I heard about this place from a friend and also heard it was the same owner as Genius Lounge which is also another favorite place of mine so I was excited to go here. I have been here a handful of times since opening and leave satisfied every time. This is a perfect place for a night out with friends, nothing too serious. The service is always great, the workers and owners are very friendly and always check up on you, the bartender is personable and remembers his customers well. The food is unique and has an asian spin on everything. My favorites are their pastas and their salads, and I am not a big salad person either but their salads are so delicious. the menu is fairly big so you have a lot of choices. The only thing I can complain about is that the lighting is a little dark in here but other then that, this is one of my go to places for a bar/lounge outing.

    (5)

  • Megun H.

    We got so nice cold beer and so good food:)

    (4)

  • Shay F.

    WoW... the menu kinda makes me ADD. It's like OOOH I wanna try that, then flip, OOOH I wanna try that too, then flip, OOOH I wanna try that! I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to eat, but I ended up getting the ume pasta, which was great! But I have to go back again soon since there were like 5 other things I wanted to try! LoL.

    (4)

  • David M.

    Ate there this past weekend with friends. It was the 1st time for everyone. Parking - Piece of cake! Lots of stalls and you also park on King Street after hours too. Food was very good. Not a great natto fan but we experimented and tried their Natto Omelet. It was pretty good, I would order it again. Bacon and Kaboocha was very nice and the Wafu Hamburger steak was great. Pasta was delicious and clean tasting where the sauce was not over powering the noodles. Happy hour prices for drinks very reasonable. Service - very attentive and kept our waters filled. The only thing that keeps it from 5 stars is that it's so noisy! They need to put some sound absorbing materials on the ceiling and walls as the conversation from others plus the background (too loud.....hint, hint) music started to give us all headaches after a couple of drinks. We would have stayed longer but it got a bit uncomfortable with the noise. We literally had to raise our voices talking with each other.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth H.

    This definitely is a restaurant that I would continue to visit with my friends for happy hour after work. While the happy hour menu was small, their main menu was so extensive it was hard to decide on what to try. I absolutely LOOOOOOOVED their kabocha with bacon. I don't know if I will be able to eat kabocha again without bacon. The best part was that they used crispy bacon. Who doesn't love crispy bacon? For drinks, I ordered the mono off of the happy hour menu. It was definitely tasty, a good, sweet alcoholic drink to have after work. The only thing I didn't care for was the wagyu hamburger steak. It was sweeter than I expected it to be. It reminded me more of a meatloaf. I personally prefer my hamburger steak to have a more savory gravy, so I didn't care for that dish. Though with such an extensive menu, there are definitely more things for me to try the next time I return

    (4)

  • Miki W.

    OMG what has happened to this place! I used to like their mentaiko pasta but last Friday, I had such a bad experience. :'( 1. They probably ran out of extra thick pasta so they used regular pasta. (I went there specifically for Mentaiko spaghetti with extra thick pasta) 2. I believe they poured ponzu sauce on my pasta by mistake but served the dish anyway. (When I lifted up chunk of noodle I saw Brown liquid on the dish WTH) 3. To top it off, pasta was undercooked. Not al dente, it was crunchy in the middle. LOL After taking a bite, I told the waitress that pasta was undercooked and tasted strange. Then she took the dish away and came back with microwaved pasta. Piping hot microwaved pasta was stuck together I couldn't even separate the noodle. On top of that mentaiko was cooked so well in the microwave, it turned white. I ended up not eating any. There is no "sorry" or "is there anything else you like to try tonight?" All the customers should deserve what we pay for. Very disappointing experience.

    (1)

  • Ellison U.

    I am not one who gives out 5-stars to often, but Chez's really earned it's ranking amongst the other 5's I've given. I brought a date here for my first visit. She was from out-of-town so we ordered a feast. She loved everything, as did I. Chez's, I believe captures an ideal place to have a date. In the evening, the lighting in there is perfect for intimate occasions. The night we went, it was somewhat loud, although it helped in my favor. I was able to get closer to my date. Anyway, we proceeded to order the hamburger steak, cheese gyoza, uni pasta, bacon kabocha, and the ahi-poke salad. I definitely loved the bacon kabocha, honestly you'd never guess that pumpkin and bacon together would taste any good. But geez it was heaven! The cheese gyoza, oh man... It was like a party in my mouth! I loved it! Everything else was okay to good. Didn't really care much for the uni paste, although it was quite a unique dish. Although the server forgot abt our ahi poke salad and received it at the end of our meal after we had to ask abt it. It was comp'd, which I was pretty impressed. Place is comparable to genius lounge, dash, and home bar.

    (5)

  • Cang W.

    Here's the winners sautéed ckicken wit citrus sauce, garlic bread wit mushroom cream sauce, hamburger steak, pumpkin wit bacon n any pasta is Bombay!!!

    (5)

  • Naoko I.

    This restaurant has enlisted to my favorite restaurant I had Shabushabu salad, the dressing has strong citrus flavor which my fav, Uni pasta, I love their pasted Uni sauce, and the Parfait, the layer of matcha cream, ice cream, mochi, some crunchy cereals reminded me the parfait I used to eat in Japan. The draft beer was super chilled to thirst the quench, and the dry Chardonnay matched with my pasta. Excellent service too!!

    (4)

  • Crystal L.

    Chez Kenzo is my favorite FAVORITE place to go to right now. It's romantic. it's classy. It's modern. It feels like a best friend - warm feelings, fun, sexy, always a great time. The food is soooooo good, I end up dreaming about it for days after. I haven't had the whole menu but I would probably recommend everything they have! I tried the Bacon Kabocha which had awesome smokey bacon with pumpkin. I love Kabocha and who doesn't love bacon?? The smokey flavor was definitely memorable. My favorites were the Salmon steak, Uni pasta and Mentaiko pasta. The salmon steak came which such a rich and delicious sauce, my gfs scraped the plate trying to get every last drop! The next time we came in, we asked for the salmon steak sauce to be put on our pasta and they accommodated! It was so delicious!! The pastas are dreamy! They are creamy and very flavorful. I seriously daydream about the pastas at least once a week. The steak was also great. When I went on vacation last month, I had to have Chez Kenzo as soon as I returned! The service brings it up a notch which is attentive and caring. Both visits, we had Richie and he is a plethora of menu knowledge! He kept making sure we were alright and my glass was never empty, which made me feel like a princess! BTW, to top all that off, it's quite affordable. I can't wait to coax my friends for another visit!

    (5)

  • Krissy K.

    I dropped in for happy hour with some girlfriends. We arrived at 5:30, so parking and seating were no problem. I had a couple glasses of wine, and my girlfriends opted for sake cocktails, which were all really cheap. Looking over the menu, the happy hour food specials did not really jump out at us, so we ordered mostly off the regular menu. We had the following: Shabu Salad - Very nicely dressed and a generous portion of meat. I liked this a lot. Kabocha w/Bacon - So simple yet so delicious. A nice mix of flavors and textures. Mentaiko Pasta - Again, quite simple yet tasty. Nasu - My friends deemed this to be their least favorite. I guess I would agree, but I think I liked it a lot more than they did. It basically tasted like mapo tofu without the tofu over eggplant. This was a very large and filling portion. Four Cheese Pizza - Okay, so...I was still hungry. This was a lot better than I thought it would be, as it had a light pesto sauce, and I love pesto. Tiramisu - I don't really love tiramisu in general, because I don't drink coffee nor do I like coffee-flavored items. This was an interesting interpretation and reminded me more of Japanese cheesecake. I'd rather have pizza for dessert. :) The service was just okay - friendly enough but sort of inattentive and rather slow. This seems like a good date spot - in fact, we were semi-spying on the couple at the next table and decided they were on a first date. Heehee. So nosy. One negative is that it gets VERY LOUD in here. The table on our other side had a woman who was cackling at a high pitch, making our eavesdropping endeavors a little more difficult. Chez Kenzo also has a semi-private seating area done up in red, which would be good for parties. Recommended.

    (4)

  • Laurel M.

    Visited for pau hana Friday and loved it. Cocktails and frosty mugs with Kirin draft was tasty. Ordered happy hour food too. We also tried crab pasta, which had a lot of crab, chicken wings, pesto pasta, and the kombucha and bacon. Yum!

    (4)

  • Justine R.

    Been here twice already and each time was a great experience. The atmosphere is nice and the decor is nice and clean. Service is good, nice, friendly, and fast. The main reason for this review is the good! Seriously, you would go home and dream about it afterwards. Happy Hour is great but not something I would go there for. The regular menu is way better and pretty worth it. The only thing I would recommend is if you get there early, get the pesto pasta. Drinks are also a great price at this hour. HUGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Shabu Shabu Salad ($10): This was really really yummy. Who would've thought to combine shabu shabu meat and make it into the salad. What really makes this salad great is the dressing. Two things that wouldn't usually go together, this sauce makes it really good. It's a really huge portion and honestly, I was pretty full already after sharing it. Smoked salmon maui onion salad ($8): This was really good. It was a rather small portion but a great amount of sweet maui onion and the salmon was rather fresh as well. Kabocha and Bacon ($8): I'm sure you've heard enough about this one. Extremely yummy if you like kabocha. The two stir-fried together make a great smoky combination. Salmon Steak ($13): Also something every Yelper has highly recommended, trust them, they are not leading you in the wrong direction. This dish is excellent and something you would probably have to pay $30 for at any other high class restaurant. The salmon is like any other salmon but with the creme sauce it serves with, makes it a million times better. It makes the salmon taste more creamy and brings the flavor to a whole other level. I have also tried other dishes but honestly, aren't really worth mentioning as a recommendation. The only thing I would advise against is getting the fish currry dish they have on their menu. Our waiter advised against it and I was thankful he did. Otherwise, this review may have lost another star. Overall, great food, great prices, great service. Definitely 5 stars in my book!!

    (5)

  • Kendra O.

    The food at Chez Kenzo is amazing! A must-have is the kabocha pumpkin with bacon. They also have a selection of sake, and the saketini is very good (and dangerous!). Pretty affordable too -- if you with a group, you will probably do well with everyone ordering one item, and sharing. The big drawback is the noise -- it always seems to be very loud, and it is difficult hearing people even if they're sitting right across from you. It can get very crowded, make a reservation, especially if you're going with a group.

    (4)

  • R S.

    The atmosphere had a nice local Japanese feel to the restaurant. Good for friends gathering but not a place to bring children. Although out experience was very good with two children in tow. The staff was attentive and courteous. The pumpkin bacon appetizer, garlic bread dip, crab pasta and citrus chicken was a hit. The deep fried Ika (squid) was a disappointment. I would recommend meeting up with friends at this bar and grill.

    (4)

  • Alvin L.

    Great food, great service. Got a lot of good Japanese style food that most restaurants in Hawaii don't have. Perfect for any occasion!

    (5)

  • Ryan Y.

    First off the lightning is super dark, so if you are disgusted by the way your significant other looks then it's a perfect place to go lol jk. Others might say its romantic but I think that's the real reason you take your date to a dark place. There are many things on the menu, however no description, I mean how the crap am I supposed to know what everything is. I ordered the uni pasta and it was very bland. My other friend did not like his dish either. One friend liked his loco moco and my other fren ordered Alfredo who said was oily. We also ordered the cheese gyoza, sounds good on paper,but no thank you for me. Not that greatest place, then again it was my fault to go to a place that has sukiyaki, udon, loco mocos and also serves pasta. Just saying!!!

    (2)

  • GLENN F.

    First time and pleased. Had the clam pasta wine and butter. Wish there was an option to have it cream sauce. Shabu Shabu salad was very good. Looking forward to next time

    (4)

  • Elle V.

    I would have loved to give Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill one more star than I did, and that would've been the case if it had not been for an employee who called me four hours after I had left. Here is what happened, we had a party for 12 during happy hour from 5-7 PM. A friend and I had to leave early so I asked for a separate check before I ordered anything, 5- $2 Sake Shots, 1- Sensy (which is the best watermelon drink I have ever had), 1- Uni Pasta (totally delicious if you love uni), 1- Cheese Gyoza (it couldn't have been cooked any more perfectly), 1- Garlic Shrimp, 1- Hummus & Flat Bread. The servers were all pretty busy, wished there were more of them around. Service wavered a bit in the refilling water department, remembering a new order, or retrieving an extra fork, but I would have to say they were on it with their smiles. The rest of my friends of course stayed longer than I and they later told me my order was added on to their tab. I'm not sure how that went down or how they cleared that up with the server but I end up receiving a call later of how "your party underpaid, there was product brought out and not paid for, etc, etc." That is completely RUDE. 1) I've worked in food service before and if a server lets their party leave without paying, that's on them 2) We have our receipts to prove that we DID pay 3) Don't call me super late at night demanding that "it doesn't matter about tip, we just need to get the unpaid items PAID for." It's not so much the food because everything was delicious, ambience is decent, the japanese wet towelettes were a great souvenir... but really, you're going to call me 4 hours after I left to tell me that we underpaid and that it needs to be paid for? Believe me, I was livid. Korean came out and I chewed that man out over the phone, I know a couple of my responses were "My credit card ends in XXXX, do you want the transaction number? This is how much I paid..." and my friends were around to tell me how much they paid. All in all, at the end of the conversation the man over the phone said, "nevermind, but you folks still underpaid." REALLY? If that is seriously the case.. I'd like to hear from the manager because money ain't a problem for myself or ANY of my friends. Besides that, the rest of my friends ordered the following: kabocha & bacon, deep fried rock shrimp, hamburger steak, four cheese pizza, ahi & octopus, ahi sashimi (forgot the name but it came with a pretty delicious shoyu sauce) .... everything was ono, just wish the uni pasta was a larger serving & presented nicer for the price. Someone remind me to check my CC statement to make sure they don't OVERCHARGE me! Haha. Assholes.

    (3)

  • Alex A.

    A friend recommended coming here for the food. I wanted to try P+J because I've recently turned into a massive beer geek, but figured an affordable place with good food would be better for the company involved. I'm glad we decided to come here as everything was fantastic! We came during Happy Hour which runs from when they open at 5pm - 7pm. They actually do have a nice drink menu filled with sake, wine, etc. and some good beers, but I opted for the $3 HH special (either Kirin or Bud Light) just because it was so affordable. Ice cold Kirin? I can dig it...especially with the delicious food. The food we included was: Pumpkin and Bacon (so good), Cheese Gyoza (delicious in its cheesy goodness), Wafu Hamburger Steak w/ Mash, Kim Chee Omurice, and a poke and salad dish. I would order pretty much everything listed here again (though maybe not salad because I'm not a big salad eater). The service was very friendly and attentive, although it could have been due to our friend knowing the people who run the joint. Food orders and beer refills came very quick and frequently. Will definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    Came here for GNO with 2 girlfriends. The happy hour menu is a bit small and limited but the price was good. Everything we ate here was delicious and unique. The service was pretty slow but the food made up for it. Will definitely be back again. Mentaiko Mayo Pasta: I love mentaiko. Adding mayo just enhances the flavor. The pasta was nice and with a salty flavor. This got eaten up rather quickly. Shabu Shabu Salad: I wasn't expecting much when my friend insisted we order this since it didn't sound very tasty - but it was great. Loved the ginger-y shoyu dressing on the thinly sliced pieces of pork. Wish they had more cucumbers though. Eggpant with sauce: forgot what the name of this dish was, but you need new plates when eating this because the sauce gets all over the place. Probably won't order again. Pesto Pizza: I think this was my least favorite of the bunch since I'm using the eating really gourmet pizza elsewhere. It wasn't bad though. TIP: Make sure you don't park by the gate.. I did not know that there was a paybox and ended up getting a ticket.

    (4)

  • Sierra C.

    Quite a few of my friends stop by Chez Kenzo for after-work drinks and food, so I was eager to as well. FOOD The cheese gyoza. That is all. SO. DELICIOUS. Food portions aren't the largest, but the taste is satisfying enough. SERVICE The workers were very friendly, although our table wasn't checked up on as often as we would have liked. OVERALL Great for a night out with friends and some light appetizers. The ambiance is also more contemporary and chill compared to other bars & grills. The dim lighting and the sparkly tables stood out to me though; try using flash in pictures - the tables look great!

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Good salty bar food off of an interesting menu that warrants more visits. Japanese/Italian with some kimchi thrown in. Reasonably priced especially during happy hour. Why the four stars then? Acoustics are so bad that when its full, it's nearly impossible to carry on a conversation without yelling directly into the persons ear. Still going back though. Just have to text each other.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    Somewhat fine dining but without the price tag. The atmosphere is quite nice here, lights dimmed with a small tabletop candle. Perfect for date night with your bf/gf. My friends and I were the youngest patrons with everyone else ranging between 30's-50's. Tonight was slow which was great for me! Food and service was quick and the waiter provided recommendations as well. I wonder what kind of draft system they use because my beer came out perfect! Super cold and delicious! especially after a long day at work! :) They must maintain and clean it too. I LOVE Gyoza!! throw some cheeese on those bad boys and you got yourself a "superfood" hahaha!! :) The regular poke was alright.. Majority of the dish was onions.. :( The Kimchee Hiyayakko (cold tofu) was tasty and not too strong of a kimchee taste which doesn't leave your breath smelling afterwards. Hamburger steak was super moist and served with mash potatoes AND loaded with onions again.. :P For pastas I ordered the uni and the crab meat. Both were delicious! It was my first time eating uni and I loved it more than I thought! Overall my experience was good except for when the busser scolded my friend for trying to help him put the plates together.. that really irritated us. anyways, I would definitely return! Our waiter said the menu will be changing so I'm looking forward to new items!

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    This was our second visit to Chez Kenzo. The first time, I was expecting a lot (being a big fan of Genius) and found the experience a little disappointing. We got the salmon salad which I found too strong (onions? wasabi?), and I wasn't too impressed with the garlic bacon kabocha even though it is usually a favorite of mine. And the cheese gyoza was a tad over-hyped. I do love cheese but these didn't do it for me. I should note that my fiance loved everything and had a "more for me!!" mentality with regards to the salmon salad. He's the one who suggested we come back. He was right (it happens from time to time...). We got the shabu shabu salad and it was amazing. The light dressing and greens are a great offset to the thin slices of beef. We also ordered the crab pasta (lots of crab, as others have said, and not too heavy, but filling) and the mini filet with wasabi relish (delicious, and it came with mashed potatoes!). Everything was flavorful but not overly salted. Almost home-cooking-esque. Service was also great! Before we left, one of the servers came over to explain that we should probably make reservations if we come in on weekends. His concern was sweet but on the other hand we had just walked in around 8/8:30 on a Saturday night and were seated right away. So....we're all functioning adults here, make reservations, or don't, it's up to you.

    (4)

  • Lynda T.

    We were looking for a nice place to meet some friends and have some good happy hour food and drinks! Well you could say we sure found a great place, food was teriffic, drinks kept us happy and service was excellent. Our server, Richie was well informed and answered all our questions and made our night so fun! We practically had everything on their happy hour menu, all were super and ended the night with the Parfait, since Richie said it was good and you can bet it was. We did call for reservations, just to be sure to get a table, it gets really crowded after 7 or 8 pm and the noise level does go up. The parking was free at night.

    (5)

  • Troy T.

    After attending the Yelp Movie event with my friend we were discussing where we were going to eat, my friend Ryan I. suggested Chez Kenzo Bar and Grill. First time there and really had no idea what to expect. Location - near Sasabune, where the Italian restaurant Verbano use to be. Atmosphere - upon walking in I noticed a decent amount of tables, it was quiet, cozy, with dimmed lighting(not dark). It was overall a comfortable feel to the establishment. Service - servers were quick to acknowledge us, and came by a couple times before we figured out what to order. Really welcoming and friendly, no complaints here. Food - We were so hungry We were ready to order half the menu and couldn't figure out what we wanted. server recommended the wafu hamburger steak, pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic, and hane cheese gyoza. Before we ended up with a $200 dollar check we decided to just start with the wafu hamburger steak, pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic, and uni pasta. Drinks we had a carafe of house sake, and two Kirins from the tap. We finished the night with deep fried octopus, fried whole garlic, and two more Kirins. Wafu hamburger steak - decent size burger, slightly dry, onions were not caramelized enough, mashed potatoes were yummy, and the gravy that was poured onto everything saved the dish. pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic - best dish I tried there, the pumpkin was cooked just right for me, but I wish there was more of the yummy bacon. uni pasta - some people like shiso, but I don't really care for it, not on Uni pasta at least. This is just my opinion but the shiso was a distraction to the dish since the uni was barely noticeable. If there was more uni then maybe the shiso would've been a compliment instead of a distraction. Fettuccine noodles and more more uni in the sauce would've made my night. Anyone who orders uni pasta probably LOVES uni, more the merrier. deep fried octopus - it was lightly battered, tender, and the sauce for it was yummy. fried whole garlic - I was excited but I was expecting it to be more caramelized and softer. Good idea but could've been executed better... It would probably have been better if they roasted it instead... I'd probably go back if I had friends that wanted to go, but I'm not entirely sure if I'd be the one to choose to go back...

    (3)

  • LesliAnn K.

    I love(d) Genius Lounge. For the unsurpassable sake selection and eclectic bar food, and the service. In my Yelp Youth, Genius provided me the backdrop to grow and nurture my foodie passions so I will always look back fondly on that place. *let's take a moment of silence for Genius... Ok, This place is Genius all grown up, and I'm ready to take that step forward with them. I know now. I know that Chez Kenzo is the place to shift towards. In town! Free parking, OMG yes. And, seeing Grant "Chuggy Bear" S. and Kim M. (nice to finally meet you!) on the same night with different parties, you know they know too! Three Yelp Elites checked in at one time, unplanned, thats gotta say something! The food menu is an unapologetic, expansive menu of whatever it is you would like to find on there. Despite the quantity, still manages to maintain its quality. Spanning from hummus plate, garlic french bread, ahi carpaccio, and japanese fusion pastas, to chazuke. All of the favorites I've come to know and love at Genius are here, including kabocha bacon, and natto cheese omelette. $5 house sake was the Tamano-hikari junmai. House sake never tasted so good. Yes, speaking for myself and other value-concious individuals, we order house sakes/wines/etc when we go out since yes, it will be cheap. But I can't say the quality is always up to par. Well, this $5 sake is a bit dangerous, because the serving size is so big, and it goes down so smooth, most amazing value ever that I hope they never EVER get rid of this and I want you all to know about it that I will continue to run this sentence on and on until you fully understand. So there. The sake menu isn't as extensive here , but they still have my favorites, so no complaints there. No stomachache despite mixing all kine any kine genres of food. It just works. Maybe because the sake is sooo dericious! Happy Hour 5-7, see you there.

    (4)

  • Steph K.

    Came here for happy hour, which is from 5-7pm. LOVE THEIR DRINK MENU: $5 House Sake/Sake-Tini $4 Wines by the Glass/Sake Cocktails $3 Homemade Sangria/Draft Beer (16oz) $2 Sake Shot They also have a happy hour food menu. I ordered the four cheese pizza. Soooooooo good. The crust was thin and they used pesto sauce on their pizza. From their regular menu, I had the menchi katsu. It came with mashed potatoes and shreds of cabbage with a delicious dressing ontop. The katsu was nice and soft. They mixed pork and beef in the menchi mix so it kinda had a hamburger taste to it. Definitely coming back here again. :)

    (5)

  • Katie N.

    I enjoyed Genius Lounge very much, and as well as Chez Kenzo!! Food is similar or exactly the same, atmosphere is a bit different. Always love the recommendation of different type of Sake and yet never failed or dislikes any!! I would recommend this place because of the food and customer service.

    (5)

  • Cary I.

    Foie gras!!! Japanese style pasta!!! Spent two weeks in Hawaii and went to this place 3 times in those two weeks The menu items were GREAT and I loved every dish they brought out. I'm sure I will be back here on my next trip.

    (5)

  • R L.

    Just added Chez Kenzo's B&G to my favorite Happy Hour list. The Happy Hour is from 5-7pm with drinks ranging around $3 - $5 and their food and attentive service were awesome.

    (5)

  • Kimo S.

    I really wanted to like this place a bit more but I had a few turn-off issues that dropped me to a very fair 4-star review. 1. Service was initially very slow, hard to get wait staff to take drink orders and they didn't check on us as frequently as I would have liked. Especially given that only 1/4 of the place was full. 2. Prices were a bit up there, for a party of four we spent close to $200. Just a tad priced more than I thought was reasonable (given the portion sizes). 3. Dark. Very dark. Had to use my phone to read the menu. Adjust the lighting a bit. Overall though, the food was good... a HUGE selection so you'll definitely need to bring a group (like we did) to even make a dent. I was actually surprised by how many dishes they offer. Still, we followed recommendations from Yelp and found that almost all of the dishes were enjoyable.

    (4)

  • Miki H.

    Opened by the owner of Genius Lounge, Chez Kenzo is half bar and half restaurant--sort of. We made a reservation for Friday night but when we showed up, the situation was fairly chaotic. You enter through the bar and walk through to the tables which are in a partially divided space but there's no hostess or person to seat you. There was one man frantically running from table to table and between the tables and the bar who acknowledged our presence and kept saying, "I'll be with you in one minute." but we waited over 5 minutes, blocking the passage between the two spaces before trying to get his attention again, at which point, he pointed at a table in the back corner and said that was our table. With that experience to start with, I was very concerned. A few minutes later, the same man came over, told us that there was a huge backlog in the kitchen and that the food was going to take a loooong time. However, after our friends had found a babysitter for the night and we were finally seated, we said okay and tried to place our order as soon as possible. He was super up front which I appreciated and he brought the guys a second beer on the house because the wait for food was so long. Extra brownie points. The menu is written both in English and Japanese but if you can read Japanese, definitely go by that description because some things are not translated properly while others are translated oddly. For example, Hire Katsu which is made with pork tenderloin (arguably the filet of pork) is translated as Filet Katsu--kind of misleading if you're not familiar with the dish and are expecting beef because of the English name. Anyway, aside from that little hiccup, the food is delicious! We ordered the ume pasta, crab in light tomato cream sauce pasta, uni pasta, beef shabu salad, cheese gyoza, pumpkin bacon, wafu hamburger (incidentally this is more of a demi glace sauce not oroshi ponzu like it usually is) and kimchee omurice. While some of the preparations are a little more western than you would find in Japan, the flavors are overall exactly what you would expect and oh so good! Super delicious food in a super casual setting. Now that you know what to expect, don't hesitate to go and check it out!

    (5)

  • Law G.

    Great place, good food, awesome service, only a 4 star review because there is so much more food and drink to explore, special thanks to our waiter Steve for all the information and making us feel so welcome, we will return, excellent service paired with good food is rare today...

    (4)

  • Jill Y.

    I am totally biased because I just adore Chef Kenzo. He's the awesome bartender who you'll often seen pouring a stiff drink. I remember him from when he worked at Genius and he was always so nice and friendly so I decided to check his new place out with my boyfriend a few days ago. It was pretty empty when we went around 5:30 pm, but Ken said it picks up later and especially on the weekends. Guys, this is the hot new place to go! Forget Home Bar and Grill with it's crazy parking. I know locals will be packing into Chez Kenzo for the great food and awesome atmosphere. So everyone before has pretty much said everything their is to say about, but I got the inside dish--apparently the dancers from 939, yes, Club 939, come over for about an hour to drink and relax between shifts for about an hour. So any guys out there who like gawking at strippers? Well, sometimes they will be at Chez Kenzo with clothes on. Just thought it would be funny to let you all know this. The food: That's all that one cares about, right? Portuguese bean soup--WINNER. I can't describe to you how much I love PBS. Please just take my word and order it. It's only five dollars and you can share with a friend or greedily stuff it down your throat. Cheese pizza--made with pesto instead of tomato sauce. A surprising and nice touch. Arrabbiata pasta--delicious, perfectly al dente, so flavorful, and only $10! Pasta in this town can be $22 for a simple tomato sauce so I consider this place a great deal. Like most Japanese establishments the portions are a little smaller, but not nearly as eye-boggling small as Genius. They are reasonable portions. I am actually glad the portions are not mega-super-awesome-gigantic because let's face it, Americans as a whole tend to be a little overweight and we don't need to be eating giant portions anyway! Because the portions are reasonable and not insane like say, Buca di Beppo, you can order more dishes! Love this place and I have a feeling it will become a super crazy popular place. I'm going to recommend it as pau hana place and as meet-up with your best buds place before 11 pm.

    (5)

  • Ayshen T.

    I was going to hold off on writing a review so I could try other food items since the menu is quite extensive. But I just couldn't wait to let people know how good the food is! Food - Most of the things I've tried were delicious! A MUST (if you like ume) is the ume pasta. I was a little hesitant to get it at first cause although I love ume, it did sound like it might be strange. On my second visit I really wanted to try something different, but the ume pasta was so good the first time I tried it that I HAD to get it again! My bf had the uni pasta. When I tried it, the uni flavor is very strong. I don't like uni so I don't like it, but guarantee people who like uni would love it (like my bf). Crab meat pasta was just ok, nothing special and I probably wouldn't get it again. The fried chicken says it's Japanese mochiko chicken, but it was more of a karaage instead (unless they changed recipe cause the server & tab called it karaage). Fried octopus is really good. I like the dipping sauce that comes with it (think it's ponzu ginger). The foie gras was really good too! I was scared to try it again since the last time I had foie gras at Hiroshi, I wanted to spit out. The parfait dessert was yummy! It has so many different layers so it doesn't get boring to eat. It was a little hard to eat from the glass and we had to eat the top layers first before being able to reach the cereal on the bottom. Would be better in a bowl so you could get a little bit of everything in each bite, but then it would be more of a sundae rather than a parfait. Drinks - Sensy was good. It's pretty much a hello kitty without 151. Saketini was great. They also have a cappuccino vodka that I got chilled and it was really good (had about 4 ^_^). Service was great. Food comes out fairly quickly but it wasn't super busy, so not sure how it is during rush hour. Steph was awesome. She told us the foie gras was really good so this is what made us get it. She came by quite often to make sure we were doing ok. Can't wait to go back again to try other items like the pumpkin and bacon sauté, shabu shabu salad, mentaiko pasta, mushroom bacon pasta and the yuzu cheese cake!

    (5)

  • Lani D.

    Love this place! Especially during Happy Hour (5-7pm) when they offer $3 sangrias. How can you not? Food is amazing, the wait staff is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is perfect if you're looking to have drinks and delish food with a group of friends. My faves are the mentaiko pasta and kabocha & bacon, but everything on the menu is pretty much yummy. Even though they get busy, food still comes out fast and is always served hot. Would definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Robert C.

    Rating: 4.5/5 Date(s) Visited: 2/16/13 Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Price: 4/5 For most people, I am sure there will be a split-second before opening the door where the thought that they are about to enter a hostess bar will cross their mind. If this happens, I would strongly encourage you proceed anyways. Despite the unholy black window tint penetrated only by a lonely neon open sign, Chez Kenzo's interior, food, and service are far classier than the exterior would suggest. Don't judge a book by its cover. Food Our evening started with an order of hiyayakko. As I explained to my dining partner who seemed puzzled by my order, "Any place offering Japanese food can be judged by how good its hiyayakko is." I was very pleasantly surprised. The tofu, rather than being mushy, was excitingly firm. It was topped with generous heaps of katsuobushi, ginger, and green onions. No fancy sauces, no crazy toppings - just well-executed traditional Japanese fare. I also ordered their "Maui Onion and Pine Nut Salad". I was expecting the onions to be mixed with salad greens and topped with pine nuts, but it was nothing more than an elegant mound of Maui onion shavings, pine nuts, and a yuzu-like sauce. The Maui onions were clean, crisp, and refreshing. When eaten with pine nuts and sauce, the result is a graceful dance of sweet, nutty, and tangy. My friend also ordered their "Hane Cheese Gyoza". In essence, it is a meat gyoza with a thick layer of melted cheese and a mustard sauce. The dish definitely tastes fattening, but it did so without being heavy. I think the mustard helped lift the item, but it would have been nice if there was a bit more sauce on the plate and if it was a bit spicier. Their "Original Poke" was one of the pricier items we ordered. A small pile of poke and onions was served on a plate decorated with their spicy sauce. At first I was not expecting the sauce to be anything special, but after five seconds of waiting it was as though I had swallowed fire. That may be a bad thing for some people, but when mixed with the icy fish and onions, it had a pleasant finish. My friend ordered their "Crab Meat Pasta". Personally, I thought it tasted too crabby and did not have more than a few mouthfuls, but my friend enjoyed it a lot. The sauce was quite generous, so they must have also been generous with the crab. Things from the sea with exoskeletons are not really my cup of tea, I guess. Our final order was the "Steak Fries". The thick, crispy, and moist planks of potato were served with melted cheese and a pinch of some sort of seasoning salt. I could not tell what it was beyond just salt, but it had a slight kick to it. Bar food? Sure - but it was good bar food. We also ordered their sangria, Moscow Mule, and Vampire. I found their sangria to be a bit on the strong side, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Their Moscow Mule and Vampire were amazing. Neither too strong nor too weak, you could detect the alcohol, but you primarily tasted the ingredients that went into the drink. Service The service here is very good. Food is brought and cleared away quickly. The servers are friendly, willing to explain the menu, and offer refills. You just have to make sure that you make eye contact with them if you want to order something, especially once the restaurant starts to get full. They might be appropriately staffed for the few hours after they first open, but afterwards it looks and feels like they could do with an extra pair of hands. No matter how rushed they look, however, they never sound like they are slammed when they talk to you. Grace under pressure. Atmosphere If you plan on catching up with someone at Chez Kenzo, your best times are between 5 and 8. The restaurant is reasonably quiet and relaxed. You can talk without being loud or having to wait for the people nearby to stop laughing. Afterwards, though, the place feels more and more bar-like. Alcohol begins to raise everyone's volume, leading to table pounding and shots all around. It is still enjoyable if that is what you are here to do, but it is somewhat irritating otherwise. When it is still reasonably quiet, they play an interesting mix of contemporary acoustics and big band music. It makes the place feel both modern and classy. The subdued interior gives a sense of distance between tables and encourages unobtrusive conversation - at least for a time. Price I expected our several hours of food and drink to come to approximately $80, but was pleased to see that it cost us a more modest $70. The portions were not exactly generous, but they were certainly appropriate for the quality. They do have happy hour from 5-7 if you are looking to save a few bucks, but otherwise I doubt anyone can come away from an experience here feeling cheated. Chez Kenzo is a bit pricey certainly, but it is a sensible choice for anyone who wants to stay out of Waikiki without sacrificing the experience.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    The best thing on the menu is the gyoza covered in cheese! We also ordered the kabocha w/ bacon, wagyu beef and lobster, all were mediocre.

    (3)

  • Brian K.

    I had my birthday celebration here -- meaning I don't remember coming out of the lockers after halftime -- but from what I remember, it was a nice experience. The layout is simple yet effective. The menu has a lot of items and it's a full bar. It's the same owners as Genius Lounge, so the taste is similar to what you'd expect from there. I didn't order much food but I drank every drink known to man (or at least known to the bartenders). I wasn't disappointed with anything I've seen there. Parking is convenient and free (Bank of Hawaii parking lot) and the location is centralized in the heart of town. I'd definitely go back, if they'd let me come back (my party was a little bit hectic lol)..

    (4)

  • Christopher M.

    Fun place to hangout after hours. No hassle looking for parking. I really like the back dining area. Nicely lit in an elegant way that encourages nice get togethers for business or pleasure. Front areas spacious and makes me want to get my yopparai action on. I just dropped in one monday night looking for drinks and a good time. My friends brought me here basically for the new bar factor. The servers showed us fun times. Servers and Bartenders looked ridiculously good looking... or maybe they got my beer goggles on SUPER FAST! HOH-NYOOOOOO. I guess I gotta go back to double check.

    (5)

  • Nate G.

    It is one of current go-to spots right now. Creative dishes. The expansive menu is great, but can be overwhelming. Stick to the Kabocha Bacon, Mentaiko Pasta, Cheese Gyoza, and the Portuguese Bean Soup. The Tako Mentai is great, but ask them to slice the pieces smaller.

    (4)

  • Kelsey M.

    I had been wanting to try Chez Kenzo for a while and was not disappointed. Came here with my bf and cousin and we brought our large appetites. We tried the menchi katsu, kabocha with bacon, uni pasta, gyoza with cheese, and the hamburger steak. All were delicious! Great place to come with a group of friends. I'd love to come back for happy hour.

    (5)

  • Kalani S.

    I'm very impress with the original owners of Genius lounge to open up a new Bar & Grill outside of Waikiki. The quality of food is the same if not better than Genius Lounge. Looking forward to the customer appreciation night on Monday.

    (5)

  • David T.

    I came here with friends last week and have mixed feelings about this place. The atmosphere is great but the food we tried was terrible. We ordered the chicken karaage and it was raw. The outside was fried but the meat itself was pink. It also lacked taste and the spice mixture they serve it with wasn't that good. The serving was small, maybe 4 or 5 small pieces of raw fried chicken, all for around 9 bucks... I ordered the hamburger steak, which tasted a little off. The sauce (I wouldn't call it gravy) was very watery (not thin, but watery). I didn't like it and even if I did, for 12 bucks, the dish was much less than filling. The mash potato served with it was very chunky. The portion size was smaller than a mini plate anywhere else, for double the price. I get that this is a restaurant, so I expect to pay the price, but the quality wasn't there for me. I did like the atmosphere, though it may be too loud for some people. It was also incredibly dark but I didn't mind. The drinks were alright, I would come back to hang out and drink but I'd probably order food elsewhere.

    (2)

  • arin k.

    As expected, the food was excellent. The only bummer was that they were out of the kimchi omu-rice so I didn't get to try it. But the waiter was very helpful in suggesting other dishes to try. The food we did get was very tasty and nicely presented. The waitstaff are all very friendly and helpful - they get 5 stars as does the food. The only reason I rated the place overall as 4 stars is because of the noise! There were two large groups, and given the design of the restaurant with hard floors and high ceilings the noise was almost unbearable. I had to shout for my friend to hear me and even then we had a hard time carrying on a conversation. In what looks like a nice place for a date, the noise makes it feel more like a sports bar when a big game is on. Will try again, hoping that the noise was unique to this one night... Oh, and I did notice that most people were pretty dressed up. Everyone looked either like they came straight from an office job or were going out to party after. Not a t-shirt and jeans kind of place.

    (4)

  • Tricia M.

    i'd already given my stamp of approval to Genius Lounge so thought Chez Kenzo was a safe bet for a double date. located where Verbano used to be on south king street, the trendy decor, loungey music and noisy patrons breathes new energy to the space - i loved the vibe! there's a sports bar area with standup tables, stools and tv's, a dining area with more comfortable tables and chairs, and a semi-private nook that seems to amplify the merriment taking place in there. as for the food and drink, it's pretty much the same menu as Genius. we arrived before 7 so were able to order some happy hour items such as fried rock shrimp, pesto pasta, garlic french bread, beer and the biggest pours of daiginjo sake you'll ever get for $5. from the regular menu we tried nagoya chicken wings (3 pieces per order, tasty but messy), kabocha with bacon (prolly their most popular item), cheese gyozas (more like ravioli with all that cheese) and french fries. the damage before tip was $82 - not bad for stuffing 2 drinking guys and 2 pregnant women! the cherries on top are free parking and more central location. so what's higher than genius? apparently, some dude named kenzo!

    (5)

  • Local B.

    There are enough staff around but can't say the service is efficient because of that. The owner types are sort of standing around getting in the way of a couple of the more harder working and energetic young staff members. Lots of food choices, probably too many in my opinion, but they seemed to have kept up the fine quality Japanese bar/lounge food offerings from Genius Lounge. The crowd ranges from super young to seniors due mainly to the demographics of this area. Tourist couples and local industry staff round out the clientele profile. Drinks are all good pours but would like to see a more middle range choice in wines, both red and white. Gone are the days when people will splurge on the higher end offerings they have. Echoing the comment of a fellow Yelper, "where's the uni in the uni pasta?!?!?"

    (3)

  • Carol B.

    An amazing place of seemingly familiar dishes prepared in an oh so imaginative and delicious way. I went there twice on my week long trip to Honolulu. Think of pumpkin and bacon, yummm. Ume Pasta your style? Deliciously tart. Check out the menu on their website to tantalize you. Not a fancy place and crowded. Looks like they have a policy during the Happy Hour on Friday of no reservations before 9 pm. They felt sorry for me after I begged so they saved a fine table for 4 for me. The place was packed with well dressed diners and drinkers, probably going to the Bruno concert afterwards. Interestingly, after the place cleared out about 7:30 or so a new throng replaced them with more casually dressed diners and drinkers. All the while the food was fresh and delicious. The salad dressing was to die for. Every month we are in Honolulu we try to eat at new places but we will continue to go here. Thanks Sharon for recommending it. BTW, the staff is so friendly and appreciative. As we left every single staff person we encountered thanked us profusely as if we were royalty.

    (5)

  • Janette F.

    A friend wanted to try this place so ventured over to see what it was like. Parking is free in the lot at night so that was a plus. I had been to Verbano once at this location and cannot remember anything about it. Walking in, it is dark (mostly black) but has a "bar" feeling. The bar is in the front area with seats as high as the table so not sure what that is all about. Luckily, my friend was NOT sitting in the bar area and I found her in the inner restaurant area. Phew! She was there with a beer and told me she ordered it because it was happy hour until 7. It was 6:57p so wanted to order an HH beer but it was tough getting the attention of on of the 2 servers. Finally, when he came, I asked if I can order HH and he said I was 3 minutes over but would get it in at the HH price. I ordered a beer and humus from the HH menu. What a relief, since I got no attention for 6 minutes. The beer and humus came. The presentation of the humus was really nice but that was about it. The flat bread it was supposed to come with was the Costco/Sam's Club flattened bagel and the humus was not creamy at all. Total disappointment. We continued to study the menu (me for vegetarian options and she for something inviting) and it was at least 20 minutes before one of the 2 waiters came around to ask what we wanted. My friend ordered the Citrus Chicken (with yuzu). I opted to wait since I was still tackling the substandard humus. The chicken came and I ordered the pirikara konyaku. My friend said the chicken was good, but the pirikara konyaky was way too sweet and not spicy enough. Another disappointment for me, After another snub for at least 20 minutes, we were able to order our next round of drinks. We both ordered the sake sampler. It was nice. Three different chilled sakes with an explanation of each one. Best if drunk from left to right but, of course, I drank from right to left before I read the accompanying material. It was good nonetheless. We then decided to share the kamaage udon but it took at least another 30 minutes to get anyone's attention. When in came, it was nicely cooked and a decent dish. Dinner tonight took 2 hours and 34 minutes. The only factor was the fact that they have 2 servers for the entire place and it was packed. Customer service should be tantamount in the success of any restaurant. I suggest they get more people to serve the clientele. Food portions are rather large so sharing dishes with a group of 4 is the best ratio, in my opinion. My personal desire is that they make their dishes smaller so that one cane order more dishes to sample more options. The other down side was that the noise level was horrendously high. People laughing sounded like it was piercing, which prevented a decent conversation.

    (3)

  • Clay K.

    Read the TGI Friday review so went to check it out. Lots of free parking but pretty crowded and I found out why. Drink prices are low by comparison and the menu is pretty impressive. We had the shabu shabu salad which was very good and the cheese gyoza which was absolutely delicious. Next was the kabocha pumpkin with crispy bacon, whoever created this dish is pure genius. Last was the crab pasta and this was not immitation crab flavor but real crab and oh so delicious. It gets kinda noisy but thats expected when everyone is having a good time and enjoying fabulous food. O the staff was friendly and kitchen service was fast. I will add this to my list of favorites.

    (4)

  • Juva G.

    I've always been a fan of Genius Lounge, but the fact that it is in Waikiki makes me not want to go very often. My boyfriend is the one who found Chez Kenzo, and he's the one who suggested we try it out. We went in on a Friday night (not always the best choice if you are wanting to get seated quickly) and when we got there, as expected, it was quite crowded. They have a section where it looks like you can stand and drink if if gets too crazy busy, but one of the ladies sat us at the bar, and told us that we could start there, and once a table opened, we would get seated. We were perusing the drink menu and deciding on some pupus to share. We knew what we wanted, but we no one came to take our order, so when they told us we could sit at a table about 10 minutes later, we were pretty much ready to go. We both ordered drinks that came super fast. I got the St. Jameson (they use the St. Germain elderflower liquer and it is DELICIOUS) and my boyfriend got the Moscow Mule. The drinks, while a but pricey, are insanely good, and they give you enough that you won't need to re-order right away. We then ordered the Sauteed Pumpkin and Bacon as a starter, and went ahead and ordered the Carbonara to get something a little more filling. The wait for the food was about 20 minutes or so, which wasn't unexpected, due to the crowd. I really wanted water, but the waitstaff never came back to ask us if we needed anything, so I just enjoyed my drink. When the food arrived, it was well worth the wait. The Carbonara was satisfyingly creamy and savory (HUGE pieces of bacon...yum!) and the Pumpkin and Bacon was as good as it has always been, maybe even better than I recall it being at Genius. When we were all finished, it took us a bit to get our check, but with only the two dishes and a drink apiece, we were happily full, and we both want to come back, preferably on a less busy night. The only downside I would say about this place is that it is very loud. I feel like it might be very loud even if it wasn't as crowded, there doesn't seem to be any wall hangings or anything that help absorb the noise, so everything just kind of buzzes around you.

    (4)

  • Big A.

    A comfortable open bar and grill atmosphere with a very decent drinks, sake selection and sake drink specials that were a great value! The food was excellent with decent portions and again a great value! The Kabocha bacon, 4 cheese pizza, Caprese Salad, and Foie Gras was very good. The Fresh Ahi poke portions left us a little disappointed with the portion of Ahi in comparison with the mountain of onions (possibly due to high fish prices) although the flavors were good. It was more like onion poke with ahi. Drinks were very generously poured. Wait staff was average to good depending on the waiter. Food comes out very quickly although it was not very crowded. I would definitely go back again to try some of the other menu items.

    (4)

  • Zance T.

    Went down on a friday night during happy hour (from 5-7p.m) and had a really awesome time. Great food for really good prices. Asahi and Kirin are $3 and the Pesto Pasta we got was in their happy hour menu for $6.They have a decent size happy hour menu with decent size portions! between the two of us we ordered 4 asahis, two $2 sake shots (pretty smooth), Pesto pasta ($6) and some bread which came out to around $25 not bad for a chill spot to hang out! Good Good

    (5)

  • B W.

    Loved this place. Great variety of food, service was great, and prices reasonable. Tried the pesto pasta, kabocha with bacon, hamburg steak, hayashi chuuka, wasabi steak, cheesy gyoza, and the cheese fries. Loved almost all of it. The cheese fries were ordered by friends of ours who got there earlier, so they were a bit cold by the time we had them. But they seemed to be just fries with cheese anyways. The pesto pasta was perfectly cooked and had just the perfect pesto taste. Simple, yet delicioius. The kabocha with bacon was great as well. Kabocha was nice and soft, and bacon flavorful and decently crispy. Good portion size on this one. Hamburg steak was good - even better when we dipped it in the wasabi sauce from the other dish. Wasabi steak pieces were perfectly cooked as well and came with two sauces, but the wasabi sauce was definitely the better one. Their cold ramen (hayashi chuuka) was the best i've ever had. Hands down. Perfect amount of sauce, noodles were of a great consistency, and plenty of accompaniments that you'd normally expect. And the cheesy gyoza - holy crap. I don't think i can eat gyoza WITHOUT melted cheese anymore. It's just too good. A definite must-get. Really wanted to try the mentaiko pasta as well, but we had to go somewhere. Will have to do that next time I'm back, which is a definite must. With food like this, didn't really care at all about the ambiance, which was fine, if not a little dark. Anyways, HIT. THIS. PLACE. UP.

    (5)

  • Kim Y.

    Stopped in with a few girlfriends during a weeknight and it was empty. First glance, we thought they were closed, but a friendly waitress came over and helped us right away. I've seen instagram photos of yummy dishes, so we decided to get the bacon and kabocha, mentaiko pasta, steak and garlic mash, and the hamachi. There were 4 of us so we figured that would be a good amount of food to share. However, their portions are pretty small and a little overpriced. The food was tasty, I think we made some good choices. Overall, I'd probably return...

    (4)

  • Cheryl D.

    A "must" for foodies! Definitely not your typical bar & grill...4 stars all around! Fine dining experience with a casual and relaxed atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Ross N.

    Went there last week. Food was great and service was awesome. Interesting style of service. Different servers stop by your table and ask if you need anything. You don't have to wait for your original server. And they all have great suggestions on what to try. We had multiple dishes of different items. All were really good.

    (5)

  • Rupert L.

    Great service and awesome atmosphere. Really chill place. Drinks come very quickly and really good. Never got a chance to get food but will definitely get food next time.

    (4)

  • Sandy P.

    I like this place! The food is yummy and the wait staff so attentive! I must sound like a snoot in my Honolulu reviews but i blame the fact that i'm from LA...we just have a higher standard here. lol....sorry, Hawaii!! But don't fret, this place actually meets that expectation. :) Yahhhh!

    (5)

  • Suzanne A.

    Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill: the happiest place for happy hour!!! (From 5pm opening to 7pm) FYI make reservations. This place gets packed. Everything I've had so far on their menu is delicious and their drink selection is great. Their house sake is easy to down, and I'm not a huge sake drinker. So on to all the dishes I've tried. On the happy hour menu, I've had the garlic french bread, four cheese pizza, pesto pasta, and shrimp cocktail. The garlic bread is to die for. It comes with a loaf of toasted crispy french bread that's been baked with tons of garlic, butter, and herbs in the middle. So when you tear a piece off, the buttery goodness oozes out. #foodporn. Omg but seriously, it's yummy. I also really enjoyed the pizza and pesto pasta. The shrimp cocktail sauce has a really good horseradish kick. It made me tear a bit, but it was so delicious. Everything on their happy hour menu ranges around $6. Pretty good deal. Venturing into the regular menu, I've also tried the garlic bacon-fried kabocha, salmon steak, and cheese gyoza. All soooo heavenly. The kabocha is japanese pumpkin that has been sautéed in garlic and bacon, so that the kabocha tastes just like bacon. The salmon steak comes with a rich soy cream sauce and bits of fried won ton strips. The cheese gyoza is 6 pieces of spinach pork gyoza that is fried with a thick crispy layer of cheese, and topped off with, I think, chinese mustard. All super delicious and would recommend!! Writing these reviews makes me so hungry....haha Anyway, the service is great. Last time I went, the server gave us a free round of sake!! I guess he had to finish the bottle. Super friendly!!! Definitely gets my vote for favorite happy hour place.

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Atmosphere perfect for hanging out with friends. .. Staff is friendly! went during happy hour so we got good deals on delicious food and awesome drinks!.. Big variety on their menu... ordered Kim chee rice with fluffy eggs...different but delish! .Happy Hour saketini..... so good, I had 6!!..Definitely going back!

    (4)

  • Michael T.

    You know how Norm and Cliff used to hang out daily at Cheer's, where everyone knew their name? Well, my friends (affectionately known as Papa, Mr. T., Muscular S., and, on occasion, Press and Chubby M.) and I (aka "The P." or the "employee") would be classified as habitues of Chez Kenzo as well. We not only go almost every day (well, to be honest, on average, once or twice a week), but the workers have come to know our names and we have come to know theirs. The decor is simple and, in one respect, quirky: for months, there were no chairs to go with the tables in the bar area; now, the beautiful new stools are, interestingly, higher than the tables (raising the perplexing question, "how do I sit and eat at this table without straining my back"). But the real reasons my friends and I continue to return are (1) the friendly, sincere and attentive service; (2) the excellent and wide variety of food; (3) the reasonable prices; and (4) the convenient location and ample free parking. All of the workers are friendly, have a great sense of humor, and treat us as friends. They make us feel at home and are attentive without being overbearing. We always feel welcome and appreciated - like Sam from Cheer's, in his heart, felt about Norm and Cliff. Chez Kenzo has a 5-star staff. The menu is extensive and has something for every taste. My personal favorites are the watercress/tofu/taegu salad, the shabu shabu salad, the kabocha pumpkin with bacon, the Portuguese bean soup, the natto/cheese omelet, the jaja nasu, the wafu hamburger steak, the pirikara konnyaku, several of the pasta dishes, and the curry udon. The parfait and tiramisu (when available) are superb desserts. The gang and I have probably eaten our way through 3/4 or more of the menu and we love nearly everything on it. To be perfectly honest, a couple of dishes are only so-so (e.g., the hummus and pita), but most are excellent or outstanding. Even Mr. T., a devout natto-hater, has grown to love the taste, texture and presentation of the natto/cheese omelet, a most unique creation of the chef. Prices are in the $5 to $15 range, and the servings are generous. We love the Happy Hour prices for the four-cheese pizza, the French bread, the Budweiser and Kirin beer on draft, and, especially, the $2 sake shots. Chez Kenzo does not scrimp on the pour or the quality of the sake even during Happy Hour. In all my times there - probably over 50 - I have found parking without a problem. No charge, as long as Bank of Hawaii is closed. You just can't beat that situation in the Kapiolani, Keeaumoku, South King Street area of town. Overall, the place has genuine "heart" and "soul" beyond the food and prices. This extra special quality makes Chez Kenzo a real gem of a place - a legitimate 5-star bar and grill.

    (5)

  • Jenny M.

    Cheese gyoza, wafu hamburger steak and Kim chee pork are delish. Descent beer selection, cool staff and chill vibe makes this place a-ok. Definite multiple return visit ability.

    (4)

  • Kam Kel B.

    The food is yummy! Everything we had tasted so good and the best part is it's always unique. Who would have thought kabocha and bacon could taste SOOO awesome?!

    (4)

  • lauren n.

    AMAZING!!!! hands down on the wafyu steak and crab pasta. the steak was tender and moist, and the crab pasta had lots of crab meat. the service is fast and efficient for a small staff. The last time i went there it was extremely busy but they still made room for our big party by moving the res around. Thumbs up to these guys

    (5)

  • A S.

    I love the fact that they had ample parking, and when you walk inside, it looked very casual (which i like) and even a nice bar area. Now i'm gonna get to the point here, I didn't like the menus... I didn't understand what was in it, nor did anyone else!! We tried to get the waitress to stop but I assume they didn't have assigned tables because they were rushing around helping random people which made taking orders and asking questions a hassle for them and for the customers in my opinion. So luckily I have yelp on my phone to help me figure out what was on the menu. Sad news though, everyone else on yelp had the same problem and ordered things that were on the "safe" side. Chez Kenzo's hamburger steak was good, and their shrimp cocktail was delicious. Overall, if the menu was more clear and they had a little bit more organization, i would've had a better experience. However its not impossible to change these 2 stars to a 5 star if they were more organized

    (2)

  • Ren M.

    We went there for happy hour. We didn't have reservations and although the place was packed, they did their best to accommodate us. The food was delicious! Prices were very reasonable and we had no trouble finding parking. We tried the Shabu Shabu salad, pumpkin and bacon, and other random pickings. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    Very classy environment to dine in. Food presentation was elegant & was more delicious than it looked. The low light setting gives the place a mellow vibe when having a nice drink during happy hour along side with a good amount of pupu choices to choose from. I would defiantly recommend trying & will be a returning customer no doubt.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    i think this place does an awesome job at fusing asian and italian cuisine. it's become one of the go-to place with my friends if we're looking for a place to eat that's a little on the fancier side. plus its open late! some delicious dishes they have are (as some might have already mentioned): kabocha with bacon hane-gyoza garlic bread with mushroom sauce original parfait the waiters/waitresses are always super friendly as well. I definitely recommend going!

    (5)

  • Ikki V.

    It's been about a month since i've been here but for some reason, the filet dish with wasabi/jalapeno relish (?) is stuck in my mind!!!! the kabocha and pumpkin dish was also great. i want to go back just to eat a bowl of the wasabi/jalapeno relish...definitely a MUST TRY with the filet...tastes good on the fries too! :oP

    (4)

  • Jillian P.

    Confused doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this place! Haha. Had I written this review three weeks ago, I would've given it four stars. But as of my last experience, I have to give this place two. Mind you, if my last time here was my first time here, this place would be given ONE star and ONLY because of the inability to give a place ZERO stars. ATMOSPHERE: Like many spots, this place is dimly let and sets the tone for a good (chill/cruise) time with friends or even a semi-romantic evening with a significant other. Definitely graded A for atmosphere. SERVICE: Alright, so my first time here, I was with a friend who's a regular. We were seated quickly... Our drink orders were taken quickly and our food order was taken quickly. Pretty much, they were on spot for everything, even when one of our other friends came a little later, she was tended to promptly. The second time around, HORRIBLE. We waited at the front to be seated, and had to flag someone down for attention. THEN, and here's where the zero stars come into play, once we were seated with our drinks, we were NEVER talked to again. Not to see if we wanted water, not to see if we wanted another drink, not to see if we wanted to order food. NOTHING. We again, had to flag them down to get our check. And after trying to wait patiently for them to grab our check, they did not. We sat and waited for an hour, before asking for a check. This entire hour, NO SERVICE was given to us. Talk about infuriating a customer! That was by far the crappiest service I've ever received in my life. The thing that gets me is that our server tended to the table RIGHT NEXT TO US, over and over and over again... So uhh? What about us?! I'm sorry, but that's just plain unacceptable. FOOD: Cheese gyoza? SO GOOD! And definitely recommended. :) The only other food product I had here was their Pesto Pasta from the Happy Hour menu. Definitely a must as well. :) PS: Happy Hour Sangrias = SO GOOD. OVERALL: I can't quite say how I feel about this place. First experience was pretty good, last experience was just down in the dumps. I spoke highly of them and when I did, thoroughly disappointed my friend... so I can't say that I would recommend it.

    (2)

  • Brent K.

    This place is pretty awesome in my book. Happy hour included $5 house sake which was pretty good too. We ordered some fries, the pasta mushroom with bacon, rock shrimp, karaage chicken, garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce, and wafu hamburger steak. I enjoyed everything we ordered. The pasta mushroom with bacon had some pretty nice pieces of bacon, the hamburger steak was covered in gravy and was so tender and juicy. Definitely will be back to try more menu items and their happy hour is not bad either!

    (5)

  • mia o.

    4 of us ordered several items and shared. All of them were good. The number of items on the menu is a lot, and it is not only Italian dishes. They have poke-don, locomoco, tuskemono, etc. They have everything to satisfy everyone, so it is a great place to get together with anyone. Pasta was really my favorite. I am so glad that we finally found a place serves good pasta here in Hawaii. (other famous places people think of for pastas are mostly in Waikiki, needs reservation, needs to find parking, and I felt their dishes were not that great) so I am very grateful to find this place. I really want to go back there soon again. I actually want to give 4.5 stars. Everything was good, good food, good service, good location, free parking, good price, Clean, etc.... Yet, I just did not find one thing that totally stands out, one dish that I can not find anywhere else. But all I need to do may be just to go back and try more stuff.

    (5)

  • Koa P.

    Some friends were visiting from the mainland, and our friend picked Chez Kenzo for our gathering. There were 11 of us and we reserved the back room which was perfect size and great atmosphere. There was another party in the room while we were there...and it turned out that one of our friends knew 2 of their guests so that made it great as well. Our server was really nice (I forget his name) and checked on us on a consistent basis. Our food came about 15 minutes after we gave our order and it was really tasty. Some favorites was the bacon & mushroom shoyu/wine pasta, the poke, and the cheese gyoza. Was so ono we ordered another one. I definitely reccommend this place for a nice chill time with friends and family!

    (4)

  • Jay T.

    Da friends wanted to try a new place. Parking is free someone told us but we paid just in case. We went in a few weeks after they just opened but it was surprisingly crowded. Food was good. Very tasty and different. Cheese Gyoza, mean. Uni Pasta, mean. Poke, sub par. =) Eh, I wanted poke. Natto Omelet, not my friend. But it may be yours. Overall a pretty good place I must say.

    (4)

  • Angela L.

    It was my first time at this restaurant last night. Here r my thoughts: Location and parking good. When I first walked in my immediate reaction was wow its so loud in here. The concrete floors made the chatter amongst people magnify by multiples. The first section on the resturant had no chairs, jus some tables. I thought this was pretty ridiculous because that means only half the restaurant could sit n have a meal. We waited about 15/20 minutes til we got a seat. The things I disliked most was the fact that there was a birthday group in the middle of the restaurant and they were soo loud. My question is why weren't they seated in that side room to contain their laughter and loud talking. Secondly, the service was not good. They never really checked on us or the tables around us. We had to ask for more water, we had to wave our hand so we could get a server to order more food. The food itself was only okay. 3 items we got seemed to have more.onions than anything else! (Original poke, smoked salmon with Maui onion(here they Didnt that the dressing is mostly with wasabe, YUCK!) We had ordered 6 items, only recieved 5. There was no "Wow". , no pizazz, no incentive for me to go back. Along with that, the.menu has a lot of items (good!) But there were absolutely No food/item description. I've never heard of a lot of those words so that made it a challenge. They really need like a one or two line description added to their menu. This could really be a problem for the customers and the servers who have to repeat things constantly. I think with some help and a lot of tweaking, this restaurant could be a success. But It's not there right now

    (2)

  • Cher S.

    Food is awesome! Kabocha and Bacon - da bomb-diggity! Four Cheese Pizza - Double bomb-diggity!! The service was great! Nice waitresses that patiently described dishes we asked about. Very busy place. Make reservations.

    (4)

  • Jan M.

    Great place! We went twice in one week! Really enjoyed the watercress tofu taegu salad, pumpkin and bacon, garlic bread with cream of mushroom sauce, salmon onion salad, wafu hamburger steak..... So many choices. They have a bunch of happy hour selections too. I am sure we will be back again soon. If you go with a party go at least 4 you can really try a lot of different dishes. It can get a little loud so we do like to go early as the crowd is a lighter. But it fills up fast. Great place!

    (4)

  • Zalen E.

    Meh. It's the word that probably describes Chez Kenzo best, but not enough. We came to celebrate a friends birthday, but the bad service tipped the scale, all the way back to zero, to destroy any hopes of a good time. Though the menu looks promising and the food actually tasted alright, thats the best I can say about this place when it comes to dining, it was, alright. The round of drinks we had were tasty. I had the St. Jameson and the birthday boy had a Surfer on Acid, which was bomb and dare say, better than it deserved. But after that initial introductory drink offer was through, the night went downhill. Guests who arrived after us, got their food first, while I was forced to stand up and ASK where my appetizer went. It took awhile for the handful of workers to come by and ask if we wanted a refill or take any more orders. All in all, I'd rather not waste any more time on this review, and would not waste any more time visiting this place while there are so many more venues to try, visit, and repeat visit.

    (2)

  • Gerald C.

    Went last night with a group of 5. Thought parking was free in the lot as other reviewers had stated. Had a ticket on my windshield when leaving. Guess I was supposed to pay the box. Food was actually very good and came out very fast. The kitchen was doing a great job. The stand outs were the cheese gyoza, mentaiko spaghetti & surume tempura. We also ordered foie gras (@ $20 a great deal for the portion. Cooked very well but I personally wanted a little bit more sweetness. Came on a bed of balsamic reduction.). Natto omlette, shabu shabu salad, tako mentai, ahi carpaccio, salmon croquette, kabocha with bacon, risotto were all good dishes. Ordered the crab pasta based on the reviews but did not see any crab meat and could not decipher any crab flavor. The sauce was good and pasta cooked well. Ordered the filers done mr and it was tasty. The wasabi sauce that it came with was very good and so were the mashed potatoes. For dessert we ordered the banana cake which is kind of like a banana bread topped with a cobbler topping. I think it was a little over cooked as it was dry. The tiramisu was nice and light and not to sweet. Also had the fruit selection which was good. This is a bar with an extensive menu. I suggest going in and ordering izakaya style, one or two dishes at a time as they come out quickly. It was our fault for ordering loads at once as we wanted to try everything we could. The service was friendly and what u would expect in a bar. The music is jazz that is playing a little loud. It's a bar. Creates a lively atmosphere. Overall would suggest this place.

    (5)

  • Kristin I.

    Love the food here!!!! Especially the pasta!! OMG who would've thought Ume pasta could taste so good! The other thing you must try, even though it sounds weird, is the Cream Cheese Poke. Don't be fooled by the name! It is so amazing!!! There were no tables open in the dinning area, so we took a seat at one of the high tables in the bar area. Surprisingly this restaurant is very loud, sound seems to echo and is very loud i can barely hear my friend talking. The service was awesome though, always checking up on us and making sure we were ok and always refilling our water. Refilling of water is very important! Definitely love coming here, and they have so much to offer on their menu, you can always come back and try something new.

    (4)

  • Naomi S.

    Love love love everything about them! they always accommodate me and my friends for seats and they have awesome service!!! The food is exceptionally great and the happy hour is awesome! It's like home cooked Japanese food and it's awesome! I took my friend and her husband there, and they got hooked- ordered everything that they can eat, and said they will definitely go back there! Best, reasonably priced food!!!

    (5)

  • Richard G.

    We were pleased by our visit to Chez Kenzo. Our visit was early happy hour on a mid-week day and the place was not yet busy so we grabbed one of those tables that has a booth on one side and chairs on the other. (What do you call those things?) Drinks first, and I gave my acid test - a classic Manhattan rocks. That one tells you both the quality of the booze and the skill of the 'tender. It passed, not bad at all. My associates ordered various wines and other stuff and all seemed pleased although when they have alcohol in their hands they always seem pleased. As to food, we slavishly followed the suggestions made by Yelpsters in previous reviews and have no complaints. Some items were preferred by some, all were appreciated as good bar food. I really liked the hane cheese gyoza despite millions of years of DNA screaming that cheese and gyoza will rip a hole in the fabric of the universe. Portion sizes were reasonable so you can order a lot before doggie bagging and prices were below the point where they set off the wallet warning system. Small moans but no screams of financial pain. Service was prompt, friendly, polite and accurate - winner! Things slowed as more patrons rolled in but that's expected and sevrice times were maintained at good levels. By the time we poured out the place was packed and had that great pau hana noisy, laughing background roar associated with a good place. My suggestion - put together a group, take over one or two of those half-booth tables and order up plenty. Seeing Verbano leave this location brought a garlic-tinged tear to my eye even though their quality had declined over the years. But Kenzo is a more than worthy successor to the area.

    (4)

  • Jaime Y.

    love love LOVE this place!! It's a cool little bar, where the old Verbano's used to be on King street. The food is to die for. Everything was amazing, we got the kabocha & bacon, hamburger steak, filet with wasabi (that wasabi sauce is awesome!), cheese gyoza (yummmmm!!), and can't leave out the parfait for desert. OMG! I am a huge lover for sweets, and this parfait is heaven, a must try, even if you're super full from all those delicious entrees. The service here is always amazing. If you have trouble deciding, ask your server. They always gave great recommendations! Our new spot for date night.

    (5)

  • Haein P.

    Have I really not written a review for one of my favorite local bars?! I flock to and frequent this place like a hippo to its watering hole. And, let's just say, a hungry (and thirsty) hippo I am! (AMBIANCE): Definitely the perfect lighting to flatter any fat-assed 'hippo.' I love the relaxed vibe, and arrangement. (SERVICE); I've never been disappointed with service, and I've been here more than a couple handfuls of times. They're friendly, and make you feel like you belong. (DRINKS): I love the fact that I have options here. You can find anything from draft beer to wine to shochu and sake to aged whiskeys (American and Japanese). No one leaves unsatisfied, or sober perhaps. (FOOD): The best part about this bar is the food. Imagine a Japanese-American gastropub, if you will. There is a menu item for even the pickiest of eaters, and then there are some for the more adventurous (like me!) The following is a list of some of my previous choices, and favorites: *HANE CHEESE GYOZA - hot, juicy, meaty gifts of joy encased by a thin, doughy wrapper and topped with oozing mozzarella. East meets West does not get any better than this. Oh, wait! It does! *GARLIC BREAD w/ MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE - definitely on the rich and heavy side, but absolutely worth the extra calories (like 1,000). Fragrant and tender slices of baguette are served alongside a creamy homemade mushroom sauce for dipping. Definitely a party in your mouth, or in your arteries. * WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK - a classic Japanese twist on an American favorite. This hamburger patty is juicy and filled with cheese. Yes, I'll repeat myself: filled with CHEESE. It's like a lucy juicy on steroids, smothered in garlic and sauteed onions, and served with a watercress salad and a less-than-stellar mash. *CRAB MEAT PASTA - definitely one of my favorite pastas here. Chez Kenzo knows how to do pasta, and does fusion pasta right. This pasta consists of a tomato-based sauce with lots of real shredded crab meat, with all the crab flavor. You can't miss this. *BACON & MUSHROOM PASTA - for all your porky bacon lovers out there, this one is for you. The sauce is a light oil, most likely from the rendered bacon fat, and the mushrooms add the perfect texture and earthy flavor. *MENTAIKO MAYO/MENTAIKO PASTA - sadly not my favorite pasta despite my adoration and obsession for mentaiko and mentaiko pastas. The mentaiko flavors don't stand out, and so the pasta is left a little flat. It just needs an extra hit of mentaiko, so the briny, spicy flavors can do its magic. *DRIED SQUID TEMPURA - the best Asian drinking snack there is. The dried squid is lightly coated in an airy tempura batter and fried to delectable perfection. The chewiness of the dried squid inside along with the fat from the fried coating make a perfect pairing with the accompanying tartar-like sauce and a thirst-quenching draft beer. There are several other dishes I've tried, but I'm sure you get the point. Honestly, this hippo can't type anymore without having the irresistible urge of trampling everything and everyone in sight to get to its favorite watering hole. Right now.

    (5)

  • Lynda T.

    We were looking for a nice place to meet some friends and have some good happy hour food and drinks! Well you could say we sure found a great place, food was teriffic, drinks kept us happy and service was excellent. Our server, Richie was well informed and answered all our questions and made our night so fun! We practically had everything on their happy hour menu, all were super and ended the night with the Parfait, since Richie said it was good and you can bet it was. We did call for reservations, just to be sure to get a table, it gets really crowded after 7 or 8 pm and the noise level does go up. The parking was free at night.

    (5)

  • Karen N.

    One of my favorite restaurants for Happy Hour! Servers are awesome, food is consistently delicious and I love my Kirin draft beers for $3! :) Some of my favorite dishes are the pesto pasta, cheese gyoza, pumpkin with bacon, shabu shabu salad, natto omelette, the list can go on and on! Never had a bad experience here!

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    A friend recommended coming here for the food. I wanted to try P+J because I've recently turned into a massive beer geek, but figured an affordable place with good food would be better for the company involved. I'm glad we decided to come here as everything was fantastic! We came during Happy Hour which runs from when they open at 5pm - 7pm. They actually do have a nice drink menu filled with sake, wine, etc. and some good beers, but I opted for the $3 HH special (either Kirin or Bud Light) just because it was so affordable. Ice cold Kirin? I can dig it...especially with the delicious food. The food we included was: Pumpkin and Bacon (so good), Cheese Gyoza (delicious in its cheesy goodness), Wafu Hamburger Steak w/ Mash, Kim Chee Omurice, and a poke and salad dish. I would order pretty much everything listed here again (though maybe not salad because I'm not a big salad eater). The service was very friendly and attentive, although it could have been due to our friend knowing the people who run the joint. Food orders and beer refills came very quick and frequently. Will definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    Came here for GNO with 2 girlfriends. The happy hour menu is a bit small and limited but the price was good. Everything we ate here was delicious and unique. The service was pretty slow but the food made up for it. Will definitely be back again. Mentaiko Mayo Pasta: I love mentaiko. Adding mayo just enhances the flavor. The pasta was nice and with a salty flavor. This got eaten up rather quickly. Shabu Shabu Salad: I wasn't expecting much when my friend insisted we order this since it didn't sound very tasty - but it was great. Loved the ginger-y shoyu dressing on the thinly sliced pieces of pork. Wish they had more cucumbers though. Eggpant with sauce: forgot what the name of this dish was, but you need new plates when eating this because the sauce gets all over the place. Probably won't order again. Pesto Pizza: I think this was my least favorite of the bunch since I'm using the eating really gourmet pizza elsewhere. It wasn't bad though. TIP: Make sure you don't park by the gate.. I did not know that there was a paybox and ended up getting a ticket.

    (4)

  • Sierra C.

    Quite a few of my friends stop by Chez Kenzo for after-work drinks and food, so I was eager to as well. FOOD The cheese gyoza. That is all. SO. DELICIOUS. Food portions aren't the largest, but the taste is satisfying enough. SERVICE The workers were very friendly, although our table wasn't checked up on as often as we would have liked. OVERALL Great for a night out with friends and some light appetizers. The ambiance is also more contemporary and chill compared to other bars & grills. The dim lighting and the sparkly tables stood out to me though; try using flash in pictures - the tables look great!

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Good salty bar food off of an interesting menu that warrants more visits. Japanese/Italian with some kimchi thrown in. Reasonably priced especially during happy hour. Why the four stars then? Acoustics are so bad that when its full, it's nearly impossible to carry on a conversation without yelling directly into the persons ear. Still going back though. Just have to text each other.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    Somewhat fine dining but without the price tag. The atmosphere is quite nice here, lights dimmed with a small tabletop candle. Perfect for date night with your bf/gf. My friends and I were the youngest patrons with everyone else ranging between 30's-50's. Tonight was slow which was great for me! Food and service was quick and the waiter provided recommendations as well. I wonder what kind of draft system they use because my beer came out perfect! Super cold and delicious! especially after a long day at work! :) They must maintain and clean it too. I LOVE Gyoza!! throw some cheeese on those bad boys and you got yourself a "superfood" hahaha!! :) The regular poke was alright.. Majority of the dish was onions.. :( The Kimchee Hiyayakko (cold tofu) was tasty and not too strong of a kimchee taste which doesn't leave your breath smelling afterwards. Hamburger steak was super moist and served with mash potatoes AND loaded with onions again.. :P For pastas I ordered the uni and the crab meat. Both were delicious! It was my first time eating uni and I loved it more than I thought! Overall my experience was good except for when the busser scolded my friend for trying to help him put the plates together.. that really irritated us. anyways, I would definitely return! Our waiter said the menu will be changing so I'm looking forward to new items!

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    This was our second visit to Chez Kenzo. The first time, I was expecting a lot (being a big fan of Genius) and found the experience a little disappointing. We got the salmon salad which I found too strong (onions? wasabi?), and I wasn't too impressed with the garlic bacon kabocha even though it is usually a favorite of mine. And the cheese gyoza was a tad over-hyped. I do love cheese but these didn't do it for me. I should note that my fiance loved everything and had a "more for me!!" mentality with regards to the salmon salad. He's the one who suggested we come back. He was right (it happens from time to time...). We got the shabu shabu salad and it was amazing. The light dressing and greens are a great offset to the thin slices of beef. We also ordered the crab pasta (lots of crab, as others have said, and not too heavy, but filling) and the mini filet with wasabi relish (delicious, and it came with mashed potatoes!). Everything was flavorful but not overly salted. Almost home-cooking-esque. Service was also great! Before we left, one of the servers came over to explain that we should probably make reservations if we come in on weekends. His concern was sweet but on the other hand we had just walked in around 8/8:30 on a Saturday night and were seated right away. So....we're all functioning adults here, make reservations, or don't, it's up to you.

    (4)

  • Troy T.

    After attending the Yelp Movie event with my friend we were discussing where we were going to eat, my friend Ryan I. suggested Chez Kenzo Bar and Grill. First time there and really had no idea what to expect. Location - near Sasabune, where the Italian restaurant Verbano use to be. Atmosphere - upon walking in I noticed a decent amount of tables, it was quiet, cozy, with dimmed lighting(not dark). It was overall a comfortable feel to the establishment. Service - servers were quick to acknowledge us, and came by a couple times before we figured out what to order. Really welcoming and friendly, no complaints here. Food - We were so hungry We were ready to order half the menu and couldn't figure out what we wanted. server recommended the wafu hamburger steak, pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic, and hane cheese gyoza. Before we ended up with a $200 dollar check we decided to just start with the wafu hamburger steak, pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic, and uni pasta. Drinks we had a carafe of house sake, and two Kirins from the tap. We finished the night with deep fried octopus, fried whole garlic, and two more Kirins. Wafu hamburger steak - decent size burger, slightly dry, onions were not caramelized enough, mashed potatoes were yummy, and the gravy that was poured onto everything saved the dish. pumpkin and bacon sautéed with garlic - best dish I tried there, the pumpkin was cooked just right for me, but I wish there was more of the yummy bacon. uni pasta - some people like shiso, but I don't really care for it, not on Uni pasta at least. This is just my opinion but the shiso was a distraction to the dish since the uni was barely noticeable. If there was more uni then maybe the shiso would've been a compliment instead of a distraction. Fettuccine noodles and more more uni in the sauce would've made my night. Anyone who orders uni pasta probably LOVES uni, more the merrier. deep fried octopus - it was lightly battered, tender, and the sauce for it was yummy. fried whole garlic - I was excited but I was expecting it to be more caramelized and softer. Good idea but could've been executed better... It would probably have been better if they roasted it instead... I'd probably go back if I had friends that wanted to go, but I'm not entirely sure if I'd be the one to choose to go back...

    (3)

  • Lisa C.

    Excellent food & service!! We will definitely be back!!! :) get the vongole pasta (clam pasta)!!! Amazzzzing!!!

    (5)

  • Kelsey M.

    I had been wanting to try Chez Kenzo for a while and was not disappointed. Came here with my bf and cousin and we brought our large appetites. We tried the menchi katsu, kabocha with bacon, uni pasta, gyoza with cheese, and the hamburger steak. All were delicious! Great place to come with a group of friends. I'd love to come back for happy hour.

    (5)

  • Kalani S.

    I'm very impress with the original owners of Genius lounge to open up a new Bar & Grill outside of Waikiki. The quality of food is the same if not better than Genius Lounge. Looking forward to the customer appreciation night on Monday.

    (5)

  • LesliAnn K.

    I love(d) Genius Lounge. For the unsurpassable sake selection and eclectic bar food, and the service. In my Yelp Youth, Genius provided me the backdrop to grow and nurture my foodie passions so I will always look back fondly on that place. *let's take a moment of silence for Genius... Ok, This place is Genius all grown up, and I'm ready to take that step forward with them. I know now. I know that Chez Kenzo is the place to shift towards. In town! Free parking, OMG yes. And, seeing Grant "Chuggy Bear" S. and Kim M. (nice to finally meet you!) on the same night with different parties, you know they know too! Three Yelp Elites checked in at one time, unplanned, thats gotta say something! The food menu is an unapologetic, expansive menu of whatever it is you would like to find on there. Despite the quantity, still manages to maintain its quality. Spanning from hummus plate, garlic french bread, ahi carpaccio, and japanese fusion pastas, to chazuke. All of the favorites I've come to know and love at Genius are here, including kabocha bacon, and natto cheese omelette. $5 house sake was the Tamano-hikari junmai. House sake never tasted so good. Yes, speaking for myself and other value-concious individuals, we order house sakes/wines/etc when we go out since yes, it will be cheap. But I can't say the quality is always up to par. Well, this $5 sake is a bit dangerous, because the serving size is so big, and it goes down so smooth, most amazing value ever that I hope they never EVER get rid of this and I want you all to know about it that I will continue to run this sentence on and on until you fully understand. So there. The sake menu isn't as extensive here , but they still have my favorites, so no complaints there. No stomachache despite mixing all kine any kine genres of food. It just works. Maybe because the sake is sooo dericious! Happy Hour 5-7, see you there.

    (4)

  • Steph K.

    Came here for happy hour, which is from 5-7pm. LOVE THEIR DRINK MENU: $5 House Sake/Sake-Tini $4 Wines by the Glass/Sake Cocktails $3 Homemade Sangria/Draft Beer (16oz) $2 Sake Shot They also have a happy hour food menu. I ordered the four cheese pizza. Soooooooo good. The crust was thin and they used pesto sauce on their pizza. From their regular menu, I had the menchi katsu. It came with mashed potatoes and shreds of cabbage with a delicious dressing ontop. The katsu was nice and soft. They mixed pork and beef in the menchi mix so it kinda had a hamburger taste to it. Definitely coming back here again. :)

    (5)

  • Katie N.

    I enjoyed Genius Lounge very much, and as well as Chez Kenzo!! Food is similar or exactly the same, atmosphere is a bit different. Always love the recommendation of different type of Sake and yet never failed or dislikes any!! I would recommend this place because of the food and customer service.

    (5)

  • Cary I.

    Foie gras!!! Japanese style pasta!!! Spent two weeks in Hawaii and went to this place 3 times in those two weeks The menu items were GREAT and I loved every dish they brought out. I'm sure I will be back here on my next trip.

    (5)

  • R L.

    Just added Chez Kenzo's B&G to my favorite Happy Hour list. The Happy Hour is from 5-7pm with drinks ranging around $3 - $5 and their food and attentive service were awesome.

    (5)

  • Kimo S.

    I really wanted to like this place a bit more but I had a few turn-off issues that dropped me to a very fair 4-star review. 1. Service was initially very slow, hard to get wait staff to take drink orders and they didn't check on us as frequently as I would have liked. Especially given that only 1/4 of the place was full. 2. Prices were a bit up there, for a party of four we spent close to $200. Just a tad priced more than I thought was reasonable (given the portion sizes). 3. Dark. Very dark. Had to use my phone to read the menu. Adjust the lighting a bit. Overall though, the food was good... a HUGE selection so you'll definitely need to bring a group (like we did) to even make a dent. I was actually surprised by how many dishes they offer. Still, we followed recommendations from Yelp and found that almost all of the dishes were enjoyable.

    (4)

  • Miki H.

    Opened by the owner of Genius Lounge, Chez Kenzo is half bar and half restaurant--sort of. We made a reservation for Friday night but when we showed up, the situation was fairly chaotic. You enter through the bar and walk through to the tables which are in a partially divided space but there's no hostess or person to seat you. There was one man frantically running from table to table and between the tables and the bar who acknowledged our presence and kept saying, "I'll be with you in one minute." but we waited over 5 minutes, blocking the passage between the two spaces before trying to get his attention again, at which point, he pointed at a table in the back corner and said that was our table. With that experience to start with, I was very concerned. A few minutes later, the same man came over, told us that there was a huge backlog in the kitchen and that the food was going to take a loooong time. However, after our friends had found a babysitter for the night and we were finally seated, we said okay and tried to place our order as soon as possible. He was super up front which I appreciated and he brought the guys a second beer on the house because the wait for food was so long. Extra brownie points. The menu is written both in English and Japanese but if you can read Japanese, definitely go by that description because some things are not translated properly while others are translated oddly. For example, Hire Katsu which is made with pork tenderloin (arguably the filet of pork) is translated as Filet Katsu--kind of misleading if you're not familiar with the dish and are expecting beef because of the English name. Anyway, aside from that little hiccup, the food is delicious! We ordered the ume pasta, crab in light tomato cream sauce pasta, uni pasta, beef shabu salad, cheese gyoza, pumpkin bacon, wafu hamburger (incidentally this is more of a demi glace sauce not oroshi ponzu like it usually is) and kimchee omurice. While some of the preparations are a little more western than you would find in Japan, the flavors are overall exactly what you would expect and oh so good! Super delicious food in a super casual setting. Now that you know what to expect, don't hesitate to go and check it out!

    (5)

  • Law G.

    Great place, good food, awesome service, only a 4 star review because there is so much more food and drink to explore, special thanks to our waiter Steve for all the information and making us feel so welcome, we will return, excellent service paired with good food is rare today...

    (4)

  • Jill Y.

    I am totally biased because I just adore Chef Kenzo. He's the awesome bartender who you'll often seen pouring a stiff drink. I remember him from when he worked at Genius and he was always so nice and friendly so I decided to check his new place out with my boyfriend a few days ago. It was pretty empty when we went around 5:30 pm, but Ken said it picks up later and especially on the weekends. Guys, this is the hot new place to go! Forget Home Bar and Grill with it's crazy parking. I know locals will be packing into Chez Kenzo for the great food and awesome atmosphere. So everyone before has pretty much said everything their is to say about, but I got the inside dish--apparently the dancers from 939, yes, Club 939, come over for about an hour to drink and relax between shifts for about an hour. So any guys out there who like gawking at strippers? Well, sometimes they will be at Chez Kenzo with clothes on. Just thought it would be funny to let you all know this. The food: That's all that one cares about, right? Portuguese bean soup--WINNER. I can't describe to you how much I love PBS. Please just take my word and order it. It's only five dollars and you can share with a friend or greedily stuff it down your throat. Cheese pizza--made with pesto instead of tomato sauce. A surprising and nice touch. Arrabbiata pasta--delicious, perfectly al dente, so flavorful, and only $10! Pasta in this town can be $22 for a simple tomato sauce so I consider this place a great deal. Like most Japanese establishments the portions are a little smaller, but not nearly as eye-boggling small as Genius. They are reasonable portions. I am actually glad the portions are not mega-super-awesome-gigantic because let's face it, Americans as a whole tend to be a little overweight and we don't need to be eating giant portions anyway! Because the portions are reasonable and not insane like say, Buca di Beppo, you can order more dishes! Love this place and I have a feeling it will become a super crazy popular place. I'm going to recommend it as pau hana place and as meet-up with your best buds place before 11 pm.

    (5)

  • Ayshen T.

    I was going to hold off on writing a review so I could try other food items since the menu is quite extensive. But I just couldn't wait to let people know how good the food is! Food - Most of the things I've tried were delicious! A MUST (if you like ume) is the ume pasta. I was a little hesitant to get it at first cause although I love ume, it did sound like it might be strange. On my second visit I really wanted to try something different, but the ume pasta was so good the first time I tried it that I HAD to get it again! My bf had the uni pasta. When I tried it, the uni flavor is very strong. I don't like uni so I don't like it, but guarantee people who like uni would love it (like my bf). Crab meat pasta was just ok, nothing special and I probably wouldn't get it again. The fried chicken says it's Japanese mochiko chicken, but it was more of a karaage instead (unless they changed recipe cause the server & tab called it karaage). Fried octopus is really good. I like the dipping sauce that comes with it (think it's ponzu ginger). The foie gras was really good too! I was scared to try it again since the last time I had foie gras at Hiroshi, I wanted to spit out. The parfait dessert was yummy! It has so many different layers so it doesn't get boring to eat. It was a little hard to eat from the glass and we had to eat the top layers first before being able to reach the cereal on the bottom. Would be better in a bowl so you could get a little bit of everything in each bite, but then it would be more of a sundae rather than a parfait. Drinks - Sensy was good. It's pretty much a hello kitty without 151. Saketini was great. They also have a cappuccino vodka that I got chilled and it was really good (had about 4 ^_^). Service was great. Food comes out fairly quickly but it wasn't super busy, so not sure how it is during rush hour. Steph was awesome. She told us the foie gras was really good so this is what made us get it. She came by quite often to make sure we were doing ok. Can't wait to go back again to try other items like the pumpkin and bacon sauté, shabu shabu salad, mentaiko pasta, mushroom bacon pasta and the yuzu cheese cake!

    (5)

  • Lani D.

    Love this place! Especially during Happy Hour (5-7pm) when they offer $3 sangrias. How can you not? Food is amazing, the wait staff is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is perfect if you're looking to have drinks and delish food with a group of friends. My faves are the mentaiko pasta and kabocha & bacon, but everything on the menu is pretty much yummy. Even though they get busy, food still comes out fast and is always served hot. Would definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Robert C.

    Rating: 4.5/5 Date(s) Visited: 2/16/13 Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Price: 4/5 For most people, I am sure there will be a split-second before opening the door where the thought that they are about to enter a hostess bar will cross their mind. If this happens, I would strongly encourage you proceed anyways. Despite the unholy black window tint penetrated only by a lonely neon open sign, Chez Kenzo's interior, food, and service are far classier than the exterior would suggest. Don't judge a book by its cover. Food Our evening started with an order of hiyayakko. As I explained to my dining partner who seemed puzzled by my order, "Any place offering Japanese food can be judged by how good its hiyayakko is." I was very pleasantly surprised. The tofu, rather than being mushy, was excitingly firm. It was topped with generous heaps of katsuobushi, ginger, and green onions. No fancy sauces, no crazy toppings - just well-executed traditional Japanese fare. I also ordered their "Maui Onion and Pine Nut Salad". I was expecting the onions to be mixed with salad greens and topped with pine nuts, but it was nothing more than an elegant mound of Maui onion shavings, pine nuts, and a yuzu-like sauce. The Maui onions were clean, crisp, and refreshing. When eaten with pine nuts and sauce, the result is a graceful dance of sweet, nutty, and tangy. My friend also ordered their "Hane Cheese Gyoza". In essence, it is a meat gyoza with a thick layer of melted cheese and a mustard sauce. The dish definitely tastes fattening, but it did so without being heavy. I think the mustard helped lift the item, but it would have been nice if there was a bit more sauce on the plate and if it was a bit spicier. Their "Original Poke" was one of the pricier items we ordered. A small pile of poke and onions was served on a plate decorated with their spicy sauce. At first I was not expecting the sauce to be anything special, but after five seconds of waiting it was as though I had swallowed fire. That may be a bad thing for some people, but when mixed with the icy fish and onions, it had a pleasant finish. My friend ordered their "Crab Meat Pasta". Personally, I thought it tasted too crabby and did not have more than a few mouthfuls, but my friend enjoyed it a lot. The sauce was quite generous, so they must have also been generous with the crab. Things from the sea with exoskeletons are not really my cup of tea, I guess. Our final order was the "Steak Fries". The thick, crispy, and moist planks of potato were served with melted cheese and a pinch of some sort of seasoning salt. I could not tell what it was beyond just salt, but it had a slight kick to it. Bar food? Sure - but it was good bar food. We also ordered their sangria, Moscow Mule, and Vampire. I found their sangria to be a bit on the strong side, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Their Moscow Mule and Vampire were amazing. Neither too strong nor too weak, you could detect the alcohol, but you primarily tasted the ingredients that went into the drink. Service The service here is very good. Food is brought and cleared away quickly. The servers are friendly, willing to explain the menu, and offer refills. You just have to make sure that you make eye contact with them if you want to order something, especially once the restaurant starts to get full. They might be appropriately staffed for the few hours after they first open, but afterwards it looks and feels like they could do with an extra pair of hands. No matter how rushed they look, however, they never sound like they are slammed when they talk to you. Grace under pressure. Atmosphere If you plan on catching up with someone at Chez Kenzo, your best times are between 5 and 8. The restaurant is reasonably quiet and relaxed. You can talk without being loud or having to wait for the people nearby to stop laughing. Afterwards, though, the place feels more and more bar-like. Alcohol begins to raise everyone's volume, leading to table pounding and shots all around. It is still enjoyable if that is what you are here to do, but it is somewhat irritating otherwise. When it is still reasonably quiet, they play an interesting mix of contemporary acoustics and big band music. It makes the place feel both modern and classy. The subdued interior gives a sense of distance between tables and encourages unobtrusive conversation - at least for a time. Price I expected our several hours of food and drink to come to approximately $80, but was pleased to see that it cost us a more modest $70. The portions were not exactly generous, but they were certainly appropriate for the quality. They do have happy hour from 5-7 if you are looking to save a few bucks, but otherwise I doubt anyone can come away from an experience here feeling cheated. Chez Kenzo is a bit pricey certainly, but it is a sensible choice for anyone who wants to stay out of Waikiki without sacrificing the experience.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    The best thing on the menu is the gyoza covered in cheese! We also ordered the kabocha w/ bacon, wagyu beef and lobster, all were mediocre.

    (3)

  • Zalen E.

    Meh. It's the word that probably describes Chez Kenzo best, but not enough. We came to celebrate a friends birthday, but the bad service tipped the scale, all the way back to zero, to destroy any hopes of a good time. Though the menu looks promising and the food actually tasted alright, thats the best I can say about this place when it comes to dining, it was, alright. The round of drinks we had were tasty. I had the St. Jameson and the birthday boy had a Surfer on Acid, which was bomb and dare say, better than it deserved. But after that initial introductory drink offer was through, the night went downhill. Guests who arrived after us, got their food first, while I was forced to stand up and ASK where my appetizer went. It took awhile for the handful of workers to come by and ask if we wanted a refill or take any more orders. All in all, I'd rather not waste any more time on this review, and would not waste any more time visiting this place while there are so many more venues to try, visit, and repeat visit.

    (2)

  • Gerald C.

    Went last night with a group of 5. Thought parking was free in the lot as other reviewers had stated. Had a ticket on my windshield when leaving. Guess I was supposed to pay the box. Food was actually very good and came out very fast. The kitchen was doing a great job. The stand outs were the cheese gyoza, mentaiko spaghetti & surume tempura. We also ordered foie gras (@ $20 a great deal for the portion. Cooked very well but I personally wanted a little bit more sweetness. Came on a bed of balsamic reduction.). Natto omlette, shabu shabu salad, tako mentai, ahi carpaccio, salmon croquette, kabocha with bacon, risotto were all good dishes. Ordered the crab pasta based on the reviews but did not see any crab meat and could not decipher any crab flavor. The sauce was good and pasta cooked well. Ordered the filers done mr and it was tasty. The wasabi sauce that it came with was very good and so were the mashed potatoes. For dessert we ordered the banana cake which is kind of like a banana bread topped with a cobbler topping. I think it was a little over cooked as it was dry. The tiramisu was nice and light and not to sweet. Also had the fruit selection which was good. This is a bar with an extensive menu. I suggest going in and ordering izakaya style, one or two dishes at a time as they come out quickly. It was our fault for ordering loads at once as we wanted to try everything we could. The service was friendly and what u would expect in a bar. The music is jazz that is playing a little loud. It's a bar. Creates a lively atmosphere. Overall would suggest this place.

    (5)

  • Richard G.

    We were pleased by our visit to Chez Kenzo. Our visit was early happy hour on a mid-week day and the place was not yet busy so we grabbed one of those tables that has a booth on one side and chairs on the other. (What do you call those things?) Drinks first, and I gave my acid test - a classic Manhattan rocks. That one tells you both the quality of the booze and the skill of the 'tender. It passed, not bad at all. My associates ordered various wines and other stuff and all seemed pleased although when they have alcohol in their hands they always seem pleased. As to food, we slavishly followed the suggestions made by Yelpsters in previous reviews and have no complaints. Some items were preferred by some, all were appreciated as good bar food. I really liked the hane cheese gyoza despite millions of years of DNA screaming that cheese and gyoza will rip a hole in the fabric of the universe. Portion sizes were reasonable so you can order a lot before doggie bagging and prices were below the point where they set off the wallet warning system. Small moans but no screams of financial pain. Service was prompt, friendly, polite and accurate - winner! Things slowed as more patrons rolled in but that's expected and sevrice times were maintained at good levels. By the time we poured out the place was packed and had that great pau hana noisy, laughing background roar associated with a good place. My suggestion - put together a group, take over one or two of those half-booth tables and order up plenty. Seeing Verbano leave this location brought a garlic-tinged tear to my eye even though their quality had declined over the years. But Kenzo is a more than worthy successor to the area.

    (4)

  • Jaime Y.

    love love LOVE this place!! It's a cool little bar, where the old Verbano's used to be on King street. The food is to die for. Everything was amazing, we got the kabocha & bacon, hamburger steak, filet with wasabi (that wasabi sauce is awesome!), cheese gyoza (yummmmm!!), and can't leave out the parfait for desert. OMG! I am a huge lover for sweets, and this parfait is heaven, a must try, even if you're super full from all those delicious entrees. The service here is always amazing. If you have trouble deciding, ask your server. They always gave great recommendations! Our new spot for date night.

    (5)

  • Michelle D.

    I can think of so many alternative lounges besides Chez Kenzo but bc it was an easy location we decide to have my farewell party here. My friend made the arrangements but recieved a phone call the night before the party that they'd have to cancel our rsvps. She called back to confirm and he said that they're just too busy shed have to call back. But bc it was the night before she asked to just check real quick for her. He stepped away from the phone where she distinctively heard "fucken bitch". He went back on the phone and she said "I heard you"... Then he hung up. She called back and then I did again but still, not even an apology, only a "oh we were busy"! He turned out to be one of the owners- Hiroshi Suzuki. When I told them I'll be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, he had the nerve to ask, "what do you want us to do?" I had to tell this owner to friggen apologize to her! Wth?! If you're trying to run a legitimate business, at least know your manners! Needless to say, I refuse to give them our business and they will hear from the BBB.

    (1)

  • Kate F.

    As a tourist, we were looking for something cool outside of Waikiki, reviews made us try this. We were really excited for Asian/Japanese fusion...or so we thought. Location was fine, easy parking and such. We get it, fairly early on a Saturday night, but the place was full already. The host offered that we wait at the bar, and quickly there was a table option, but we decided to stay at the bar. It almost feels like this place put the cart before the horse...like they're not ready to be open yet. The menu is having an identity crisis for sure--which lead to us taking 20 minutes to decide what we wanted. Not only too many options (wonder how the chefs like making such a wide variety), but no concrete theme on the menu (or the decor for that matter). Sitting at a bar you notice a lot of details. While the staff all seemed like they were doing their jobs, it was a little chaotic. My impression is that this restaurant was vacant, a couple people thought they'd open up a restaurant (I believe they have past experience based on locals' reviews) but they just slapped a new sign on the exterior and didn't think about strategy and theme or function for that matter. Kind of a drag. We settled on the Happy Hour pizza because we were starving--but mind you this had nothing to do with our vision of sushi and yummy Asian food! Pizza was fine, great deal for a Happy Hour special. But we decided to leave rather than eat a full dinner there. Just too confused/disappointed. I feel bad that I can't comment more fully on the cuisine, but really, you have to make me want to eat your food first.

    (2)

  • Evan Y.

    Food here is awesome! Must try the Steak w/ Chopped Wasabi & Shabu Shabu Salad! Service here is always super friendly and helpful. Drinks are reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    I had my birthday celebration here -- meaning I don't remember coming out of the lockers after halftime -- but from what I remember, it was a nice experience. The layout is simple yet effective. The menu has a lot of items and it's a full bar. It's the same owners as Genius Lounge, so the taste is similar to what you'd expect from there. I didn't order much food but I drank every drink known to man (or at least known to the bartenders). I wasn't disappointed with anything I've seen there. Parking is convenient and free (Bank of Hawaii parking lot) and the location is centralized in the heart of town. I'd definitely go back, if they'd let me come back (my party was a little bit hectic lol)..

    (4)

  • Christopher M.

    Fun place to hangout after hours. No hassle looking for parking. I really like the back dining area. Nicely lit in an elegant way that encourages nice get togethers for business or pleasure. Front areas spacious and makes me want to get my yopparai action on. I just dropped in one monday night looking for drinks and a good time. My friends brought me here basically for the new bar factor. The servers showed us fun times. Servers and Bartenders looked ridiculously good looking... or maybe they got my beer goggles on SUPER FAST! HOH-NYOOOOOO. I guess I gotta go back to double check.

    (5)

  • Nate G.

    It is one of current go-to spots right now. Creative dishes. The expansive menu is great, but can be overwhelming. Stick to the Kabocha Bacon, Mentaiko Pasta, Cheese Gyoza, and the Portuguese Bean Soup. The Tako Mentai is great, but ask them to slice the pieces smaller.

    (4)

  • David T.

    I came here with friends last week and have mixed feelings about this place. The atmosphere is great but the food we tried was terrible. We ordered the chicken karaage and it was raw. The outside was fried but the meat itself was pink. It also lacked taste and the spice mixture they serve it with wasn't that good. The serving was small, maybe 4 or 5 small pieces of raw fried chicken, all for around 9 bucks... I ordered the hamburger steak, which tasted a little off. The sauce (I wouldn't call it gravy) was very watery (not thin, but watery). I didn't like it and even if I did, for 12 bucks, the dish was much less than filling. The mash potato served with it was very chunky. The portion size was smaller than a mini plate anywhere else, for double the price. I get that this is a restaurant, so I expect to pay the price, but the quality wasn't there for me. I did like the atmosphere, though it may be too loud for some people. It was also incredibly dark but I didn't mind. The drinks were alright, I would come back to hang out and drink but I'd probably order food elsewhere.

    (2)

  • arin k.

    As expected, the food was excellent. The only bummer was that they were out of the kimchi omu-rice so I didn't get to try it. But the waiter was very helpful in suggesting other dishes to try. The food we did get was very tasty and nicely presented. The waitstaff are all very friendly and helpful - they get 5 stars as does the food. The only reason I rated the place overall as 4 stars is because of the noise! There were two large groups, and given the design of the restaurant with hard floors and high ceilings the noise was almost unbearable. I had to shout for my friend to hear me and even then we had a hard time carrying on a conversation. In what looks like a nice place for a date, the noise makes it feel more like a sports bar when a big game is on. Will try again, hoping that the noise was unique to this one night... Oh, and I did notice that most people were pretty dressed up. Everyone looked either like they came straight from an office job or were going out to party after. Not a t-shirt and jeans kind of place.

    (4)

  • Tricia M.

    i'd already given my stamp of approval to Genius Lounge so thought Chez Kenzo was a safe bet for a double date. located where Verbano used to be on south king street, the trendy decor, loungey music and noisy patrons breathes new energy to the space - i loved the vibe! there's a sports bar area with standup tables, stools and tv's, a dining area with more comfortable tables and chairs, and a semi-private nook that seems to amplify the merriment taking place in there. as for the food and drink, it's pretty much the same menu as Genius. we arrived before 7 so were able to order some happy hour items such as fried rock shrimp, pesto pasta, garlic french bread, beer and the biggest pours of daiginjo sake you'll ever get for $5. from the regular menu we tried nagoya chicken wings (3 pieces per order, tasty but messy), kabocha with bacon (prolly their most popular item), cheese gyozas (more like ravioli with all that cheese) and french fries. the damage before tip was $82 - not bad for stuffing 2 drinking guys and 2 pregnant women! the cherries on top are free parking and more central location. so what's higher than genius? apparently, some dude named kenzo!

    (5)

  • Local B.

    There are enough staff around but can't say the service is efficient because of that. The owner types are sort of standing around getting in the way of a couple of the more harder working and energetic young staff members. Lots of food choices, probably too many in my opinion, but they seemed to have kept up the fine quality Japanese bar/lounge food offerings from Genius Lounge. The crowd ranges from super young to seniors due mainly to the demographics of this area. Tourist couples and local industry staff round out the clientele profile. Drinks are all good pours but would like to see a more middle range choice in wines, both red and white. Gone are the days when people will splurge on the higher end offerings they have. Echoing the comment of a fellow Yelper, "where's the uni in the uni pasta?!?!?"

    (3)

  • Carol B.

    An amazing place of seemingly familiar dishes prepared in an oh so imaginative and delicious way. I went there twice on my week long trip to Honolulu. Think of pumpkin and bacon, yummm. Ume Pasta your style? Deliciously tart. Check out the menu on their website to tantalize you. Not a fancy place and crowded. Looks like they have a policy during the Happy Hour on Friday of no reservations before 9 pm. They felt sorry for me after I begged so they saved a fine table for 4 for me. The place was packed with well dressed diners and drinkers, probably going to the Bruno concert afterwards. Interestingly, after the place cleared out about 7:30 or so a new throng replaced them with more casually dressed diners and drinkers. All the while the food was fresh and delicious. The salad dressing was to die for. Every month we are in Honolulu we try to eat at new places but we will continue to go here. Thanks Sharon for recommending it. BTW, the staff is so friendly and appreciative. As we left every single staff person we encountered thanked us profusely as if we were royalty.

    (5)

  • Ross N.

    Went there last week. Food was great and service was awesome. Interesting style of service. Different servers stop by your table and ask if you need anything. You don't have to wait for your original server. And they all have great suggestions on what to try. We had multiple dishes of different items. All were really good.

    (5)

  • Rupert L.

    Great service and awesome atmosphere. Really chill place. Drinks come very quickly and really good. Never got a chance to get food but will definitely get food next time.

    (4)

  • Sandy P.

    I like this place! The food is yummy and the wait staff so attentive! I must sound like a snoot in my Honolulu reviews but i blame the fact that i'm from LA...we just have a higher standard here. lol....sorry, Hawaii!! But don't fret, this place actually meets that expectation. :) Yahhhh!

    (5)

  • Janette F.

    A friend wanted to try this place so ventured over to see what it was like. Parking is free in the lot at night so that was a plus. I had been to Verbano once at this location and cannot remember anything about it. Walking in, it is dark (mostly black) but has a "bar" feeling. The bar is in the front area with seats as high as the table so not sure what that is all about. Luckily, my friend was NOT sitting in the bar area and I found her in the inner restaurant area. Phew! She was there with a beer and told me she ordered it because it was happy hour until 7. It was 6:57p so wanted to order an HH beer but it was tough getting the attention of on of the 2 servers. Finally, when he came, I asked if I can order HH and he said I was 3 minutes over but would get it in at the HH price. I ordered a beer and humus from the HH menu. What a relief, since I got no attention for 6 minutes. The beer and humus came. The presentation of the humus was really nice but that was about it. The flat bread it was supposed to come with was the Costco/Sam's Club flattened bagel and the humus was not creamy at all. Total disappointment. We continued to study the menu (me for vegetarian options and she for something inviting) and it was at least 20 minutes before one of the 2 waiters came around to ask what we wanted. My friend ordered the Citrus Chicken (with yuzu). I opted to wait since I was still tackling the substandard humus. The chicken came and I ordered the pirikara konyaku. My friend said the chicken was good, but the pirikara konyaky was way too sweet and not spicy enough. Another disappointment for me, After another snub for at least 20 minutes, we were able to order our next round of drinks. We both ordered the sake sampler. It was nice. Three different chilled sakes with an explanation of each one. Best if drunk from left to right but, of course, I drank from right to left before I read the accompanying material. It was good nonetheless. We then decided to share the kamaage udon but it took at least another 30 minutes to get anyone's attention. When in came, it was nicely cooked and a decent dish. Dinner tonight took 2 hours and 34 minutes. The only factor was the fact that they have 2 servers for the entire place and it was packed. Customer service should be tantamount in the success of any restaurant. I suggest they get more people to serve the clientele. Food portions are rather large so sharing dishes with a group of 4 is the best ratio, in my opinion. My personal desire is that they make their dishes smaller so that one cane order more dishes to sample more options. The other down side was that the noise level was horrendously high. People laughing sounded like it was piercing, which prevented a decent conversation.

    (3)

  • Clay K.

    Read the TGI Friday review so went to check it out. Lots of free parking but pretty crowded and I found out why. Drink prices are low by comparison and the menu is pretty impressive. We had the shabu shabu salad which was very good and the cheese gyoza which was absolutely delicious. Next was the kabocha pumpkin with crispy bacon, whoever created this dish is pure genius. Last was the crab pasta and this was not immitation crab flavor but real crab and oh so delicious. It gets kinda noisy but thats expected when everyone is having a good time and enjoying fabulous food. O the staff was friendly and kitchen service was fast. I will add this to my list of favorites.

    (4)

  • Juva G.

    I've always been a fan of Genius Lounge, but the fact that it is in Waikiki makes me not want to go very often. My boyfriend is the one who found Chez Kenzo, and he's the one who suggested we try it out. We went in on a Friday night (not always the best choice if you are wanting to get seated quickly) and when we got there, as expected, it was quite crowded. They have a section where it looks like you can stand and drink if if gets too crazy busy, but one of the ladies sat us at the bar, and told us that we could start there, and once a table opened, we would get seated. We were perusing the drink menu and deciding on some pupus to share. We knew what we wanted, but we no one came to take our order, so when they told us we could sit at a table about 10 minutes later, we were pretty much ready to go. We both ordered drinks that came super fast. I got the St. Jameson (they use the St. Germain elderflower liquer and it is DELICIOUS) and my boyfriend got the Moscow Mule. The drinks, while a but pricey, are insanely good, and they give you enough that you won't need to re-order right away. We then ordered the Sauteed Pumpkin and Bacon as a starter, and went ahead and ordered the Carbonara to get something a little more filling. The wait for the food was about 20 minutes or so, which wasn't unexpected, due to the crowd. I really wanted water, but the waitstaff never came back to ask us if we needed anything, so I just enjoyed my drink. When the food arrived, it was well worth the wait. The Carbonara was satisfyingly creamy and savory (HUGE pieces of bacon...yum!) and the Pumpkin and Bacon was as good as it has always been, maybe even better than I recall it being at Genius. When we were all finished, it took us a bit to get our check, but with only the two dishes and a drink apiece, we were happily full, and we both want to come back, preferably on a less busy night. The only downside I would say about this place is that it is very loud. I feel like it might be very loud even if it wasn't as crowded, there doesn't seem to be any wall hangings or anything that help absorb the noise, so everything just kind of buzzes around you.

    (4)

  • Big A.

    A comfortable open bar and grill atmosphere with a very decent drinks, sake selection and sake drink specials that were a great value! The food was excellent with decent portions and again a great value! The Kabocha bacon, 4 cheese pizza, Caprese Salad, and Foie Gras was very good. The Fresh Ahi poke portions left us a little disappointed with the portion of Ahi in comparison with the mountain of onions (possibly due to high fish prices) although the flavors were good. It was more like onion poke with ahi. Drinks were very generously poured. Wait staff was average to good depending on the waiter. Food comes out very quickly although it was not very crowded. I would definitely go back again to try some of the other menu items.

    (4)

  • Zance T.

    Went down on a friday night during happy hour (from 5-7p.m) and had a really awesome time. Great food for really good prices. Asahi and Kirin are $3 and the Pesto Pasta we got was in their happy hour menu for $6.They have a decent size happy hour menu with decent size portions! between the two of us we ordered 4 asahis, two $2 sake shots (pretty smooth), Pesto pasta ($6) and some bread which came out to around $25 not bad for a chill spot to hang out! Good Good

    (5)

  • B W.

    Loved this place. Great variety of food, service was great, and prices reasonable. Tried the pesto pasta, kabocha with bacon, hamburg steak, hayashi chuuka, wasabi steak, cheesy gyoza, and the cheese fries. Loved almost all of it. The cheese fries were ordered by friends of ours who got there earlier, so they were a bit cold by the time we had them. But they seemed to be just fries with cheese anyways. The pesto pasta was perfectly cooked and had just the perfect pesto taste. Simple, yet delicioius. The kabocha with bacon was great as well. Kabocha was nice and soft, and bacon flavorful and decently crispy. Good portion size on this one. Hamburg steak was good - even better when we dipped it in the wasabi sauce from the other dish. Wasabi steak pieces were perfectly cooked as well and came with two sauces, but the wasabi sauce was definitely the better one. Their cold ramen (hayashi chuuka) was the best i've ever had. Hands down. Perfect amount of sauce, noodles were of a great consistency, and plenty of accompaniments that you'd normally expect. And the cheesy gyoza - holy crap. I don't think i can eat gyoza WITHOUT melted cheese anymore. It's just too good. A definite must-get. Really wanted to try the mentaiko pasta as well, but we had to go somewhere. Will have to do that next time I'm back, which is a definite must. With food like this, didn't really care at all about the ambiance, which was fine, if not a little dark. Anyways, HIT. THIS. PLACE. UP.

    (5)

  • Kim Y.

    Stopped in with a few girlfriends during a weeknight and it was empty. First glance, we thought they were closed, but a friendly waitress came over and helped us right away. I've seen instagram photos of yummy dishes, so we decided to get the bacon and kabocha, mentaiko pasta, steak and garlic mash, and the hamachi. There were 4 of us so we figured that would be a good amount of food to share. However, their portions are pretty small and a little overpriced. The food was tasty, I think we made some good choices. Overall, I'd probably return...

    (4)

  • Cheryl D.

    A "must" for foodies! Definitely not your typical bar & grill...4 stars all around! Fine dining experience with a casual and relaxed atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Suzanne A.

    Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill: the happiest place for happy hour!!! (From 5pm opening to 7pm) FYI make reservations. This place gets packed. Everything I've had so far on their menu is delicious and their drink selection is great. Their house sake is easy to down, and I'm not a huge sake drinker. So on to all the dishes I've tried. On the happy hour menu, I've had the garlic french bread, four cheese pizza, pesto pasta, and shrimp cocktail. The garlic bread is to die for. It comes with a loaf of toasted crispy french bread that's been baked with tons of garlic, butter, and herbs in the middle. So when you tear a piece off, the buttery goodness oozes out. #foodporn. Omg but seriously, it's yummy. I also really enjoyed the pizza and pesto pasta. The shrimp cocktail sauce has a really good horseradish kick. It made me tear a bit, but it was so delicious. Everything on their happy hour menu ranges around $6. Pretty good deal. Venturing into the regular menu, I've also tried the garlic bacon-fried kabocha, salmon steak, and cheese gyoza. All soooo heavenly. The kabocha is japanese pumpkin that has been sautéed in garlic and bacon, so that the kabocha tastes just like bacon. The salmon steak comes with a rich soy cream sauce and bits of fried won ton strips. The cheese gyoza is 6 pieces of spinach pork gyoza that is fried with a thick crispy layer of cheese, and topped off with, I think, chinese mustard. All super delicious and would recommend!! Writing these reviews makes me so hungry....haha Anyway, the service is great. Last time I went, the server gave us a free round of sake!! I guess he had to finish the bottle. Super friendly!!! Definitely gets my vote for favorite happy hour place.

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Atmosphere perfect for hanging out with friends. .. Staff is friendly! went during happy hour so we got good deals on delicious food and awesome drinks!.. Big variety on their menu... ordered Kim chee rice with fluffy eggs...different but delish! .Happy Hour saketini..... so good, I had 6!!..Definitely going back!

    (4)

  • Michael T.

    You know how Norm and Cliff used to hang out daily at Cheer's, where everyone knew their name? Well, my friends (affectionately known as Papa, Mr. T., Muscular S., and, on occasion, Press and Chubby M.) and I (aka "The P." or the "employee") would be classified as habitues of Chez Kenzo as well. We not only go almost every day (well, to be honest, on average, once or twice a week), but the workers have come to know our names and we have come to know theirs. The decor is simple and, in one respect, quirky: for months, there were no chairs to go with the tables in the bar area; now, the beautiful new stools are, interestingly, higher than the tables (raising the perplexing question, "how do I sit and eat at this table without straining my back"). But the real reasons my friends and I continue to return are (1) the friendly, sincere and attentive service; (2) the excellent and wide variety of food; (3) the reasonable prices; and (4) the convenient location and ample free parking. All of the workers are friendly, have a great sense of humor, and treat us as friends. They make us feel at home and are attentive without being overbearing. We always feel welcome and appreciated - like Sam from Cheer's, in his heart, felt about Norm and Cliff. Chez Kenzo has a 5-star staff. The menu is extensive and has something for every taste. My personal favorites are the watercress/tofu/taegu salad, the shabu shabu salad, the kabocha pumpkin with bacon, the Portuguese bean soup, the natto/cheese omelet, the jaja nasu, the wafu hamburger steak, the pirikara konnyaku, several of the pasta dishes, and the curry udon. The parfait and tiramisu (when available) are superb desserts. The gang and I have probably eaten our way through 3/4 or more of the menu and we love nearly everything on it. To be perfectly honest, a couple of dishes are only so-so (e.g., the hummus and pita), but most are excellent or outstanding. Even Mr. T., a devout natto-hater, has grown to love the taste, texture and presentation of the natto/cheese omelet, a most unique creation of the chef. Prices are in the $5 to $15 range, and the servings are generous. We love the Happy Hour prices for the four-cheese pizza, the French bread, the Budweiser and Kirin beer on draft, and, especially, the $2 sake shots. Chez Kenzo does not scrimp on the pour or the quality of the sake even during Happy Hour. In all my times there - probably over 50 - I have found parking without a problem. No charge, as long as Bank of Hawaii is closed. You just can't beat that situation in the Kapiolani, Keeaumoku, South King Street area of town. Overall, the place has genuine "heart" and "soul" beyond the food and prices. This extra special quality makes Chez Kenzo a real gem of a place - a legitimate 5-star bar and grill.

    (5)

  • Jenny M.

    Cheese gyoza, wafu hamburger steak and Kim chee pork are delish. Descent beer selection, cool staff and chill vibe makes this place a-ok. Definite multiple return visit ability.

    (4)

  • Kam Kel B.

    The food is yummy! Everything we had tasted so good and the best part is it's always unique. Who would have thought kabocha and bacon could taste SOOO awesome?!

    (4)

  • lauren n.

    AMAZING!!!! hands down on the wafyu steak and crab pasta. the steak was tender and moist, and the crab pasta had lots of crab meat. the service is fast and efficient for a small staff. The last time i went there it was extremely busy but they still made room for our big party by moving the res around. Thumbs up to these guys

    (5)

  • A S.

    I love the fact that they had ample parking, and when you walk inside, it looked very casual (which i like) and even a nice bar area. Now i'm gonna get to the point here, I didn't like the menus... I didn't understand what was in it, nor did anyone else!! We tried to get the waitress to stop but I assume they didn't have assigned tables because they were rushing around helping random people which made taking orders and asking questions a hassle for them and for the customers in my opinion. So luckily I have yelp on my phone to help me figure out what was on the menu. Sad news though, everyone else on yelp had the same problem and ordered things that were on the "safe" side. Chez Kenzo's hamburger steak was good, and their shrimp cocktail was delicious. Overall, if the menu was more clear and they had a little bit more organization, i would've had a better experience. However its not impossible to change these 2 stars to a 5 star if they were more organized

    (2)

  • Ren M.

    We went there for happy hour. We didn't have reservations and although the place was packed, they did their best to accommodate us. The food was delicious! Prices were very reasonable and we had no trouble finding parking. We tried the Shabu Shabu salad, pumpkin and bacon, and other random pickings. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    Very classy environment to dine in. Food presentation was elegant & was more delicious than it looked. The low light setting gives the place a mellow vibe when having a nice drink during happy hour along side with a good amount of pupu choices to choose from. I would defiantly recommend trying & will be a returning customer no doubt.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    i think this place does an awesome job at fusing asian and italian cuisine. it's become one of the go-to place with my friends if we're looking for a place to eat that's a little on the fancier side. plus its open late! some delicious dishes they have are (as some might have already mentioned): kabocha with bacon hane-gyoza garlic bread with mushroom sauce original parfait the waiters/waitresses are always super friendly as well. I definitely recommend going!

    (5)

  • Ikki V.

    It's been about a month since i've been here but for some reason, the filet dish with wasabi/jalapeno relish (?) is stuck in my mind!!!! the kabocha and pumpkin dish was also great. i want to go back just to eat a bowl of the wasabi/jalapeno relish...definitely a MUST TRY with the filet...tastes good on the fries too! :oP

    (4)

  • Jillian P.

    Confused doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this place! Haha. Had I written this review three weeks ago, I would've given it four stars. But as of my last experience, I have to give this place two. Mind you, if my last time here was my first time here, this place would be given ONE star and ONLY because of the inability to give a place ZERO stars. ATMOSPHERE: Like many spots, this place is dimly let and sets the tone for a good (chill/cruise) time with friends or even a semi-romantic evening with a significant other. Definitely graded A for atmosphere. SERVICE: Alright, so my first time here, I was with a friend who's a regular. We were seated quickly... Our drink orders were taken quickly and our food order was taken quickly. Pretty much, they were on spot for everything, even when one of our other friends came a little later, she was tended to promptly. The second time around, HORRIBLE. We waited at the front to be seated, and had to flag someone down for attention. THEN, and here's where the zero stars come into play, once we were seated with our drinks, we were NEVER talked to again. Not to see if we wanted water, not to see if we wanted another drink, not to see if we wanted to order food. NOTHING. We again, had to flag them down to get our check. And after trying to wait patiently for them to grab our check, they did not. We sat and waited for an hour, before asking for a check. This entire hour, NO SERVICE was given to us. Talk about infuriating a customer! That was by far the crappiest service I've ever received in my life. The thing that gets me is that our server tended to the table RIGHT NEXT TO US, over and over and over again... So uhh? What about us?! I'm sorry, but that's just plain unacceptable. FOOD: Cheese gyoza? SO GOOD! And definitely recommended. :) The only other food product I had here was their Pesto Pasta from the Happy Hour menu. Definitely a must as well. :) PS: Happy Hour Sangrias = SO GOOD. OVERALL: I can't quite say how I feel about this place. First experience was pretty good, last experience was just down in the dumps. I spoke highly of them and when I did, thoroughly disappointed my friend... so I can't say that I would recommend it.

    (2)

  • Brent K.

    This place is pretty awesome in my book. Happy hour included $5 house sake which was pretty good too. We ordered some fries, the pasta mushroom with bacon, rock shrimp, karaage chicken, garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce, and wafu hamburger steak. I enjoyed everything we ordered. The pasta mushroom with bacon had some pretty nice pieces of bacon, the hamburger steak was covered in gravy and was so tender and juicy. Definitely will be back to try more menu items and their happy hour is not bad either!

    (5)

  • mia o.

    4 of us ordered several items and shared. All of them were good. The number of items on the menu is a lot, and it is not only Italian dishes. They have poke-don, locomoco, tuskemono, etc. They have everything to satisfy everyone, so it is a great place to get together with anyone. Pasta was really my favorite. I am so glad that we finally found a place serves good pasta here in Hawaii. (other famous places people think of for pastas are mostly in Waikiki, needs reservation, needs to find parking, and I felt their dishes were not that great) so I am very grateful to find this place. I really want to go back there soon again. I actually want to give 4.5 stars. Everything was good, good food, good service, good location, free parking, good price, Clean, etc.... Yet, I just did not find one thing that totally stands out, one dish that I can not find anywhere else. But all I need to do may be just to go back and try more stuff.

    (5)

  • Koa P.

    Some friends were visiting from the mainland, and our friend picked Chez Kenzo for our gathering. There were 11 of us and we reserved the back room which was perfect size and great atmosphere. There was another party in the room while we were there...and it turned out that one of our friends knew 2 of their guests so that made it great as well. Our server was really nice (I forget his name) and checked on us on a consistent basis. Our food came about 15 minutes after we gave our order and it was really tasty. Some favorites was the bacon & mushroom shoyu/wine pasta, the poke, and the cheese gyoza. Was so ono we ordered another one. I definitely reccommend this place for a nice chill time with friends and family!

    (4)

  • Jay T.

    Da friends wanted to try a new place. Parking is free someone told us but we paid just in case. We went in a few weeks after they just opened but it was surprisingly crowded. Food was good. Very tasty and different. Cheese Gyoza, mean. Uni Pasta, mean. Poke, sub par. =) Eh, I wanted poke. Natto Omelet, not my friend. But it may be yours. Overall a pretty good place I must say.

    (4)

  • Angela L.

    It was my first time at this restaurant last night. Here r my thoughts: Location and parking good. When I first walked in my immediate reaction was wow its so loud in here. The concrete floors made the chatter amongst people magnify by multiples. The first section on the resturant had no chairs, jus some tables. I thought this was pretty ridiculous because that means only half the restaurant could sit n have a meal. We waited about 15/20 minutes til we got a seat. The things I disliked most was the fact that there was a birthday group in the middle of the restaurant and they were soo loud. My question is why weren't they seated in that side room to contain their laughter and loud talking. Secondly, the service was not good. They never really checked on us or the tables around us. We had to ask for more water, we had to wave our hand so we could get a server to order more food. The food itself was only okay. 3 items we got seemed to have more.onions than anything else! (Original poke, smoked salmon with Maui onion(here they Didnt that the dressing is mostly with wasabe, YUCK!) We had ordered 6 items, only recieved 5. There was no "Wow". , no pizazz, no incentive for me to go back. Along with that, the.menu has a lot of items (good!) But there were absolutely No food/item description. I've never heard of a lot of those words so that made it a challenge. They really need like a one or two line description added to their menu. This could really be a problem for the customers and the servers who have to repeat things constantly. I think with some help and a lot of tweaking, this restaurant could be a success. But It's not there right now

    (2)

  • Cher S.

    Food is awesome! Kabocha and Bacon - da bomb-diggity! Four Cheese Pizza - Double bomb-diggity!! The service was great! Nice waitresses that patiently described dishes we asked about. Very busy place. Make reservations.

    (4)

  • Jan M.

    Great place! We went twice in one week! Really enjoyed the watercress tofu taegu salad, pumpkin and bacon, garlic bread with cream of mushroom sauce, salmon onion salad, wafu hamburger steak..... So many choices. They have a bunch of happy hour selections too. I am sure we will be back again soon. If you go with a party go at least 4 you can really try a lot of different dishes. It can get a little loud so we do like to go early as the crowd is a lighter. But it fills up fast. Great place!

    (4)

  • Benhur B.

    This establishment is quickly becoming one of my favorite "go to" places. Convenient location, a lot of options for good parking, cool/ relaxing interior, good service, good food, drinks and prices. That's a lot of good all around already! Happy hour prices on food are extremely affordable. Possibly a tad bit less then regular portions but nothing to complain about. Good for hanging out with friends, a casual date or a pau hana drink. Would recommend to everybody!

    (4)

  • Chad I.

    Awesome food! We had the pumpkin bacon, cheese gyoza, and ume pasta! We enjoyed all of it! Great place to chill with friends and have a few beers. The atmosphere of the place is nice and relaxing. Definitely recommend

    (4)

  • Allan C.

    I've been patronizing this establishment for a long time and have not posted any reviews. Selfish on my part, but a disservice to Chez Kenzo and the wonderful staff and delicious food. They experimented with lunch service, but recently discontinued it. A new happy hour menu was introduced this week. Let the adventure begin. Stop by and partake in their cold drafts and sakes. The staff is knowledgeable of the offerings and will make your dining and drinking experience enjoyable and memorable.

    (5)

  • Amy Y.

    Happy hour Friday, we made it 20 minutes before last call. We got the last table inside a cubicle room. The place is neatly decorated but really tight seating. I believe it's Japanese local owned bar restaurant? It was a full house of course. Come early or I don't know if you'll get a table during happy hour. After getting seated, we got our menus. We looked straight at the Happy Hour menu because we need to order quickly before last call. We got the rock shrimp deep fried, four cheese pizza, and pasta with pesto. The shrimp dish came out first, I actually don't know how it taste because I can't eat shrimp. My friend seem to like it. I tasted the sauce and it's not bad. The four cheese pizza came out later. I'm not a fan of pizza, been avoiding it for years. Finally tried it and it's quite delicious. Not the kind where you get at pizza hut or dominoes. The crust was soft and chewy. Lots of cheese! We actually waited for a very long time for our pasta because apparently they didn't take down the order. So we had to ask the waitress about it but she did apologize. She said it'll take 10 minutes or so to make it. So we decided to wait..it took quite a while. But it came out hot. I like the pesto pizza. It's not any ordinary kind of pesto with the sauce on top. It's literally pesto pasta. It was simple but decent amount. This busy during happy hour, a bit crazy. Service can be lacking. Sitting in the corner doesn't really help either. However, they did give us the pasta for free. Which was really nice. So our bill came out to around $15~ The ambience was.loud and noisy. Not a place to chill and talk after a tired day at work unless you're the wild, young, and free kine. I practically had to scream at my friend to talk. I think my voice was a little scratchy after. What an experience...!

    (4)

  • Mikey H.

    My buddy Kyle said we were going to start here. I had never been and would probably never have seen or found it since it's in a very unassuming place. Dark windows but once inside, it's a good size. Nice chill vibe...we were able to score a couple of stools, but the bar area was packed. Good mix of locals. Very friendly staff! Couple of beers and we were ready to go. When I hang out with K, I tend to drink beer. He ordered a couple of apps for us, the signature Ja-Ja Nasu, fried eggplant with ground pork and black bean sauce. I thought it was alright, nothing to write home about. Thought the dish would taste good over rice. But it was the pumpkin and bacon saute with garlic that was amazing!!! Well, I guess anything is great with bacon, but the bits were nice a crispy. Since we were only starting the evening here, couldn't say much about the menu, but what a great place to come back to next time!

    (4)

  • Joyce L.

    Chez Kenzo is a nice place to get a drink with your friends and hangout. It's a nice and clean bar. The few times I've been here I see people bringing their young children. Okay. As for food, I've tried pesto pasta, fried chicken, pork chop salad, pizza. They were all good. They also have happy hours 5-7pm. The service is excellent. Staff are friendly and efficient. You never have to flag them down. They're always available to fill up your water and take more order. I love places like this. Parking is free during evening. It's the same lot as Bank of Hawaii. Make sure you park in the right place. Stalls are numbered. You can check the stall number on the entrance door.

    (5)

  • Jonathan C.

    The food was good. I always appreciate when a place has things I've never tried and this place definitely had that. So I went with some friends and ordered the following: Shabu shabu salad, Kabocha with bacon, cheese gyoza and the 4 cheese pizza. Ok I lied... I've had 4 cheese pizza or something similar to it, but I've never had anything like the other 3. Of the 4, I did like the cheese gyoza the best. I mean... how can you go wrong with cheese and gyoza? The Kabocha with bacon was pretty good and the salad and pizza were ok. The thing I liked most though was the service and the atmosphere. Definitely a place I can see myself hangin with friends, sharing some food and drinkin as they have a full bar from what I remember. The people who worked there were really nice and it definitely left an impression.

    (4)

  • Magnum P.

    OK, passed by this place a million times in my Ferrari. This time I stopped to meet a friend who suggested it. A nice surprise. Yes it was dark, I thought it was closed except for all the neon beer signs. The music was loud and maybe on the youthful side. OK, so I am old. But the food, yes, the food was surprisingly good. Interesting menu, so much variety, kind of on the asian fusion side, I was worried that they were trying to do too much. But, the salad was fresh, the pumpkin sauteed in bacon was awesome. Tried some pasta, not bad. The Kenzo steak was excellent, enjoyed the dipping sauces. Service was attentive, not over the top. Maybe I found my new discreet place for a secret rendezvous....

    (4)

  • Nadia K.

    Chez Kenzo is a favorite as they have great food and drinks, lots of parking, and a private section for large parties. It's such a fun place to hang out with friends, but you can have a nice dinner here as well. They have a happy hour menu from 5-7pm and also an extensive selection on their regular menu. My favorites are the bacon and kabocha, taegu tofu watercress salad, menchi katsu and the uni pasta. All of their pastas are super yummy and the pasta is cooked perfectly al dente. For dessert, I look forward to getting their parfait with green tea and vanilla ice cream, azuki bean, cereal (like rice krispies), and mochi! Super yummy!!! I don't see many children in the restaurant, but they are welcome there. At night, free parking in stalls 32-76 fronting the restaurant. Great service and they take reservations!

    (4)

  • Kate Y.

    Delicious food, awesome service and great happy hour specials. What more could you ask for? The music playlist also set the tone for a fun evening! I will definitely be coming back again!

    (5)

  • Riana S.

    Ever since Dash closed my boyfriend and I have been wondering where our next neighborhood bar would be. We've always wanted to try Chez Kenzo but never got the opportunity. Last night was perfect because our homie was having his birthday party there. We were pretty excited it was our first Chez Kenzo experience together *aw cute We came around 8PM and it wasn't super crowded. All the table tops were taken so we decided to sit at the bar until our friend's party arrived. Looking over the Yelp reviews I averaged out three items I should order: Hane Cheese Gyoza, Wafu Hamburger Steak, and the Pumpkin Bacon with Garlic. I ordered myself a cold mug of Kirin and I was ready to eat. + Hane Cheese Gyoza - So spinach/pork dumplings with the cheese melted over the top so it looks like a pancake. I advise you to eat this first otherwise the cheese will get all hard and super chewy (unless you like that). Comes with I think gyoza wasabi (just a hint) dipping sauce. Flavorful and yummy! + Japanese Pumpkin with bacon and garlic - I imagine when I become old and I don't have teeth, this dish will be my jam. The pumpkin was super soft, bacon was the perfect combo of crispy and chewy, garlic accented the dish, not overpowered it. Loved the textures and contrast between the flavors and it just meshed so well together. + Wafu Hamburger Steak - when I read Cathy's review I was like, "no way it can't be that good that she fell in love with it." But oh, was I in over my head. When the skillet came, it was love at first sight. A very beautiful fat juicy patty, a little cheese in the middle, moist, flavorful, omg....and that FAT scoop of delicious mash potato with GRAVY ALL OVA!?!?! I die. I was so full but I made sure I ate that whole plate (jk my boyfriend shared with me). Next time I'm gonna ask for them to crack an egg on top. Our bartender was asking us if we've been here before and we said no. He said he just assumed because we knew what to order lololz. Thank goodness for Yelp. I imagine over here though that all the dishes will taste great. The service was awesome, we didn't have just one waiter, all the workers were checking up on us making sure we were happy. Seriously can't wait to come back more often.

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    Must get the hamburger wafu steak! Probably my fav thing there. Oh and the cheese gyoza, Mentaiko pasta and steak fries are a must!! Gets pretty busy here but manage to always get a table. Service is great!

    (5)

  • Sheryl K.

    I'm totally a regular at Chez Kenzo for many reasons. Food is declious, service and staff are awesome and friendly, and the environment is great if you are looking to hang out at a bar that allows you to just chill, unwind and hang out with friends. There's plenty of seating and they're always very accommodating when there are larger parties wanting to sit together. They have a large food selection like their citrus chicken, fried ice cream, Mentaiko mayo pasta, pumpkin and bacon salad and so many other really tasty choices. Thai is definitely a place I would recommend if you want good food, drinks and a comfortable environment to hang out with friends.

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    Chez Kenzo is a great place hang out w/friends good drinks & good customer service...

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    I have three words for you: HANE CHEESE GYOZA. We ended up here after finding out Yakitori Glad was closed for New Year's Eve. After the meal we got, I couldn't have been happier with our decision. It was a great way to start the evening! We pulled up and I felt immediately overdressed. It looks like a dive bar from the outside, but don't let that fool you! The inside is chic and modern and would be the perfect place for a romantic date or a fun night out with the girls. There's bar seating in front at tall tables with stools and more tables on the other side of a divider for lunch and dinner seating. There's even an extra room for larger parties in back. ORDER THE HANE CHEESE GYOZA ($12). That's the biggest tip I can give you because it is delicious and unlike any gyoza I've ever seen. It comes out looking like a pancake, but that's because of all the cheese caked on! It's not on the happy hour menu, but it's worth a try. I'd order it again for sure. As you look through the menu, you'll notice they're all about Japanese-Italian fusion. Pasta lovers, rejoice! The food on the happy hour menu runs around $7 - $8 per plate. Jake and I ordered the Fried Rock Shrimp and Cheese Fries (both $7). The shrimp, to our surprise, came unbreaded! But it was still good. However I wouldn't recommend the Cheese Fries -- nothing special. (Save your powder for the cheese gyoza!!) There's also a Four Cheese Pizza for $7. It's personal pan sized, so if you're having it as your meal you probably won't want to share. ;) HAPPY HOUR: 5 - 7 p.m. daily. They've got great drinks specials -- $3.50 Kirin and Bud Light drafts, $4 wine, plus $5 sangria and specialty drinks. I was disappointed that the sangria wasn't available, as they were still in the process of waiting for the batch to sweeten. Hopefully I can try it during my next visit! PARKING: Free in the lot in front of the restaurant. You can turn right into the lot from S. King St. or look for street parking nearby along the same road.

    (4)

  • Takashi H.

    Updated review for holiday and graduation party season. Chez Kenzo is at the top of my list for party venues for larger groups (8-20). The versatile menu features a variety of foods and flavors which appeal to any crowd. My best buds from high school introduced me to Chez for my birthday two years ago and it was my go to place since. Throwing a theme party? No problem. You can reserve the private back room in advance where you can enjoy the peace and quiet, or be as loud as you want. The full bar features Japanese import beers, sake, wine, hard liquors, and more. Everyone at Chez knows how to mix a good cocktail. Best part? Everyone at Chez makes you feel welcome. Here's a place where you can experience that Aloha Spirit which is alive and well.

    (5)

  • Jake C.

    Yelp 365 Challenge 2015 #3/365 I would always see this place on Yelp and wondered how it was. It was just a stroke of luck that we ended up here on New Year's Eve, as a friend recommended it after we were turned down by Yakitori Glad since they were closed. Main reason for coming here: Happy hour from 5-7pm. When you pull up, don't be fooled by how it looks from the outside, as the inside is nice and clean. When you walk in, there's a bar area with tables and stools and televisions, and there is also a dinner seating area on the other side of the divider. We were seated and were surprised to be the only ones inside, being that it WAS happy hour. No complaints here, though. They had Kirin drafts for $3.50, which is cool as hell, and some other drink specials, along with select appetizers for $7. Rachel ordered the Hane Cheese Gyoza ($12) which was not on happy hour, and I ordered the Deep Fried Rock Shrimp and Cheese Fries, which were on happy hour ($7). The gyoza was amazing. Never have I eaten gyoza like this. When it got to our table it looked like a pancake, but it was really the huge amount of cheese that was cooked to a crisp, and held together the gyoza underneath. Best gyoza ever. The shrimp, to my surprise, was not breaded (I mean it said deep fried), but it still tasted good. It came on a bed of greens and some dipping sauce. The cheese fries were nothing special, could have had more cheese. The waitresses were very friendly and served us well. Maybe it was just because we were the only table inside for a while, until one other party came in, but we were checked on by all three of the waitresses that I had seen, and my water glass was rarely empty. From what I experienced on this visit, Chez Kenzo's cannot go wrong when it comes to their service, food, and happy hour. Looking forward to my next visit.

    (4)

  • Nelson Q.

    YELP 365 CHALLENGE 2014-(242/365) "Hawaiian Style Happy Hour" Came out to Chez Kenzo for a recent 808/702 UYE organized by fellow Honolulu Yeeps Brian M., Terry K., and Dave F. and we pretty much took over the majority of the dining space during Happy Hour. It's an interesting format where the bill is one per table and so it was me, Wifey, Brian, and Vince. We shared everything family style and ordered an assortment of items - Garlic Bread, Antipasto, Rock Shrimp, Pesto Pasta, Four Cheese Pizza, Cheese Gyoza and Kabocha Bacon. Ice cold Kirin for $3 was the perfect beverage to wash it all down! Great variety of items and cool people to be dining with, Steve also took great care of everything and everyone, and in the end, it was about $20/person with tip. Great spot in the downtown area, and I can't wait to come back here and try other items. ALOHA!!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 4

    (4)

  • Rod U.

    "I'm not going to happy hour at Chez Yelpy" announces my foodie friend. "Chez Yelpy?" I stupidly question, holding back laughter. "Yes Chez Yelpy. The kind of place you Yelp fanatics think is the s*** just because your 'yeeps' or 'yeepies' or whatever you call yourselves, say is good" his response. Fast forward to a recent visit and his words rang true. Mediocre food, below average quality ingredients, questionable freshness and inconsistent service. The originality of the dishes is probably the only memorable thing. Props to the Pirikara Konnyaku. Deep flavor, well seasoned, chilled and comforting. Good sweetened soy and bonito flavor with the right amount of spicy chili heat. From the lunch menu, an under seasoned albeit huge portion of correctly cooked tonkatsu atop a mountain of everyday white rice, a side of box curry standing at the ready. Great if you want a large lunch and even larger serving of MSG. A cheese gyoza; a strange concoction of gyoza stuck together by melted, processed, cheddar cheese and served with a cloyingly sweet soy sauce works great with beer but alone; oily, fatty, mushy (overcooked gyoza skins). Pass. Pass on pizzas. Made on prepackaged flat bread, topped by what taste like a preservative packed premade tomato sauce and processed cheese. The much raved about uni pasta, another dish great with beer but alone bordering on disgusting. Over cooked pasta mixed in a cream sauce of uni, butter, and the unmistakable earthiness and salty soy sauce. Add salted tobiko and the dish looses all focus. The addition of shiso is unable to brighten it. The piece de resistance, spoiled, deep fried fish. Inexcusable. Any chef knows when something goes bad. Serving smelly, slimy fish is disrespectful. Not removing it from the check when it was returned, a slap in the face. Service? "Where's the booze? Flowin' like mud around here". Slow, inattentive. Then again, maybe I'm Mr. Cellophane? To their credit, the bar has one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskey in Hawaii however what's the sense when you need to wait an eternity to get it. Chez Yelpy huh. Nice.

    (2)

  • Kimberly X.

    I absolutely love this place! Great location, great service and great food! The staff is all very friendly, place is so elegant even though it's a bar. You can see it's more of a restaurant. They accommodate your party size if the tables/seats are available and they take reservation! I love everything I have tried so far and I love that they have my favorite wine! A must go! I guarantee you'll have a great time! They have a to die for appetizer! (I can't remember the exact name cuz I am bad with names all around) but I believe it's a mushroom sauce with garlic bread and TRUST ME, you need extra garlic bread! It's like eating crack! Lol once you have it, you'll want more! And I looooove their katsu with house sauce/ gravy (I take the gravy home if I don't finish it and believe me, it goes great on everything!) and the dessert menu!? YUM! I took 2 different groups of friends with me and they all absolutely loved the place and food, they're already raving about going back. So again, no bad reviews from me.

    (5)

  • Yvette G.

    Chez Kenzo's staff is great! Due to my short lunch break they are always willing to work with you on hosting a quick lunch by letting me call in my order and have it waiting to dine in or take out. They will even help accommodate a gathering for cocktails and or dinner. Everything on the menu is great! Portions are big enough to share and the price is right. I'm never disappointed when I come here.

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    Chez Kenzo has seemed to be a fan favorite recently, as I have been here a couple times for many different reasons...birthdays, going-away parties, new job celebration parties, etc...and probably for good reason as this is a fun place to celebrate such occasions. Their menu is heavily Japanese-inspired, boasting items like natto cheese omelette, wafu hamburger steak, hiyayakko (cold tofu topped with ginger)...but then throwing in some twists such as cheese gyoza and japanese pumpkin and bacon saute. It's a pretty big menu and if you're not feeling so adventurous, they have simple items such as steak fries (I love their steak fries), and chicken karaage. Yeah, it's bar food, but it's done really well and it's the type of place where you don't feel as timid about trying new items. They also have a great beer list...not long, but they proudly showcase a variety of different Japanese beers, including Echigo, Kirin, Hitachino, as well as other local/imported craft beers. I guess my only issue with this place is that it is LOUD...no fault of the restaurant of course, but I found myself having to nearly yell to speak to someone sitting right across or next to me. The staff is on point, however. Super attentive and just overall friendly. Despite how crazy it can get, they're always smiling and asking if you need a refill...always at the right point too...as if they were reading my mind. Chez Kenzo has been placed on the shortlist of places to go to when considering a good ol' drinking party. After a couple visits, it's definitely earned that spot on the list.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Chez Kenzo is an odd spot that feels uncomfortably disjointed and lacking a clear direction. The name is a play on French and Japanese, but I find little French influence on the menu other than they serve foie gras. The interior decor is two thirds black, all black, with very dim lighting, but the back room brightly painted and well lit. You'd think the main dining area is supposed to be romantic being dark and candle lit tables, but the TV showing sports cancels that idea. I hate the silver glittered tablecloths covered with a thick clear plastic that is so sticky you can't even slide your glass. The oddest thing is that the servers are wearing jeans and t-shirts, not matching nor sporting a Chez Kenzo logo, just random wear; it makes completely no sense for the servers to look so casual in this environment seemingly without making any effort to look presentable. Maybe the decor threw me for a loop, but the food was just okay. We ate the Wafu Hamburger Steak, Smoked Salmon with Maui Onion salad, Chicken Wing Nagoya style, and a couple other forgettable dishes that I won't rack my mind to remember. All meh. Two in our party liked the food, but the other three found it lacking. Based on the ratings they obviously have fans, but I'm clearly not one of them.

    (3)

  • Tiffinie K.

    I really like this bar. There's free parking in a private lot and they take reservations. AND there's happy hour!! I had a good time with friends there, and the food is great. I really liked the shabu shabu salad (surprised how delicious it was - we ordered it on a whim) and pumpkin/bacon sauteed garlic (the server recommended it). We tired the mentaiko pasta, but it wasn't as good as I thought it was going to because it didn't have much of a sauce. The service was great. Several people came to ask us if we needed any drinks, foods, etc. Would definitely go there again.

    (4)

  • Angela Y.

    The first time I came here was in celebration for my sister, Carrie's birthday which was conveniently a day before Independence Day. Drinking time!! I had trouble finding parking and had to "legally" drive through the one-way parking lot entrance of the complex on the corner of Keeaumoku and King St, suggested and encouraged by the parking valet there (Thank you, sir). :P One word about Chez Kenzo: noisy! Regardless, I received good customer service. They would come by to check on us once in a while, ensuring we ordered enough food and drink. I had a kimchi fried rice (very little kimchi :c ), pasta, and a hello kitty. I guess they ran out of Kirin, so one of our friends received a drink of his choice, on the house! That's what I call awesome customer service, rather than a "Sorry, we're out, have a water instead. Or maybe buy an entire bottle of Grey Goose". They even gave the birthday girl a drink on the house! Their bathroom is clean and spacious, perfect for groups of girls to take their mandatory selfies, but torturing if you've had one too many beers and your bladder is about to explode. Not a good place to hold a deep conversation about conspiracy theories, but perfect for a good night out with friends. Would come again :)

    (3)

  • Sean C.

    Parking: private lot, located in the same space as the Bank of Hawaii on King st. The cost: $30/person The food: hamburger steak, kabocha with bacon, moscow mule, gyoza with cheese, uni pasta Restrooms: yes Park in the same space as the Bank of Hawaii. This place wasn't too crowded on the weekend evening that we went. It's dimly lit, a little trendy, but definitely a bar. I thought their moscow mule was quite watered down. The kabocha with bacon is great. I mean you really cannot go wrong with those two ingredients. The gyoza with cheese wasn't too heavy. The hamburger steak was made of high quality meat and definitely a step up from your usual hamburger steak. But I must say the best thing here is the uni pasta. Their pastas are made al dente with a creamy, rich, flavorful, rustic sauce. They have a bunch of pastas to choose from so you can keep coming back! Overall, a very nice place to eat and socialize. Go for the pastas!

    (4)

  • Shawny S.

    This place is kinda loud but it's neat, clean & the interior design is appealing. Perfect place to eat & have drinks with a group of friends. Great customer service, staff is really friendly & attentive. I've been here a couple of times now & I've always left satisfied. Hane Cheese Gyoza: Big cheesy gyoza, delicious! You gotta try it. Cheesy goodness! Mentaiko pasta: A bit spicy for me but it was yummy. Uni pasta: Creamy, flavorful & compared to other high end Italian restaurants it was not bad at all. Although I believe the pasta portions were small they were really good. I really liked everything I ordered here & I'll definitely be back soon.

    (4)

  • K-bis M.

    I tried Chez Kenzo for one drink during happy hour. I got the house sake for $6. It was nice n smooth. The food menu is EXTENSIVE! It would take me a month to get through all the food here. I spoke to an employee and they said the weekend pau hana crew is intense. (Fri, Sat, Sun) so,for a chill time go during the week. Especially if you live close by. So far ,so good.

    (4)

  • Bert S.

    Very contemporary "Yoshoku" Japanese. Went for pau hana drinks and pupus with a buddy. Broiled cod roe (tarako) - This was pleasant but the squeeze of fresh lemon didn't elevate this. Smoked salmon croquette - Croquette fried perfectly. The smoked salmon and capers, was... smoked salmon and capers. Hard to mess up. Garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce - Buddy loved this but didn't do much for me. Chicken wing Nagoya style - The only thing I'd order again. Wings were crispy and sweet soy sauce was just right, The atmosphere wasn't for me. It was dark and very noise. The noise didn't make it a fun atmosphere, just a loud one. Our servers kept changing and it took us a while to get our check. The younger male wait staff seemed more interested in hovering over the young women patrons. My own rating is hard for me to reconcile. The food was all done well, presentation was excellent, but with the exception of the wings, nothing had me wanting to come back again. I might try some of the wafu pastas if I come back. Don't know what kind of place this is. Wouldn't take the family there for dinner, too noisy for a date, and wasn't a place to unwind on a Friday. In the area, I would have preferred Menchankotei or even Chikos.

    (3)

  • Lisa S.

    On the night my girls and I dined here it was super noisy...we could barely hear our conversations. The kabocha dish was the only thing that stood out to me, but it wasn't worth not being able to hear much due to the loud noises of others and to top that off they even decided to blast some music too. The service could be better. First we were practically being nagged every 5 min for our orders then when it came time to pay it felt like a good 20 minutes before our server returned to give us our bill. One of the staff who wanted to take our orders wasn't even familiar with the menu items. I doubt me and my girls will be returning here

    (2)

  • Greg D.

    I came here for happy hour with my friends and gotta say it didn't disappoint, having a good selection of drinks on the menu and a variety of different foods with it till 7pm. We ordered the ja ja men and was was more of a Japanese style meat pasta and not black bean sauce with noodles.... Hence 4 stars...

    (4)

  • Nora K.

    My girlfriend and I went for lunch. First ones in and had excellent service from Shandelle. I hope I got her name correct. Food was terrific. Had the Clam pasta and cheese Gyoza with an awesome ponzu sauce. They don't normally have Gyoza for lunch, but they accommodated us. How great is that! The Pinot Grigio was perfectly chilled. I would definitely recommend you try it out. I had also been introduced this restaurant months earlier and went in for happy hour. Service and food was great then, too. I would even consider having a wedding shower or retirement party there, as I notice a nice side room to have a large party.

    (5)

  • Lucia K.

    I typically do not enjoy eating bar foods or greasy foods but I'd make an exception just for Chez Kenzo's food. I love the ambiance of this place, and the interior design and artwork is aesthetically appealing! Now let's get to the important stuff of course, the food! One word, delicious! Everything that we ordered was tasty, nicely presented, and well prepared. We ordered the hamburger steak which literally melts in your mouth, the Hane Cheese Gyoza which were heaven sent, and the Uni Pasta which in comparison to other high-end italian restaurants, was not bad at all. Service was excellent although a little slow because they were very busy (which does not surprise me since the food is so good), and we were checked up on every couple of minutes which was nice because often times busy restaurants will forget to do this. I will definitely be back soon!

    (5)

  • Brandon Y.

    I think this is great bar to come to if you just want to chill with some friends. The atmosphere is very mellow for the most part and parking isn't too bad. The food at Homebar is better but it just seems a lot more stressful to go there cause it's always so crowded. This is also one of my go to places for Sunday night. A lot of the good places are closed on Sunday but this place is open and they do happy hour! My favorites: Cheese Gyoza - Sounds weird but tastes good! Wafu Hamburger Steak - Almost like a meatloaf but really good Kabocha and Bacon - Nice simple appetizer and who doesn't like bacon?

    (4)

  • Kris M.

    I crave this place! Shabu Salad - A MUST. Yummy pieces of Shabu Beef over Mixed Greens with a delicious dressing. We ALWAYS get this. Ume Pasta - This is MY FAVE!! I love ume, I love pasta...stick them together? I love you! Even if you just like ume, you must give this a try! Ume is incorporated into the pasta noodles, so it's not as sour as you'd expect but still has all that yumminess you crave. I love it, I just love it! Cheesy Gyoza - Big Chunky Gyozas topped this fried cheesy goodness. I mean chunky in the beat way possible, like big honkin gyozas! Haha. Momo - Orange juice with some sort of alcohol. Don't care what's in it. Delicious creeper kind of drink. You drink it down like juice and then realize, heeeeyyyy.... I think I'm getting drunk! Winning! ;) Nice, Clean, A/C, Casual Business Atmosphere, Great Happy Hour, always a good time! Shout outs to *Steve and *Chandelle. I'll be in soon :)

    (5)

  • Jamie H.

    Absolutely love it here! My favorites here are the uni pasta and their taegu tofu watercress salad! They are both so addicting that I keep going back to have the same thing! With that we also had the fried shrimp and delicious garlic bread! For dessert you have to try their parfait - totally original with cereal in it! Yummy!!!

    (4)

  • Ryan Mae S.

    We went here for lunch one day for the first time as walk ins and were seated right away since it was very empty. For lunch what they lack in ambience and "the sparkly" they make up for with their food and service! We ordered family style and just shared. Everything was excellent and the portions are very generous. Many of the dishes were local favorites with a twist that were fun and innovative. My fav was the chicken buns...like duck buns but with savory, boneless, fried chicken. Our server was both sweet and attentive. It seemed perhaps she was new because she couldn't answer some of the questions I had but she always went and checked and came back armed with answers. I will definitely be going back to this little gem again!

    (4)

  • Little D.

    CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL @1451 S KING ST: Located at where Verbano used to be, behind Bank of Hawaii. One time dinner experience: I absolutely loved their food and service. Thanks to Yelp and the great server, everything we ordered was tasty! Sake Tini -5 star. Shabu Shabu salad - 5 star. Kabocha bacon - 5 star. Seafood Pasta - 4 star. Pesto Pasta - 4.5 star. Rock Shrimp - 4.5 star. Garlic bread -5 star Parking: #32 to #76 are assigned for Chez Kenzo, or street parking like we did.

    (5)

  • Loryn G.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Sorry for yelling, but I really, truly, adore this spot. One of my most favorite pau hana spots. It's got a hip vibe and the staff are super awesome-- very friendly and accommodating. They do sometimes get busy, so if you're planning on going for dinner, I would say make reservations, just in case. The menu is a nice combo of Italian and Japanese fare- there's a great variety of pupus and a tons of different pasta dishes. The owners and lots of the staff are from the old "Genius Lounge" in Waikiki, which now has a new owner and totally different menu. Genius Lounge used to be my jam, now Chez Kenzo is. It may sound crazy, but get the cream cheese poke. It's delicious! Topped with green onion, some kind of shoyu drizzle, and tobiko, it's delicious and great paired with a cocktail or beer (they have a great sake selection as well). Another dish I always get is the fried octopus - nice big chunks of purple octopus, lightly battered and deep fried to perfection. Super juicy. Another great pupu is the deep friend cheese! Nom! Wrapped in shiso leaf and served with lemon, salt and pepper on the side.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    Awesome food. Best service. My bitches were obviously named Matt & Richie. ;D It was happy hour so we OBVIOUSLY ordered practically everything on the menu, Ikura spaghetti was DEATH, pizza was like amazinglying AWESOME, and garlic bread (when I requested additional marinara--GENUIS). Everything else was OK...

    (5)

  • Miki L.

    Went here on a Monday night whim. The reviews don't lie, this place was AWESOME. Here's the breakdown of the food we ate: Steak fries: Great thick cut fries but I don't think I'll waste stomach space on these next time. This isn't because they were junk, everything else was just that much better. If you know me that's definitely saying something, I LOVE french fries. Natto cheese omelette: This was super yummy and unexpected. Bf who hates natto actually ate some. The egg was nice and fluffy and the cheese and the natto shared the flavor spotlight well. Uni pasta with ikura: This was so yummy! Perfect uni creaminess paired with pasta was a match made in Japanese fusion food heaven! I think the shiso definitely elevated this dish for me. This was my bf's favorite of the night. Mentaiko pasta: FAVORITE DISH EVER. Spicy, salty, and so so so yummy! I could eat this forever! I seriously considered making a take out order to have for lunch the next day... I'm drooling as I'm typing this, thinking about it. Drinks and service were excellent but even if they weren't I'd still come back just for the mentaiko pasta. Next time we need to try the wafu hamburger and bacon and kabocha and maybe the cheese gyoza...

    (5)

  • Tiffany O.

    I love Chez Kenzooooo! This used to be our spot when we want to grab a late night bite and some drinks. I'm surprised I haven't written a review for Chez yet. Their menu is delicious. Lots of choices... my favorite has to be their mentaiko pasta, cheese gyoza, and the hamburger steak? They also have this yummy fattening drink called Cloud 9 that we like to get. The service is awesome! The servers are really nice and always checking up on you. The restaurant does get busy, so call ahead of time to make a reservation! The parking lot is big, so you won't have to worry about parking. Hmm, also the interior is a little too dark for me, I can barely see my food (especially since I always want to take pictures, but I have to use flash *sad*). Other than that everything is good!

    (5)

  • Janet F.

    One of my favorite places to eat at. This place kind of has a romantic feel to it. Customer service is great, everyone is friendly & always making sure everything is going well. And the food.... Amazing. From their pastas to their cheese Gyoza and hamburger steak that has cheese on the inside. 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Tammy S.

    I've gone here like 4 times in the last month... I worry the waitstaff thinks I'm stalking them. But it's really convenient to stub by here after work on my way home...I've enjoyed everything I've tried there. It's a really cool vibe with cool people.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    Okay food but really bad service from owners. Wouldn't recommend supporting their business.

    (1)

  • Amy G.

    This was our 1st time here. The food was excellent!!!! If you like eating Japanese pastas; you must try the "Uni" and the "Ikura". Those two pasta dishes are the best ones we tried. We are defiantly coming back soon!!!!

    (5)

  • Courtney Y.

    Chez Kenzo. I went there (technically twice, but once only for a mixed drink) last night armed with my Yelp app in hand, and a couple of must-order things in mind. I already had decided when I made my reservation that I was to order the wafu hamburger steak which came with delish mashed potatoes atop a sizzling hot plate (YUMMAY). What I hadn't decided or even imagined was that I would go on to then order (looking like a complete piggy): Ume pasta, cheese gyoza, ALONG with dessert later on. I will say, that the wafu hamburger steak was definitely a highlight for Chez Kenzo for a reason. Other yelpers did not lie when they said this thing was bombdotcom. It was hot and sizzling, and everything I could imagine when thinking of this savory dish. When cut into fourths (I played nicely and shared with my friends), the cheese oozed out of it. The hamburger was moist, and the gravy not too salty with sauteed onions included in the mix. Total yums. Most definitely recommended. Now, I am an ume lover as well, and grew up with loving it, so I had to give the Ume pasta a go. Sure it sounded interesting (have never tried anything quite like it), and I was feeling adventurous. The ume had little ume slices of jelly (think of a more solid version of the cranberry jelly that comes in the can, but an ume version of it), and fish flakes garnishes. It had a light ume taste that was definitely different; not overly filling, and more light in nature. It was cool to try, and something new. Okay, and that cheese gyoza was pure win. When it got to us, it looked like more of a pizza with cheese covering it. GYOZA IN CHEESE? Yes please. It was pretty darn good, and a must order the next time I head on over here. For dessert, my friend got the special: creme brulee while I got the other special: fried ice cream. And by golly, how I love desserts. The creme brulee did not disappoint and was not too sweet, while the fried ice cream was not overly-cinnamony. I may go back just for the desserts, too! This place is definitely deserving of 5 stars (legasp, this is one of the first 5 stars I've given in a while-ish). Their happy hour from 5-7 was winning; I snagged their house sangria for $3, and their menu is quite extensive... Which is my only gripe; too much good things to choose from!

    (5)

  • Clarissa M.

    Perfect spot for birthday celebration. Our servers were friendly and efficient! I had no idea this location was the former Italian restaurant. Chez made great use of the space and the look is modern and hip. The food is excellent here - we tried the shabu shabu salad (we enjoyed it so much we ordered it twice), cheese gyoza, and mostly everything on their happy hour menu. We did try some of their pasta dishes (which were infused with an asian twist). Food portions were definitely made for sharing. The drinks were just as tasty. It is recommended to rsvp. There is a more intimate room separated from the general seating. Great place for celebrations!

    (5)

  • Yuko A.

    Chez Kenzo is a great place to take anyone, even the picky eaters. They have such an extensive menu that you are bound to find at least 1 thing you like. I've been twice and both times I've had been stuffed to the brim but with a huge smile on my face. Both times I got to sample a couple items on the HH menu but I knew I wanted to try items on their main menu so we didn't order much. I'm usually pretty picky about pesto because I grew up with homemade sauce straight from our garden (sans the cheese, pinenuts, and garlic) but I liked their pesto pasta. A little on the creamier side but definitely something I'd get again. 4 cheese pizza - crispy, cheesy, not oily. what more can you really ask for. Perfect for sharing. Now onto the regular menu. Uni Pasta - Okay, leans more on the creamier (less uni) side but not a terrible dish. I just like a lot of uni. :) Crab pasta - topped with sweet crab in a medley of tomato and cream, a good dish to share. watercress salad - I'm not a huge salad person but this was fresh, healthy, and a refreshing way to start off our big dinner. Salmon Croquette - I love smoked salmon and I love croquette so I was in heaven. I've never had them in the same dish before but I will definitely be having them again. Soon! Wafu hamburger - my bf loved this dish - Idk if it was the mashed potatoes or the burger but on the 2nd visit, he was flipping the menu pages to find it. It's the ultimate meat/potato dish of perfection. The meat is tender, the potatoes fluffy. I think I might order a side of rice with it next time to dip in that lovely demi-glace sauce they serve it with. Kabocha & bacon - Sweet & Salty, crispy bacon - not overly soft kabocha. You can't go wrong - a must order. I'm sure we ordered other items but these were a few that I really enjoyed. Can't wait to try other items on my next visit!

    (5)

  • Pam H.

    I could not stop talking about this place.... We walked in with no reservation and this place was LOUD ! Large party going on in the side room they have and a large party going on smack in the middle of the restraint. We waited less than 10 minutes and was able to get a table.... I did notice that the staff all covered for each other and that really helped to clear tables for others that were waiting as well. (This was a good sign that this place must be either cheap or the food is worth the wait) I ordered the Sake sampler and was happy that I didn't have to wait till next year to get it since the place was so busy. Busy sometimes equal long waits till you see your waiter(s). Appetizer we ordered the cheesy gyoza! OMG!!!! Cheese covered the gyoza and crisped to perfection. Inside of the cheese you'll find the gyoza is tender and perfectly done and seasoned. What a combination that exploded with joy in my mouth. For dinner I had the crab pasta and when I asked the waiter what he recommended this was one that he actually didn't care for. But I love crab so I ordered it anyway. I was so glad that I did. Crab is tomato based and the pasta is cooked to perfection! Be careful because it's rich so I ate half of my past and took the rest home for lunch the next day. Yays = Service is prompt, food is amazing! Eeeehhhh = Noise, but if you are one of the drinkers I'm sure the noise will disappear :-) I'M COMING BACK AGAIN!!! I'm in love with this place.

    (5)

  • Cathy T.

    I have fallen in love. With the Wafu steak at Chez Kenzo. It's so delicious and amazing that I think I want to be monogamous with it and never order anything else from here! Typically the dishes here on the smaller side portion wise. Even some of the entree portions have left some friends hungry so I was pretty surprised when this sizzling platter came out and had a hunk of meat on it bigger than both of my fists! The Wafu steak is stuffed with cheese and served with mashed potatoes smothered with demi glaze. (I think I would drink demi glaze by the glass if no one was watching!) It's so moist you can cut it with your fork and so hearty that you can pound a few sake shots or glasses of sangria and not worry about it! Other awesome highlights include: Bacon & pumpkin, ikura pasta, pi-tan tofu, and Portuguese bean soup. Their happy hour food items are also yummy but their drink specials are really where it's at! I will most definitely be back to eat the Wafu hamburger steak that stole my heart!

    (5)

  • Jay P.

    Goodbye old and crappy Verbano's, hello new and innovative Chez Kenzo! I was so happy to hear that Verbano's was closing down and that a new restaurant was opening up in its place. Came with a group of four and had no trouble finding parking during dinner hours. The lot was pretty empty when we came and the stalls designated for free parking were ample. We walked in without reservations and were immediately seated in the dining area. Our menus were brought over and some specials were highlighted before we jumped into the menu and ordered. I ended up ordering the Cold China Noodles (冷やし中華) while my friend ordered the Mentaiko Pasta. My order was alright for what it was -- cold noodles with assorted vegetables in a soy vinaigrette sauce. I might order this dish to beat the summer heat if/when an extremely hot day comes around. The mentaiko pasta was...AMAZING! So many flavors packed into one dish...and there was even a spicy element involved! My favorite mentaiko pasta thus far. We also ordered a side of the cheese gyoza and that was a nice appetizer to split between the group as well. It definitely doesn't look like your standard gyoza and the cheese wasn't too overwhelming! The only *slight* problem I have about Kenzo's is the noise pollution. It's so hard to have a conversation when the entire restaurant is filled with loud music and even louder crowds! If you plan on dining here, be prepared to sometimes shout over the table!

    (4)

  • Lorraine K.

    I'm Ate at Chez Kenzo a couple times and every time I've gone the customer service was amazing. The waiters check up on you frequently for water refills, orders and to make sure that everything is okay. The staff there are super outgoing and friendly. Great atmosphere for a large party; when I go with a group of friends we usually order a bunch of appetizers and a few entrees and share everything. The cost of food is very reasonable and the portions are generous. The atmosphere is like any other bar and Grill, there are a few small tables near the bar area and more of a formal sit down area towards the back of the store. There's also room that is separated from everything that is great for large parties. The food has always been very tasteful and comes out pretty quick. Presentation is also nice. If you're looking for a place to chill, eat and have some drinks with friends this is the perfect place! As busy as they are, they accommodate without having you want forever and a day to get your food and drinks.

    (5)

  • Jerrene T.

    The first time I encountered Chez Kenzo was at Joy of Sake. Their mentaiko pasta struck a cord in me that made me want to try their restaurant. We did end up going there shortly after JOS but I didn't remember it as being spectacular enough to go back. Fast forward to my husband's aunt and uncle coming to visit. My husband was debating on where to take them on their last night here. It was a toss up between Chef Chai, Alan Wong's, and here. My husband's coworker wanted us to come here to support the fact that they buy sake from my husband's company that he works for. So on that note, we came here. Oh it also helped that they don't have a ton of raw fish... my husband's uncle doesn't like raw fish... WHAT?! We made reservations but I don't think it was necessary on a Tuesday night. We ordered family style - cheese gyoza, roasted garlic, kabocha & bacon, tonkatsu curry, cheeseburger & fries (for my 4 year old and no, they don't come together), shabu shabu salad, mentaiko pasta, and I'm sure there's other dishes I'm missing. I didn't like the pasta as much this time... I think it has to be piping hot, it was just warm. My favorite by far was the shabu shabu salad... the dressing is amazing! The gyoza is interesting... it reminds me of the cheese mochi thing at Shokudo. The garlic has always been one of my go to items. The tonkatsu curry was just okay, nothing spectacular. My husband really enjoyed the kabocha and bacon. My husband's aunt and uncle liked it all. I felt like it was a great last meal. We even had some sake flights which had a lot more sake than any of us were expecting. However, it was hard to flag down servers at times though because it was so loud! It was already loud with all the people in there but then they started playing music and it was even louder. I felt it was unnecessary to play loud music. Overall, I would come here again. Luckily we only come during dinner so there's plenty of parking in the BOH lot. I think only certain stalls are marked for Chez Kenzo but it's usually not a problem to find one of those. I never tried desserts here... I prefer to go elsewhere. Overall, I think this is the perfect place to take out of town guests for an ecclectic variety of food and tastes of Hawaii. I'm not sure how busy it gets on other nights but it definitely was nice on a Tuesday night. I will probably come back again for Happy Hour to enjoy more foods and sake at a cheaper price! Win!

    (4)

  • Al C.

    OMG! Mentaiko mayo pasta or even the regular mentaiko pasta...doesn't look like much, but can't get any better with every bite. Screw carbs - give me two orders please! Also, their bacon and kabocha hits the spot with the pasta. I could go on and on about their food...nothing bad to say about any of it. Parking is validated during the day and free at night. Service is friendly and always helpful. Can get a little loud, but it's a sports bar, so not a biggie. Definitely a must go.

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    Gotta say Kenzo delivers when it comes to tasty food and HH. The same guys that used to own Genius created this super popular restaurant a couple of years ago. HH is from 5-7p with lots to choose from especially the $5- Sake. Service is always with a smile.

    (4)

  • Jon H.

    There are not many better places to have a drink and nom on delicious food than Chez Kenzo. Whenever my friends and I are trying to think of a place to chill, Chez Kenzo is easily one of the first places that comes to mind. Having been a big Genius Lounge fan for a long time, it was inevitable that i'd grow an affinity for Chez Kenzo since it was opened by one of their owners. But as much of a fan as I am of Genius Lounge, Chez Kenzo takes what was already good and allows it to transcend into amazing. I could go on and on about the great things on the menu. You're just as soon to find a table with an order of fries as you are one with a bowl of udon. But my absolute favorite things to order are the natto cheese omelette, uni pasta, and mentaiko pasta. Now I know natto might not be everyone's food of choice. And honestly, I wasn't a fan myself for a long time. But I promise if you just give it enough chances you'll soon learn to love the flavor. And when you combine it with yummy in my tummy cheese, the ooey gooey-ness just becomes magical. And what makes Chez Kenzo's omelette so much better than anywhere else is just how light and fluffy they're able to make it. And I'll let you in on a tip: order two! I speak from experience because I've literally taken my eyes off the plate for a couple moments only to find remnants of my omelette remaining. And when I wanna be extra fat, I need not look further than their delicious pastas. If you've read some of my other reviews, you'd know that I'm an uni pasta fiend. I crave that stuff like an addict. And there's no place that finds that perfect middle ground between price and quality than Chez Kenzo. Although you might be able to find more decadent and fancy interpretations of uni pasta at super high class restaurants, Chez Kenzo is no slouch and their uni pasta has great flavor and still only a fraction of the cost as those other places. The uni and cream sauce is silky smooth and extra decadent. And when I'm in the mood for something with a little more kick, I order than mentaiko pasta. In my opinion, mentaiko pasta is the quintessential Japanese pasta dish. So simple, but so good. The service is always excellent, and they go the extra mile to ensure you're having a great time. Water glasses are never empty and servers make sure to check on you constantly without being overbearing. If there's anything that I might be able to say in negative would be because the crowd and music can be quite loud, it can get a little difficult to hold conversations. But Chez Kenzo is such a great, fun place that the noise is a non-issue. Go to Chez Kenzo and get that natto cheese omelette...NOW!

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    One of my new favorite "pre-game" place. I love the fact that their menu consists of appetizers and that's about it lol, all 10 pages of it! The drink selection is alright, mainly the sake selection is where you want to stay at. Their mix drinks aren't the best. It is really crowded so make reservations. Excellent waiters and staff here!!

    (5)

  • Mi Y.

    Servers are just too busy and no where to be seen somehow on Saturday night. Do you like roaches? Then please visit here. Big roaches will welcome you, but please do not bother to try letting your server know. Your server will be very busy to take care of you. Food is just descent. Good place to drink. It reminds me of a ghetto a*s local bar. People are very loud. Not a good place to take your date. Do not take your date here unless you are trying to get her drunk than getting to know her. If your date does not get drunk then just take the roach home so you do not have to sleep alone. I recommend this place for my enemy. I just don't understand why people in Hawaii still visit a restaurant with roaches.

    (1)

  • Meg M.

    Italian plus Japanese?! Ummm I was skeptical at first but I am so glad I decided to try this place out! The happy hour here is awesome.... $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine and pupu dishes to share. The appetizers are mostly small pasta plates... pesto pasta is good as is the small cheese pizza. They are totally affordable for finger food while you are having some drinks. The tapas they have on their main menu though are even better! My absolute favorite is the salmon steak.... it is a decent size piece of salmon smothered in an amazingly rich sauce. The Uni pasta is also a delicious choice. I am not always a fan of uni but the cream sauce that it was in and the pasta it was served with was a delicious combination. We went again for mother's day and we all had awesome dishes! A favorite of the table was the flounder in a curry sauce. I wasn't a huge fan of it but I was the only one! We also loved the tofu watercress salad. It was a big portion and had an interesting topping and sauce that made it more interesting than a "normal" salad! Service is pretty good and consistent. We made a reservation for Mother's day but we could have just walked in. Definitely call ahead or expect to wait on the weekend nights though! This place also has a private-ish room in the back that seems perfect for birthdays and events!

    (4)

  • Cindy L.

    Came here for a friend's birthday. Happy hours from 5pm to 7pm. We tried the following items for happy hour: Antipasto ($6), Four Cheese pizza ($6), Firecracker shrimps ($6) - Portion size was good. The shrimps were on the tiny-side. We also ordered some items from the regular menu: Salmon croquette, Cheese gyoza , Taegu tofu watercress salad , Puttanesca pasta , Loco moco hamburger patty with a side of mash potato. They offer a wide variety of food, good for happy hour in a romantic setting.

    (2)

  • Kristin I.

    Love the food here!!!! Especially the pasta!! OMG who would've thought Ume pasta could taste so good! The other thing you must try, even though it sounds weird, is the Cream Cheese Poke. Don't be fooled by the name! It is so amazing!!! There were no tables open in the dinning area, so we took a seat at one of the high tables in the bar area. Surprisingly this restaurant is very loud, sound seems to echo and is very loud i can barely hear my friend talking. The service was awesome though, always checking up on us and making sure we were ok and always refilling our water. Refilling of water is very important! Definitely love coming here, and they have so much to offer on their menu, you can always come back and try something new.

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    Made a reservation a day before for 10 people to celebrate my co-worker's birthday. Usually it's difficult to get a reservation for a big party the day before so I was surprised they were able to accommodate us. My co-workers and I arrived an hour late due to getting off work late and our reservation was not cancelled by the restaurant. Instead he took us to our table in the back room without giving us attitude about being late. Such a pleasant host. The back room was very cozy and private, which we enjoyed. Once we were seated, our waiter Steven arrived with menus and soon after glasses of water. He also added a pitcher of water in the center of our table. Next, he took our drink orders down and also gave us some recommendations. It was an hour before the happy hour menu closes and so we felt we had to rush and give him our happy hour orders. Steven assured us not to rush because we still had a lot of time to order. Once we were ready we ordered a whole bunch of food: 2-pasta with pesto sauce, 2-four cheese pizzas, 3-rock shrimp deep fried, 2-uni pastas, 2-kobocha and bacon, 2-wafu hamburger steak, 3-cheese gyoza, and 2-jaja nasu. Surprisingly with all that food, 8 cocktails, and a cheesecake dessert... the bill came out to about $26/person. VERY NICE! Once we were done with our meals, we washed our hands with their washcloth like wet naps...WHAT?! So cool. Yup I see myself coming back to this place. Loved everything about this place. One of We had the greatest service because of our waiter Steven, great atmosphere, and most important THE GREATEST FOOD. I wish I could give this place more than 5-stars. With a place as busy as this, they have a private lot with a lot of parking. There are free parking stalls and the rest of the stalls were $3 for 5hrs. If you're in the area, it's a must to stop by this place.

    (5)

  • Liane H.

    The food was excellent. We came for happy hour. We had the pesto pasta, which was delicious and perfectly al dente. The whole pine nuts on top were a very nice touch. The menchi-katsu was also tasty and came with a side of mashed potatoes. The four cheese pizza also had their pesto sauce on it, and the crust tasted like buttery crackers. Yum! I had a glass of sangria ($4 during happy hour) and he had a draft Bud Lite, which came super chilled (I want to say it was $3, but I don't remember exactly). Total bill was about $32 including tax - not bad for 3 dishes (2 were happy hour specials) and 2 drinks. And we had some leftovers. Very attentive but not annoying service. Everyone who passed by would check briefly on us and clear plates, bring water, etc. I would give five stars just for the staff, but the food was also worth five stars! We will definitely be back. Loved it!

    (5)

  • Doug M.

    Kinda packed at 2 am but good music and fun times. There is still too much drama for my taste the closer u get to closing. But the serves is good and security was on point most of the night

    (3)

  • Jonathon L.

    Always have a good experience here. Its almost like stepping into an restaurant in Japan. Friendly staff and perfect food. I have yet to have a bad dish here. One thing to note is that during happy they get really busy. Due to their meticulous nature of only wanting to serve hot fresh food, this could mean a lengthy wait on some dishes. I suggest coming ready to share so that all your hungry friends don't sit there staring at you like hungry zombies while you stuff your face. I love that the prices are reasonable (pretty much everything is ~15 dollars). Which makes it a great place to try everything!!! This visit was cheese gyoza, crab meat pasta, and tempura udon (has a fancier name that I dont remember). All of these are winners!

    (5)

  • Robyn S.

    I've been here a few times and I've always had an enjoyable experience. There are a few things I'd swear by when coming here: Uni pasta: So creamy and savory, what it lacks in portion size, it deals in taste! Natto omelette: Most of you are probably cringing at this point but definitely worth a try. The egg is light and fluffy with enough subtle flavor of cheese and the unique texture of natto. Me and my other friend convinced our non-loving natto friend to try it and she agrees it's a winner! Parfait: I was a little skeptical at first but I had a hard time putting down my spoon at the end. Think green tea and azuki flavors meets rice krispy. Really yummy and simple. The ambiance is a little darker than most but definitely comfortable if you're a vampire like me. Overall, it's a great place to stop by when catching up with a few friends over drinks and sharing a little something unique from the usual bar food. The service is quick and attentive and I definitely recommend stopping by during happy hour!

    (4)

  • Eric Robert R.

    The first time here was maybe a year ago! The second time with a bunch of Yelp friends! A place called... CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL! I'm still not sure on the origin of the name, but I think a review is long overdue or I might have to wait another year! Really, it's a place I don't mind being on a regular basis, but lately my schedule is preventing me on having a night life and such. Good in a way, but bad if you love good eats and dranks! When one of my long-time Yelp buddies (Terry K.) messaged me about a future UYE at Chez Kenzo I knew I would have to be there- no matter what! A few other good friends organized the UYE and all I had to do was show up?! That I can do! Like I mentioned earlier it's been a year since being here, so I sort of forgot the layout of the place- just look for the loud crowd, I guess! Shoots! I ordered the following: *SANGRIA X2- Very flavorful and made just right. It was HH so it was well under $5! I got this in honor of my RL friend, Courtney Y., because she's been busier than I, but loves the Sangria here! Fruity like her! *4-CHEESE PIZZA- Very delicious and I shared with my "6-pack abs" friend, Renee S., she has no shame sharing, so all good! Haha! Very cheesy, like the way you want it, on a freshly baked thin crust! Yum! *KIRIN DRAFT BEER- Can't go wrong with Draft Biru! Especially during HH! It was fresh and not flat and no complaints! Perfect with the cheesy pizza! *WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK- I had this about a year ago, but it was delicious! Japanese style hamburger with cheese melted everywhere, topped w/ a demi-glacé sauce, and over mashed potatoes! All in all a very pleasant experience. It can get somewhat hectic with the staff during rush hour, but overall they all respond well. Took a while for my pizza to arrive, but the server advised me that they hadn't forgotten and that's what it's all about- communication! And most importantly it was worth the wait since it was delicious! Yup, I definitely recommend... CHEZ KENZO BAR & GRILL! A fab place to hang-out with good friends if you don't mind talking loud if it's a room full of even more friends! Heck, I can't complain... Good food + Good drinks + Good friends = A win in my book! Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill, operated by Ken Kawasaki and Kenzo Tokeshi, ahhh ok, that explains the name! I'll be back hopefully sooner rather than later... BIG KAHUNA TIPS: Location: 1451 S. King Street, near BOH. Parking: On premises (assigned) or street. Hours: Daily 5pm to 1am (HH 5pm-7pm). OVERALL GRADE: 4.0-STARS! (Solid!) LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #357

    (4)

  • Max G.

    I went to Chez Kenzo 2 times. The first time I loved it, I would have give 4 or 5 starts for sure. Last time I went there, it was OK. One dish was very good (filet mignon), the rest was average. It is a little pricy so I guess I expect better than average. Cool place to eat but not the best for the price I feel like. Also, the music was stupid. It was basically youtube videos on a TV and regular dubstep music between youtube videos. Not awesome.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Maybe it's because I saw this restaurant being tauted on KFVE' s "Cheap Eats" that I thought it'd be cheaper, but it ain't! I think you have to come during lunch time for the "cheap eats" but dinner time, it's not cheap. Also, this is not really a family friendly place. We unknowingly took my 5 year old with us and though they were very welcoming, friendly and didn't seem to mind the kid, the atmosphere (very, very dark in there!) and plating is adult. His milk came out in a cocktail glass, lol. Lucky for us, our kid is well traveled and been taking him out to eat for a while so he knows how to be seen and not heard. lol. The menu is huge and they seem to specialize in pastas. It's a really interesting menu as it's a mix of Italian, Japanese, Asian and local. It's like the menu is whatever the chef likes and not a region, which is pretty cool. My husband got the pasta con vongolle (clams in white wine sauce) and he thought it was very tasty but more on the Asian flavor side than Italian. It had lots of garlic in it ($18). I shared with my son the fried flounder and rice. The fish was fresh and panko crusted but had no flavor, the flavor came from their tartar sauce, and I had the fried eggplant with pork over it. It tasted like the chinese kind eggplant dish, so was good but nothing "wow" and I could get it for about $5 cheaper elsewhere. Overall, the food is tasty and thoughtfully prepared but it wasn't necessarily blow your mind. I can see this being more of a place to drink and just get pupus than having dinner. In that sense then definitely this is a lot more high brow than hitting up Side Street or Home Bar etc. Here's my recap: Pros: -Very friendly service and attentive. I appreciated how the server was honest and informative about their menu -Happy Hour drink prices. It's very good actually. $3.50 for draft Kirin, $2 sake shots, $4 wine. Happy Hour food was $7/plate. Not too bad. We had the antipasto (was good not great, but very fresh), shrimp cocktail (sauce was really good the shrimp a bit dry) and french bread (really good and hot!) -This is more of date night/adult place. Cons: -Really dark in there. They're going for the grown and sexy lounge vibe which isn't really a bad thing but I personally don't like squinting down at my food. They could turn the lights up just a tad.

    (3)

  • Teresa L.

    Tip: Make reservations! This place gets crowded FAST! And especially on weekends. Great for parties 10 - 15 because they have a semi private area in the back. I LOVEEEEEE their cheese gyoza - it's a must have. I have trouble sharing this dish because I love cheese and I love gyoza. If you put them together, you get something worth having all to yourself! But hey, if you want to be nice, it's probably better to share ;) Parking: There's a sign on their door saying that stalls 32-56 (i think) are designated to restaurant customers.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    2 words and 1 event to unite them all: UYE Happy Hour!! I was very thankful to be asked by fellow Yelper, Jacob N., to co-host (not just attend) a UYE during happy hour at Chez Kenzo. The response to our event was more than we could have imagined, and we were thankful to spend a very HAPPY hour (in this case 2) with members of the Yelp community. Please visit chezkenzo.net for complete details regarding location, hours of operation, and full menu. NOTE: Their full menu includes salads, tapas, pasta, noodles, and dessert. Full menu is very extensive as the variety of dishes can't compare to the meager offerings of the HH menu. SETTING: Chez Kenzo is comprised of a bar area, dining area, and a semi-private room/area. Jacob had the thought to make a reservation for happy hour (who knew reservations for HH were even possible?!), and when we arrived the host was kind enough to offer the use of the private area based on the number of people attending. The private area seats about 30 people and consists of tables seating 4. HAPPY HOUR: 500-700pm. DRINKS: I ordered a glass of wine, $4; some chose the $3 Kirin beer. And of course, there were all those sake shots =) Thanks Brian M.! I was able to try.......Three dishes from the HAPPY HOUR Menu: 1) Rock Shrimp: Not bad. The sauce makes this dish complete. 2) Four Cheese Pizza: Delicious. So simple yet so good. Ordering this again for sure. 3) Pasta with Pesto Sauce: Another favorite from the happy hour menu. The serving is enough for one individual, or of course you could choose to share it with your friends. All in all a well-prepared dish. Two Dishes from the REGULAR MENU: 4) Kabocha with bacon: One would argue the addition of bacon makes everything taste good. And they would be right. Recommended. 5) Hane Cheese Gyoza: After reading so many reviews about this dish I simply had to try it for myself. It's good. Really it is. I would absolutely order this again on a future visit. SERVICE: Excellent! I don't know how our server manged it, but he alone did most of the leg work during the evening. He greeted people, took orders, dropped off orders, refilled waters, made sure everyone's drink/water wasn't empty, and made people felt welcome. And all the while, he was very friendly, polite, and helpful. He did an outstanding job, and I was so thankful for such wonderful, wonderful customer service. Lastly, I appreciated the offer of providing 1 check for each individual table, rather than 1 check for the entire group (20-25 people). PARKING: Although it is a pay lot, stalls 32-76 are designated for Chez Kenzo customers. Don't need to pay if parking in one of these stalls. Bottom Line: Terrific Service. Ample Parking. Great happy hour food and drink specials. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    I think I'm in love.... ...with Chez Kenzo's pastas and happy hour drink specials!! Drink specials: $2 sake shots $3 ice cold draft beers and sangrias $4 sake cocktails and wines $5 house sake and sake-tinis Happy hour runs from 5-7pm daily. 'Nuff said. Every pasta I've tried here is exceedingly delicious and always gives me cravings for more! I've tried the mentaiko, crab, and pesto -- all with perfect texture and ingredients, and all very tasty! These pastas are some of my FAVORITE on the island, and that's unusual coming from a Japanese restaurant! Mentaiko - $12 - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Crab - $13 - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Pesto - $6 on HH - yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… I think the secret to their pastas is the noodles. Somehow, they manage to make their noodles perfectly al dante, every single time. It is because of these noodles that I am now inspired to purchase a pasta maker! Aside from their pastas, all of the other dishes I've tried have been unique and tasty. If you're going for happy hour, I also recommend the pizza ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… )! Simple sounding, but topped with pesto and delicious! On the non-happy hour menu, people also seem to like the kabocha and bacon ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… ) and the cheese gyoza. Very clean and cool ambiance. I'm totally lovin' this new chic bar spot! Call ahead if you want a table; it can get pretty packed!

    (5)

  • Tyler Y.

    Always a really good place for a big group. The service is friendly and fast, but not pretentious. The menu is very diverse and creative. The cheese gyoza is amazing, but so is the salmon with lomi rice and ochazuke. I could go on and on with dishes I've tried and loved. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Akiko D.

    Food is amazing, great quality! You wouldn't feel bad to bring your girlfriends here!

    (5)

  • Curt C.

    Chez Kenzo Atmosphere/Service/Parking Located on King St in the same spot where Verbano used to be. It is a really nice restaurant and I am impressed how different the restaurant looks like compared to how Verbano used to look. It can get a little loud as some of the tables are a bit close together, but it's not loud enough where you'll be screaming at each other to talk. There is plenty of parking and if you park in the correct numbered stalls you don't have to feed the meter (there is a sign on the door that states what stalls to park in). Happy Hour Happy hour is from 5-7pm and I believe it's every day. The drink specials here are really good, 16oz mugs of Kirin for $3 is a steal (plus the mug is frosty!) There is also wine, sake, and sake cocktails on special. I personally don't think the happy hour food menu is that appealing as the two times I've been here I ordered beer off the happy hour menu and ordered food from the regular menu, but the price and variety of food off the regular menu is so good. Food Even though the happy hour food didn't seem that great to me the food off the regular menu all sounded delicious and it took me a while to figure out what to order. I ended up sharing the kabocha with bacon, cheese gyoza, and the homemade menchi katsu. The kabocha and cheese gyoza is something I would normally not order, but we were told they were two of their most popular items. Can't go wrong with bacon and the kabocha had a nice smokey flavor from the bacon. I didn't like the cheese gyoza, perhaps because I'm not the biggest fan of cheese, but I thought it was an interesting dish. The katsu was really good and thick. The gravy was an interesting choice and was so good with the mashed potatoes. Overall I really liked Chez Kenzo and excited to go back. Great happy hour, great food, and it's a no hassle place to find and park. My type of restaurant!

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    Awesome bar with great atmosphere... food is excellent.. took the advice of another yelper and ordered the cheese gyoza... So bomb.. best dish I ordered... also had the hamburger steak and the potatoes it comes with is excellent... highly recommended spot..

    (5)

  • Li Y.

    Happy hour until 7pm?!? Fantastic!! ... and, what a great alternative to driving into Waikiki or into downtown Honolulu. Located conveniently on S. King Street where the old Verbano's used to be, there is ample parking in the lot. Tonight was my first to Chez Kenzo's and I am sure I will be back. Casual, comfortable, delicious. There were only two of us tonight so, only got to sample a few items. The happy hour food menu is rather small. Still, we did manage to find the most delicious pesto pasta on the HH menu. The noodles were nice and barely cooked slightly chewy, yummy. The pesto was delicious. The portion for only $6, well worth the price. Also off of the regular menu we had the shabu shabu salad; so very delicious. A large portion of fresh fresh greens which was topped off with a generous portion of boiled shabu shabu pork and a delicate vinegarette. A deal at $11. The star of the evening though was the kabocha pumpkin sauteed with garlic and a generous portion of bacon. What isn't spectacular with bacon?!? Though the portion a bit small at $11, the dish was absolutely memorable. Drinks on the happy hour, what can I say, they were happy! Kudos to the staff at Chez Kenzo at making a great hangout place..!

    (4)

  • Amelinda L.

    Based on Yelp activity, I knew this was a spot I HAD to hit up while I was in Hawaii and not only did it exceed my expectations, I can't stop thinking about it! I would fly to Hawaii just to eat here..yeah, that good. (04/29/2013) With four of us, we had the opportunity to try a good selection of dishes, mostly the ones I knew were really popular. Shrimp Cocktail, Pirikara Konnyaku, Kabocha and Bacon Sauteed in Garlic, Rock Shrimp Deep Fried, Hane Cheese Gyoza, Ume Pasta, Sauteed Pork with Teri Sauce, Taegu Watercress Salad, Wafu Hamburger Steak, and Uni Pasta. The dishes that really stood out were the Pumpkin and Bacon (cubes of crispy, but soft kabocha with pieces of bacon sauteed in garlic, soo good), Deep Fried Rock Shrimp (I'm a fan of rock shrimp and this preparation served with aioli for dipping was really great), Hane Cheese Gyoza (I knew this was a really popular item, but I didn't even want to try it - didn't sound enticing - but oh my, it was mysteriously delicious!), and the Ume Pasta (oh my gosh, pasta perfection - the spaghetti noodles were perfectly al dente and fresh and ume flavor with the katsuobushi - amazinggg!). For dessert, I got the Original Parfait that they prepare with Big Island Natural Green Tea Ice Cream and mochi balls, fruit cocktail, and cereal! Sounded odd, but it worked! The ice cream was magical. We were able to take advantage of Happy Hour with a couple Saketinis and beers. All really great. Toward the end of our meal, it appeared that some friends of our server had come in to dine, so we completely lost her attention (she was even sitting with them). Besides that, service was good. Either way, the food is really all I can think about when I think of Chez Kenzo. I truly can't wait until I can dine here again!

    (4)

  • Megan T.

    Love this place! Food is excellent, great drink selection as well. We ordered the cheese gyoza - spinach wrapped gyoza topped with a mozzarella cheese crust, so delish! And got the Kenzo steak, which came with 3 different sauces. Meat was juicy and tender. Also tried the cold pasta with tomato and basil, and it was a light and refreshing. Service was a little slow, they didn't check on us but if we called them over they were always really nice and attentive. Overall, a great ambiance and fun place to go with friends for a hangout.

    (5)

  • Max K.

    Last night I visited Chez Kenzo for the first time. We walked in right at 5pm and were lucky enough to be seated right away without making reservations. We ordered a few dishes with a few cocktails and I have to admit the food was very good. I guess I must be getting old because I didn't feel like having a drink. I just ate and had water but was surprised how good the food was. We ordered off the Happy Hour Menu at first and then we ordered a few more items from the regular menu. We got the Deep Fried Rock Shrimp, Pesto Pasta, Hiyayakko (cold tofu with ginger, green onions and bonito flakes), Ja-Ja Nasu (eggplant covered with a black bean sauce with ground pork), Kabocha Pumpkin and Bacon Sauteed w/ Garlic and the Kinzanji Moro-Q (cucumbers with a miso sauce imported from Japan). I enjoyed it and know I'll be back. Lots of free parking! Noticed they have a nice sized private room. They're doing great here. The service was awesome and very attentive...

    (4)

  • Malynne S.

    Don't think too hard and just let your heart and your stomach guide you to where you need to go. I was led to Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill. Let's make this short so you can just reference this as you sit and decide what to order: 1) Tapas is my favorite word!! Steak fries, ja-ja nasu, fried octopus, garlic shrimp, squid tempura, pesto pasta, hiyayakko, hummus, rock shrimp, antipasto, pumpkin and bacon...but go ahead and try everything on the menu 2) Happy Hour is my favorite phrase!! This place is great for happy hour. Get there early and score a table. 3) Hassel Free!! Birthday Parties, Anniversaries, Bon Voyage or Welcome parties. Hold it here. They'll be able to accommodate small and bigger groups. They have a separate room for bigger parties. They were really easy to work with. 4) Top Notch Customer Service!! This place has pleasant staff, quick service and a friendly atmosphere. I hope you enjoy your experience at Chez Kenzo as much as I did. After all this said, bookmark this place now if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • Yamamoto C.

    Love this place! First time I ever went was on a Saturday and they were so packed. This next time I went was on a Thursday night, and it was much emptier. We had a table of around 10 people. The waiters that assisted us were all very nice. I tried the cheese gyoza, pasta mushroom with bacon, steak fries, shrimp salad, menchi-katsu, and poke. All the food was delicious, my fav. would have had to be the cheese gyoza. Would definitely recommend this place! and definitely would return.

    (4)

  • Tyler C.

    Good food, nice atmosphere and ono desserts. Green tea ice cream from big island and chocolate coconut macadamia nut icecream..... Good service and pleasant too.

    (4)

  • Dave F.

    Chez Kenzo... Hmmm... Now what would you think or expect from this place by hearing a name like that... I would soon find out. Chez Kenzo had been on my radar scope ever since their recent opening. Last time I was here, it was still the old Verbano's Italian restaurant. An amazing transformation has taken place and this place has quickly turned into a hip, place to be place! Several good friends of mine had been there before and liked it, so a visit there was in order. One recent Saturday night, the posse and I decided to meet for drinks and dinner and to unwind together... We were not disappointed. Of course, drinks were in order, so when that was out of the way, the journey began. There were six of us and we all ordered whatever each individual wanted to try. Here are some of the items on the menu that captured our taste buds. For starters, ordered some good 'ol steak fries and hiyayakko, cubes of tofu garnished with tuna flakes and green onions. Cream Cheese Poke. Yep. For me, you have to be a hardcore cheese fanatic to appreciate this dish. I was trying to picture in my mind a bunch of chefs brainstorming on what would become the next rage in poke, in other words, what would be the next spicy ahi poke sensation!! I passed on this one. Kabocha and Bacon. Who would think that this combination would taste so good! I can now imagine kabocha being prepared with different meats, fish, pork, etc. Really good. Fried Rock Shrimp. Good stuff, I just wish there was more sauce that came with this dish. Crab Meat Pasta. This was delicious! The pasta was cooked perfect, al dente and the sauce was rich and flavorful... Wafu Hamburger Steak. A winner! Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, I was actually craving a side of rice with gravy all over! Salmon Steak. This delectable dish is served with a creamy sauce and I would definitely order it again. I'm not really a salmon person, but this dish was moist, flaky and the sauce was rich. Ochazuke. The ultimate Japanese comfort food. Served with green tea and a great way to settle the 'ol stomach after a night of drinking and eating oily food! Order it as the last dish. I passed on dessert, but a couple members of the posse indulged in the cheesecake and were delightfully satisfied! Me, I was happy having a few drinks with a great bunch of friends and good food. I had a great time trying innovative dishes, well thought out with the intention of boggling the tastebuds of amateur foodies like myself! Bravo, Chez Kenzo, I am looking forward to my next journey in taste sensations with you.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    Located at the old Verbanos! Food is just awesome. Shabu shabu salad: The amount of pork, salad, and dressing is perf. It is so tasty and can definitely be shared amongst your friends, or eaten as an entree salad. Wagyu hamburger steak: Gravy was really thick and tasty. The amount of beef was also good. The mashed potatoes are small but hey, at least the patty is nice and thick. Cheese gyoza/ wonton: A LOT OF CHEESE! Pasta Vongole: I've been hunting for a place with a nice pasta with a white wine clam sauce for a while... And I think I've found it! Drinks are really good and reasonably priced. My friend loves the raspberry beer that they have there. Weekend parking is hard to find as the lot isn't all that big. However, it wasn't a problem at all on the week days. If you haven't gone, try it!

    (5)

  • Malia H.

    Can I tell you a secret? So I've been being a hermit at night and haven't really gone to a bar/lounge in the last couple years. So from all the reviews, this is the perfect place for my return debut to bars and nightlife and a really nice place to just hang out. First off, you don't need to pay the yellow box for parking if you park in the correct stalls (there's a sign on the door...but doesn't it make more sense if there's a sign as you pull into the parking lot before you park? I'm just saying). yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… The lot is a pretty good size, however it does get packed fast. We went on. Friday night at 7:30pm and there were a couple stalls. When we left at around 10pm, it was pretty packed. I strongly recommend reservations for weekend nights. We didn't have any so, we had to wait to sit at the bar. The staff was very friendly and apologetic. So luckily, we sat and had a drink on a reserved table til something opened up. The place is setup with 3 different areas: a bar, a small dining area and some kind of private room. They had a hello kitty drink! She was sweet and packed a hidden kick I must say (gotta be the 151). They have a good amount of drinks and beers bottles to choose from, however not a lot on draft. The menu is quite extensive and you just want to try everything! However, I had no idea what a lot of things were. I do recommend descriptions or photos to help customers figure out what they want. Thank goodness for yelp! We looked at some photos on yelp which helped us decide what to order. Ok onto the food.... Hane Cheese Gyoza $8 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -This dish looked yummy when we got it. However, it's only good when its hot and it's extremely rich. Pumpkin and Bacon sautéed with garlic $10 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -This was my favorite dish (great pick by my dinner date). All the flavors complemented each other well. Mentaiko Pasta $11 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… - This dish was a bit disappointing. I wish had more flavor than just the spicy mentaiko. Taegu Watercress Salad $10 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… -The waiter recommended this salad which was pretty good. again, a fusion of labors that meshed well (watercress, tofu, taegu and two small tomatoes). The watercress wasn't too bitter and balanced well with the taegu. My dinner date did order a beer and we thought the waiter forgot, but actually was waiting to change out the keg so they comped the beer. Overall, if we planned better and made reservations, it would have went better so Its not fair to write a bad review based on our waiting. I'm willing to come back again and try other dishes. But free parking, alcohol, yummy food and a hot date? Successful night!

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    I had high expectations prior to stepping foot in this restaurant. The Yelpers have been raving about it, as has my good friend Brandon S. I'm happy to say that this place actually exceeded my high expectations! The service is pretty good, considering they don't have a lot of employees working the floor (seemed like there was one waitress, and two guys helping her bring out the food). The food came out quick and was served hot. The highlights of our meal were: Kabocha with bacon: the kabocha was really tender and paired well with the bacon. I would definitely recommend this! yelp.com/user_local_phot… Gyoza with cheese: sounds really weird, but was surprisingly good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Crab pasta: they put a decent amount of real crab meat - would order this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Fried rock shrimp: this was only $6 on the happy hour menu - great deal. Good portion of shrimp, lightly breaded and deep fried. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Fried chicken: the hubby loves fried chicken and will always order it if it's on the menu. We weren't that impressed with the fried chicken. Small portion for the price, and there was nothing special about. Next time we'll skip the fried chicken and try something else on the menu. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… For dessert, consider the homemade cheesecake. It's a little lighter than traditional cheesecake. Nice flavor and goes well with the whipped cream. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Our tab for 2 including 2 glasses of wine came out to $66. We will definitely be back!!

    (5)

  • Kyle H.

    I love it when two great worlds collide: Great FOOD happy hour + Great DRINKING happy hour! It's so typical to find one but not the other - at Kenzo, you can have both! The last couple of times I've visited, I was able to catch the last 10 minutes or so of the happy hour and got really great pours of the house wine, carafes of sake and enjoyed almost all of the dishes on the happy hour menu! The food is simple but satisfying and delicious - the pesto pasta and pizza are always great carb-laden go-to's. You also can't go wrong with the fried rock shrimp, small morsels of tender, lightly-breaded shrimp that are a perfect appetizer to munch on while getting your drink on! Of course I couldn't go without ordering the kabocha bacon dish off of the regular menu, it's exactly as described - lots of bacon and kabocha to soak up all the salt and flavor. There is no shortage of interesting dishes on the menu, one of which was a bit too much for us - the ketchup noodles with bacon. Again, exactly as described - noodles doused in ketchup and bacon. Strange, but true. Other than that dish, I think highly of all the other food I've tried here. The atmosphere is great for a date or a fun gathering with friends to enjoy great Japanese/Italian comfort food with a twist and generous pours!

    (4)

  • Dawn O.

    Bookmarked! Will visit again hopefully for happy hour. I loved the cheese gyoza and bacon pumpkin. Good sake selection which is always a plus in my book. The only thing i didn't care for was the noise level. Was really really loud. Like hurt my ear balls loud.

    (4)

  • Chad Y.

    There are few places where a group a friends can get together and kickback with some bites and libations...in town, with parking, at a reasonable price and not in Waikiki. Chez Kenzo is simply that...however what sets it apart is its eclectic menu that fuses Asian and modern flavors in a different manner. The eclectic menu showcases a tapas style menu that features an array of pastas, salads, and proteins. The sauteed foie gras was memorable. Its balance of salty duck with the fresh flavors of the orange and strawberries with a hint of balsamic vinegar was a harmony of sweet and salty that would keep me coming back for more. The beef kakuni was respectable and well executed if the mood for beef strikes. The kabocha pumpkin with bacon lacked the garlic flavors I was expecting, but it was decent. I could have used just a bit more salt to balance the sweetness of the kabocha and just a bit more crunch to balance the texture. The natto cheese omelete wasn't my favorite dish of the night, however you would be hard pressed to find me enjoying natto. It was decent, but nothing spectacular. The garlic bread with mushroom cream sauce was a tad under-seasoned, but welcomed if you are having a lot of beers or sake to sop up the alcohol. The cheese gyoza was different and the briny-ness of the cheese balances the pork flavors and the crispy cheese brought a nice texture to what would otherwise be a fairly gummy dish. Pastas are easily done and easily ruined. Their pastas were well cooked and the uni and ume flavors easily were showcased on their own merit but were missing a final element that could take the items over the top. Service was a little lacking, but I credit that to their opening. They are still getting to their groove, but they make up for it by clearly knowing their menu well and being accommodating and helpful. Once they are fully up and running I would expect them to hit that high note. Its ambiance isn't anything special but the tables are well spaced out so that you aren't hearing the next table over and its laidback environment isn't intimidating nor rushed. Its simply that neighborhood spot that you can relax at. Parking is available in the lot fronting the restaurant right off King street. All in all, the food was quite nice and the drinks well done. Prices reasonable and service decent. That keeps me coming back, but their eclectic items are what sets it apart for me and makes me want more.

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    Meh, I chose this place to celebrate with my best friends this past Thursday evening for my birthday. The service was awful, no one came around to take our order and at most stopped by our table once every hour. I had to hunt someone down 45 minutes after we sat down just to order something. No one ever came to fill our waters until we had to flag someone down. I also thought the prices were too expensive, I feel bad to have had my friends go here for my birthday, the total was $120 during happy hour for the 3 of us and that is with sharing everything including one $10 dessert and only 3 alcoholic $4 drinks. The $20 for the filet mignon was a rip off, each of us could have 2 pieces of meat as there were only 6 slices of meat with a scoop of mashed potato. The $7 rock shrimp special was a rip off too, 10 tiny pieces of shrimp on a plate, they used to give larger and more shrimp before. As a whole, I'm glad I enjoyed the company but it was a disappointment to have a birthday dinner celebration here, it was like we were invisible to the employees.

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    I'll have to do an updated review because I came here for a birthday and all I really tasted was the cheese gyoza. I LOVE cheese and I'm pretty much obsessed with it but I didn't find the gyoza to be that appealing. A lot of other reviews said it was amazing but I felt that it was too cheesy without much depth. The food is expensive and the portions are kind of small so come prepared. The specialty shots are expensive but the birthday boy thoroughly enjoyed three of them. I don't know if their service is bad, if they were having an off day, or they were just unhappy with our larger party of 7. We finished eating and no one came to ask us if we wanted dessert or our checks. We waited and waited and eventually had to flag someone down so that we could leave. No one came by to ask if we needed anything periodically throughout our meal and we kept having to flag servers down to order more food/drinks. Good thing it was for a birthday gathering and everyone was having a good time, otherwise more of us would have noticed. My friends said the food was alright but nothing spectacular. It was pricey and we probably wouldn't come again unless it is happy hour. Next time I'll have to bring my boyfriend so he can see for himself what the hype is all about. I'll update my review once we try more food.

    (3)

  • Kim M.

    This newly opened restaurant / bar has been attracting the attention of foodies and bar flies - both young and old - from all over the island. The lengthy and intriguing menu features mostly Japanese-influenced dishes with nostalgic hints of local (Asian) flare. Its refreshingly swanky-casual vibe makes this place a great modern hangout. AND, in addition to the appetizing food and great atmosphere, Chez Kenzo has a full bar. And happy hour from 5-7PM. (Yay.) (If you loved Genius, you're sure to love this place bc it's the same peeps.) KABOCHA & BACON I love the simplicity of this dish. If you have a savory-tooth, you'll love this dish. NATTO CHEESE OMELETTE I felt that this was a very cohesive dish -- the right kind and portion of cheese + perfectly fermented natto + a light and fluffy omelette. It's absolutely delish! UME PASTA yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… A seemingly simple dish made with butter, ume, and shredded nori garnish. This was one of my favorites. HANE CHEESE GYOZA Calling all cheese lovers!! This is a great dish to accompany an ice cold beer. Delish! ROCK SHRIMP DEEP FRIED This dish is only $6 during HH. I order it every time. Can't get enough of these sinfully treats! It's like popcorn shrimp, but lighter. And the sauce is great! EBI MAYO This is like Chez Kenzo's homage to honey walnut shrimp, IMO, but without the walnuts. (It's garnished with pine nuts instead.) The shrimps were cooked well, with the tails crunchy enough to eat. TAEGU WATERCRESS SALAD yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… A refreshing salad with tender bits of taegu. I loved this! My only gripe = the mammoth watercress chops. I had a fun time trying to get them in my mouth without looking like a heifer in more ways than one. (Serving this with a knife would work...or serving smaller chopped pieces would work.) PARFAIT I don't even know everything that's in it -- green tea ice cream, whipped cream, cereal, azuki beans, and a bunch of other stuff. Every bite was a delicious surprise. ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is comfortable, intimate and relaxing. I like the décor and romantic mood lighting... It's suitable for couples and groups alike. HAPPY HOUR HH runs nightly from 5-7PM, so go early to take advantage of the specials. My pick off the HH menu is the $2 Sake Shot. For the price, it's really good and much smoother than expected. VERDICT Chez Kenzo has made its way up to one of my top choices when it comes to the perfect spot for GNO (girls' night out), date night with my special someone(s), or dinner with the fam. I am in love with their fresh menu, bistro-esque style and HH. I see this place doing well, especially with the ample free parking. :)

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    Read most of the reviews and looked at the pics of food. Was excited to go this afternoon for happy hour and try the stuff like Ume and Uni pasta, pumpkin and bacon. They were all good but really not outstanding. Ume pasta tasted like Ume paste and mayo covered noodles and the Uni did not at all have that sea urchin ocean taste but rather a sweet creamy taste that was very nice. I was disappointed in the shrimp cocktail, although there were six pieces, they were crazy tiny and obviously previously frozen. The ambiance was fine but realize this is a bar more than a restaurant. Unfortunately and not under their control, construction noise from the adjacent unit drove us out of the place prematurely. I did appreciate their apology. The draft Kirin was the best deal at $3.50 and please don't take the 3 star rating the wrong way as I will gladly go back, Guess I was expecting more.

    (3)

  • Ariana M.

    MY NEW FAVORITE SPOT IN TOWN! :D This place has a lot of resemblance to Genius Sake Lounge, but this is because the owner used to be partners with Genius. The parking here is much better then it was in Waikiki. I also like this better because the location is closer to home and the crowd is a lot better because it's not as touristy. Their happy hour is from 5 PM to 7 PM! I mostly like the drink specials compared to the food happy hour menu. The service here was fantastic. Everyone was very helpful when we had questions about the menu. THE GRUB. TUNA CARPACCIO ($13) I simply LOVE this dish. The flavors/sauce they use is different from other carpaccio's that I have tried. I really think they did a great job with this dish! yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… SMOKED SALMON WITH MAUI ONION SALAD ($8) This dish was alright. I feel that the salmon and onion ratio was really off. I would have liked this more if there was more pieces of salmon inside. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… SAUSAGE ($?) Just as good as other places. I really like how it comes with 6 pieces! A lot of places I been to and order sausage only comes with 3-4 pieces. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… PUMPKIN & BACON ($10) Delish! I think this is a great thing to order for a snack/pupu. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… BEEF KAKUNI ($13) Very tender and yummy. Not my favorite out of all the dishes but still good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK ($9) This hamburger steak had CHEESE in the middle! AMAZING! I really thought it was tasty. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… NABEYAKI UDON ($12) Definitely my favorite dish! The broth for the Udon was super good. yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… BANANA CAKE WITH ICE CREAM ($6) The cake was more like a banana bread. Still good and the ice cream it came with was chocolate and coconut. I liked it a lot! yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… OVERALL: I will definitely come back here more often! The prices are good and the service is great.

    (5)

  • Brandon S.

    If you ever went to the Verbano on King Street you'll notice that it's no longer there anymore but you'll recognize that something is in it's place. That my friends would be Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill. Opened on Monday January 28, one of the original owners of Genius Lounge in Waikiki Ken Kawasaki and his business partner Kenzo opened this new eatery to cater towards the local market. Before I get into the food, let's start with parking. Unlike Genius, this place has a ton of parking options. You've got the street parking after 6:30 on either King Street or Liona Street in the back. You can also park in the big front lot but there is a pay box. Here's a little something that I'm only telling you....as long as I've been going to Verbano and now Kenzo, I've never paid the box. At first it was just by accident..... I didn't know you had to pay and then after I noticed that I didn't get tagged, I figured it was okay to just keep doing what I do :) Upon entering you'll noticed a full bar on the right and some cocktail tables to your left. The further into the restaurant you go on the left there will be some seating options for you to park your tush. This place is great for larger parties, in fact you may want to consider coming with more people and I'll get back to this in a second. Try to come here during happy hour (5-7pm) when you can get a great deal on food and drinks. Form the Happy Hour food menu we ordered: Pesto Pasta $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Hummus with Flat Bread $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Antipasto $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Shrimp Cocktail $6 yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… Unlike Genius Lounge the portions aren't what I refer to as "Japanese" size which is about as tiny as a 4-year old's stomach. The portions here are much larger and cater towards the locals. The best part is the price is very reasonable. Once happy hour was over we also ordered some Wafu Hamburger Steak, The cheese gyoza, Bacon and Kabocha and mentaiko pasta. All of which was very tasty. The best part is for all the food we ordered (there were 8 of us) each person's share including tax and tip was $15 (food only). Not bad for eating our fill and getting a variety of different dishes. Which is what I was referring to as far as coming here with a larger group. You'll get the most bang for you buck. The one thing I did wish they would address is that it's really dark in the restaurant, it was difficult to see the food and one thing I like seeing is what the food looks like and all the different colors they give off. I'm wondering if there's a way they could install a little more lighting. I realize they want to set the mood but still, you want to see the things being served to you with some clarity. Overall for the large menu selection, taste of the food, varieties of different drinks, service, parking and atmosphere..... I give Kenzo 2 thumbs up. I put this place up on my chill hang out places with the likes of Home Bar, Genius Lounge, Dash, Tsunami, etc. I will definitely be back with more friends.

    (5)

  • Rob M.

    Bacon and Japanese pumpkin, uni pasta, original poke, great happy hour and wonderful service. I've been here 5 times for work and now with my family. Amazing. Don't forget the fried ice cream

    (5)

  • Lynvi S.

    Finally, a place that hits the four of the Five Cs - Clean, Convenient, Comfortable, and Chill. Chez Kenzo is a new and definitely clean spot on King Street that features an eclectic Japanese menu in a dark, relaxed setting with soft jazz music. This is an awesome place to come and chill with friends or for a date. The only C that Chez Kenzo didn't hit was Cheap, but it's pretty reasonable. Overall, the food my friend and I tried was pretty good. The menu is extensive and a bit overwhelming, and there are no descriptions of menu items. It would be nice to know the preparation, sauce, garnishes, etc. Fortunately, the servers were able to answer our questions about the food and they made some nice recommendations. The pumpkin and bacon was pretty simple and straightforward, but yummy. The crab meat pasta came with generous chunks of crab in a creamy tomato sauce that was satisfying without being too rich or fishy. The only disappointment was the pork with teri sauce. The sauce was great, but the pork was really tough and chewy, so I don't think I'd order that again. The drink menu is pretty standard - cocktails, house wines, sakes, beers, shochu, and the usual things one would expect from a bar. We tried the sake sampler ($13) and that was pretty nifty- it comes with a card with the names and descriptions of the sake for drunk people who like to read. Iichigo bottles are $45. Service was excellent. There's a decent amount of parking in the lot and the gate thing was up at night so I think the parking is free, but don't quote me on that.

    (4)

  • Jenny S.

    Heard good things about this place so when my co-workers wanted to try the happy hour here I was excited to say the least! The happy hour menu for food is about 6 items and i think about the same for drinks. I tried 2 of their house wines and it was quite tasty! If you're a wine drinker I do recommend the house wines. For beer drinkers, Kirin and bud light was $3. The mixed drinks were $4 each. Not bad for a HH menu. We ordered the cheese pizza, cheesed gyoza, and the shrimp dish. The cheese pizza was like any other pizza, nothing truly amazing but not bad either. Now the cheese gyoza, that was so yummy! The crunchy cheese over the pork gyoza, it just melts in your mouth! It's bit salty but i don't mind a little seasoning so it was a delightful dish for me! The shrimp dish was okay. The cheese gyoza stole the night for me! I think I will be heading down soon for HH just so i can get the cheese gyoza again! haha! The parking here is a bit tricky. Be sure to park between the restaurant stalls so you don't have to pay parking fees. There's not much parking so I recommend to come early to get free parking!

    (4)

  • Leslie A.

    Chez Kenzo is one of my favorite local places. Each time I go, I try at least one new dish and have always been pleased with my meal. The pasta dishes are cooked al dente. The kabocha with bacon is delicious. My favorite dishes are the shabu shabu salad and uni pasta.

    (5)

  • Sam O.

    y friends took me there last night. food was delicious! We had natto omlette, mentaiko pasta, maui onion sald, and cutlet. Everything was great. I will definitely go back again!

    (5)

  • Sean D.

    Can't believe it's my first time here. Great happy hour 5-7pm. Mentaiko Pasta, Hane Cheese Gyoza, Nagoya chicken wings, uni pasta, all winner!

    (5)

  • Sunja K.

    I came here for a birthday party this past weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome this place is! From the outside, this place looks like a hella rundown bar, but the inside decor was pretty nice. The service was great! I love it when my server is real...like he gave his real opinion on what foods were good (and what foods to avoid). It's like a breath of fresh air, and it really helps with the selection process. And it made my dining experience that much better! The food was pretty good as well. I got there in time for the happy hour menu, but I only ordered the four cheese pizza. The pizza was good, but it's pretty small. It was only $7, so I didn't expect a huge pizza anyways. From the normal menu, I tried the cheese hane gyoga ($12) and the crab meat pasta ($16). They both tasted delicious! The cheese hane gyoga is great for cheese lovers (like me). Imagine gyoga...with a pound of cheese melted on top. YUM! The crab meat pasta was great as well, but they shred the crab meat too thinly so it doesn't even seem like it's there. I prefer larger chunks of crab meat so I can actually discern it from the rest of the dish, but again, this is my individual preference. I would definitely come back here to eat them again, but I'm not sure if they are worth the cost. Honestly, they probably cost a few bucks to make, so I'm just confused why they jack up the prices to a ridiculously higher price. My original rating would have been 4-stars, but the service was one of the best I have experienced in a while. So yay!

    (5)

  • Taylor W.

    The first thing I'll say is MAKE A RESERVATION. Especially if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night, they're really busy and luckily my friend and I got two seats at the bar. But let me also say their service is pretty great, everyone checks up on you, makes sure everything's okay, and they're pretty attentive. I've been here once before with my gfs but I didn't get to write a review till now. I came here today with my friend because he wanted uni pasta. I don't care for uni too much so I didn't try his dish but it seemed good since he ate it all! I guess the portion is a little small for a guy. I got the ahi carpaccio for a starter and it was pretty good, the quality of the fish was good. Then for my entree I got the crab meat pasta and it was good! There was also lots of crab meat in the pasta too so that shows they're not too stingy on how much they use. I want to try the drinks, like the "sensy" looked so good! Till next time!

    (4)

  • Lenny B.

    Went with couple friends last night. Happy hour prices were reasonable. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, deep fried shrimp, four cheese pizza, steak fries and the wafu hamburger steak. Shrimp cocktail sauce was tasty but couldn't dip the shrimp in it, you had use the chopstick and put it on top of the shrimp :-(. Wafu hamburger steak was very flavorful and dipped my fries in the sauce. Dessert was good, we shared the green tea ice cream and the banana bread with chocolate coconut Mac Nut ice cream. Ice cream was great but the banana bread was a little dry. Great service and atmosphere . Will be back to try the other items on menu.

    (4)

  • Alysha K.

    One of my new favorite hangouts! I love the food from Genius Lounge, and Kenzo has the same cooks. They added more stuff to their menu compared to the old Genius. The ume pasta, I know sounds weird, is so delicious. It has a creamy texture and even though you're not a big fan of ume (like me), it's something different. Like a sweet/savory taste. Other items that are new & yummy are: cheese gyoza, shabu shabu salad, and taegu watercress salad. Right now they are renovating the bathrooms so it kinda sucks cuz you have to go outside and upstairs. Junky if you're drinking a lot. Location is where Verbano's use to be. And parking is free in the lot! Please stay open til 2am instead of 1am ;)

    (4)

  • Cherie P.

    Chef Kenzo is so hard to find! Fortunately, the food is as delicious as it is hard to find. ;) In case you're as lost as I am, when you're on King St, look for the building with the Bank of Hawaii and make a right into that parking lot. Chef Kenzo is all the way to the right with all the beer signs lit up if it's night. I was feeling a little under the weather, so I ordered kamaage udon along with some sex on the beach as my drink. Our party was big at seven people, but the waiters were quick when it came to our food. They also left a water pitcher on our table so we didn't have to wait for them to refill our water glasses which is always a plus for me. My kamaage udon was delicious and exactly what I wanted. I also tried some of the appetizers our party ordered and I enjoyed those, too. If I had felt a little better, I would have definitely ordered the wafu hamburger steak because it looked amazing.

    (4)

  • Marci C.

    Been wanting to try this place for the longest time and finally had the chance yesterday. We had a party of 4 and had to wait a pretty long time before we were seated at a round table.. We ended up chilling and eating on a side table, which wasn't the best, but better than waiting outside. Parking: Great. Free lot parking on South King. Can't get much better than this! Service: Slow. Took a long time for our orders to be taken, as well as for our food to come. Food: Amazing! From the happy hour menu, tried the dynamite shrimp (yummy with a great mayonnaise-based dipping sauce), two cheese pizza (SUPER cheesy and delicious, even though the toppings were only cheese and fresh tomato slices), and pesto pasta (yummy!! Not a fan of pesto but this dish was soo good). From the regular menu, we chose the cheese gyoza (slightly unusual but really awesome... the flavors went well together), and a carbonara (good but a little bit too rich and creamy). Can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu, especially the drinks!

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    I've been dying to come here since they opened and and it's really one of the better new businesses I've been to in a long time. I've been to Genius Lounge a few times and I was a fan and with this location, I hope to be a regular. Located on King Street right after Keeaumoku on the right hand side, Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill took the spot formerly occupied by Verbano. It's located where the Bank of Hawaii is. Slow down to get into the driveway - I missed it the first time around. Although it looks like you have to pay for parking, it's actually free, so don't worry about it. The lots huge too and if for some reason parking gets full, you can park on King after 6:30pm or park in the neighborhood behind. They have happy hour daily from 5 - 7pm and the prices are very reasonable. In fact, their non-happy hour prices are reasonable as well - take a look at the menu pics fellow Yelpers uploaded. My party ordered a bunch of food. We started with the rock shrimp and four cheese pizza which were on happy hour. The shrimp were deep fried and the dipping sauce was to die for. The pizza had a pesto base with a delectable crust. We also ordered the kabocha & bacon - seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten - simple, savory and why didn't I think of that? Also ordered the mentaiko pasta - the pasta was "spiced up" perfectly by the mentaiko. Also ordered the mentaiko tako, where the mentaiko was a bit more pronounced and still yummy, and also the steak. The steak was cooked perfectly and was accompanied by mashed potatoes and homemade gravy - so good! The decor here is really nice - different from the old Verbano. There's a private room that seats about 20 people as well. Hopefully my office will come here for our Christmas party!

    (5)

  • Mahina C.

    How did i NOT review this place yet? I'm still slapping myself in the face currently. This place is GREAT! Lots of parking when you go early and you really can't beat their happy hour specials. First off, I highly recommend getting the momo which is this orange drink of deliciousness that will satisfy any thirsty person. Off the happy hour menu, you might as well get everything and anything since it's all around the price of 5 dollars. You seriously can't go wrong. From the garlic filled bread, that's right....i said garlic FILLED bread, to the pesto pasta, anything off the happy hour menu is worth a try. Off the regular menu, you MUST have the shabu shabu salad. Thin slices of pork over salad with cucumbers and tomato's. The dressing is like a light yuzu so don't expect something heavy or strong. It's good enough to compliment the salad. Also try the cheese gyoza, DELICIOUS! Great happy hour, great venue, lots of parking, reasonable prices, and great food!

    (4)

  • Naomi S.

    Love love love everything about them! they always accommodate me and my friends for seats and they have awesome service!!! The food is exceptionally great and the happy hour is awesome! It's like home cooked Japanese food and it's awesome! I took my friend and her husband there, and they got hooked- ordered everything that they can eat, and said they will definitely go back there! Best, reasonably priced food!!!

    (5)

  • Reid S.

    I was very impressed with the menu selections at Chez Kenzo! A few weeks ago my friend (Julia S.) recommended that we should go for happy hour, never hearing this name before, I was a little apprehensive. (As I am with most newer restaurants) I did not know that Chez snuck on into where Verbano on King St. used to be, I always drive by that building, so I was now be given the chance to try it out. We parked in the Chez Kenzo assigned parking stalls in the parking lot. (Otherwise you have to pay parking fees) I think it is like stalls 60-something to 90, not sure, but it is clearly stated when you are parking. We walked in, and wow, it was a whole different world! It was lively, and of course, it was happy hour. It was loud inside, which doesn't bother me at all because I love a restaurant with a lively crowd. However, because they were so busy, it took a few minutes to get seated and to get our waters. My friends and I looked over the menu, I basically knew what I wanted instantly, which doesn't really happen when I venture to a new place for the first time. We waited about 10 minutes to order, again, it was crazy busy! I ended up getting their chicken karaage, and mentaiko pasta. Chez Kenzo is like a trendier (and more Japanese) version of Angelo Pietro, where you have Italian + Japanese-fusion cuisine, which I love! My friends ordered various dishes including their Pesto Pizza, and Hamburger Steak. My friend asked me how the chicken was, and I told her that besides my mom's (#MomsCookingPlug), this was the best chicken karaage I've had in Hawaii. It was crispy, had a white color to it, rather than the normal golden brown. It was simply exquisite. And it's not a very complex dish either, but someone's got the recipe from the Lord himself. My pasta came second. Again, another home-run dish. I was expecting it to be on the mild side, warm temperature and light on the mentaiko, but no, it was everything I wanted. It was spicy (Japanese spicy, so basically, a kick) and it was very hot to the touch, which I appreciated. There's nothing worse than lukewarm pasta. It was tasty, creamy, and perfect. I tested the Pesto Pizza....Ono! ...and I rarely use that word with food! Not that I've never had a pesto pizza before, but this one was scrumptious. It was full-flavored and did not hold back! The dough was soft and chewy and it was accompanied with a thick layer of cheese and pesto. Amazing, hands down. So a few bites in, I find myself doing the, "Mmmm...Mmmmmm!...MMMMM!" to the point where the table next to us, (a group of sassy wives) asked how our food was. We quickly became friends. One lady in particular was convinced that my friend Nimai was her son's twin. Oh yeah, it got personal at Chez Kenzo. It was fun, we exchanged laughs and jokes. In fact, when we left, we even said goodbye as if we knew these ladies from church or something. But I've realized from my dining experiences in Hawaii, that is normal. Aloha spirit you might say. So when thinking about my grade for Kenzo, I factored in all of these things, point being it was truly a place to enjoy food and company. Learning to kick back with friends, and even strangers can be a fun time. A valuable lesson I learned that night! My only suggestion is that there be a bit more efficiency during happy hour. When you're extremely busy, you have to make sure you have the resources to accommodate everyone. Maybe hire one more person? Other than that, near perfection. 4.5/5

    (5)

  • Monica A.

    What can I say? This place is actually registered in my phone contacts. There hasn't been a dish from the menu here that has discouraged me. The food is really affordable for what it is. The mentaiko pasta and cheese gyoza is a must! I never skip out on those two.

    (5)

  • Janet K.

    I never went to Genius Lounge because I loathe Waikiki so I was beyond ecstatic when I heard that Chez Kenzo took the spot of the old Verbano located on King St. next to Bank of Hawaii. I finally get to try the food yay! We got there around 11pm and the place was comfortably full. There were some open tables so we quickly grabbed one. We sat for about 10 minutes and my excitement quickly became ample disappointment as no one came to greet us or take our drink order. I started a mental countdown of which I was going to walk out and leave when the waitress finally saw the look on my face and came to the rescue. I later realized she was pretty much the only one running the floor. I wanted to get up and help the poor girl! Everything we ordered was delicious and the food came out briskly. We ordered... Hane Cheese Gyoza - I love cheese so for me, bacon doesn't make everything better, cheese does! This is a dish I would order on every visit. Beef Kakuni - I couldn't decide on the pork or beef but decided on the beef since I never had beef Kakuni style before. The beef looked a little dry but it was surprisingly tender and moist. The flavors were spot on too. Kabocha w/Bacon - I liked this dish but I wished the bacon was a bit more crispy to balance out the texture of the Kabocha. It's a good simple dish that can be tweaked to perfection. Uni Pasta - If you know me, you'll also know that uni pasta would be my last meal on earth! It was once so difficult to find and now I feel like its everywhere! That's good news for me as long as its executed well and Chez Kenzo knocked it right out of the park. BF hates uni so I got to eat it all by myself and let me tell you I almost licked the bowl. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce was divine. My palate was in a state of euphoria afterward. Wafu Hamburger Steak - This was BF's dish. It was good but it came with mashed potatoes. Nothing against that but hamburger steak taste so good with RICE! Just saying. The patty was a good size and there was cheese in the middle of the patty. What did I say earlier? Cheese makes everything better! No room for dessert but damn sure I'll be back to try some later. Five minutes from my house, ample free parking, delicious food, sake, wine, and separate semi-private dining area for parties make this my new favorite spot period. BTW the bathrooms were not in service when I went. We had to use the upstairs bathroom which was kind of out of the way and confusing. Hope they get that fixed soon!

    (5)

  • Nikki S.

    The Japanese fusion of the restaurant plus the delicious drink selection was pretty awesome.

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Food..... - Curry Udon: ...meeeeh. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. if you prefer thicker udon noodles, this dish isn't for you. The noodles are thinner than your average udon noodles and the curry was average. - House Salad: Their dressing is DELICIOUS. Must get more. My friend asked for extra sauce for her steak because she didn't like the sauce that it came with. - Pesto Pasta: yummy! can never go wrong with pesto! - Rock Shrimp: Simple and good. Fried shrimp with zesty sauce. Atmosphere..... - Really nice restaurant/bar scene. It gets really loud. not because of the music. Sound just bounces off the walls really well so you kinda have to shout to be heard. My voice was a little shot when i left. Staff..... Super friendly. :)

    (3)

  • Nicole K.

    Chez Kenzo is a great - and convenient - location for good drinks, great food, and a fun, yet somewhat refined gathering. Similar to other great bars in the area, it has an extensive menu of both drinks and food. (My favorites: Cheese Gyoza and Kabocha Bacon) Chez Kenzo stands apart, however, by offering a slightly more refined setting. It still gets rowdy, but not crazy. At least in my experience. (It can get SUPER LOUD though!) The Happy Hour menu has a great drink selection, but a somewhat paltry food selection. Their famous and favorites aren't featured on the HH menu, but it is a good opportunity to try other things. We tried the pizza, pesto pasta, and shrimp. I still prefer the main menu items, but the HH food was not bad. Parking is not an issue - there are tons of stalls. But only a few stalls are free for Chez Kenzo guests. The rest are $3. Chez Kenzo shares the same lot as Bank of Hawaii and the restaurant is located towards the back of the building. You may not be able to see if from King Street, but don't pass the parking lot trying to find it. It's there!

    (4)

  • Jeannette E.

    Everything was delicious. The uni pasta was a treat with its rich flavors and pasta cooked just right. The shabu shabu was fresh and worth the money. This was my first visit, but definitely not my last.

    (5)

  • Wayne T.

    Good food and service! Prices add up so gotta watch out! Food is so good it will rack up! Uni pasta is a must! And kabocha bacon too! French breD bites with cream mushroom sauce is the bomb too. Great place but surrounded by senior crowds because it's a bar/grill. And lighting is pretty dark. Over all a must try place. Hip and different.

    (4)

  • Jamila J.

    I love Chez Kenzo. I feel like although everyone seems to know about it, it still feels like a little secret spot. Run by the same people as Genius Lounge, another great spot, it has a magnificent Happy Hour, the food deals are right on the money. It's also a good vibe, good fun, not pretentious. Just people enjoy good food and drink. I've never had trouble with parking, there's the lot and then street parking. I'd suggest making a reservation cause its not a big place and people will be there. Try it out if you haven't. You'll be glad.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Food was very good. Staff was great! Had the usual Yelp favorites: - Fried rock shrimp - a solid offering, a real value at the happy hour price - Wafu steak - big a beefy. Good as part of a shared sampler, but too much and too plain for a full meal. - Bacon and pumpkin - plenty of bacon - Sangria - a little stiff, but could be a little sweeter The host was apologetic that he couldn't seat us at a table (we walked in during prime dinner hour with no reservation). He took extra time to make sure we were comfortable in the bar, made recommendations, stopped by several time to check on us. This is in addition to the attention from the regular wait staff. We felt very cared for.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    I love surprises! Last night my wife couldn't sleep, so she was Yelping this place. "OOO look at the mentaiko pasta!" "OOO look they have kurobuta sausage and pumpkin with bacon!" "OOO look at that Salmon salad!" She Yelped herself to sleep. Today I was supposed to sub a yoga class, but at the last minute, another teacher came and said she was supposed to sub. We flipped a coin and I lost. She wound up teaching. Little does the other sub know that I actually won because I surprised my wife at work and took her Chez Kenzo. This place is in the old Verbano's on King street. Chez' did a much better job at the decor. Modern pictures have supplanted that eerie painting of the lady with the big eyes they had at Verbano. We were greeted with such warmth by the hostess, server, bartender and wait staff. This place has happy hour til 7 with great drink prices. Beers and sangria are $3 and speciality drinks are $4. They may as well have happy hour all night! My wife got the momo saketini. That thing is peach goodness! MOMOMOMO sock-it-to-me! We ordered the aforementioned "dream" food: the salmon salad, sausage, pumpkin, and mentaiko pasta. I am of two minds with this mentaiko pasta stuff. The Italian food purist in me says "That's heresy! Burn them at the stake, the draw and quarter the charred remains!" The evolved foodie in me says "that's pretty damn good!" Japanese flavor with pasta al dente mouth feel. My highlight was actually the salmon salad. Very simple, smoked salmon, raw maui onions and a little bit of mayo. I can't even stand mayo, but I loved this. More two minded madness on my part. There wasn't a bad dish that was served to us. The food was so good, I made it a point to yell "thank you" to the cooks in the back. With excellent service, dinner for two with drinks came out to around $50. This may be my new favorite town restaurant!

    (5)

  • B O.

    Pasta here is awesome. I enjoyed the Ikura pasta. The green tea comes in a cute container.

    (5)

  • Jonathan P.

    I love Chez Kenzo!! I got to be honest, for quite some time I have been holding back from reviewing one of my favorite places. It's probably because I don't want flocks of people coming in. I know it may seem a little selfish, but after that UYE I guess the cat is out of the bag! After a long day of work it's nice to relax and unwind, and from 5-7 this is my go to spot for happy hour. This place is amazing, the lights here are perfectly lighted to that perfect ambiance and it gives a nice relaxed feeling. Plus having a nice selection of happy hour drinks definitely helps. The service here is top-notch! The staff is amazing, they are always checking up, very attentive, and very friendly. The food here is superb! Just reminiscing about the food makes my mouth water~~ My absolute favorite is the hane cheeze gyoza yelp.com/user_local_phot… . It may sound strange, but it's just about the most amazing gyoza you will ever eat here! The menu is filled with other tasty morsels but I stand with my hane cheese gyoza as my absolute "must get." Now the important thing is the parking! The parking is not as bad as what other people make it seem. From the other reviews it makes it sound like a parking nightmare. But parking is quite good. You can park in stalls 32-76 and not have to pay anything! So that just means come early for happy hour so you can drink earlier and to make sure you get parking!

    (4)

  • Paul R.

    Great place!! Glad I checked it out. This place is pretty good sized. Has a good feel to it. Nice environment. The food is great, service is good, and parking isn't a headache.. We ordered the salmon steak, wafu hamburger steak, and the pesto pasta. Salmon steak came first. It was good. Salmon tasted fresh. I like the little crunchy things on top. Not sure what they were. The soy cream sauce has a good flavor, but a little too salty. Burger steak was really good. I very much enjoyed the melted cheese in the middle. Mashed potatoes that came with it were ok. Nothing special And then the pesto pasta made my day!!! It was so good. Has great flavor. If for nothing else i will def be back for the pesto :)

    (4)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: neighborhood bar dedicated to local people! something good: love. this. place! i love the look of the place! they have a bar area, restaurant seating area and a private room! i feel like i could see myself hanging in the bar with friends or having dinner here! the service was amazing! we constantly had servers checking on us, and i like the fact that they are all dressed casually! it makes it seem loose and relaxed! the menu here is crazy, they have a ton of choices! which i love, but it makes making a decision tricky!! : ) !! thankfully everything we ordered was good! i especially loved my pasta! i can't wait to come back and try other things on the menu!! i want to try it all!!! something not so good: nothing! great job ; ) something to try: crab meat pasta (14)

    (5)

  • Krysten I.

    I recently went to genius lounge and was quite disappointed with the bacon kabocha and lack of sangria. When I found out that the chef opened his own place called chez kenzo, I decided I had to try it sometime. I turned 23 this weekend!! Wooooo! So fellow yelper Sara S. reminded me that we should try chez kenzo. I called to make a reservation, but there were no openings for a large party during happy hour, so we ended up having to go at 8pm. When we arrived, the place was jam packed!! It was soooo loud, we had to yell at each other even though we were less than 3 FT away from one another. Later on in the night, after a few large parties left, it quieted down a little bit. At first, when we walked in around 8, they didn't have our table ready, but happily brought us some chairs to sit on and asked us to wait as they moved people around the restaurant. I felt a little bad for the people who had to move...but I was glad they honored our reservation time. Because we were such a large party and because it was too hard to talk across the length of the table, we decided to order as if we were two separate tables. Surprisingly, both sides of the table ended up with pretty much the same orders. As the birthday girl sitting in the middle, anticipating getting to try a little of everything, I was a little disappointed. lol.....Obviously, a lot of my friends yelp. I liked the mentaiko pasta :), but I like fishy and I like pasta, so it was obviously gonna be good. The bacon kabocha was as amazing as always (at genius lounge) and the rest was just okay. The peach cocktail was good, the hello kitty one less good, but okay and this mystery drink the waiter made was probably the best I tasted that night. The service was decent considering the fact that we had to yell what we wanted. Thanks, friends, for the awesome bday dinner!! :)

    (4)

  • Haein P.

    Have I really not written a review for one of my favorite local bars?! I flock to and frequent this place like a hippo to its watering hole. And, let's just say, a hungry (and thirsty) hippo I am! (AMBIANCE): Definitely the perfect lighting to flatter any fat-assed 'hippo.' I love the relaxed vibe, and arrangement. (SERVICE); I've never been disappointed with service, and I've been here more than a couple handfuls of times. They're friendly, and make you feel like you belong. (DRINKS): I love the fact that I have options here. You can find anything from draft beer to wine to shochu and sake to aged whiskeys (American and Japanese). No one leaves unsatisfied, or sober perhaps. (FOOD): The best part about this bar is the food. Imagine a Japanese-American gastropub, if you will. There is a menu item for even the pickiest of eaters, and then there are some for the more adventurous (like me!) The following is a list of some of my previous choices, and favorites: *HANE CHEESE GYOZA - hot, juicy, meaty gifts of joy encased by a thin, doughy wrapper and topped with oozing mozzarella. East meets West does not get any better than this. Oh, wait! It does! *GARLIC BREAD w/ MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE - definitely on the rich and heavy side, but absolutely worth the extra calories (like 1,000). Fragrant and tender slices of baguette are served alongside a creamy homemade mushroom sauce for dipping. Definitely a party in your mouth, or in your arteries. * WAFU HAMBURGER STEAK - a classic Japanese twist on an American favorite. This hamburger patty is juicy and filled with cheese. Yes, I'll repeat myself: filled with CHEESE. It's like a lucy juicy on steroids, smothered in garlic and sauteed onions, and served with a watercress salad and a less-than-stellar mash. *CRAB MEAT PASTA - definitely one of my favorite pastas here. Chez Kenzo knows how to do pasta, and does fusion pasta right. This pasta consists of a tomato-based sauce with lots of real shredded crab meat, with all the crab flavor. You can't miss this. *BACON & MUSHROOM PASTA - for all your porky bacon lovers out there, this one is for you. The sauce is a light oil, most likely from the rendered bacon fat, and the mushrooms add the perfect texture and earthy flavor. *MENTAIKO MAYO/MENTAIKO PASTA - sadly not my favorite pasta despite my adoration and obsession for mentaiko and mentaiko pastas. The mentaiko flavors don't stand out, and so the pasta is left a little flat. It just needs an extra hit of mentaiko, so the briny, spicy flavors can do its magic. *DRIED SQUID TEMPURA - the best Asian drinking snack there is. The dried squid is lightly coated in an airy tempura batter and fried to delectable perfection. The chewiness of the dried squid inside along with the fat from the fried coating make a perfect pairing with the accompanying tartar-like sauce and a thirst-quenching draft beer. There are several other dishes I've tried, but I'm sure you get the point. Honestly, this hippo can't type anymore without having the irresistible urge of trampling everything and everyone in sight to get to its favorite watering hole. Right now.

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    We went to Chez Kenzo for Krysten I.'s early bday celebration! While we couldn't be as rowdy as the table behind us (Krysten had to work early the next day, boo, lose money!! jk), I think this is a good place to celebrate birthdays or anything where you want to drink, eat good food, and be LOUD. It is NOT that good for groups having a catch up sesh or an intimate conversation in my opinion because the noise level is SO HIGH! I did see some couples on dates and it's okay for them because there's only 2 people so they can lean in and be as close to each other as they want. Not the case for a party of 11!!! It was like this: "So I think we should get the kabocha and bacon." "WHAT?!? You want the bambucha bacon? Where's that?" Or, "What are you up to these days?" "GOOD!" "...what." Aside from the noise issue, the food and drinks were good. KABOCHA AND BACON- now I know where the genius kabocha and bacon went. So good and not overly salty like the last time I went to genius bar. MENCHI KATSU LOCO MOCO- pretty big portion size. The menchi katsu here is super grindz. The gravy was like a mixture of tonkatsu sauce and standard gravy. TARAKO PASTA- if you like fish roe (like mentaiko pasta) then you will like this. If not, stay very far away because the fishy flavor is quite strong. But I like it. NAGOYA CHICKEN WINGS- good but only 3 pieces. Kinda like a teriyaki + sesame fried chicken wing. HANE CHEESE GYOZA- gyoza that uses spinach in the wrapping and is smothered in cheese. yummy! They have a large cocktail selection and a small but decent beer selection that has all the essentials. Only two beers on draft- bud light (gross) and kirin. Of course in true Hello Kitty form, you must get the Hello Kitty drink. I've ordered it at other places but never knew what was in it. Apparently it has 151 in it but I would have never known because it tastes so good. I basically just read the words hello kitty and decided I needed to order it. OTHER TIPS: Make reservations. I don't think it's possible to walk in with a huge group because this place is really popular. PAY FOR THE PARKING if you don't park in the designated stalls in the parking lot. We totally didn't realize we were in a stall that wasn't designated for Chez Kenzo and got a ticket for $20. -______- Ever since Ichiriki Loft closed, I've been searching for a new go-to spot for my friends and I! This might be a strong contender.

    (4)

  • Yui H.

    I love their food!!! And the ambiance is perfect because it's not too fancy or too casual. People of all ages are welcome . The servers give great service !

    (5)

  • Ha N.

    It's a nice place, for sure, and the service is not something to complain about. The food is alright too, which is disappointing in my book. The best thing is probably the pumpkin and bacon. Everything else was mediocre. I've gone here twice for birthdays and was seated in the private room both times. I really appreciate the attention from the wait staff -- they're good in my book. The food though, you'd think some dishes would stick out, but not very many did. The pumpkin and bacon, check, and the sauteed foie gras -- but really, can you really fck that up? My company was great, but we've all concluded that this is the spot if you love sake.

    (3)

  • Trisha G.

    Mixed emotions. On one hand there was good food and drinks were cheap at the happy hour price. Both the happy hour food and the regular menu were delicious. BUT... the service was just horrible. I have been here before, and I was ready to give a decent review based my first visit. The first time I went on a weekday and the place was pretty busy. We had an attentive waitress. Hmm... now that I think back, there may have been a bug in a pot of hot tea. (How does that happen with hot water and a green tea bag?) The second visit was awful. There was barely anyone in there and one person waited 20 minutes for a drink. Meanwhile, we had someone join us late. After not being checked on, we finally waived someone down. A waitress came by and said "oops ...sorry" and hurried away without taking the new person's order. When she delivered the drink, we asked to order more. She seemed ready to rush away. (To what? I don't know. There was barely anyone in there, and even if so, there it wasn't like there was attentive service at other tables either.) Add to that, the table next to us, who had reservations, were seated without service and eventually left since no one came to take their order. I can't believe it. Finally, on my way back from the bathroom, I had to walk to the bar to ask for the check. The waitress that had served us earlier asked which table I was at. (There were only three tables left with people at them.) When a waiter came to give us our check, he decided to hover while four of us tried to figure out how to split the bill. He even sat at the empty table next to us to wait (A table which was empty because the couple had left.) I don't know what was going on with the service tonight, but it was not even average. I was excited to bring a new group of people there. Unfortunately, I don't expect any of them to return. Sad since there's so much potential here with the menu!

    (2)

  • Claudia G.

    Ordered the pork chop salad. Pork chop wasn't fresh, had no flavor and was very tough. Waste of money.

    (2)

  • Amara E.

    Dropped by for the first time to go to Happy Hour with Tracey M and Jonathan P. First thing I noticed was atmosphere. It's got a really nice classy, modern feel to it. I think A really good place for a first date or maybe a place to meet up for drinks for young professionals. We ordered the pumpkin with bacon, the cheese gyoza, antipasto, four cheese pizza and the parfait. I found the happy hour food to be a little meh. Four cheese pizza was just a really cheesy pizza. The antipasto was sort of like a greek salad. The pumpkin with bacon was nice. Healthier than other bar food I've had and pretty tasty! The surprise winner (for met at least), was the cheese gyoza! The first time I heard that was one of their specialties, I thought ewwww. Cheese seems so heavy to put on gyoza! Actually, I think the cheese is grilled on the gyoza, which helps it blend well with the gyoza and reduce that heavy, cheesy texture. For drinks, we ordered all the sake cocktails. Get the Momo! Love that orange flavor in my cocktails~ You can park in the lot or on the street. Street parking is free after 6pm.

    (4)

  • Ryan M.

    Let me start by saying that the food here is really good. I will explain in further detail later. However, the reason for 3 stars is from the lack in... SERVICE. The wife and I came here for happy hour. They were fairly slow during our time there. In fact, we were only one of two patrons for the first half hour. Upon entrance, we were not officially greeted by any of the three employees. I had to ask if it was okay to just choose any table. They were very friendly but we were rarely checked on during our time there. We had to consistently flag down employees when we needed something. Let me add that the employees were not busy (Watching tv) when I was trying to flag them down. They also forgot about one of our dishes. No apology was given but I appreciated the quick turn around time. I don't feel they were doing anything on purpose but improvement is needed in the customer service department. Now the.. FOOD is 100% gratifying. I was impressed with the extensive food and drink menu. Their happy hour menu is fairly small compared to the regular menu. We tried a few items off both menus, starting with my favorite down to my least favorite. However, all dishes were excellent. Kabocha & Bacon - AKA pumpkin and bacon (on the menu) Wow, talk about sweet and savory. Especially the savory. You will enjoy this if you love salt. Pasta with Pesto - Well cooked noodles with a very rich pesto sauce. Mouth keeps watering even after your done with the dish. 4 Cheese Pizza - Personal pan sized but loads of cheese with a pesto based sauce. Each slice with slice of tomato. Cheese Gyoza - This was definitely good. Their gyoza alone is good so when you add cheese it becomes better. If they added bacon on the cheese it would be great. Rock Shrimp - My least favorite but still good. It was basically deep fried shrimp on lettuce with a dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is what gave this dish life. ENVIRONMENT here is pleasant. A contemporary look. I have never been here when it was Verbanos so I have no comparison on a before or after. PRICE is very good considering the quality of food that they serve. Even more so during happy hour. PARKING is free as long as you park in the designated stalls. I was about to pay parking but my smart wife decided to call and ask if parking was free. Lo and behold, there is a sign on the door that explains the parking situation which can be a problem since most people would have already paid by then. Even though I am giving them 3, I wouldn't mind giving them another chance because the food is good. I will definitely update on a second return in the future, but for now, I have to stick with 3.

    (3)

  • Juliann C.

    Alle-freaking-luia! Love this place, recommended by a friend and I was sold when he said that this is the same chef as Genius Lounge. Hello, love Genius Lounge. And not in Waikiki, sign me up! The GOOD * cheese GYOZA - holy crap. No joke, HAVE TO ORDER. I don't care who you are, who your with... order this. * Ikura Pasta yum yum * service was great, attentive, friendly, and very knowledgable. The BAD * they kept the same set up as Verbano, the restaurant that was there before... I wish it was more like Genius Lounge! The WEIRD * Don't try to slide your drink while it's sitting on the table. It'll tip over. Because of the material they chose to staple to the reused table, your drink will not move if you try and slide it over, and it will tip over. Be careful!

    (5)

  • Denalee C.

    The local bars better watch out, Chez Kenzo knocks it out of the park. It's my go to spot I always suggest first when my friends want to hit the bar. First of all, read the sign and park in stalls: 32-76. That way, you don't have to pay. If you come during happy hour (5-7pm) they have AMAZING deals. We got the antipasto, 4 cheese pizza, rock shrimp and garlic bread. While all were good, it was the garlic bread I fell in love with. I could eat that ALL DAY LONG. At $2.50 during happy hour, that's a lot of bread! Off the regular menu, the kabocha and pumpkin will blow your mind. It's tender and flavorful. The bacon is cut a bit thicker than average and although the pieces are small (not long strips) it's really all you need to make the kabocha the best part of your meal. I can't come here with ordering the ume pasta. I know it sounds weird but it's my absolute favorite. The noodles here are perfectly al dente, but there's something else that makes you want to polish off the bowl. The pasta is lightly coated with the ume flavor and is just delicious. Cheese gyoza. You just have to try it. I love cheese and they place a very generous layer on the gyoza and brown it just like I like it. The gyoza itself isn't the greatest but like bacon, adding cheese to anything makes it great! The service is friendly and efficient, the game is always on and I always see someone I know.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    I think I could easily come back here over and over again. Came here for the first time, and of course, Yelped up what to order. Considering that everyone posted the same EXACT 4 photos, we ordered just what everyone basically was telling us to eat. (our waiter asked if we yelped this place prior to coming.) Kabocha and bacon: good but nothing that WOW'd me. I enjoyed eating the dish as the kabocha was very sweet, soft, and hot when it came out. The bacon was somewhat crisp but really, that's basically what the dish was: kabocha and bacon. the sweetness from the kabocha went very well with the saltiness from the bacon but I think it was just lacking a wow factor Crab meat pasta: this surprisingly was good! I enjoyed this dish but the sauce was a little runny. I wish it was a little thicker because at the end of our dish, it was all liquid and crab meat b/c it just didn't stick to the pasta well. Other than that, I would actually order this again. Hamburger steak: YUM it was a nice thick piece of hamburger and a nice scoop of mashed potato's. although i thought that eating half of this order myself was a little heavy, my friend thought it was just perfect. I think it was the sweetness from the sauce (which is very good) but also was a little much for me. Cheese Gyoza: SO GOOD! as weird as the combination may sound, the crispy burnt cheese is just PERFECT with those gyoza's. My only problem with this dish is the amount of time it took to come out. All 3 of our orders came out before our gyoza's did and I kind of wish it was one of the first. Maybe a lot of love was given to it thats why it took so long. Yes, this was the one dish I wanted to try and didn't have the patience for What I didn't like about Chez: -menu: what in the world is 75% of the menu?!?! Most of the items on the menu had names I've never heard of before and no description to go with it!!! Their extensive menu with no descriptions made it a little hard and overwhelming to order. We wanted to order something that wasn't mentioned on Yelp, but how could we? Yes we could ask the waiter, but who has the time to explain 3/4 of the menu when it's packed?

    (5)

  • Marisa A.

    What didn't I love about this place? This was our early Valentine's day dinner. My bf made reservations and when we got there they seated us right away. The only thing I didn't like was THE NOISE. Because it's a rather small place with maximized seats, and everyone trying to have conversations, it's quite noisy. Now let's talk about the food. We ordered roasted edamame-yum. We also ordered Hane Cheese Gyoza-TO DIE FOR!!! It's spinach wrapped pork dumplings with a mozzerella layer of cheesy goodness. What made that dish even better was the edges of the dish was crispy and crunchy and when you bit into it the cheese it was just all cheesy melted goodness. We also ordered the tonkatsu, which was ok. Then, because my bf knew some of the servers, they brought to our table the Pumpkin and bacon sauteed with garlic. HOLLLLLLLEEEEEEE MOOOOOLEEEEE!!! Crispy bacon sauteed with kabocha and garlic atop mixed greens. Just writing this review makes me wanna go back there, and yes I highly recommend this place. I didn't get to try the tiramisu, due to the baker being out on maternity leave...but I will be going back to try it. Service is amazing...considering that this place fills up fast. You never wait for anything. There is ample parking. This is also a great place for groups, but you must make reservations.

    (5)

  • Aulelei D.

    Came to Kenzo thinking it was still Verbano's & since we were already there we figured why not. Glad we did, the waiter & waitress both would check on us while we were there. The loco moco with curry sauce was deliciously yummy. The dressing for the side salad was out of this world. Would like to see a more complex dessert menu though.

    (4)

  • Kayla R.

    I'm def a fan! The food was great, service AMAZING! (very fast with getting drinks and food, probably best service I've had at a bar!) and with friends, you'll be able to have a grand night spent at Chez Kenzo!!!! Service: AMAZING!!!!!! Very friendly! Always checking up on our drinks and food and brought everything to the table very fast! Very pleased :D Food: Very good! I just wished instead of the fried tako pieces, it was Baby Tako. But it was very delish! The uni pasta is a winner, if you're a uni fan! And everything else we order was excellent, I wish def order all of it again! Only things that knocked off 1 star: Parking SUCKS, the lot itself you have to pay the pay box (make sure you have dollar bills) also another thing is it's super crowded! :( I also tried to call early in the night to make reservations but my phone call wasn't answered. But I think they just get very busy! So maybe come early to put your name on the wait list~ I'll be looking forward to my next visit :D

    (4)

  • Coreen L.

    My friend and fellow Yelppie suggested this place for pau hana with the girls. This is a gem, tucked away along King Street - great vibe, yummy pupus & dishes that were Japanese influenced, and of course, excellent cocktails. I also quickly noticed that at Chez Kenzo, the boys run the show - meaning, it seemed to be an all male crew. No worries ladies, they were very nice. Great friendly service for sure!! During the after-work hours, it gets busy - so make a reservation. There's also a private room for larger parties.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    First off, although the entire staff here is incredible, one member named Steve really made our visit memorable and ensured we'd always be eager to come back to Kenzo. If you're a fan of Genius Lounge, this is a place you'd love. Because it's the same, amazing thing. Minus the crappy Waikiki parking. Minus the loud drunk tourists wandering around the area. Happy Hour at Kenzo is something you have to come for. Though the HH food menu is somewhat limited, you really can't go wrong with $6 entrees of pesto pasta, bay shrimp salad, shrimp cocktail, hummus, the list goes on. More importantly, there is the option to pick up a hefty, frozen glass full of Kirin or Bud Light for just $3. MOST importantly, there is an eye-glazing option to buy yourself a heavy pour of house sake for just $6. This is a HUGE glass of sake. And it isn't any Ozeki or Sho Chiku Bai crap. This is a decent bottle of stuff that you'll be glad you ordered. I'm not saying it's Kubota Manju or anything like that, but it ain't bad. And for $6, it's a great value. But don't just come for Happy Hour. The rest of the menu is full of amazing items like the Hane Cheese Gyoza (literally gyoza doused with cheese in a hot pan, then served with a thick layer of the gooey stuff stuck to the bottom), and the simplicity of Deep Fried Garlic. There's much, much more to try, but start with those. What really makes Kenzo such a great place is the combination of atmosphere, staff and speed of service. The room is split into three smaller sections. One is a shallow entryway set of tables, good for a quick drink while waiting for a real seat. The main area is a square area with dim, but sufficient lighting and an open feel under a high ceiling. The last area is a half-enclosed private area that maintains a nice level of quiet, beyond all the goings-on of the surrounding gatherings. It's comfortable, unconfined, and airy. The team seems to effortlessly flow between every table in the place, never just sticking to their own "sections." They all seem to assist each other in running food out, and making sure that every single customer is taken care of, and they're damned effective. It's nice to be at a lounge like this where every single employee seems enthusiastic to be at work. We've never met any of these employees before, but by the way they treat us, you'd think that we had. I'm always impressed and excited to eat and drink here. So many restaurant staffs have this, "Ugh, customers taking advantage of Happy Hour" mentality, because their tips are lower due to tickets being lower. It comes through in their service, and many servers actually seem to dilly dally in order to avoid having to serve you more HH options. HOWEVER, Kenzo's team consistently encourages you to take advantage of the Happy Hour menu. They seem to know the real secret: You want a bigger tip? Sell a higher quantity of cheaper drinks and food options. It's uplifting for a server like Steve to come by the table and actually persuade you to buy at least one more drink before Happy Hour comes to a close. The speed of service is phenomenal. Your drinks are on the table in two minutes, your entrees in just a few minutes more. Everyone from the kitchen to the service floor is doing their work quickly, quietly, and efficiently. Super, super amazing stuff. Anyway, Happy Hour ends at 7:00 PM. Have a lot of drinks, then stay late and eat all the other food on the menu.

    (5)

  • Phil R.

    One of my favorite happy hour spots. The servers are amazing and wine pours are HUUUGE! My favorite dishes are pumpkin and bacon, hane cheese gyoza, mench loco moco, and any pasta. I love their pastas...always perfectly al dente.

    (4)

  • Travis D.

    After several years of seeing pictures on Instagram and Facebook from my friends, I finally got to checkout the great Chez Kenzo. When I called to verify happy hour time, I was informed by a friendly voice that happy hour is from 5-7pm. With about to spare, my friend and I rushed over to take advantage of the happy hour. We arrived in front on King St about 10 minutes before free street parking, so I just threw in a dime and headed to the restaurant. Once inside we looked around frantically hoping that there were open seats. It was quite packed and the person behind the bar said we could wait for an open table at the bar. No list was needed because of his superb memory skills. Sounds good to me. We decided to stand at the bar height counter in the middle of the main room. We perused the happy hour menu quickly ordered two pints of Kirin ($3 each) and a house sake ($6 for ~4-6 shots) and decided on pasta with pesto sauce and deep fried rock shrimp ($7 each). I figured the shrimp could be combined with the pasta to create an ultimate dish. The Kirin was served in arctic chilled mugs and really quenched our thirst. The sake didn't have too much bite and went well with the Kirin. The deep green pesto pasta was served piping hot, noodles perfectly cooked, with lots of pesto, and not too oily. The 20 pieces of fried shrimp came with lemon and a layer of spring mix-esque veggies and a dipping sauce. This shrimp dish could almost be considered a shrimp salad. The last few shrimps were enjoyed with the remnant pesto pasta. No surprise, it was also delicious. We were getting pretty filled, so our last dish was the bacon and kabocha as recommended by everyone I've talked to about Chez Kenzo. The kabocha was nice and creamy and was not overpowered by too much salt or other seasonings. Now I know what all the hype is about: 1) Really great service - timely check-ins, frequent water refills, and no extended waits for tables/checks. 2) Great happy hour - good portions and good prices on food along with good prices on alcoholic drinks Can't ask for much more. I will definitely make it a point to come back.

    (5)

  • Kristy Y.

    Service is a bit touch and go. When it gets busy it can be difficult to get someone's attention. Pasta is cooked al dente. I'm in love with their noodles and pasta is a MUST when I come here. I usually try a different one every time I come here. Cheese gyoza and beer... original parfait for dessert. Tried a few other things on their menu but these are my top tried and true.

    (4)

  • Esther K.

    Came here for a lunch on April Fool's Day. It wasn't crowded. There was one waitress working. She was very sweet and accommodating. Lunch prices are reasonable - in the $10 range. What I did not like was that the food took so long to come out. Entrees were not served to our table in a timely manner. Example, the salads came out first. After 10 minutes, the people who ordered loco moco and hamburgers got their order. After another 10 minutes, the people who ordered pasta were served. After another 10 minutes the people who ordered sandwiches were served. By the time the sandwiches were served, the people who ordered salad for lunch were finished eating. This is annoying to me when you're in a group setting. Another thing to note is that parking is not free during the lunch hour, even with validation.

    (2)

  • Mark H.

    This bar is very similar to Genius Sake Lounge but isn't touted as a sake bar. The menu is fairly extensive and is an expansion of Genius' menu--much of the same offerings. There should be something here to please everyone's palate. The portions are what you would expect from Tapas... smaller plates... appetizer portions... How was the food? Ummm, the food tasted good, but my group didn't think it was anything to rave about. Excellent customer service from owner Hiroshi. He was constantly checking up on us and conversed with us with a jolly attitude. Hiroshi was patient and thorough as he went over the menu. He even offered us a free serving of a junmai diaginjo sake. I look forward to returning and trying other things from the wide ranging menu. What was the pasta they offered during Joy of Sake last year? That was sooo good! I am craving that now...

    (4)

  • Tracy K.

    Chez Kenzo is the hottest new thing in town! Rolling with a good friend's recommendation to try something new (thank you Iris K.!), I was thrilled to put my international palate to the test. This restaurant is brand-spankin'-new and had its hard launch just days ago. Our party of four were delighted to try about a dozen dishes of apps, entrees, and "Tiffanie's Sweets"-our high school classmate's fabulous desserts! Although the word "Chez" is French in origin, there are more pasta/risotto dishes that point to Italian inspiration. There are so many fusion restaurants on the island-Angelo Pietro's spicy pork & eggplant pasta and Happy Valley's Pasta & Pizza come to mind. How did Kenzo measure up to these veterans? Well first off, the Kenzo menu is dizzying, with a bit too much selection than need be. If they chopped the options in half, it would probably work better for the customer as well as the kitchen staff. I feel this may be a temporary thing, and hopefully the staff will learn which items go faster. Their libations and concoctions menu is moderate; we ordered a Jameson mix and a bottle of white Beringer that lasted well into the night with the help of our great waiter. For starters, we tried the bacon kabocha, salmon with maui onion salad, Agedashi-style tofu with soy drizzle, and namasu sampler. Our server who just happened to be the assistant manager was very accommodating; answering our questions while giving his direct and honest opinion about the food. The kabocha was tasty and different. I'm not sure I would order it again, but it was satisfying in a unique, sweet-and-salty way that chocolate dipped potato chips seem to work. The salmon, namasu and tofu dishes were refreshing, cold, and nice on the lips. For our entrees, we gave in to the garlic shrimp, uni pasta, and cheese gyoza. And finally for dessert, we ordered the tiramisu, cheesecake, and banana cake with ice cream-all delicious and fancifully made. The portions left the only man on the table feeling undersatisfied so keep that in mind when ordering for the male counterparts. The flavors were well-tempered and satisfying, however I would not order the uni pasta nor the banana cake again. Everything else though was delightful. I'd compare the the overall experience to a Japanese-Italian love child blooming with potential, right at the cusp of culinary maturity. Its pubescent flavors has its mood swings of indecisive seasoning, just prematurely beaming with the anticipation of success. Some dishes were unanimously tasty, others were split decisions. We shall see next month with a return visit!

    (4)

  • Alyssa Y.

    This somewhat hidden bar is located on King Street right next to Bank of Hawaii. My first impression was that it was a little dark and very noisy. It didn't affect me at all after I got my drinks and delicious food! Reading other yelp review, I had to try the food here. It is a Japanese style cuisine with a local touch. The food portions were larger than I expected for the price. It is like a full size plate, but that didn't stop me from ordering more than one dish! (Note: the prices on the food listed below ranges from $8-$15). Original Poke was delicious! It was topped with a lot of onions though. The ahi was fresh and there was a shoyu sauce, I think. Salmon w/ Lomi Tomato Rice was something I only got a bite out of, but it was still very flavorful. The tomatoes and salmon were fresh and not like the lomi salmon you buy from the store. It went so well with the sushi rice! Kimchee omu-rice was super good! Basically, it's kimchee fried rice topped off with a scrabbled egg. I also, only got a bite out of this, but it was one of the best fried rice I've tried because it wasn't so spicy (I dislike very spicy food). Hane Cheese Gyoza was very interesting. It was about six gyozas topped with A LOT of cheese on top baked, I think. It was the first time trying something like this. I thought it would be gyoza filled with cheese, but I was soo wrong! It is a must try! Mench Loco Moco is made japanese style, which to me is a thicker hamburger. The hamburger was very juicy on top of a huge scoop of rice topped with an egg. The gravy isn't that thick, more on the watery side but that's how I like eating it! Wafu Hamburger Steak. Omg... This was probably my favorite dish and was all mine! It came out on a sizzling dish, steam & all! The hamburger was super juicy and I think there was a layer of cheese inside. The gravy was the same as the loco moco. It also came with a scoop of mashed potatoes. This is a MUST HAVE when coming to eat here! Overall, I enjoyed my drinks and food while I was here! Although it is very noisy, you'll get over it after a few drinks. Definitely coming back here soon! There is also happy hour from 5-7pm!

    (5)

  • Rick L.

    Very good Chez Kenzo! The food were all very tasty. As usual, we ordered way too much, my favorite were the Mentaiko Pasta, risotto, pasta mushroom with pasta. Each had its own unique deliciousness to it! I highly recommend these three dishes. Definitely coming back. Make reservations, it gets crowded in here.

    (4)

  • Raiian D.

    Pleasantly surprised. Polite staff. Ice cold draft kirin. Good scotch selection. Super fresh greens. Great Katsu curry. Clean. Good vibe. Waiter told me they are open till at least 1230 most nights.

    (4)

  • Kenson K.

    They have good deals here for drinks during happy hour. Good thing I just made it right at the cutoff for my drink order. The orders were huge. I was quite hungry that day so I ordered a full order of shrimp salad and a wafu hamburger steak. I was so stuffed. The food was OK. Nothing spectacular, but ok considering this is bar food.

    (3)

  • Lauren C.

    I made the mistake of walking in one evening on a weekend. The place was packed and since it has more of a bar vibe than a restaurant one, I couldn't really find someone to help me. Do I seat myself? Is there a host? Who works here...all the workers are wearing plain clothes! I saw reservations cards all over the open tables so I left before I could even flag someone down to help me. I was much smarter the next time around and called ahead to make reservations. I came after work around ten-ish and I told the bartender that I had a reservation and got seated right away. I was eager to check out their menu but found out that the majority of the menu was confusing. They lacked a description for menu items but I went into the restaurant with an idea of what I wanted to try so it wasn't a big deal. Although I do want to try different stuff next time so I think I have to do more research here on yelp! The servers seem really busy so we didn't want to bombard them with questions so we stuck with the hamburger steak, cheesy gyoza, and ume pasta. The hamburger steak was very flavorful and I liked that it came with mashed potatoes so it was more of a meal than just bar pupus. I don't even need to say much about the cheesy gyoza...I think my fellow yelpers have got that covered. So friggen good! And my favorite dish of the night, ume pasta! I wouldn't normally order this for myself because there are so many other yummy sounding pasta options but after hearing positive reviews and being intrigued on the idea of ume pasta, I gave it a go. The ume isn't very strong and it's prepared with very minimal sauce, just tossed in some garlic and butter maybe? The ume flavor comes from these slices of ume scented konbu scattered throughout the pasta. They were my favorite part! I would come back just to eat pasta. The dessert wasn't that great. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? I got the homemade tiramisu but it wasn't your traditional tiramisu with the rum soaked lady fingers on the bottom of a light mascarpone cream topping. Their tiramisu was made in a ring mold with small pieces of lady fingers within the cream. The ratio of mascarpone to lady fingers was off so I didn't really enjoy it. I kind of wish that this was more of a restaurant than a bar because I think I would come more often for dinner. The bar vibe makes me feel as if I should come with all my friends and hang out and drink when all I want to do is eat ume pasta.

    (4)

  • Liane C.

    Looking for a place for happy hour, stop off at Chez Kenzo. $4 wine and $3 draft beer. Could I ask for more...of close I can. They even have a happy hour section for food. A must on that list is there pesto pasta and four cheese pizza. Ono. If you are not too full from the happy hour list, try there hamburger steak, Kim Chee fried rice, shabu shabu salad, and natto omelette. Happy hour is until 7 pm.

    (4)

  • Pili B.

    Good food - kind of like Japanese/American fusion dishes with a little bit of local flair. The loco moco was good, but really big! Not a bad thing, but definitely enough to share. We ordered a bunch of food family style and got to try a little bit of everything. The only reason I say 4 instead of 5 stars is because of the service. The restaurant was not busy at all (about half empty) when we got there during happy hour (5-7 pm), but the waiters were nowhere to be seen. They would come out, take our order, then disappear for long periods of time. Not the best service, but definitely not the worst either! Good experience overall.

    (4)

  • Joanna Y.

    Ok, first off I am a bit biased because I used to frequent Genius Lounge in Waikiki at least once a week when I used to work in Waikiki. So I was already a fan of the food, and already friends with the fantastic staff. I haven't gone to Genius as regularly ever since I stopped working in April 2012.. But when I heard they just opened a restaurant/bar outside of Waikiki, I knew I had to check it out! I want to give 5 stars but its the seating area that kinda bothers me. I think there should be more chairs for more dining area. Upon entering, you see a bar to the right, then the entire restaurant is split in half. Half with tables for dining (with a separate area that's more lighted and private for dining), and the other half is open with some tables for people to stand at. I get it - an area for people who want to just drink. Maybe it's because I went on a Saturday night that's why it was so busy? Are there less busier times? I just think the space can be used a little better. The food gets 5 stars! I also appreciated how the food came out quickly, but one after the other so it wasn't very overwhelming. Kenzo told me the food is about 20-30% larger than at Genius... fine with me! We had some of my fave Genius food and some of the new new: Pumpkin and bacon - yummy in my tummy! Cream cheese poke - my bf was a little confused when I wanted to order this; he thought it was regular ahi poke with cheese on top lol. But it's little pieces of cream cheese in place of ahi. Cheese lovers like me just have to get this!! Cheese gyoza (new) - it's pretty much gyoza with cheese on top. Idk what it is, it's so simple but it was soooo good! Who woulda thought cheese on gyoza haha Wafu steak (new) - oh man. Cheese filled hamburger steak with the most delicious brown gravy on top. Comes with a scoop of mashed potatoes. Parfait (can't use the same name but it was called Genius Parfait) - vanilla ice cream, green tea ice cream, mochi balls, mandarin oranges, a layer of azuki beans and a layer of corn flake cereal. This was one of my faves at Genius but only a few people could make it, I had to order it far in advanced (takes time to make) and most of the time I wasn't able to order it. I love that I can be a fatty and order it any time now!!! Lol! The best part about all of this is the food came out to $35, which I think is reasonable for 2 people at that high of quality. We also had some drinks we ordered at the bar before we sat. Next time I will be more adventurous and order more off of their new menus - I will be back soon!

    (4)

  • Marissa W.

    Loved it! Love me some bar action! HH is even better! Enjoying a nice ice cold draft. Bar food and carbs are my all time faves and chez kenzo has lots of Both! This dimly lit bar scene makes me feel like I'm having a bit more of a posh experience. It's nice and busy so this place would be perfect for drinking fun. Nobodies gonna tell your party to quiet down. I will definitely be coming back and maybe even having a birthday party here. They have a side room perfect for a private party:)

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    I heard about this place from a friend and also heard it was the same owner as Genius Lounge which is also another favorite place of mine so I was excited to go here. I have been here a handful of times since opening and leave satisfied every time. This is a perfect place for a night out with friends, nothing too serious. The service is always great, the workers and owners are very friendly and always check up on you, the bartender is personable and remembers his customers well. The food is unique and has an asian spin on everything. My favorites are their pastas and their salads, and I am not a big salad person either but their salads are so delicious. the menu is fairly big so you have a lot of choices. The only thing I can complain about is that the lighting is a little dark in here but other then that, this is one of my go to places for a bar/lounge outing.

    (5)

  • Megun H.

    We got so nice cold beer and so good food:)

    (4)

  • Shay F.

    WoW... the menu kinda makes me ADD. It's like OOOH I wanna try that, then flip, OOOH I wanna try that too, then flip, OOOH I wanna try that! I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to eat, but I ended up getting the ume pasta, which was great! But I have to go back again soon since there were like 5 other things I wanted to try! LoL.

    (4)

  • David M.

    Ate there this past weekend with friends. It was the 1st time for everyone. Parking - Piece of cake! Lots of stalls and you also park on King Street after hours too. Food was very good. Not a great natto fan but we experimented and tried their Natto Omelet. It was pretty good, I would order it again. Bacon and Kaboocha was very nice and the Wafu Hamburger steak was great. Pasta was delicious and clean tasting where the sauce was not over powering the noodles. Happy hour prices for drinks very reasonable. Service - very attentive and kept our waters filled. The only thing that keeps it from 5 stars is that it's so noisy! They need to put some sound absorbing materials on the ceiling and walls as the conversation from others plus the background (too loud.....hint, hint) music started to give us all headaches after a couple of drinks. We would have stayed longer but it got a bit uncomfortable with the noise. We literally had to raise our voices talking with each other.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth H.

    This definitely is a restaurant that I would continue to visit with my friends for happy hour after work. While the happy hour menu was small, their main menu was so extensive it was hard to decide on what to try. I absolutely LOOOOOOOVED their kabocha with bacon. I don't know if I will be able to eat kabocha again without bacon. The best part was that they used crispy bacon. Who doesn't love crispy bacon? For drinks, I ordered the mono off of the happy hour menu. It was definitely tasty, a good, sweet alcoholic drink to have after work. The only thing I didn't care for was the wagyu hamburger steak. It was sweeter than I expected it to be. It reminded me more of a meatloaf. I personally prefer my hamburger steak to have a more savory gravy, so I didn't care for that dish. Though with such an extensive menu, there are definitely more things for me to try the next time I return

    (4)

  • Miki W.

    OMG what has happened to this place! I used to like their mentaiko pasta but last Friday, I had such a bad experience. :'( 1. They probably ran out of extra thick pasta so they used regular pasta. (I went there specifically for Mentaiko spaghetti with extra thick pasta) 2. I believe they poured ponzu sauce on my pasta by mistake but served the dish anyway. (When I lifted up chunk of noodle I saw Brown liquid on the dish WTH) 3. To top it off, pasta was undercooked. Not al dente, it was crunchy in the middle. LOL After taking a bite, I told the waitress that pasta was undercooked and tasted strange. Then she took the dish away and came back with microwaved pasta. Piping hot microwaved pasta was stuck together I couldn't even separate the noodle. On top of that mentaiko was cooked so well in the microwave, it turned white. I ended up not eating any. There is no "sorry" or "is there anything else you like to try tonight?" All the customers should deserve what we pay for. Very disappointing experience.

    (1)

  • Ellison U.

    I am not one who gives out 5-stars to often, but Chez's really earned it's ranking amongst the other 5's I've given. I brought a date here for my first visit. She was from out-of-town so we ordered a feast. She loved everything, as did I. Chez's, I believe captures an ideal place to have a date. In the evening, the lighting in there is perfect for intimate occasions. The night we went, it was somewhat loud, although it helped in my favor. I was able to get closer to my date. Anyway, we proceeded to order the hamburger steak, cheese gyoza, uni pasta, bacon kabocha, and the ahi-poke salad. I definitely loved the bacon kabocha, honestly you'd never guess that pumpkin and bacon together would taste any good. But geez it was heaven! The cheese gyoza, oh man... It was like a party in my mouth! I loved it! Everything else was okay to good. Didn't really care much for the uni paste, although it was quite a unique dish. Although the server forgot abt our ahi poke salad and received it at the end of our meal after we had to ask abt it. It was comp'd, which I was pretty impressed. Place is comparable to genius lounge, dash, and home bar.

    (5)

  • Cang W.

    Here's the winners sautéed ckicken wit citrus sauce, garlic bread wit mushroom cream sauce, hamburger steak, pumpkin wit bacon n any pasta is Bombay!!!

    (5)

  • Naoko I.

    This restaurant has enlisted to my favorite restaurant I had Shabushabu salad, the dressing has strong citrus flavor which my fav, Uni pasta, I love their pasted Uni sauce, and the Parfait, the layer of matcha cream, ice cream, mochi, some crunchy cereals reminded me the parfait I used to eat in Japan. The draft beer was super chilled to thirst the quench, and the dry Chardonnay matched with my pasta. Excellent service too!!

    (4)

  • Crystal L.

    Chez Kenzo is my favorite FAVORITE place to go to right now. It's romantic. it's classy. It's modern. It feels like a best friend - warm feelings, fun, sexy, always a great time. The food is soooooo good, I end up dreaming about it for days after. I haven't had the whole menu but I would probably recommend everything they have! I tried the Bacon Kabocha which had awesome smokey bacon with pumpkin. I love Kabocha and who doesn't love bacon?? The smokey flavor was definitely memorable. My favorites were the Salmon steak, Uni pasta and Mentaiko pasta. The salmon steak came which such a rich and delicious sauce, my gfs scraped the plate trying to get every last drop! The next time we came in, we asked for the salmon steak sauce to be put on our pasta and they accommodated! It was so delicious!! The pastas are dreamy! They are creamy and very flavorful. I seriously daydream about the pastas at least once a week. The steak was also great. When I went on vacation last month, I had to have Chez Kenzo as soon as I returned! The service brings it up a notch which is attentive and caring. Both visits, we had Richie and he is a plethora of menu knowledge! He kept making sure we were alright and my glass was never empty, which made me feel like a princess! BTW, to top all that off, it's quite affordable. I can't wait to coax my friends for another visit!

    (5)

  • Krissy K.

    I dropped in for happy hour with some girlfriends. We arrived at 5:30, so parking and seating were no problem. I had a couple glasses of wine, and my girlfriends opted for sake cocktails, which were all really cheap. Looking over the menu, the happy hour food specials did not really jump out at us, so we ordered mostly off the regular menu. We had the following: Shabu Salad - Very nicely dressed and a generous portion of meat. I liked this a lot. Kabocha w/Bacon - So simple yet so delicious. A nice mix of flavors and textures. Mentaiko Pasta - Again, quite simple yet tasty. Nasu - My friends deemed this to be their least favorite. I guess I would agree, but I think I liked it a lot more than they did. It basically tasted like mapo tofu without the tofu over eggplant. This was a very large and filling portion. Four Cheese Pizza - Okay, so...I was still hungry. This was a lot better than I thought it would be, as it had a light pesto sauce, and I love pesto. Tiramisu - I don't really love tiramisu in general, because I don't drink coffee nor do I like coffee-flavored items. This was an interesting interpretation and reminded me more of Japanese cheesecake. I'd rather have pizza for dessert. :) The service was just okay - friendly enough but sort of inattentive and rather slow. This seems like a good date spot - in fact, we were semi-spying on the couple at the next table and decided they were on a first date. Heehee. So nosy. One negative is that it gets VERY LOUD in here. The table on our other side had a woman who was cackling at a high pitch, making our eavesdropping endeavors a little more difficult. Chez Kenzo also has a semi-private seating area done up in red, which would be good for parties. Recommended.

    (4)

  • Laurel M.

    Visited for pau hana Friday and loved it. Cocktails and frosty mugs with Kirin draft was tasty. Ordered happy hour food too. We also tried crab pasta, which had a lot of crab, chicken wings, pesto pasta, and the kombucha and bacon. Yum!

    (4)

  • Justine R.

    Been here twice already and each time was a great experience. The atmosphere is nice and the decor is nice and clean. Service is good, nice, friendly, and fast. The main reason for this review is the good! Seriously, you would go home and dream about it afterwards. Happy Hour is great but not something I would go there for. The regular menu is way better and pretty worth it. The only thing I would recommend is if you get there early, get the pesto pasta. Drinks are also a great price at this hour. HUGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Shabu Shabu Salad ($10): This was really really yummy. Who would've thought to combine shabu shabu meat and make it into the salad. What really makes this salad great is the dressing. Two things that wouldn't usually go together, this sauce makes it really good. It's a really huge portion and honestly, I was pretty full already after sharing it. Smoked salmon maui onion salad ($8): This was really good. It was a rather small portion but a great amount of sweet maui onion and the salmon was rather fresh as well. Kabocha and Bacon ($8): I'm sure you've heard enough about this one. Extremely yummy if you like kabocha. The two stir-fried together make a great smoky combination. Salmon Steak ($13): Also something every Yelper has highly recommended, trust them, they are not leading you in the wrong direction. This dish is excellent and something you would probably have to pay $30 for at any other high class restaurant. The salmon is like any other salmon but with the creme sauce it serves with, makes it a million times better. It makes the salmon taste more creamy and brings the flavor to a whole other level. I have also tried other dishes but honestly, aren't really worth mentioning as a recommendation. The only thing I would advise against is getting the fish currry dish they have on their menu. Our waiter advised against it and I was thankful he did. Otherwise, this review may have lost another star. Overall, great food, great prices, great service. Definitely 5 stars in my book!!

    (5)

  • Kendra O.

    The food at Chez Kenzo is amazing! A must-have is the kabocha pumpkin with bacon. They also have a selection of sake, and the saketini is very good (and dangerous!). Pretty affordable too -- if you with a group, you will probably do well with everyone ordering one item, and sharing. The big drawback is the noise -- it always seems to be very loud, and it is difficult hearing people even if they're sitting right across from you. It can get very crowded, make a reservation, especially if you're going with a group.

    (4)

  • R S.

    The atmosphere had a nice local Japanese feel to the restaurant. Good for friends gathering but not a place to bring children. Although out experience was very good with two children in tow. The staff was attentive and courteous. The pumpkin bacon appetizer, garlic bread dip, crab pasta and citrus chicken was a hit. The deep fried Ika (squid) was a disappointment. I would recommend meeting up with friends at this bar and grill.

    (4)

  • Alvin L.

    Great food, great service. Got a lot of good Japanese style food that most restaurants in Hawaii don't have. Perfect for any occasion!

    (5)

  • Ryan Y.

    First off the lightning is super dark, so if you are disgusted by the way your significant other looks then it's a perfect place to go lol jk. Others might say its romantic but I think that's the real reason you take your date to a dark place. There are many things on the menu, however no description, I mean how the crap am I supposed to know what everything is. I ordered the uni pasta and it was very bland. My other friend did not like his dish either. One friend liked his loco moco and my other fren ordered Alfredo who said was oily. We also ordered the cheese gyoza, sounds good on paper,but no thank you for me. Not that greatest place, then again it was my fault to go to a place that has sukiyaki, udon, loco mocos and also serves pasta. Just saying!!!

    (2)

  • GLENN F.

    First time and pleased. Had the clam pasta wine and butter. Wish there was an option to have it cream sauce. Shabu Shabu salad was very good. Looking forward to next time

    (4)

  • Elle V.

    I would have loved to give Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill one more star than I did, and that would've been the case if it had not been for an employee who called me four hours after I had left. Here is what happened, we had a party for 12 during happy hour from 5-7 PM. A friend and I had to leave early so I asked for a separate check before I ordered anything, 5- $2 Sake Shots, 1- Sensy (which is the best watermelon drink I have ever had), 1- Uni Pasta (totally delicious if you love uni), 1- Cheese Gyoza (it couldn't have been cooked any more perfectly), 1- Garlic Shrimp, 1- Hummus & Flat Bread. The servers were all pretty busy, wished there were more of them around. Service wavered a bit in the refilling water department, remembering a new order, or retrieving an extra fork, but I would have to say they were on it with their smiles. The rest of my friends of course stayed longer than I and they later told me my order was added on to their tab. I'm not sure how that went down or how they cleared that up with the server but I end up receiving a call later of how "your party underpaid, there was product brought out and not paid for, etc, etc." That is completely RUDE. 1) I've worked in food service before and if a server lets their party leave without paying, that's on them 2) We have our receipts to prove that we DID pay 3) Don't call me super late at night demanding that "it doesn't matter about tip, we just need to get the unpaid items PAID for." It's not so much the food because everything was delicious, ambience is decent, the japanese wet towelettes were a great souvenir... but really, you're going to call me 4 hours after I left to tell me that we underpaid and that it needs to be paid for? Believe me, I was livid. Korean came out and I chewed that man out over the phone, I know a couple of my responses were "My credit card ends in XXXX, do you want the transaction number? This is how much I paid..." and my friends were around to tell me how much they paid. All in all, at the end of the conversation the man over the phone said, "nevermind, but you folks still underpaid." REALLY? If that is seriously the case.. I'd like to hear from the manager because money ain't a problem for myself or ANY of my friends. Besides that, the rest of my friends ordered the following: kabocha & bacon, deep fried rock shrimp, hamburger steak, four cheese pizza, ahi & octopus, ahi sashimi (forgot the name but it came with a pretty delicious shoyu sauce) .... everything was ono, just wish the uni pasta was a larger serving & presented nicer for the price. Someone remind me to check my CC statement to make sure they don't OVERCHARGE me! Haha. Assholes.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Chez Kenzo Bar & Grill

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